Played with a "pro" yesterday.

[fawley]

I was paired up with a "pro" once at a course with a 76 course rating. He was a "pro," not really a pro.

 

He was getting ready for a (then) buy.com Monday qualifier.

 

Whatever, ya know. Everyone's gotta do what they want to try in life.

 

To me, it's no less lame than the fad of competing in marathons, finishing whatever 2 hours behind the leaders, getting a participation medal and posting that and your marathon photos on Facebook like it's all noble and cutting-edge.

 

Both are actually pathetic, but yet since one is considered edgy, we have to give aspiring golfers the same level of respect and praise their often failed pursuits at their dreams.

 

I may have seen a worse analogy than comparing people falsely claiming to be pro golfers to amateur marathon runners being proud to share their actual times, but if I have, I can't remember it.

 

I'm not a sharing on social media kind of guy, but you better believe that when I ran the time I had targeted in the NYC marathon, but was still a little more than an hour behind the winner, it was deeply satisfying. The months of training, the 20 mile Saturday morning runs, the social life sacrifices all were worth it to perform well (for me) in the greatest sporting event in which I'd ever participated. I have respect for anyone who runs a marathon, and although it's not my thing, I understand them wanting to share their accomplishment with their friends in social media however they'd like too.

 

Yeah, it's exactly like claiming to be a pro and lying about tournament results when you can't break 80.

[ConcentricDimples]

I was paired up with a "pro" once at a course with a 76 course rating. He was a "pro," not really a pro.

 

He was getting ready for a (then) buy.com Monday qualifier.

 

Whatever, ya know. Everyone's gotta do what they want to try in life.

 

To me, it's no less lame than the fad of competing in marathons, finishing whatever 2 hours behind the leaders, getting a participation medal and posting that and your marathon photos on Facebook like it's all noble and cutting-edge.

 

Both are actually pathetic, but yet since one is considered edgy, we have to give aspiring golfers the same level of respect and praise their often failed pursuits at their dreams.

 

I may have seen a worse analogy than comparing people falsely claiming to be pro golfers to amateur marathon runners being proud to share their actual times, but if I have, I can't remember it.

 

I'm not a sharing on social media kind of guy, but you better believe that when I ran the time I had targeted in the NYC marathon, but was still a little more than an hour behind the winner, it was deeply satisfying. The months of training, the 20 mile Saturday morning runs, the social life sacrifices all were worth it to perform well (for me) in the greatest sporting event in which I'd ever participated. I have respect for anyone who runs a marathon, and although it's not my thing, I understand them wanting to share their accomplishment with their friends in social media however they'd like too.

 

Yeah, it's exactly like claiming to be a pro and lying about tournament results when you can't break 80.

 

Maybe calling himself a pro and competing in pay-for-entry opens is deeply satisfying to him. And if it is, shall we call his pursuit of satisfaction pathetic and lame?

[fawley]

I was paired up with a "pro" once at a course with a 76 course rating. He was a "pro," not really a pro.

 

He was getting ready for a (then) buy.com Monday qualifier.

 

Whatever, ya know. Everyone's gotta do what they want to try in life.

 

To me, it's no less lame than the fad of competing in marathons, finishing whatever 2 hours behind the leaders, getting a participation medal and posting that and your marathon photos on Facebook like it's all noble and cutting-edge.

 

Both are actually pathetic, but yet since one is considered edgy, we have to give aspiring golfers the same level of respect and praise their often failed pursuits at their dreams.

 

I may have seen a worse analogy than comparing people falsely claiming to be pro golfers to amateur marathon runners being proud to share their actual times, but if I have, I can't remember it.

 

I'm not a sharing on social media kind of guy, but you better believe that when I ran the time I had targeted in the NYC marathon, but was still a little more than an hour behind the winner, it was deeply satisfying. The months of training, the 20 mile Saturday morning runs, the social life sacrifices all were worth it to perform well (for me) in the greatest sporting event in which I'd ever participated. I have respect for anyone who runs a marathon, and although it's not my thing, I understand them wanting to share their accomplishment with their friends in social media however they'd like too.

 

Yeah, it's exactly like claiming to be a pro and lying about tournament results when you can't break 80.

 

Maybe calling himself a pro and competing in pay-for-entry opens is deeply satisfying to him. And if it is, shall we call his pursuit of satisfaction pathetic and lame?

 

Not if he doesn't exaggerate his results and lie about his scores.

[naval2006]

I know a bunch of pros in their 50's who never were tour players. Let's say their game is way off these days, especially because they're doing other jobs to make ends meet. Now they may look like a pro on a good day, but on a regular basis, they can't shoot par. Mind you, they used to be very good players at the mini tours.

 

They don't boast about their "pro" badge save one, who still plays great golf and can shoot in the 60's on any course. He played for a while on the European Senior Tour but didn't do well.

[CCTxGolf]

I'm just not clear how pretending to be a pro golfer and getting whipped by average joes is similar to completing a marathon in any way?

 

26.2 miles is impressive and not a very common achievement. Now if someone said they were an Olympic marathoner and then got whipped by 2 hours by average joe we may have a comparison.

 

Lying about being good at golf/pro golfer and running a marathon for fun are not nearly the same.

[Llortamaisey]

I'm not going to flame on the guy. I don't think his fellow "pros" would either. They need guys like this that are willing to pay the entry fee to get a full field in some tournaments. If he gets the experience and bragging rights he desires, then everyone's a winner. No harm no foul. I don't see how he could be taking spots from anyone who deserves it. These tournaments don't get the sponsorship money like they did in the past. They depend heavily on entry fee money these days.

 

People get too caught up on other people's exaggerations. Stay in your lane, worry about yourself. The exaggerations will eventually catch up to them without outside influence.

[ConcentricDimples]

I'm just not clear how pretending to be a pro golfer and getting whipped by average joes is similar to completing a marathon in any way?

 

26.2 miles is impressive and not a very common achievement. Now if someone said they were an Olympic marathoner and then got whipped by 2 hours by average joe we may have a comparison.

 

Lying about being good at golf/pro golfer and running a marathon for fun are not nearly the same.

 

26.2 miles is impressive, regardless of how long it takes you? So is having the courage to tee it up in a pro tournament, play 18 holes of golf.

 

Marathons are avante-garde. Why? Cause some hipster decided they were, and followers followed.

 

The guy didn't say he was a Champions Tour winner or got a top 5 at a major, so what's the big deal? He's just doing what makes him happy, and inflating the truth in a more measurable way than most people who inflate the truth.

 

Last week in the clubhouse some retired gentleman were having beers, talking about how they get stopped by cops who are so young they are in diapers, and it amuses them. Going on and on about how awesome they were. One even yelled "shank" when I was air-swinging in shoes I was trying on.

 

OK, so what? Those guys gotta deal with their feelings and self-esteem and talk it out. It's all good.

[Gnomesteel]

I'm just not clear how pretending to be a pro golfer and getting whipped by average joes is similar to completing a marathon in any way?

 

26.2 miles is impressive and not a very common achievement. Now if someone said they were an Olympic marathoner and then got whipped by 2 hours by average joe we may have a comparison.

 

Lying about being good at golf/pro golfer and running a marathon for fun are not nearly the same.

 

26.2 miles is impressive, regardless of how long it takes you? So is having the courage to tee it up in a pro tournament, play 18 holes of golf.

 

Marathons are avante-garde. Why? Cause some hipster decided they were, and followers followed.

 

The guy didn't say he was a Champions Tour winner or got a top 5 at a major, so what's the big deal? He's just doing what makes him happy, and inflating the truth in a more measurable way than most people who inflate the truth.

 

Last week in the clubhouse some retired gentleman were having beers, talking about how they get stopped by cops who are so young they are in diapers, and it amuses them. Going on and on about how awesome they were. One even yelled "shank" when I was air-swinging in shoes I was trying on.

 

OK, so what? Those guys gotta deal with their feelings and self-esteem and talk it out. It's all good.

 

You must really hate those 26.2 bumper stickers.

[deadsolid...shank]

I'm just not clear how pretending to be a pro golfer and getting whipped by average joes is similar to completing a marathon in any way?

 

26.2 miles is impressive and not a very common achievement. Now if someone said they were an Olympic marathoner and then got whipped by 2 hours by average joe we may have a comparison.

 

Lying about being good at golf/pro golfer and running a marathon for fun are not nearly the same.

 

26.2 miles is impressive, regardless of how long it takes you? So is having the courage to tee it up in a pro tournament, play 18 holes of golf.

 

Marathons are avante-garde. Why? Cause some hipster decided they were, and followers followed.

 

The guy didn't say he was a Champions Tour winner or got a top 5 at a major, so what's the big deal? He's just doing what makes him happy, and inflating the truth in a more measurable way than most people who inflate the truth.

 

Last week in the clubhouse some retired gentleman were having beers, talking about how they get stopped by cops who are so young they are in diapers, and it amuses them. Going on and on about how awesome they were. One even yelled "shank" when I was air-swinging in shoes I was trying on.

 

OK, so what? Those guys gotta deal with their feelings and self-esteem and talk it out. It's all good.

 

26.2 is impressive to me because 1: I can't do it and 2: I know what goes into the training to be able to do it.

 

Can you go out and run a marathon in 4:25? That's where you're going to need to be to be a couple hours behind the leaders?

[Yanki01]

me and spieth played a round on Wednesday - i could have told yall he was not going to be hitting driver well at all on sunday because he was spraying it. I told him as long as you can get the cameron rolling you'll be alright.

[ConcentricDimples]

I'm just not clear how pretending to be a pro golfer and getting whipped by average joes is similar to completing a marathon in any way?

 

26.2 miles is impressive and not a very common achievement. Now if someone said they were an Olympic marathoner and then got whipped by 2 hours by average joe we may have a comparison.

 

Lying about being good at golf/pro golfer and running a marathon for fun are not nearly the same.

 

26.2 miles is impressive, regardless of how long it takes you? So is having the courage to tee it up in a pro tournament, play 18 holes of golf.

 

Marathons are avante-garde. Why? Cause some hipster decided they were, and followers followed.

 

The guy didn't say he was a Champions Tour winner or got a top 5 at a major, so what's the big deal? He's just doing what makes him happy, and inflating the truth in a more measurable way than most people who inflate the truth.

 

Last week in the clubhouse some retired gentleman were having beers, talking about how they get stopped by cops who are so young they are in diapers, and it amuses them. Going on and on about how awesome they were. One even yelled "shank" when I was air-swinging in shoes I was trying on.

 

OK, so what? Those guys gotta deal with their feelings and self-esteem and talk it out. It's all good.

 

26.2 is impressive to me because 1: I can't do it and 2: I know what goes into the training to be able to do it.

 

Can you go out and run a marathon in 4:25? That's where you're going to need to be to be a couple hours behind the leaders?

 

Do you only respect accomplishments and pursuits which are beyond your own reach?

 

If you ran a marathon and someone finished an hour behind YOU, and posted their participation medal on Facebook, how would you feel about that?

[deadsolid...shank]

I'm just not clear how pretending to be a pro golfer and getting whipped by average joes is similar to completing a marathon in any way?

 

26.2 miles is impressive and not a very common achievement. Now if someone said they were an Olympic marathoner and then got whipped by 2 hours by average joe we may have a comparison.

 

Lying about being good at golf/pro golfer and running a marathon for fun are not nearly the same.

 

26.2 miles is impressive, regardless of how long it takes you? So is having the courage to tee it up in a pro tournament, play 18 holes of golf.

 

Marathons are avante-garde. Why? Cause some hipster decided they were, and followers followed.

 

The guy didn't say he was a Champions Tour winner or got a top 5 at a major, so what's the big deal? He's just doing what makes him happy, and inflating the truth in a more measurable way than most people who inflate the truth.

 

Last week in the clubhouse some retired gentleman were having beers, talking about how they get stopped by cops who are so young they are in diapers, and it amuses them. Going on and on about how awesome they were. One even yelled "shank" when I was air-swinging in shoes I was trying on.

 

OK, so what? Those guys gotta deal with their feelings and self-esteem and talk it out. It's all good.

 

26.2 is impressive to me because 1: I can't do it and 2: I know what goes into the training to be able to do it.

 

Can you go out and run a marathon in 4:25? That's where you're going to need to be to be a couple hours behind the leaders?

 

Do you only respect accomplishments and pursuits which are beyond your own reach?

 

If you ran a marathon and someone finished an hour behind YOU, and posted their participation medal on Facebook, how would you feel about that?

 

I'd say good for them for finishing a very difficult task. Whatever they post doesn't affect me.

[MattyO1984]

I'll come back shortly...just away to rib on some friends didn't break four hours in the marathon's that the run!

[Gnomesteel]

If you ran a marathon and someone finished an hour behind YOU, and posted their participation medal on Facebook, how would you feel about that?

 

You've clearly never been involved in any athletic activity like a marathon. There's a real bond that forms after going through a difficult shared experience like training for and completing a marathon no matter your time. Most, if not all, are happy for each other.

 

You should really just drop this. It's a terrible argument.

[nix]

Finishing a marathon is deserving of a medal. And being two hours behind the leaders is hardly embarrassing.

 

Why does that deserve a medal? No chance of ever coming close to winning, but competing alongside professional runners?

 

How is that not pathetic?

 

It's much more pathetic to be angry that someone else is happy with their personal achievement.

[nix]

I'll never undestand the competition is only about winning crowd. IF the only thing you ever got out of competition was that the only reason to compete is if you can win, then I'm not sure you understand competition.

[ConcentricDimples]

If you ran a marathon and someone finished an hour behind YOU, and posted their participation medal on Facebook, how would you feel about that?

 

You've clearly never been involved in any athletic activity like a marathon. There's a real bond that forms after going through a difficult shared experience like training for and completing a marathon no matter your time. Most, if not all, are happy for each other.

 

You should really just drop this. It's a terrible argument.

 

So why can't we be happy for this guy for competing in pro tournaments, regardless of his score? Apparently we don't have the interpersonal bonds and respect of the running community. Kind of ironic, since this is "the gentlemens game."

 

 

Just so you know, your first statement is factually incorrect.

 

 

As for your last statement, I appreciate your thoughts and for taking the time to share your opinion.

[ExProGoingBack]

funny... we are probably at work this morning and that "pro" is teeing it up somewhere.... who laughing at whome?

[ConcentricDimples]

Finishing a marathon is deserving of a medal. And being two hours behind the leaders is hardly embarrassing.

 

Why does that deserve a medal? No chance of ever coming close to winning, but competing alongside professional runners?

 

How is that not pathetic?

 

It's much more pathetic to be angry that someone else is happy with their personal achievement.

 

Which is why this thread's topic is pathetic. Someone is dumping on a guy just doing his thing, because he's not good at it.

 

I'll never undestand the competition is only about winning crowd. IF the only thing you ever got out of competition was that the only reason to compete is if you can win, then I'm not sure you understand competition.

 

Yep, exactly my point. The "pro" in question is a competitor, and that is pretty cool.

[Jasonic]

Finishing a marathon is deserving of a medal. And being two hours behind the leaders is hardly embarrassing.

 

Why does that deserve a medal? No chance of ever coming close to winning, but competing alongside professional runners?

 

How is that not pathetic?

 

What's pathetic is not thinking running a marathon is an achievement. Finishing is a win for that individual.

 

"Marathons are avante-garde. Why? Cause some hipster decided they were, and followers followed."

 

Huh? I didn't realize ancient Greeks were hipsters and know for a fact my mother is not a hipster. She's run 3 in her 60s

[ConcentricDimples]

Finishing a marathon is deserving of a medal. And being two hours behind the leaders is hardly embarrassing.

 

Why does that deserve a medal? No chance of ever coming close to winning, but competing alongside professional runners?

 

How is that not pathetic?

 

What's pathetic is not thinking running a marathon is an achievement. Finishing is a win for that individual.

 

So's playing in golf tournaments and finishing.

[Jasonic]

Finishing a marathon is deserving of a medal. And being two hours behind the leaders is hardly embarrassing.

 

Why does that deserve a medal? No chance of ever coming close to winning, but competing alongside professional runners?

 

How is that not pathetic?

 

What's pathetic is not thinking running a marathon is an achievement. Finishing is a win for that individual.

 

So's playing in golf tournaments and finishing.

 

You think every participant in a golf tournament should get a medal? I'm not following your argument it's all over the place. Different sports have different reasons and prizes for participating. I competed in the mid am, sucked, but I got a hat. Is that my "medal"?

[sui generis]

Finishing a marathon is deserving of a medal. And being two hours behind the leaders is hardly embarrassing.

 

Why does that deserve a medal? No chance of ever coming close to winning, but competing alongside professional runners?

 

How is that not pathetic?

 

I think most here recognize "pathetic" when they read it. :swoon:

[Jasonic]

Also the difference is, a slow marathon runners' performance doesn't impact the leaders in anyway where a 12 handicap trying to compete in a pro event will most likely affect his playing partners who might be trying to grind out a living.

[ExProGoingBack]

When was the last time a club pro won the PGA Championship? But he's taking a spot from a tour pro right? When I was an assistant... my head pro qualified for the PGA Championship and a few Westchester Classics. . He had no inclination of winning. However he did walk around smiling and joking with everyone after qualifying .. just happy to get in. And I asked him how it felt to play in a tour event... he said the best feeling is walking off and seeing his wife and kids proud to see him out there.

[ConcentricDimples]

Also the difference is, a slow marathon runners' performance doesn't impact the leaders in anyway where a 12 handicap trying to compete in a pro event will most likely affect his playing partners who might be trying to grind out a living.

 

If someone can't handle the stress of playing with someone else, then they don't deserve to play well.

 

At away games pro athletes need to deal with heckling and distractions during foul shots.

 

And at a small true "open" pro event, you get what you pay for. Those deserving of not being in the presence of 12 handicaps are welcomed to lay on the big Tour. If they can't, it's not their playing partners fault.

[ConcentricDimples]

Finishing a marathon is deserving of a medal. And being two hours behind the leaders is hardly embarrassing.

 

Why does that deserve a medal? No chance of ever coming close to winning, but competing alongside professional runners?

 

How is that not pathetic?

 

What's pathetic is not thinking running a marathon is an achievement. Finishing is a win for that individual.

 

So's playing in golf tournaments and finishing.

 

You think every participant in a golf tournament should get a medal? I'm not following your argument it's all over the place. Different sports have different reasons and prizes for participating. I competed in the mid am, sucked, but I got a hat. Is that my "medal"?

 

Yes, because marathon participants get a medal. We don't praise their accomplishment (it's a**-bad), but we support them for taking on a challenge and having the pride to finish last place, but to FINISH in spite of it.

 

You should get a medal for your tournaments. Does not matter what you shoot, just like a marathon time does not matter, since the runners have mutual respect.

[nix]

I assume when you participate in a golf tournament and the give you free things like a hat or bag for participating you refuse to take them since you haven't earned them and only the winner should get something commerating participation in said event.

[bigeasy]

I played with a scratch golfer this weekend and he shot a 89, guess he had a bad day.

[JumboJack]

I think the marathon analogy doesn't fit here.

 

If wining a marathon is equal to winning a PGA Tour tournament, then finishing one is at least equivalent playing golf at a scratch level. Not many people can run 26.2 miles in one day. And Marathons have different divisions all running at the same time.

 

I think someone who has never broke 80 in a Champions Tour pre-qualifier (and shot some 90's for good measure) would be like my fat a** trying to run a marathon. :)

 

Like I mentioned before, people can do whatever they want. I'm not bagging on him and that's why I didn't mention his name.

He very well could be a better golfer than me, but his track record shows that he has just as much chance of qualifying or making the cut as an 18 handicap would, which is zero.

 

Like someone mentioned above, a scratch golfer can have a bad day (89 is a REALLY bad day). It either really was a bad day or the guy is delusional/a liar.

 

The guy I was playing with was not having a bad day based on all the (and only) scores posted on line.

 

Again my whole point of this post was just the fact that someone would try to present himself as something he is not. He even talked a bigger game.

 

And he told another WRX'er last week that he shut his wrist in a door and was recovering, he told me on Saturday that he was finally healthy after being hit on the wrist by an errant shot last year.

 

This really is just a "Crazy stuff you have seen/heard on the course" thread. lol