2018 Valero Texas Open

[phillyk]

Watching PGA Tour Live this morning, and once again the commentators go on bashing Aim Point.  Sounded like they were saying that it makes putting harder than it is, and that players should rely solely on their eyes more. They were commentating based on Adam Scott.  Maybe they are bashing because Scott is like -.5 in strokes gained putting this season.  Regardless, it's annoying to listen to.

And I'm pretty sure Xander just moved his ball on the 15/16th green (not sure which one it was) without a mark there... I couldn't rewind it for some reason but I think he had tweaked the ball's line, went back, then put a mark down and moved it more.  

Anyway, there aren't a lot of big names this week.  I'd like to see Jimmy Walker do well again.

Edited April 19, 2018 by phillyk

[krupa]

It's pretty easy to see people do Aim Point, miss the putt, and think "what a ridiculous system and they still missed the putt!"  I don't do that, but I have seen people (Ko, maybe?) do Aim Point with, what looks like, short putts and wonder, "do you really need it there?"  

I wonder if any of the commentators have actually taken an Aim Point course and tried it themselves.

[rehmwa]

It's important to remember that a lot of announcers are old timers that moved on to announcing as the next stage of their career and, by nature, they think the 'good old days' have a halo over it.

So anything new they will tease and mock and deny.  Even if it's just simple ways to assess the course and make better choices.  I suspect it's ego more than anything.  But in all the cases it just comes across petty and they should stop it and focus on a better experience for the viewers - unless the viewer demographic also consists of people just like them....

I doubt any of these guys have an issue with: determining how far away hazards and the flag are for drives and approaches; detemining which way the green slopes on a putt; practicing a full vs a half swing for each club to confirm how far they hit those shots; checking the winds to estimate its effect on a shot; learning different levels of spin and how to do execute those shots, learning the ball flight laws for real.....etc etc ad nauseum

But put a new name on it, or do it slight different that they "used to", and they can't seem to wrap their heads around the idea that's it's the same thing they try to do themselves, only organized better and more repeatable.  When they mock that stuff they come across as fools.

[iacas]

Nobilo has done AimPoint a little and likes it. Faldo is moderately well informed and somewhat positive.

[Club Rat]

Unable to watch any of the morning rounds but scoring seems low.
Is the wind a factor today or other weather issues?

[ncates00]

I still don't know much about aimpoint.  Sounds interesting from what I've heard.

[dennyjones]

44 minutes ago, ncates00 said:

I still don't know much about aimpoint.  Sounds interesting from what I've heard.

Aimpoint

[ncates00]

1 hour ago, dennyjones said:

Aimpoint

Umm... thanks?

Edited April 19, 2018 by ncates00

[iacas]

A par five playing over par (5.2) and scoring averages of 74. Wow.

[HJJ003]

Good to see Zach Johnson playing so well today. Always been a fan. With the weather looming tomorrow, being in or near the front today may be extra important. 

[krupa]

Also nice to see Ben Crane up there; I hope he has a solid weekend.

[ncates00]

2 hours ago, HJJ003 said:

Good to see Zach Johnson playing so well today. Always been a fan. With the weather looming tomorrow, being in or near the front today may be extra important. 

ZJ has had a pretty great career.  I'm a fan too.

[Btowneb]

On 4/20/2018 at 12:51 PM, ncates00 said:

ZJ has had a pretty great career.  I'm a fan too.

Always have a soft spot for the shorter guys off the tee.  Clearly, the conditions and the greens must be helping, because this is a bombers course. 

[Moxley]

I thought Trey Mullinax's duffed pitch at the 17th was very interesting. Perfect lie, and not short sided , but still duffed. His error seemed to be quitting on the shot for fear of going too far past.  Just goes to show that you can never take a simple pitch shot for granted.

[gray]

36 minutes ago, Moxley said:

I thought Trey Mullinax's duffed pitch at the 17th was very interesting. Perfect lie, and not short sided , but still duffed. His error seemed to be quitting on the shot for fear of going too far past.  Just goes to show that you can never take a simple pitch shot for granted.

For whatever reason, I just knew he was going to put that shot in the bunker. It really wasn't too hard of a golf shot, I don't think, but I guess the pressure just got to him. 

[nevets88]

 

[3jacker]

7 minutes ago, gray said:

For whatever reason, I just knew he was going to put that shot in the bunker. It really wasn't too hard of a golf shot, I don't think, but I guess the pressure just got to him. 

I had the same feeling. 

Projecting, I guess. 

But it's not that uncommon for bombers to put it next to a par-4 green and get "too close" for comfort given a certain lie or pin position.  He probably would have stuck a wedge from 75 yds out in the fairway.

[Buckeyebowman]

On 4/22/2018 at 10:44 AM, Btowneb said:

Always have a soft spot for the shorter guys off the tee.  Clearly, the conditions and the greens must be helping, because this is a bombers course. 

Uh, I watched him hit drives out there 320. To me, that's not short!

I think the analysts had it exactly right. He took the club back too far, quit on the downswing, and chunked it! Something we duffers can all identify with.

And how about some congrats for Andrew Landry? First win on Tour, and qualifies him for some nice goodies! And Landry is such a good, solid Texan surname!