Your most unpopular Golf opinions?

[TNwanabe]

5 hours ago, vtpachyderm said:

Isn’t that the majority of cart golf in the US? A bunch of guys getting hammered on the course pretending to play? 😉

No. 

[david.c.w]

2 hours ago, Ranchobob said:

 

The public's insistence that athletes have no right to private lives off the field and the relentless pursuit of elimination of boundaries by fans is a deeply unhealthy aspect of fandom.  Athletes and other "victims" of success are vilified or discarded as unmarketable if they won't share everything.  

 

Let their actions on the field define what we are entitled to know.  We are owed nothing more.  

 

 

 

This statement is a heck of a lot different than your previous comment of not caring about Gary's health.

 

We are not owed anything but you are saying we should not care.  Totally different.

 

 

[vtpachyderm]

10 hours ago, Jim53 said:

Well as a cart person I would say no, but i am sure if you are planning to drink your round even the holier than thou walkers can also get hammered.

I know, I know it is not real golf unless you walk....ha what a crock.

If you're physically able, I don't see why you wouldn't walk - push cart, electric cart whatever, but walk. Only reason people should ride carts is that they are unable to walk, or stupid course design is such that distances between tees is ridiculously far.

 

Otherwise it's the equivalent of darts in the pub 😉. Takes a lot of skill, but zero physical exertion.... I mean, my watch barely shows an elevated heart rate when I'm not carrying.

 

8 hours ago, TNwanabe said:

No. 

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I'll happily ride if someone else is paying for the cart. And yes, my golf scores are better when I ride compared to walking - 4 hours on your feet, and if you're not in shape, the last couple of holes are not the easiest.

[mshills]

3 hours ago, vtpachyderm said:

If you're physically able, I don't see why you wouldn't walk - push cart, electric cart whatever, but walk. Only reason people should ride carts is that they are unable to walk, or stupid course design is such that distances between tees is ridiculously far.

 

Otherwise it's the equivalent of darts in the pub 😉. Takes a lot of skill, but zero physical exertion.... I mean, my watch barely shows an elevated heart rate when I'm not carrying.

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I'll happily ride if someone else is paying for the cart. And yes, my golf scores are better when I ride compared to walking - 4 hours on your feet, and if you're not in shape, the last couple of holes are not the easiest.

You are in Norway?

 

Come play golf in the Deep South (hot, humid, rolling terrain) or in Texas (hot, hot, humid, humid) in late June through mid September. You’ll leave with more than one “only” reason to ride.

[david.c.w]

4 hours ago, vtpachyderm said:

If you're physically able, I don't see why you wouldn't walk - push cart, electric cart whatever, but walk. Only reason people should ride carts is that they are unable to walk, or stupid course design is such that distances between tees is ridiculously far.

 

Otherwise it's the equivalent of darts in the pub 😉. Takes a lot of skill, but zero physical exertion.... I mean, my watch barely shows an elevated heart rate when I'm not carrying.

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I'll happily ride if someone else is paying for the cart. And yes, my golf scores are better when I ride compared to walking - 4 hours on your feet, and if you're not in shape, the last couple of holes are not the easiest.

 

Zero physical exertion yet you score better when you ride because you are tired?   Wild stuff man.

 

I walk 80% of my rounds when the temp is ~75 F or below.  Our course has some significant elevation change.  Once it gets hotter and the humidity kicks in, my clothes are literally soaked through by the 9th green, and I have sweat dripping off my hat when I am trying to focus on a putt.  So yea, I ride in the summer.  

[mshills]

1 hour ago, david.c.w said:

 

Zero physical exertion yet you score better when you ride because you are tired?   Wild stuff man.

 

I walk 80% of my rounds when the temp is ~75 F or below.  Our course has some significant elevation change.  Once it gets hotter and the humidity kicks in, my clothes are literally soaked through by the 9th green, and I have sweat dripping off my hat when I am trying to focus on a putt.  So yea, I ride in the summer.  

Same. ATL native here, now living in western PA. Summers aren’t any cooler or less humid here, it just starts cooling off earlier in the fall. I like to walk and generally prefer it, but when it is 92* and the dew point is approaching 65* I look at the hills to climb on our #2, #5, #6, and #10 and that gets a big bucket of NOPE!

 

The militant walkers who claim their way is The Only Way? Another big bucket of NOPE. 

[NRJyzr]

13 minutes ago, mshills said:

Same. ATL native here, now living in western PA. Summers aren’t any cooler or less humid here, it just starts cooling off earlier in the fall. I like to walk and generally prefer it, but when it is 92* and the dew point is approaching 65* I look at the hills to climb on our #2, #5, #6, and #10 and that gets a big bucket of NOPE!

 

The militant walkers who claim their way is The Only Way? Another big bucket of NOPE. 

 

We have similar issues here in Minnesota.  We get gulf coast weather here every year, the main difference is that it doesn't last for months here, usually just weeks.

 

I insist on walking as much as I can.  But, having experienced the joy of heat stroke in the past, I will not walk during the stupid heat level portions of our summers.

 

I don't like riding, but it's a lot better than being carried off the course.

 

[vtpachyderm]

4 hours ago, mshills said:

You are in Norway?

 

Come play golf in the Deep South (hot, humid, rolling terrain) or in Texas (hot, hot, humid, humid) in late June through mid September. You’ll leave with more than one “only” reason to ride.

Yes I’m in Norway and you’re right. No heat. But it does get cold and rainy and courses are closed between October and April. So there are times when the weather is not conducive to playing. I’ve played in the US, India and Southern Europe where it get hot and sometimes humid and yes it’s not pleasant. I’d rather be on the beach. 
 

 

2 hours ago, david.c.w said:

 

Zero physical exertion yet you score better when you ride because you are tired?   Wild stuff man.

 

I walk 80% of my rounds when the temp is ~75 F or below.  Our course has some significant elevation change.  Once it gets hotter and the humidity kicks in, my clothes are literally soaked through by the 9th green, and I have sweat dripping off my hat when I am trying to focus on a putt.  So yea, I ride in the summer.  

Got me there - but I meant to say between carrying my bag and on a cart/push cart. 
 

I’m not advocating for no carts - just that I’ve got an obviously unpopular opinion that not walking is similar to longer balls, larger sweet spots etc. 

 

At the end of the day - play however you want to. 😀

[Jim53]

I understand the walking position and if i did not live in Florida where it is 90 deg right now and its spring AND I had not had 6 knee surgeries I would gladly walk. But things being as they are, no cart equals no golf for this old man.

[PedronNiall]

9 hours ago, vtpachyderm said:

Yes I’m in Norway and you’re right. No heat. But it does get cold and rainy and courses are closed between October and April. So there are times when the weather is not conducive to playing. I’ve played in the US, India and Southern Europe where it get hot and sometimes humid and yes it’s not pleasant. I’d rather be on the beach. 
 

 

Got me there - but I meant to say between carrying my bag and on a cart/push cart. 
 

I’m not advocating for no carts - just that I’ve got an obviously unpopular opinion that not walking is similar to longer balls, larger sweet spots etc. 

 

At the end of the day - play however you want to. 😀

 

More than fair. This is the unpopular opinion thread. 

[Golfbit2X]

On 4/1/2025 at 9:57 AM, Double Mocha Man said:

 

People like the spunk and drive of someone who beats cancer. It's human nature to want to cheer them on. Your day will come when you have extreme adversity. Then you'll understand.

Being a cancer survivor myself, I root for guys like Gary Woodland as I have a shared experience with these guys overcoming significant adversities.

[Golfbit2X]

On 4/1/2025 at 9:22 PM, mshills said:

There are lines between:

 

Having an unpopular opinion. 
Being contrarian.

Being rude. 

Somebody needs a good dose of empathy.

[Ranchobob]

24 minutes ago, Golfbit2X said:

Somebody needs a good dose of empathy.

It’s endlessly amusing to me how triggered so many folks here in the “unpopular opinion” thread are by my opinion. 
 

Further, the number of folks who think they can diagnose my supposed psychoses and physical condition is hilarious.  
 

Boy y’all think you know me.  That’s hilarious.  
 

Note to self: only post non controversial unpopular opinions.  Hah 

[homergolf]

Not sure how unpopular this is, but I think lighter iron shafts, especially graphite, would benefit most golfers, even high swing speed people. Much easier on the body than 130 gram shafts that are in a lot of off the rack irons.  Getting fit is a must.  

[PedronNiall]

2 hours ago, Ranchobob said:

It’s endlessly amusing to me how triggered so many folks here in the “unpopular opinion” thread are by my opinion. 
 

Further, the number of folks who think they can diagnose my supposed psychoses and physical condition is hilarious.  
 

Boy y’all think you know me.  That’s hilarious.  
 

Note to self: only post non controversial unpopular opinions.  Hah 

 

It's an unpopular golf opinions thread, not a thread for ranting about your biggest gripes with society or life. We like golf here, and that tends towards liking all who play the game well and do so with some decency. This isn't the place for you to air your larger scale grievances about the way people view sports and those who play them. 

 

As before, the biggest issue is your premise is entirely false because Woodland has been liked throughout his career. Golf isn't every other sport, and if you have an issue with the way fans take to the players voice that as you like, just don't try to spin lies as truth because you're upset with the world. 

 

Funny you rant about others thinking they know you but then layout wholesale claims about how fake everyone else's actions are without having any hope of knowing the thoughts and feelings of even a modicum of the people you're insulting. 

[Double Mocha Man]

8 hours ago, PedronNiall said:

 

It's an unpopular golf opinions thread, not a thread for ranting about your biggest gripes with society or life. We like golf here, and that tends towards liking all who play the game well and do so with some decency. This isn't the place for you to air your larger scale grievances about the way people view sports and those who play them. 

 

As before, the biggest issue is your premise is entirely false because Woodland has been liked throughout his career. Golf isn't every other sport, and if you have an issue with the way fans take to the players voice that as you like, just don't try to spin lies as truth because you're upset with the world. 

 

Funny you rant about others thinking they know you but then layout wholesale claims about how fake everyone else's actions are without having any hope of knowing the thoughts and feelings of even a modicum of the people you're insulting. 

 

Be careful, he may tell you to go get stuffed.

[betarhoalphadelta]

11 hours ago, homergolf said:

Not sure how unpopular this is, but I think lighter iron shafts, especially graphite, would benefit most golfers, even high swing speed people. Much easier on the body than 130 gram shafts that are in a lot of off the rack irons.  Getting fit is a must.  

 

Do you see a lot of OTR irons with 130g shafts? I just did a quick perusal of PGA TSS and iron sets were almost all in the midweight category, some saying the stock shaft was even "Lite" like KBS Tour Light and C-Taper Lite (light?). The highest I found was a Mizuno blade that had PX 6.0 which is a 120g shaft. 

 

For comparison, I looked up the T200 irons in your sig (2023 model) on PGA TSS and they listed the shaft as the TT AMT Black which is variable weight, looks like they range from 96-115g in stiff depending on which iron. So even the heaviest, assuming PW/W, is still a mid-weight shaft. 

 

I mean, I don't do a lot of iron shopping, so maybe I'm missing a bunch of stock sets with 130g shafts dominating what's available at most stores... 

[Nard_S]

My unspoken unpopular is the star of tournament golf is the venue & as much the players. Great courses & great setups make or break whether i watch or not. The star of the Master's or the Players' is as much the course as the field. I'll even watch DP tour  because they might be playing something interesting or different. Folks who run the tour overlook this a bit too much and they could leverage it to greater advantage but seems it's only somewhat of a priority. Might be a few outside majors where this is the case but even then, the setups too often remain vanilla. Push the boundaries of setup & venues a bit more, have a bigger rotation. I realize there's a ton of prep for any event, but the inertia is with the commoditization of locations & setup. Meanwhile an asset, that's somewhat unique to the game is being under valued. Pretty sure this is a minority view in the golf world.

[Double Mocha Man]

38 minutes ago, Nard_S said:

My unspoken unpopular is the star of tournament golf is the venue & as much the players. Great courses & great setups make or break whether i watch or not. The star of the Master's or the Players' is as much the course as the field. I'll even watch DP tour  because they might be playing something interesting or different. Folks who run the tour overlook this a bit too much and they could leverage it to greater advantage but seems it's only somewhat of a priority. Might be a few outside majors where this is the case but even then, the setups too often remain vanilla. Push the boundaries of setup & venues a bit more, have a bigger rotation. I realize there's a ton of prep for any event, but the inertia is with the commoditization of locations & setup. Meanwhile an asset, that's somewhat unique to the game is being under valued. Pretty sure this is a minority view in the golf world.

 

I'm with you.  Great golf courses, the more scenic the better.  And great clubhouses.  Even the Augusta National clubhouse, though diminutive, with its Crow's Nest and Butler Cabin is iconic.  Part of the charm surrounding the tournament.

[Nard_S]

1 hour ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

I'm with you.  Great golf courses, the more scenic the better.  And great clubhouses.  Even the Augusta National clubhouse, though diminutive, with its Crow's Nest and Butler Cabin is iconic.  Part of the charm surrounding the tournament.

What should be a great venue is Ryder Cup 2025. At Bethpage but it's also late September and around these parts there's more wind at that time of year. PGAT shows up in New England at the wrong time, imo. Around NYC, best month for golf ,condition wise is September.  Dry & windy are my favorite conditions. Might drop the dollars to go to RC.

[knock it close]

2 hours ago, Nard_S said:

My unspoken unpopular is the star of tournament golf is the venue & as much the players.

I don't think thats unpopular at all or atleast it shouldn't be. In both the US open and the PGA last year we had bryson going head to head with the number 3 golfer in the world, I get that the us open has more juice than the pga and Rory is a bigger star than Xander but the golf course is a big reason one is an instant classic and the other will be forgotten in 3 years. 

Edited April 3 by knock it close

[Nard_S]

2 hours ago, knock it close said:

I don't think thats unpopular at all or atleast it shouldn't be. In both the US open and the PGA last year we had bryson going head to head with the number 3 golfer in the world, I get that the us open has more juice than the pga and Rory is a bigger star than Xander but the golf course is a big reason one is an instant classic and the other will be forgotten in 3 years. 

Outside the majors & Player's there's maybe 3 tournaments i pay attention to, the rest is ignored and in large part, it's the venue. That's a lot of events. They can do better in that department, no?

[mshills]

8 minutes ago, Nard_S said:

Outside the majors & Player's there's maybe 3 tournaments i pay attention to, the rest is ignored and in large part, it's the venue. That's a lot of events. They can do better in that department, no?

Hard to argue with that. Frankly most Tour stop venues are not interesting at all, unless you’re interested in logistics for the tournament, sponsor hospitality, and all that. 
 

Even some of the courses that make for great theater, I have no desire to play at any price. Looking at you, TPC Sawgrass. 

[knock it close]

1 hour ago, Nard_S said:

Outside the majors & Player's there's maybe 3 tournaments i pay attention to, the rest is ignored and in large part, it's the venue. That's a lot of events. They can do better in that department, no?

I hope so and I think the players are finally speaking up about it too. Rory had a quote about just that a month or two ago.

[hunterdog]

On 3/13/2025 at 3:21 PM, pgabroc said:

This thread is amazing!

That’s a terrific “unpopular opinion”. Well done.

[357MAGNOLE]

Golf has arguably the highest percentage of pretentious d-bags of all the "sports".(If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's probably you)

 

Golf is more of a luxury hobby than a true sport. Stuck just above bowling and professional bass fishing. You can argue all you want but my mind won't change.

 

Golf equipment is incredibly over priced for what it is. From the balls to the drivers everything is probably 40% over what it should be. But I believe it is by design to keep the less fortunate out of the hobby and off the course. 

 

Most people on this forum are full of 💩. I'm sure there are a few scratch golfers and low level pros. But most here "would have went pro if it wasn't for xyz". 

 

I get better scores walking but I think the cart makes its more enjoyable.  Specifically longer courses in the South Eastern U.S. When it's 90°F+. I'm here to enjoy my day, not feel like I just ran a marathon. 

 

 

 

Edited April 6 by 357MAGNOLE

[JimmyC59]

53 minutes ago, 357MAGNOLE said:

Golf has arguably the highest percentage of pretentious d-bags of all the "sports".(If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's probably you)

 

Golf is more of a luxury hobby than a true sport. Stuck just above bowling and professional bass fishing. You can argue all you want but my mind won't change.

 

Golf equipment is incredibly over priced for what it is. From the balls to the drivers everything is probably 40% over what it should be. But I believe it is by design to keep the less fortunate out of the hobby and off the course. 

 

Most people on this forum are full of 💩. I'm sure there are a few scratch golfers and low level pros. But most here "would have went pro if it wasn't for xyz". 

 

I get better scores walking but I think the cart makes its more enjoyable.  Specifically longer courses in the South Eastern U.S. When it's 90°F+. I'm here to enjoy my day, not feel like I just ran a marathon. 

 

 

 

I resemble that remark! I definitely would have gone Pro if it wasn't for my LOFT problem!

[FuzzyDunlop69]

On 4/2/2025 at 6:11 AM, mshills said:

You are in Norway?

 

Come play golf in the Deep South (hot, humid, rolling terrain) or in Texas (hot, hot, humid, humid) in late June through mid September. You’ll leave with more than one “only” reason to ride.

Yep.  Cracks me up when I see folks on here condemn using a golf cart and then you see they are from somewhere in the NE US (or Scandinavia, in this case).  Try walking in Dallas or Houston in late June!

[bigred90gt]

On 4/2/2025 at 6:11 AM, mshills said:

You are in Norway?

 

Come play golf in the Deep South (hot, humid, rolling terrain) or in Texas (hot, hot, humid, humid) in late June through mid September. You’ll leave with more than one “only” reason to ride.

I tend to get a chuckle at people that think everyone should have to walk unless handicapped, especially the European ones. They have obviously not spent any time on the gulf coast and cannot fathom the ungodly temperatures and humidity we endure. I have walked more rounds in Texas coastal summers than I care to remember, but the older I get, the less desire I have to do it again. You can call me lazy, you can say I'm not playing "real golf", you can think or say whatever you please, but until you huff it around a course in 100* degree heat with near 80-90% humidity, that is an opinion born of pure ignorance.  

[bigred90gt]

On 4/2/2025 at 7:43 AM, david.c.w said:

 

Zero physical exertion yet you score better when you ride because you are tired?   Wild stuff man.

 

I walk 80% of my rounds when the temp is ~75 F or below.  Our course has some significant elevation change.  Once it gets hotter and the humidity kicks in, my clothes are literally soaked through by the 9th green, and I have sweat dripping off my hat when I am trying to focus on a putt.  So yea, I ride in the summer.  

It takes you 9 holes? I'm usually visibly wet by the time I make it from the car to the club house, and dripping by the time I leave the range and head to the first tee.