The Golf Thread

[southlondonyiddo]

I was being jokingly bitter in that paragraph, after the magnanimous build-up, referencing our match threads. Think you missed it.

Yeah just couldn’t help biting a bit!!! All that bloody MASH POTATO still ringing in my ears mate!

 

[dagraham]

Yeah just couldn’t help biting a bit!!! All that bloody MASH POTATO still ringing in my ears mate!

I’ve tried really hard, but I just can’t fathom the mindset of a human who would feel the need to shout “mashed potato” or “cheese burger” after a golfer hits a tee shot.

Even allowing for the fact they’re American.

 

[heelspurs]

Yeah just couldn’t help biting a bit!!! All that bloody MASH POTATO still ringing in my ears mate!

Wow, you really don't like us do you?

One American came over and played that course when the French Open took place, shocking

Curious about this. Why would this be shocking? If you had asked me before the French Open how many 'Muricans (those in RC contention) would show up for it I would have guessed none. It was also 3 weeks before most would be traveling over anyway and it probably conflicted with another PGA Tour event.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

I’ve tried really hard, but I just can’t fathom the mindset of a human who would feel the need to shout “mashed potato” or “cheese burger” after a golfer hits a tee shot.

Even allowing for the fact they’re American.

The only explanation I could give would be that it’s a lot easier and shorter than shouting out ‘I’m a loud mouth dumb ass’

 

[Gbspurs]

I bet you did. How much were the tickets? And was it like a walk around ticket or did you have one in one of the grandstands around the tees/greens?

Ticket was £175. It's course access but the majority of the first tee is free access, only a part was pre paid. All other grandstands are free. I'll upload some photos when I can figure out how to reduce the image quality!

 

[Gbspurs]

1st Tee grandstand:

https://ibb.co/jgFg3e

16th Green:

https://ibb.co/gcqs9K

 

[E17yid]

It’s not really fair is it. On the yanks I mean.

They should be allowed to get the South American countries and Canada in the mix.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Wow, you really don't like us do you?


Curious about this. Why would this be shocking? If you had asked me before the French Open how many 'Muricans (those in RC contention) would show up for it I would have guessed none. It was also 3 weeks before most would be traveling over anyway and it probably conflicted with another PGA Tour event.

A number of Sky Sports golf analysts/commentators, including a former Ryder Cup captain have said much the same, that the Americans didn't put enough prep into it. I think the stat was something like the number of holes the European team members played on it 280-odd, USA players played 8 holes. Might have been rounds, I can't remember now.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Also interesting about the fairways being narrower and the fact that the spectators were moved back further than usual on each side of the fairway for this years Ryder Cup. Can't remember the guys name now (McGinley?) said fairways over the the US were getting wider and wider and over the past two years were wider than he'd ever seen. Very clever from Bjorn if that's the case.

 

[Mr.D]

Also interesting about the fairways being narrower and the fact that the spectators were moved back further than usual on each side of the fairway for this years Ryder Cup. Can't remember the guys name now (McGinley?) said fairways over the the US were getting wider and wider and over the past two years were wider than he'd ever seen. Very clever from Bjorn if that's the case.

Yep, someone's mentioned earlier on in this thread about a hell of a lot of pga events are like driving ranges with flags at the end and only the traditional us open venues have anything like the penalising fairway rough that Paris had.
Make no mistake, that us team have unbelievable golfers but they simply don't seem to able to get their heads around these courses. Which is quite baffling when you think how many have mastered the Open Championship links courses.

 

[Mr.D]

Anyway, I didn't manage to see one of fucking stroke when I was in Greece.
Just for home from Gatwick and have got the highlights on.

 

[dagraham]

Yep, someone's mentioned earlier on in this thread about a hell of a lot of pga events are like driving ranges with flags at the end and only the traditional us open venues have anything like the penalising fairway rough that Paris had.
Make no mistake, that us team have unbelievable golfers but they simply don't seem to able to get their heads around these courses. Which is quite baffling when you think how many have mastered the Open Championship links courses.

I think the key is what has been alluded to above. Preparation.

Before the Open Championship a lot of overseas players play in the Scottish Open, Irish Open etc before to acclimatize to links golf.

They knew for a while where the Ryder Cup was going to be and I think only Justin Thomas came to play the French Open at that course. Don’t think it’s a coincidence he was one of their better performers at the weekend.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

A number of Sky Sports golf analysts/commentators, including a former Ryder Cup captain have said much the same, that the Americans didn't put enough prep into it. I think the stat was something like the number of holes the European team members played on it 280-odd, USA players played 8 holes. Might have been rounds, I can't remember now.

Yep rounds. Quite a difference between the 2 teams!! They actually did pretty well going by that

Horrendous lack of preparation. Just shows where their priorities lie

 

[heelspurs]

A number of Sky Sports golf analysts/commentators, including a former Ryder Cup captain have said much the same, that the Americans didn't put enough prep into it. I think the stat was something like the number of holes the European team members played on it 280-odd, USA players played 8 holes. Might have been rounds, I can't remember now.

This is all well and good but it doesn't actually address my points. My points were, more clearly, why would someone expect them at the French Open and why would their absence rise to the level of "shocking".

The logistics didn't set up very well with the British Open and big travel coming up in 3 weeks time. Typically that is the time when the US gets in its practice rounds...you know, while they're already over there already.

The French Open would mean nothing to any US player (or US-based Euro I would imagine) and few could probably guess it's date within a month. It's value was specific to this year.

Coincidentally, that weekend was the weekend of Tiger's event. The interesting thing about this is the winner of Tiger's event. It would be none other than the best RC Euro Francesco Molinari. Is it shocking that he wasn't at the FO?

If we're being honest I was just responding to a very anti-American rant and wanted him to further flesh out his irrational position. Geopolitically there are a lot of reasons to hold animosity towards us. I get it. However, the irrational, ethnocentric, and pettily resentful ones I don't get.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

This is all well and good but it doesn't actually address my points. My points were, more clearly, why would someone expect them at the French Open and why would their absence rise to the level of "shocking".

The logistics didn't set up very well with the British Open and big travel coming up in 3 weeks time. Typically that is the time when the US gets in its practice rounds...you know, while they're already over there already.

The French Open would mean nothing to any US player (or US-based Euro I would imagine) and few could probably guess it's date within a month. It's value was specific to this year.

Coincidentally, that weekend was the weekend of Tiger's event. The interesting thing about this is the winner of Tiger's event. It would be none other than the best RC Euro Francesco Molinari. Is it shocking that he wasn't at the FO?

If we're being honest I was just responding to a very anti-American rant and wanted him to further flesh out his irrational position. Geopolitically there are a lot of reasons to hold animosity towards us. I get it. However, the irrational, ethnocentric, and pettily resentful ones I don't get.

If you think someone hates your nation because they point out that idiots shouting out 'Mashed Potato' get on their nerves then you Sir need help

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Heels, how many times do you think Francesco Molinari has played that course?

I would wager 15 or 20 times

I would also wager that other that JT most of the US team have NEVER competitively played that course prior to practice last week

That is shocking and absolutely horrendous preparation for the RC

Obviously most of the players and USPGA don’t care about the RC or they are arrogant beyond belief

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

This is all well and good but it doesn't actually address my points. My points were, more clearly, why would someone expect them at the French Open and why would their absence rise to the level of "shocking".

The logistics didn't set up very well with the British Open and big travel coming up in 3 weeks time. Typically that is the time when the US gets in its practice rounds...you know, while they're already over there already.

The French Open would mean nothing to any US player (or US-based Euro I would imagine) and few could probably guess it's date within a month. It's value was specific to this year.

Coincidentally, that weekend was the weekend of Tiger's event. The interesting thing about this is the winner of Tiger's event. It would be none other than the best RC Euro Francesco Molinari. Is it shocking that he wasn't at the FO?

If we're being honest I was just responding to a very anti-American rant and wanted him to further flesh out his irrational position. Geopolitically there are a lot of reasons to hold animosity towards us. I get it. However, the irrational, ethnocentric, and pettily resentful ones I don't get.

Ask the experts who seem to disagree. Me? I don’t care, all I did was mention they were saying it

 

[heelspurs]

If you think someone hates your nation because they point out that idiots shouting out 'Mashed Potato' get on their nerves then you Sir need help

Curious again why you are choosing to deflect instead of actually answering the question I posed to you yesterday that you conveniently ignored.

And don't put words in my mouth I said anti-americanism and ethnocentrism. Different people do things differently. Accepting and appreciating that fact is respectful. Complaining that people don't do things like you do, or the implied proper way, is disrespectful.

That is shocking and absolutely horrendous preparation for the RC

Obviously most of the players and USPGA don’t care about the RC or they are arrogant beyond belief

I could be wrong but there is bound to be some middle ground between "don't care" and "arrogance". I don't do well with binary thinking so perhaps you can help me on this one.

Assuming those are the only two options then so what if they do not care about it or place as high a value on an exhibition as the Euros do? That is their right. You are establishing your value on the competition and evaluating the US players according to it. You do see the problem with this don't you? Neither you nor I write their big checks so we have no bases for slating them based on our respective priorities.

This all feels a little bit West Hammy - you're complaining that your cup final is not their cup final. This is an exhibition after all and these folks are independent contractors trying to work their form, family, corporate obligations, and outside interests into a tournament schedule that is made for them. Just look at Jordan Spieth missing out on the Tour Champ because he cut it too close. And you want him to blow off a couple weeks/alter his whole schedule for an exihibition match? I sure as f*ck wouldn't. You want that commitment then watch the Walker Cup.

Ask the experts who seem to disagree.

Hold it, so now the sky sports talking heads should be listened to? Just trying to figure when they should be regarded or disregarded. I just tend to disregard 'experts' at all times when it concerns opinion in sport.

Me? I don’t care, all I did was mention they were saying it muddy the waters and skate outta here when it got all cloudy

FTFY

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Hold it, so now the sky sports talking heads should be listened to? Just trying to figure when they should be regarded or disregarded. I just tend to disregard 'experts' at all times when it concerns opinion in sport.


FTFY

Well he is a Ryder Cup winning captain so I'd have thought his onions would at least merit some consideration even if he did say it on Sky Sports, but hey, you might know better, I certainly don't that's for sure

 

[heelspurs]

Well he is a Ryder Cup winning captain

Michael Jordan is the best bball player ever and is a shit executive, owner, and probably would have been a shit coach. Phil Jackson, great coach, shit executive. And they probably would have been even worse if they gave opinions on someone else's team ie like McGinley. Just because someone did something doesn't mean their opinion is more valid than anyone else's. This rhetorical appeal to authority only works on the easily influenced but a point it does make...and I'll tackle that next.

As for McGinley, he may have been a RC winning captain which does merit some consideration, but in context he only beat the Americans so how much value is there in that. Those SOBs don't even prepare properly or take this exhibition seriously the arrogant ****s! See what I did there?