Cage Match to the DEATH: LPGA Tour vs. Middle-aged Scratch and Below

[mosesgolf]

 

So here's the cage match. :D

[Ralphyboy84]

Little late to the thread and haven’t read through the whole thing but here’s maybe a different take on it.

 

I’m a member at Carnoustie and in 2011 the Women’s British Open was held here. The tees they used were pretty much the same as what I play day in day out. That is 6600 yards, (it played 6500 for the woman), standard scratch 74 for guys in the U.K. and an index of 74 and slope rating of 135 for Americans.

 

Yani Tseng won with scores of 71,66,66,69. Two players shot 65 and one shot 64.

 

To give you a bit of background info on me. I’m a current +1 that’s been as low as +3. I’ve played in the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay and Matchplay as well as some other decent sized amateur events.

 

For those interested in length, I have trackman data that shows my average carry distance is between 260-270 yards.

 

My best score ever, in 19 years of playing that course, is 68.

 

In fact, you could probably count on one hand the number of times ANYONE breaks 70 in a competition (it’s not been done yet this year to my knowledge) over the course of a season.

 

It was incredibly humbling for me to see these girls come in and basically rip my home course apart. These girls are damn good.

 

Before that week I probably would have been in the “scratch guys are better” camp. However that week was a massive eye opener for me and really did give me a new found respect for the woman’s game.

[Obee]

Little late to the thread and haven’t read through the whole thing but here’s maybe a different take on it.

 

I’m a member at Carnoustie and in 2011 the Women’s British Open was held here. The tees they used were pretty much the same as what I play day in day out. That is 6600 yards, (it played 6500 for the woman), standard scratch 74 for guys in the U.K. and an index of 74 and slope rating of 135 for Americans.

 

Yani Tseng won with scores of 71,66,66,69. Two players shot 65 and one shot 64.

 

To give you a bit of background info on me. I’m a current +1 that’s been as low as +3. I’ve played in the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay and Matchplay as well as some other decent sized amateur events.

 

For those interested in length, I have trackman data that shows my average carry distance is between 260-270 yards.

 

My best score ever, in 19 years of playing that course, is 68.

 

In fact, you could probably count on one hand the number of times ANYONE breaks 70 in a competition (it’s not been done yet this year to my knowledge) over the course of a season.

 

It was incredibly humbling for me to see these girls come in and basically rip my home course apart. These girls are damn good.

 

Before that week I probably would have been in the “scratch guys are better” camp. However that week was a massive eye opener for me and really did give me a new found respect for the woman’s game.

 

Thanks for weighing in! I played Carnoustie when I was there four years ago. Great track! And windy and rainy the day I played it. We played it at about 7000, and I shot 80. Worst round of the entire trip both score and weatherwise. Absolutely loved golf in Scotland.

 

And just so you know, no one here is saying a scratch male is as good as the top LPGA players. Literally not a single person has said that in this thread. This is just a fun comparison of what the scores will be between the two groups. We will definitely be playing the course longer than the ladies, we will have to make an adjustment of at least one stroke for Sunday scores. But nevertheless, this will be interesting. I wonder what the average score of the field was at Carnoustie in the women's British Open that year. I'm not interested in what the winners do, but more in what the average is.

 

I would also be curious as to the weather that year at Carnoustie. My guess is that they had weather that was quite benign. Either that, or Yanni left of the field If conditions were tough. I will take a look.

 

At the Macbeth, the lowest amateur score I can remember is a 64 or 65 by a consistent +1 to +3.

 

 

 

So here's the cage match. :D

 

Love it!!!

[Obee]

Little late to the thread and haven’t read through the whole thing but here’s maybe a different take on it.

 

I’m a member at Carnoustie and in 2011 the Women’s British Open was held here. The tees they used were pretty much the same as what I play day in day out. That is 6600 yards, (it played 6500 for the woman), standard scratch 74 for guys in the U.K. and an index of 74 and slope rating of 135 for Americans.

 

Yani Tseng won with scores of 71,66,66,69. Two players shot 65 and one shot 64.

 

To give you a bit of background info on me. I’m a current +1 that’s been as low as +3. I’ve played in the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay and Matchplay as well as some other decent sized amateur events.

 

For those interested in length, I have trackman data that shows my average carry distance is between 260-270 yards.

 

My best score ever, in 19 years of playing that course, is 68.

 

In fact, you could probably count on one hand the number of times ANYONE breaks 70 in a competition (it’s not been done yet this year to my knowledge) over the course of a season.

 

It was incredibly humbling for me to see these girls come in and basically rip my home course apart. These girls are damn good.

 

Before that week I probably would have been in the “scratch guys are better” camp. However that week was a massive eye opener for me and really did give me a new found respect for the woman’s game.

 

This is regarding the set up at Carnoustie for the women:

 

They also played it as a par 72. For the man it is a par 71.

 

The par-72 course was set by the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) at 6,490 yards (5,934 m),[3] 931 yards (851 m) shorter than the par-71 set-up for the 2007 Open Championship.

 

The short set-up of the course was criticized by several notable golfers and golf commentators. ESPN golf commentator and former LPGA pro Jane Crafter called the LGU "out of touch" with how current women players can play.[4] Defending champion Yani Tseng commented that the famous hole number 18 was set up so that it "put all of the bunkers out of play, put all of the burns out of play." The course groundskeeper agreed that the women had been given "a watered-down version" of Carnoustie and that he did that intentionally after receiving too much criticism for a difficult set-up for the Open Championship in 1999.[5]

[tatertot]

Little late to the thread and haven’t read through the whole thing but here’s maybe a different take on it.

 

I’m a member at Carnoustie and in 2011 the Women’s British Open was held here. The tees they used were pretty much the same as what I play day in day out. That is 6600 yards, (it played 6500 for the woman), standard scratch 74 for guys in the U.K. and an index of 74 and slope rating of 135 for Americans.

 

Yani Tseng won with scores of 71,66,66,69. Two players shot 65 and one shot 64.

 

To give you a bit of background info on me. I’m a current +1 that’s been as low as +3. I’ve played in the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay and Matchplay as well as some other decent sized amateur events.

 

For those interested in length, I have trackman data that shows my average carry distance is between 260-270 yards.

 

My best score ever, in 19 years of playing that course, is 68.

 

In fact, you could probably count on one hand the number of times ANYONE breaks 70 in a competition (it’s not been done yet this year to my knowledge) over the course of a season.

 

It was incredibly humbling for me to see these girls come in and basically rip my home course apart. These girls are damn good.

 

Before that week I probably would have been in the “scratch guys are better” camp. However that week was a massive eye opener for me and really did give me a new found respect for the woman’s game.

 

This is regarding the set up at Carnoustie for the women:

 

They also played it as a par 72. For the man it is a par 71.

 

The par-72 course was set by the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) at 6,490 yards (5,934 m),[3] 931 yards (851 m) shorter than the par-71 set-up for the 2007 Open Championship.

 

The short set-up of the course was criticized by several notable golfers and golf commentators. ESPN golf commentator and former LPGA pro Jane Crafter called the LGU "out of touch" with how current women players can play.[4] Defending champion Yani Tseng commented that the famous hole number 18 was set up so that it "put all of the bunkers out of play, put all of the burns out of play." The course groundskeeper agreed that the women had been given "a watered-down version" of Carnoustie and that he did that intentionally after receiving too much criticism for a difficult set-up for the Open Championship in 1999.[5]

 

Ralphyboy is a +1 (a Euro +1 to boot) and he says he plays it day in and day out at 6,600 yards ... And very few break club golfers break 70. There seems to be a disconnect somewhere between these 2 versions.

[Obee]

Little late to the thread and haven’t read through the whole thing but here’s maybe a different take on it.

 

I’m a member at Carnoustie and in 2011 the Women’s British Open was held here. The tees they used were pretty much the same as what I play day in day out. That is 6600 yards, (it played 6500 for the woman), standard scratch 74 for guys in the U.K. and an index of 74 and slope rating of 135 for Americans.

 

Yani Tseng won with scores of 71,66,66,69. Two players shot 65 and one shot 64.

 

To give you a bit of background info on me. I’m a current +1 that’s been as low as +3. I’ve played in the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay and Matchplay as well as some other decent sized amateur events.

 

For those interested in length, I have trackman data that shows my average carry distance is between 260-270 yards.

 

My best score ever, in 19 years of playing that course, is 68.

 

In fact, you could probably count on one hand the number of times ANYONE breaks 70 in a competition (it’s not been done yet this year to my knowledge) over the course of a season.

 

It was incredibly humbling for me to see these girls come in and basically rip my home course apart. These girls are damn good.

 

Before that week I probably would have been in the “scratch guys are better” camp. However that week was a massive eye opener for me and really did give me a new found respect for the woman’s game.

 

This is regarding the set up at Carnoustie for the women:

 

They also played it as a par 72. For the man it is a par 71.

 

The par-72 course was set by the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) at 6,490 yards (5,934 m),[3] 931 yards (851 m) shorter than the par-71 set-up for the 2007 Open Championship.

 

The short set-up of the course was criticized by several notable golfers and golf commentators. ESPN golf commentator and former LPGA pro Jane Crafter called the LGU "out of touch" with how current women players can play.[4] Defending champion Yani Tseng commented that the famous hole number 18 was set up so that it "put all of the bunkers out of play, put all of the burns out of play." The course groundskeeper agreed that the women had been given "a watered-down version" of Carnoustie and that he did that intentionally after receiving too much criticism for a difficult set-up for the Open Championship in 1999.[5]

 

Ralphyboy is a +1 (a Euro +1 to boot) and he says he plays it day in and day out at 6,600 yards ... And very few break club golfers break 70. There seems to be a disconnect somewhere between these 2 versions.

 

Ralphyboy, I am honestly shocked that you play at 6600 yards. If I'm not mistaken, the course tips out of 7400. I know in the UK it is often not allowed for members to play the full tournament teess, but surely you play somewhere between 6600 and 7200 on a fairly regular basis? If not, why in the world would you not? I could see them playing members tournaments there, but when you are playing with your scratch buddies?

[Obee]

Little late to the thread and haven’t read through the whole thing but here’s maybe a different take on it.

 

I’m a member at Carnoustie and in 2011 the Women’s British Open was held here. The tees they used were pretty much the same as what I play day in day out. That is 6600 yards, (it played 6500 for the woman), standard scratch 74 for guys in the U.K. and an index of 74 and slope rating of 135 for Americans.

 

Yani Tseng won with scores of 71,66,66,69. Two players shot 65 and one shot 64.

 

To give you a bit of background info on me. I’m a current +1 that’s been as low as +3. I’ve played in the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay and Matchplay as well as some other decent sized amateur events.

 

For those interested in length, I have trackman data that shows my average carry distance is between 260-270 yards.

 

My best score ever, in 19 years of playing that course, is 68.

 

In fact, you could probably count on one hand the number of times ANYONE breaks 70 in a competition (it’s not been done yet this year to my knowledge) over the course of a season.

 

It was incredibly humbling for me to see these girls come in and basically rip my home course apart. These girls are damn good.

 

Before that week I probably would have been in the “scratch guys are better” camp. However that week was a massive eye opener for me and really did give me a new found respect for the woman’s game.

 

This is regarding the set up at Carnoustie for the women:

 

They also played it as a par 72. For the man it is a par 71.

 

The par-72 course was set by the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) at 6,490 yards (5,934 m),[3] 931 yards (851 m) shorter than the par-71 set-up for the 2007 Open Championship.

 

The short set-up of the course was criticized by several notable golfers and golf commentators. ESPN golf commentator and former LPGA pro Jane Crafter called the LGU "out of touch" with how current women players can play.[4] Defending champion Yani Tseng commented that the famous hole number 18 was set up so that it "put all of the bunkers out of play, put all of the burns out of play." The course groundskeeper agreed that the women had been given "a watered-down version" of Carnoustie and that he did that intentionally after receiving too much criticism for a difficult set-up for the Open Championship in 1999.[5]

 

Ralphyboy is a +1 (a Euro +1 to boot) and he says he plays it day in and day out at 6,600 yards ... And very few break club golfers break 70. There seems to be a disconnect somewhere between these 2 versions.

 

If they went out of their way to criticize the course for playing to easily, then it was playing easily. That is not something that the ladies are in the habit of doing. It is still Carnoustie, which is a great track, and difficult. But for them to actually criticize the course for playing easily?

 

The cut was +3. And it says plus +1, but they played it is a par 72. So the cut was actually +3. RalphyBoy, do you think you could shoot 73, 74 under those conditions to make the cut? I am 100% certain that you could if you are a plus one. You could also MISS the cut if you played poorly, of course.

 

Edited: was driving and dictating. Siri HATES golf language!!

[Argonne69]

The median score for those playing 4 rounds was -1. The average score for 4 rounds for the 67 players was -1.55. 42 players shot even par or better.

 

The 76 players who missed the cut averaged 5.2 strokes over par, with a median of +4.

[Obee]

The median score for those playing 4 rounds was -1. The average score for 4 rounds for the 67 players was -1.55. 42 players shot even par or better.

 

The 76 players who missed the cut averaged 5.2 strokes over par, with a median of +4.

 

Add two strokes (to par) to the players who missed the cut, 4 strokes to those who made the cut. Par is 71 there for the men. Have to compare apples to apples.

[Argonne69]

The median score for those playing 4 rounds was -1. The average score for 4 rounds for the 67 players was -1.55. 42 players shot even par or better.

 

The 76 players who missed the cut averaged 5.2 strokes over par, with a median of +4.

 

Add two strokes to the players who missed the cut. 4 strokes to those who made the cut.

 

Two strokes over 2 rounds, or 1 stroke per round for an average score of 6.2 over par, and -0.55.

 

So, the players making the cut still averaged under par (72) for four rounds.

[Obee]

The median score for those playing 4 rounds was -1. The average score for 4 rounds for the 67 players was -1.55. 42 players shot even par or better.

 

The 76 players who missed the cut averaged 5.2 strokes over par, with a median of +4.

 

Add two strokes to the players who missed the cut. 4 strokes to those who made the cut.

 

Two strokes over 2 rounds, or 1 stroke per round for an average score of 6.2 over par, and -0.55.

 

So, the players making the cut still averaged under par (72) for four rounds.

 

Really not concerned with the top players. These discussions have never been about that. What was 40th place? The cut? The average of those who MISSED the cut.

 

Those are the types of numbers that have always been in play in these discussions, right?

[Obee]

43rd place was five over par (71) for four rounds.

[Ralphyboy84]

I’m on my phone which doesn’t make writing this reply easy but I’ll givr it my best shot!

 

Yeah there was quite a bit of criticism about the course set up from what I remember. A lot of the girls complained it was too short. There was also very little rough that week and the wind was fairly benign as well which always helps the scoring. I think the reason they went with a fairly short course was in case the wind got up but they maybe went a little bit too far the other way.

 

Carnoustie does max out at 7400 but they never have those tees out. We get to play it once a year in a competition (next Wednesday in fact) but the normal player will never play it like that. Generally 90% of our competitions are played from the yellow tees that I described above. I should point out it is a par 70 for us. 12 & 14 play as a 4 where as 14 plays as a 5 from further back.

 

You ask an interesting question about whether I would have made the cut. Based on what the cut was and from what I remember about the conditions that week I would have to say I would have been disappointed if I had not made the cut. That however is not taking into account the pressure of playing in competition etc. Although I have to be honest and say that over the course of 72 holes I certainly have a much higher capability of having a horror hole than these girls do and unless I played really well I think placing in the top 50 would of been a challenge.

 

Its just my opinion of course, but having seen the scoring from that week, if I played my best and an average LPGA player played there best then the LPGA player would win at least 7 or 8 times out of ten.

 

The fact they were able to rock up at my home course, play a couple of practice rounds and then shoot the scores that they did was awesome and if I’m being totally honest totally shocked me.

 

If you’d asked me what I thought they would score at the start of the week I thot it would be somewhere around par, maybe slightly over.

 

Anyways interesting thread and I look forward to reading the debate going forward!

[BNGL]

The median score for those playing 4 rounds was -1. The average score for 4 rounds for the 67 players was -1.55. 42 players shot even par or better.

 

The 76 players who missed the cut averaged 5.2 strokes over par, with a median of +4.

 

Add two strokes to the players who missed the cut. 4 strokes to those who made the cut.

 

Two strokes over 2 rounds, or 1 stroke per round for an average score of 6.2 over par, and -0.55.

 

So, the players making the cut still averaged under par (72) for four rounds.

 

Really not concerned with the top players. These discussions have never been about that. What was 40th place? The cut? The average of those who MISSED the cut.

 

Those are the types of numbers that have always been in play in these discussions, right?

 

That makes way more sense and is then way more plausible. If you are a halfway decent player, you should be able to compete with an LPGA Tour rank and filer, id even go a step further and say PGA Tour rank and file player as well.

[Argonne69]

43rd place was five over par (71) for four rounds.

 

Right. There were 6 players at 43T. Over four rounds they shot 69, 76, 73, 71, 73, 71, 74, 71, 72, 72, 74, 71, 71, 71, 74, 73, 70, 70, 76, 73, 69, 70, 71, 79.

 

That's a total of 3 rounds over 75. Anyone think 6 scratch players could show up and shoot those numbers over 4 days?

[deadsolid...shank]

I’m on my phone which doesn’t make writing this reply easy but I’ll givr it my best shot!

 

Yeah there was quite a bit of criticism about the course set up from what I remember. A lot of the girls complained it was too short. There was also very little rough that week and the wind was fairly benign as well which always helps the scoring. I think the reason they went with a fairly short course was in case the wind got up but they maybe went a little bit too far the other way.

 

Carnoustie does max out at 7400 but they never have those tees out. We get to play it once a year in a competition (next Wednesday in fact) but the normal player will never play it like that. Generally 90% of our competitions are played from the yellow tees that I described above. I should point out it is a par 70 for us. 12 & 14 play as a 4 where as 14 plays as a 5 from further back.

 

You ask an interesting question about whether I would have made the cut. Based on what the cut was and from what I remember about the conditions that week I would have to say I would have been disappointed if I had not made the cut. That however is not taking into account the pressure of playing in competition etc. Although I have to be honest and say that over the course of 72 holes I certainly have a much higher capability of having a horror hole than these girls do and unless I played really well I think placing in the top 50 would of been a challenge.

 

Its just my opinion of course, but having seen the scoring from that week, if I played my best and an average LPGA player played there best then the LPGA player would win at least 7 or 8 times out of ten.

 

The fact they were able to rock up at my home course, play a couple of practice rounds and then shoot the scores that they did was awesome and if I’m being totally honest totally shocked me.

 

If you’d asked me what I thought they would score at the start of the week I thot it would be somewhere around par, maybe slightly over.

 

Anyways interesting thread and I look forward to reading the debate going forward!

 

Great discussion here between Obee and Ralph. Two people talking rationally and calmly about it, and who actually have firsthand experience.

[deadsolid...shank]

43rd place was five over par (71) for four rounds.

 

Right. There were 6 players at 43T. Over four rounds they shot 69, 76, 73, 71, 73, 71, 74, 71, 72, 72, 74, 71, 71, 71, 74, 73, 70, 70, 76, 73, 69, 70, 71, 79.

 

That's a total of 3 rounds over 75. Anyone think 6 scratch players could show up and shoot those numbers over 4 days?

 

No, not six. But was that ever the question?

[BNGL]

43rd place was five over par (71) for four rounds.

 

Right. There were 6 players at 43T. Over four rounds they shot 69, 76, 73, 71, 73, 71, 74, 71, 72, 72, 74, 71, 71, 71, 74, 73, 70, 70, 76, 73, 69, 70, 71, 79.

 

That's a total of 3 rounds over 75. Anyone think 6 scratch players could show up and shoot those numbers over 4 days?

 

Yeah I do. If you’re a halfway decent golf player, you should be competitive with a pedestrian PGA LPGA Tour player, maybe not for a whole year.

[Shilgy]

43rd place was five over par (71) for four rounds.

 

Right. There were 6 players at 43T. Over four rounds they shot 69, 76, 73, 71, 73, 71, 74, 71, 72, 72, 74, 71, 71, 71, 74, 73, 70, 70, 76, 73, 69, 70, 71, 79.

 

That's a total of 3 rounds over 75. Anyone think 6 scratch players could show up and shoot those numbers over 4 days?

 

Yeah I do. If you're a halfway decent golf player, you should be competitive with a pedestrian PGA LPGA Tour player, maybe not for a whole year.

What do you consider pedestrian men's tour player? What is "halfway" decent? Last year #200 Villegas averaged 72.67 on tour courses. Using a conservative 74 course rating that would be somewhere in the +4.33 index cap.** Is he pedestrian? Many Web tour players are better than that.

 

I guess the real definition needed is what is "competitive"? Within three or four shots?

 

 

 

**Using best 10 of the last 20 scores a player will average about 3 strokes over their handicap.

[BNGL]

43rd place was five over par (71) for four rounds.

 

Right. There were 6 players at 43T. Over four rounds they shot 69, 76, 73, 71, 73, 71, 74, 71, 72, 72, 74, 71, 71, 71, 74, 73, 70, 70, 76, 73, 69, 70, 71, 79.

 

That's a total of 3 rounds over 75. Anyone think 6 scratch players could show up and shoot those numbers over 4 days?

 

Yeah I do. If you're a halfway decent golf player, you should be competitive with a pedestrian PGA LPGA Tour player, maybe not for a whole year.

What do you consider pedestrian men's tour player? What is "halfway" decent? Last year #200 Villegas averaged 72.67 on tour courses. Using a conservative 74 course rating that would be somewhere in the +4.33 index cap.** Is he pedestrian? Many Web tour players are better than that.

 

I guess the real definition needed is what is "competitive"? Within three or four shots?

 

 

 

**Using best 10 of the last 20 scores a player will average about 3 strokes over their handicap.

 

Maybe halfway decent was poor wording, but everyone’s level of decent is different. For one event I’d expect it to be close, a couple shots. IF we are still comparing it to the middle of the road barely making the cuts, it should be close. 2 to 3 under isn’t difficult over 36 holes assuming it’s a par 72 with 8 total par 5s, just make 2 birdies per round and eliminate mistakes. If we’re comparing to a winner than yeah you’ll get blown out of the water. But middle of road shouldn’t be difficult imo.

[Shilgy]

43rd place was five over par (71) for four rounds.

 

Right. There were 6 players at 43T. Over four rounds they shot 69, 76, 73, 71, 73, 71, 74, 71, 72, 72, 74, 71, 71, 71, 74, 73, 70, 70, 76, 73, 69, 70, 71, 79.

 

That's a total of 3 rounds over 75. Anyone think 6 scratch players could show up and shoot those numbers over 4 days?

 

Yeah I do. If you're a halfway decent golf player, you should be competitive with a pedestrian PGA LPGA Tour player, maybe not for a whole year.

What do you consider pedestrian men's tour player? What is "halfway" decent? Last year #200 Villegas averaged 72.67 on tour courses. Using a conservative 74 course rating that would be somewhere in the +4.33 index cap.** Is he pedestrian? Many Web tour players are better than that.

 

I guess the real definition needed is what is "competitive"? Within three or four shots?

 

 

 

**Using best 10 of the last 20 scores a player will average about 3 strokes over their handicap.

 

Maybe halfway decent was poor wording, but everyone's level of decent is different. For one event I'd expect it to be close, a couple shots. IF we are still comparing it to the middle of the road barely making the cuts, it should be close. 2 to 3 under isn't difficult over 36 holes assuming it's a par 72 with 8 total par 5s, just make 2 birdies per round and eliminate mistakes. If we're comparing to a winner than yeah you'll get blown out of the water. But middle of road shouldn't be difficult imo.

Quite a few events even par makes the cut. So a decent-we will get beyond halfway :) - player should be able to make a cut on tour? Clearly we move in different circles if a decent player is making cuts on tour.

[The Pearl]

Perhaps Obee could answer this... how many scratch players are used to playing 4 rounds under tournament conditions? A few practice days followed by 4 rounds of tournament golf is a huge variable it would seem. That is a lot of golf if you are not used to it. How many am tournaments are 4 rounds?

 

This is not an argument against he scratch golfer, I am just curious if this is a major variable that we might be overlooking or is this not that big of a deal.

[jmck]

Perhaps Obee could answer this... how many scratch players are used to playing 4 rounds under tournament conditions? A few practice days followed by 4 rounds of tournament golf is a huge variable it would seem. That is a lot of golf if you are not used to it. How many am tournaments are 4 rounds?

 

This is not an argument against he scratch golfer, I am just curious if this is a major variable that we might be overlooking or is this not that big of a deal.

 

For amateurs 72 holes of stroke play exists, but I wouldn't exactly call it common. It's kind of a tough question to answer, just because there is so much stuff out there. You see 72 of stroke play a lot in big college events--I'd say that's where it's most common. 20 years ago you hardly saw it at all outside of a few special events. It was unusual enough that it'd be right there in the title, like "____ Medal Championship" or "____ Stroke Play Invitational." In the last 20 or so years there have been a bunch of for profit "amateur tours" that have popped up where you'll see 72 holes of stroke play because they're trying to give you that "pro tour" experience in exchange for a ridiculous entry fee.

 

The state level stuff really varies. There's hardly any lower level stuff that's 72 holes of stroke play. The higher level stuff is up to the individual state associations. When I was in FL the state am was 100% stroke play. When I was in CA it was two rounds of stroke play to seed match play brackets, same as in VA where I am now. I think a few states use 100% match play? Of those three options, I'd say the CA/VA one is most common. That's also what the USGA uses almost exclusively--a few rounds of stroke play to seed a few rounds of match play.

 

Frankly I think it is another notch in the advantage pros column. Match play reduces the cost of a blowup hole. For a scratch or better golfer to get through four straight rounds in a four day competition without a blowup hole is a tall ask. Pros are used to doing it week in and week out. Not to say they're immune to blow up holes, but they only play match play in competition once or twice a year, whereas a serious amateur plays a lot more match play and a lot less 72 hole stroke play.

[Ralphyboy84]

There’s a whole bunch of Scottish Amateur 72 Hole events. They tend to get played over weekends where you would play 36 holes on Saturday, have a cut, then another 36 on a Sunday. I’ve maybe played in about a dozen of them and made the cut a few times.

 

It’s really hard going if you do make the cut. 72 holes in a weekend is a lot of golf. I’m 33 now so not exactly old but not exactly young either and I feel it for a good few days after!

 

On the plus side it allows you to play great courses for practically nothing. I got 4 rounds at Cruden Bay for £40 and 2 at Royal Dornoch for £40 so I can’t complain too much!

[DavePelz4]

So when's your first LPGA event?

 

I'm thinking in 20 years I'll be ready. Stay tuned....

 

OB how are you doing mentally going into the weekend? Prepared? Strategy?

 

I have played the course quite a few times, so that's a positive. Mentally, I am not feeling too good going in. I am not playing nearly as much as I normally do. My new job and commute are significantly reducing my playing time. More importantly, though, I just don't have my hands on a club nearly as much as I used to.

 

Until I took this job, I would have my hands on a club five or six days a week even if I didn't play that many rounds. I would figure out a way to hit a few balls, to chip in my backyard, to pot on my putting green in the living room. Now I literally go five straight days without touching the club. Makes playing tournament golf very difficult.

 

It's so different for me, that for the first time ever, I completely forgot the qualifier. On Monday, I was supposed to play my California State amateur qualifier and I completely forgot about it! No showed. LOL!

 

But oh well, that's how it goes. That is where my life is right now, and I am fine with that for the time being.

 

Looking forward to playing and reporting from the tournament. :-)

 

Sounds like you're going into the event with lower expectations, which might be an awesome thing. A mind free to just swing a golf club without expectations can do amazing things. have fun Sir and looking forward to the recap, as always!

[Obee]

First round in the books. Course played super tough yesterday. Pretty much every pin was tucked 2-4 paces from an edge in a corner. They made it tough for day 1 of better ball.

 

There was not a single pin in the LPGA event that I saw in two days that was even close to 12 - 14 of the pins yesterday.

 

Afternoon rounds were focked. It blew a consistent 15 and gusted over 20. No one in the afternoon played well.

 

Supposed to be calmer day for better ball day 2.

 

But aggregate day is Sunday, and that's our "comparison" round.

 

In the practice round on Thursday, with pins akin to the lpga event, and calm conditions like the lpga event, scores were low. Several rounds at par or below including a 71 by me (and one of only two skins on the day for a nice $695!!). Low was a 67 by Ryan Dwight. I will post scorecards later.

 

Yesterday and in the practice round played the golf course at least 300 yards longer than the ladies played it. In the practice round the pins were mostly accessible. Yesterday they were sadistic. LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jmck]

A $695 skin? That's more than enough to get me sweating over a putt!

[DavePelz4]

First round in the books. Course played super tough yesterday. Pretty much every pin was tucked 2-4 paces from an edge in a corner. They made it tough for day 1 of better ball.

 

There was not a single pin in the LPGA event that I saw in two days that was even close to 12 - 14 of the pins yesterday.

 

Afternoon rounds were focked. It blew a consistent 15 and gusted over 20. No one in the afternoon played well.

 

Supposed to be calmer day for better ball day 2.

 

But aggregate day is Sunday, and that's our "comparison" round.

 

In the practice round on Thursday, with pins akin to the lpga event, and calm conditions like the lpga event, scores were low. Several rounds at par or below including a 71 by me (and one of only two skins on the day for a nice $695!!). Low was a 67 by Ryan Dwight. I will post scorecards later.

 

Yesterday and in the practice round played the golf course at least 300 yards longer than the ladies played it. In the practice round the pins were mostly accessible. Yesterday they were sadistic. LOL

 

Awesome round OB and congrats on the skin!

[Obee]

Aggregate day was yesterday. Will post individual scores once scores once the chairman emails them to me. Only team scores are available now.

 

I started poorly, then eagled our 11th hole (the par 5 2nd) to get back to two over for the day, and the gagged down the stretch with a bogey, triple bogey finish to shoot 78. My partner shot 71.

 

Scores were, of course, all over the map. Low was a 69, with quite a few rounds at 72 or below, from what I heard. Conditions were reasonable, but with 6 or 7 pins right on crests. Overall, still easier pins than the first two days, but still set up to be very tough. Wind was only 8 - 10 moh in the afternoon.

[Pure745]

Final scores of the winning team - late in the day windy etc.. :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: