Your most unpopular Golf opinions?

[shankasaurus rex]

On 2/6/2024 at 6:06 PM, bobfoster said:

 

 

10. Finally, yes, the cart girl has heard that line before. Like, about a thousand times. Golf is unfortunately full of terms suggestive to the crude and feeble minded. Ball, shaft, stick, hole. Do you actually think you've come up with something new and clever? C'mon man, she's a GenZ college student. You're a 54 year old GenX bald fat guy. She secretly loathes you, but will smile politely because tips help with tuition. Have some respect. Don't make her be all:

 

Please. Just order your drink and try your level best to not be a scumbag. That's someone's kid. While we're at it, carry this advice over to the rest of your life.

[jda]

I hate that golf is referred to as a Gentleman's game by some.  If being a Gentleman was ever more than a ruse beyond being privileged, people who think that they are Gentleman today probably do not even come close to a traditional or modern definition.

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, shankasaurus rex said:

Please. Just order your drink and try your level best to not be a scumbag. That's someone's kid. While we're at it, carry this advice over to the rest of your life.

 

 

You know what cart girls love?  Real conversation... just ask them about their school, if they enjoy what they're doing, do you play golf, etc.  They also love good tips.

[CanFred]

Not sure if this is unpopular or not, but anything other than ready golf is not ideal (unless you are playing competitively).  I absolutely hate slow play, especially when its intentional.

[klebs01]

On 2/7/2024 at 12:03 PM, PuffyC said:

As to golf cart hostility, that's often the only time you get to really chat with who you're playing with assuming that matters to you. Plus if we're a foursome and the other 3 insist on riding I'm not going to lone wolf it even if I would (and do) prefer walking. Might as well go out as a single. Besides, if it's the exercise angle you're looking for, I've counted steps walking vs riding and the difference is less than 20%. Park your car a half mile up the street or take a 20 minute walk that evening and you'll break even.

 

I disagree. I find the conversation works much better when walking. More than two people can be involved and it doesn’t rely on the awkwardness of trying to match speeds in different carts. 

[PuffyC]

35 minutes ago, klebs01 said:

I disagree. I find the conversation works much better when walking. More than two people can be involved and it doesn’t rely on the awkwardness of trying to match speeds in different carts. 

 

If you're all walking then sure, but if you're the odd man out who's walking while your 3 buddies are in carts you get left out. Nobody I play with ever wants to walk so I either walk and spend the day alone or ride with one of them and chat. But that can be a positive if I go out as a single. I'm not really wanting to make a whole bunch of small talk with strangers so walking allows me to keep that to a minimum.

[Aamin84]

Toss up between, can’t play blades…or scared of x100. 

[betarhoalphadelta]

On 2/6/2024 at 4:06 PM, bobfoster said:

 

5. If you are a single, and my foursome is ahead of you and waiting for 10 minutes on every tee box, because the whole course is backed up in front of us, hitting into us is probably not going to speed us up (though being like that may explain why no one wants to play with you). It's 10AM on a public course on a Saturday morning in June. You aren't going to have a two and a half hour round. Chill. Download Netflix on your phone or something.

 

 

First of all, if it's 10 AM on a public course on a Saturday morning, there shouldn't be a single out there. It probably means he booked a foursome and his three deadbeat hung-over buddies didn't show up. So I'm hoping the course gave him a SIGNIFICANT financial penalty for their lost revenue. And if they let a single onto the course w/o penalty? Course's fault. 

 

But beyond that... You're ONE guy. You really need to hit into a foursome and piss them off? I mean, 1v4 are NEVER good odds in a fight, but if that's my foursome, you're in trouble. I'm an extraordinarily nice and gentle guy, and have no interest in getting in a fight. But I'm also 6'5" and 250# and spent years 11-18 of my life training martial arts culminating in attaining a 2nd degree black belt. Don't hit into us, buddy. 

 

It's not that I'm a hothead who's going to start a fight. I don't do that. But I can be a little physically intimidating... I mean, with my usual group, in the rare cases we get hit up on, once the group SEES us up close after we confront them, all of a sudden it's not "play faster, slowpokes!", it's more "uhhh, yeah... uhhh.... sorry about that guys."

 

Quote

9. Granted, "Cart Path Only" is a truncated sentence clearly missing a verb, which may be why you're confused. It's part of a Secret Golfer Code. It means "It's been raining off and on for three days, the course is soggy and we don't want our fairways to get chewed up by yahoos like you, so please do us a solid and only drive your cart on the path". I mean seriously, the ball's 12 feet away. You had to walk farther than that to get to the clubhouse from your car. 

 

Honestly if it's CPO, you're probably taking more steps with a cart than I am walking the course without one. I played a soggy round with a lefty who faded the ball, and constantly lamented the fact that cart paths are usually down the right side of holes (for righties who fade the ball). I think he spent more steps going back and forth across fairways that day than I did just walking straight from the tee box to my ball. 

[jda]

It is OK to roll balls at the heels of the group in front of you on some holes.  It is never OK to fly balls into groups or have them bound into the area with some velocity.  If you are 300 away and I hit one 296 while you are waiting for a green on a par 5 to open up, then don't whine to me... this usually happens when the guys hit it 240-250 from the forward tees and they have more than 250 going into the green and I happen to be playing from the back tees and they are 300 yards away.

 

Whether it is one yard or 100, not getting there is not getting there.  Don't confuse getting close with being hit into.

[TNwanabe]

7 hours ago, jda said:

It is OK to roll balls at the heels of the group in front of you on some holes.  It is never OK to fly balls into groups or have them bound into the area with some velocity.  If you are 300 away and I hit one 296 while you are waiting for a green on a par 5 to open up, then don't whine to me... this usually happens when the guys hit it 240-250 from the forward tees and they have more than 250 going into the green and I happen to be playing from the back tees and they are 300 yards away.

 

Whether it is one yard or 100, not getting there is not getting there.  Don't confuse getting close with being hit into.

Personally, I appreciate a good shot. I would be hoping it would roll up from that distance. Not a big deal.  It is however all about intent. 

[Dabetic]

The fact that the handicap system (understandably will never be perfect..) takes your 10 best scores and throws out the 10 worst is stupid. I cannot tell people my hdcp w a straight face bc it just isn't so, particularly if I'm playing at a new track 

[klebs01]

23 hours ago, Dabetic said:

The fact that the handicap system (understandably will never be perfect..) takes your 10 best scores and throws out the 10 worst is stupid. I cannot tell people my hdcp w a straight face bc it just isn't so, particularly if I'm playing at a new track 

it’s best 8 out of 20. Why isn’t your handicap your handicap if you follow the rules? It’s not intended to be an average or anything like that. It’s intended to level a match with a slight edge to better players. It’s very good at that. 

[Dabetic]

1 hour ago, klebs01 said:

it’s best 8 out of 20. Why isn’t your handicap your handicap if you follow the rules? It’s not intended to be an average or anything like that. It’s intended to level a match with a slight edge to better players. It’s very good at that. 

Fair point. I think my issue with it is largely based on the fact that my handicap is near scratch (0.5). With that often comes high expectations that are hard to meet, hence why I don't like talking about it. If I were 5, 10, 15, etc. I don't think I'd care so much 

[klebs01]

32 minutes ago, Dabetic said:

Fair point. I think my issue with it is largely based on the fact that my handicap is near scratch (0.5). With that often comes high expectations that are hard to meet, hence why I don't like talking about it. If I were 5, 10, 15, etc. I don't think I'd care so much 

I get that a lot of people don’t understand what a handicap means in raw numbers. They may think you shoot par or better a lot. Really it just means you have about a scratch differential about 1 out of 5 rounds and maybe never shoot par or better depending on the course. 

[MattM97]

On 2/8/2024 at 12:18 PM, Double Mocha Man said:

 

 

You know what cart girls love?  Real conversation... just ask them about their school, if they enjoy what they're doing, do you play golf, etc.  They also love good tips.

 

I usually just ask them how their day is going and it's nothing more than small talk. If I get food I'm usually asking what they like best cause they've probably had everything the course serves and don't want a disappointing sandwich when starving. 

[Denny100]

On 2/12/2024 at 4:38 PM, Dabetic said:

The fact that the handicap system (understandably will never be perfect..) takes your 10 best scores and throws out the 10 worst is stupid. I cannot tell people my hdcp w a straight face bc it just isn't so, particularly if I'm playing at a new track 

 

Handicapping in the old days in the UK was based on every round, which gave a much better indication of how good a golfer you were on a day to day basis.

 

I preferred it that way I think.

[Denny100]

Unpopular opinion: The WM Phoenix open is CRAP. If this is what growing the game is, good god dont grow it.

 

Drunk fans who havent got a clue whats going on, idiots turning up naked, fans fighting in the stands, heckling major winners, beer cups raining down on the 16th green, all played on a golf course that if it wasnt for one hole no one would remember for its design.

 

Absolute RUBBISH and thank the lord you dont get crowds like that at Wentworth or at the Renaissance or any of the DP World events over here in the UK

Edited February 13, 2024 by Denny100

[BHI 99]

11 hours ago, Denny100 said:

Unpopular opinion: The WM Phoenix open is CRAP. If this is what growing the game is, good god dont grow it.

 

Drunk fans who havent got a clue whats going on, idiots turning up naked, fans fighting in the stands, heckling major winners, beer cups raining down on the 16th green, all played on a golf course that if it wasnt for one hole no one would remember for its design.

 

Absolute RUBBISH and thank the lord you dont get crowds like that at Wentworth or at the Renaissance or any of the DP World events over here in the UK

You’re not wrong. 

[BIG STU]

14 hours ago, Denny100 said:

 

Handicapping in the old days in the UK was based on every round, which gave a much better indication of how good a golfer you were on a day to day basis.

 

I preferred it that way I think.

Our League does it that way. We do not use the GHIN system but some other platform. You put in the score for that day and it computes it then however it does it. And yes with our system it can change day to day. But from what I have observed it changes only 2 strokes either way. Fine with me so that everyone plays the same platform. I do know the guys that also use GHIN says there is a difference on handicap numbers between the 2 systems. I do not use the GHIN myself because the only handicap events I play in are in my league

[Ty_Webb]

16 hours ago, Denny100 said:

 

Handicapping in the old days in the UK was based on every round, which gave a much better indication of how good a golfer you were on a day to day basis.

 

I preferred it that way I think.

 

When you say old days, do you mean like back in the 70s? The previous system in the UK was incredibly slow to catch up with a significant change in playing ability. The new system every 20 rounds you have an entirely new handicap. It's way faster to catch up. 

 

As a 5.4 handicap on CONGU, it would take 22 rounds at the CSS to get to 0.4. Under the new system it takes at most 8 rounds, but probably 6 or 7.

[david.c.w]

15 hours ago, Denny100 said:

Unpopular opinion: The WM Phoenix open is CRAP. If this is what growing the game is, good god dont grow it.

 

Drunk fans who havent got a clue whats going on, idiots turning up naked, fans fighting in the stands, heckling major winners, beer cups raining down on the 16th green, all played on a golf course that if it wasnt for one hole no one would remember for its design.

 

Absolute RUBBISH and thank the lord you dont get crowds like that at Wentworth or at the Renaissance or any of the DP World events over here in the UK

 

While I don't think it is crap, I do think it has jumped the shark.  

 

You certainly don't have to worry about getting crowds like this on the DP World tour.  There is no way all 17 fans could cause so much disruption. 

[nsxguy]

On 2/8/2024 at 7:16 PM, betarhoalphadelta said:

Honestly if it's CPO, you're probably taking more steps with a cart than I am walking the course without one. I played a soggy round with a lefty who faded the ball, and constantly lamented the fact that cart paths are usually down the right side of holes (for righties who fade the ball). I think he spent more steps going back and forth across fairways that day than I did just walking straight from the tee box to my ball.

 

 

 

[nsxguy]

19 hours ago, Denny100 said:

 

Handicapping in the old days in the UK was based on every round, which gave a much better indication of how good a golfer you were on a day to day basis.

 

I preferred it that way I think.

 

Don't most of us prefer something we're used to ? Rather than something we're less familiar/comfortable ?

 

Years ago I played out of a bar in SE Asia that used CONGU. Ugggg.

[Jimjam651]

Unpopular opinion - we overestimate the difference in forgiveness between cavity backs and blades

 

4 hours ago, Ty_Webb said:

 

When you say old days, do you mean like back in the 70s? The previous system in the UK was incredibly slow to catch up with a significant change in playing ability. The new system every 20 rounds you have an entirely new handicap. It's way faster to catch up. 

 

As a 5.4 handicap on CONGU, it would take 22 rounds at the CSS to get to 0.4. Under the new system it takes at most 8 rounds, but probably 6 or 7.

 

It feels like the new system fluctuates a bit too much but compared to CONGU it's a massive improvement! Trying to get cut in category 1 was exhausting 

[PedronNiall]

On 2/13/2024 at 6:46 PM, Denny100 said:

Unpopular opinion: The WM Phoenix open is CRAP. If this is what growing the game is, good god dont grow it.

 

Drunk fans who havent got a clue whats going on, idiots turning up naked, fans fighting in the stands, heckling major winners, beer cups raining down on the 16th green, all played on a golf course that if it wasnt for one hole no one would remember for its design.

 

Absolute RUBBISH and thank the lord you dont get crowds like that at Wentworth or at the Renaissance or any of the DP World events over here in the UK

That's not necessarily unpopular. Seems there are a lot for, against, and neutral regarding the WMO currently. 

 

Still, let's not act like all the crowds in the UK are pleasant either. There were a number of mentions last year regarding behavior at The Open Championship and how Harman and a few other were "greeted" and jeered by both drunks and completely sober souls alike. Same as it ever was.

[jda]

Old, conservative golf fuddy-duds who want to tell other people how to enjoy their leisure time will kill your sport.  You mostly have to let people enjoy the way that they want to and sometimes this includes rule changes.  I am not saying that anybody who buys a ticket can do whatever they want and assault is not cool, but if they want to jeer or cheer, then you have to let them - after all, the players do like the money that they get to perform.

 

Pitchers duels with good defense in baseball are great for the hardcore, but not the casual fans - rules got changed.  Horse racing was tamed down and now you only have a drunk fest once a year and people care the most about the terrible mint juleps and the hats anyway.  The list goes on and on.  The popular sports get it... you don't find any NBA or NFL players all mad that the fans get drunk and yell at them... just stay off of the court/field and those that get into fights get arrested (or at least removed).

[Denny100]

16 minutes ago, PedronNiall said:

That's not necessarily unpopular. Seems there are a lot for, against, and neutral regarding the WMO currently. 

 

Still, let's not act like all the crowds in the UK are pleasant either. There were a number of mentions last year regarding behavior at The Open Championship and how Harman and a few other were "greeted" and jeered by both drunks and completely sober souls alike. Same as it ever was.

 

Thats very true, Harman in particular did not get the credit he deserved as he played golf the theoretical "way it should be played" too.

 

Ive been to the open a few times and people sometimes just drink all day in the tented village. they dont even watch golf, except on the big screen. just seems such a waste 😞

[nsxguy]

3 hours ago, jda said:

Pitchers duels with good defense in baseball are great for the hardcore, but not the casual fans - rules got changed.  Horse racing was tamed down and now you only have a drunk fest once a year and people care the most about the terrible mint juleps and the hats anyway.  The list goes on and on.  The popular sports get it... you don't find any NBA or NFL players all mad that the fans get drunk and yell at them... just stay off of the court/field and those that get into fights get arrested (or at least removed).

 

The major difference between team sports and most individual sports, like golf or tennis, is that concentration is an important factor.

 

Also, team sports rely on quick-twitch/reflex (re)actions - not to mention that in team sports you have help.

 

What the 16th at the WM shows is that a golfer can handle most noises while those noises are expected and fairly consistent. The problem is when a sudden unexpected noise comes up.

 

e.g. heavy traffic going by while one is hitting is seldom a problem, but if someone blasts their horm in your backswing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[jda]

No.  It is a player culture thing.  Pitching a baseball is a individual sport.  So is hitting a free throw - even in HS around here the opposing students and fans yell or scream when the kid is starting their stroke... they even get a few air horn blows in before somebody finds it and confiscates it.  I am not saying that fans should not have limits, but the people who pay are just as important as the people who are playing.  Ask any pro if they want make twice as much and deal with a rowdy crowd and none of them will have an issue.

 

This is probably unpopular, but golfers and tennis players are mentally soft compared to other athletes.

[Denny100]

Unpopular opinion: Colin Morikawa is overrated.

 

A weird thing to say about a 2 time major winner, but since the open win he doesnt seem to compete well in the biggest events, and doesnt really have a standout great part of his game to me.

 

Also seems very one dimensional in control of shapes and trajectory.

 

Add that to the fact he is an average to slightly below average hitter.... just doesnt seem world class to me