Number 1 is unlikely to help. Most of the Euro players are global, there will be no condition with which they are totally unfamiliar. If you find such a condition, the US team will likewise be unfamiliar. The Euros have no problem doing this when the shoe is on the other foot because many of the Americans are not global (I even heard reports that there were rushed passport applications for the cup just gone!).
So forget trying to beat the Euro team by giving yourself advantage, concentrate on beating them by playing well and not DISadvantaging yourselves.
I don't agree with number two at all about the season being over after the last major. Maybe for Phil, but not Tiger. I mean, Tiger's won 6 in a row and three (I think) after the PGA? Has that guy not been infront of a TV the last two months?
Last edited by deronsizemore : October 3rd, 2006 at 12:15 PM.
I agree about the home course advantage. Hawaii may be a bit extreme, but maybe somewhere in the southwest...hot, dry conditions on a target golf course. I think that would be a home course advantage.
I also like the idea of the caddies going to the course ahead of time.
Interesting points...I like the idea of changing the selection process, don't care much for the putting fines, and think that the 2008 training sessions sound like good preparation for the Cup, but might be disruptive to the main reason that pro golfers go to practice a course on a Tuesday...to get ready for the tournament that weekend; don't think that will fly...
I agree about the home course advantage. Hawaii may be a bit extreme, but maybe somewhere in the southwest...hot, dry conditions on a target golf course. I think that would be a home course advantage.
I also like the idea of the caddies going to the course ahead of time.
Everyone manages to ignore the points I make... so here goes again...
The Euro tour uses tracks like you just suggest. In addition, many of the Euros play the US courses. How does one of these tracks gain US players an advantage?!
The US players are used to courses which are very very similar ever week. Everything is perfect, conditions are favourable. Take them onto any other condition and they are immediately feeling the strain.
The Euros are used to playing different courses ALL the time. You will find trouble coming up with a course whose conditions the Euro team will not have found elsewhere.
So by trying to get creative with course, you immediately remove the US team from the comfort zone. In contrast, it is just another day for the Euros. Good logic dictates it is difficult for the US to gain advantage. What they need to do is not actively disadvantage themselves. They play these courses week in, week out. That is the course on which they are most comfortable. So set up like a regular tour event. Nothing fancy. If you try and get cute, the Euros immediately have advantage.
I don't think the venue for the RC should be chosen based on it being to anybody's advantage. It should be a challenging course with good amenities, a place that allows for good viewing by the crowd and enables good crowd control. It should be in an area where the people are known to be respective of golf and its traditions.
Then all the teams will need to do is play great golf to win. No tricks, no advantages, no sleight-of-hand for someone to complain about later. The only "advantage" will be perhaps the home crowd, but this last RC proved that a crowd can appreciate all players, and great golf in general. It hasn't been the course or the crowd or the travel or any of that stuff which has allowed the Euros to whip us in the last few RCs - it's been their stellar play, proper matchups by the coach, and a desire to win.
If the RC is going to continue to be team play, alternate shot, match play, etc. then maybe the PGA should include a few events like this in the regular schedule. These events would help shed light on the players who excel at these formats, and they should hold special points for the RC team. But if all our events are stroke play, and all our players come from stroke-play-only backgrounds, then we are always going to be at a disadvantage.
If the RC is going to continue to be team play, alternate shot, match play, etc. then maybe the PGA should include a few events like this in the regular schedule. These events would help shed light on the players who excel at these formats, and they should hold special points for the RC team. But if all our events are stroke play, and all our players come from stroke-play-only backgrounds, then we are always going to be at a disadvantage.
I think this "we're not used to the format" argument is being seriously overstated. Only 8 points out of 28 are for foursomes, and the Euros don't play that as professionals either. They may have played it as amateurs in the Walker Cup, but so will some of the Americans.
As to singles matchplay, this only is played at the World Golf Championships, which both teams are likely to play, and at Wentworth, where players from both sides also participate.
20 points out of 28 are available for golf where the object is to get your own ball into the hole in the minimum number of shots.
I think this "we're not used to the format" argument is being seriously overstated. Only 8 points out of 28 are for foursomes, and the Euros don't play that as professionals either. They may have played it as amateurs in the Walker Cup, but so will some of the Americans.
As to singles matchplay, this only is played at the World Golf Championships, which both teams are likely to play, and at Wentworth, where players from both sides also participate.
20 points out of 28 are available for golf where the object is to get your own ball into the hole in the minimum number of shots.
I think that there is still some merit to the argument. 4-ball calls for team play and strategies over and above "getting your own ball into the hole in the minimum number of shots". Granted , nothing would have made much difference this time around... the Europeans were just better, but their comfort level with team match play is a factor , IMO.
What's all this talk about an advantage based on the type of course? These are professional golfers...I'd guarantee that every one of them has played in just about every imginable weather condition. If not, they're the best of the best...they should adjust. JMO.
The fourball and foursome events are about using your brain and hitting a golf ball. If you are playing foursomes and the opponents drive intot he water on a par five, your brain says take three wood and play as a three shot hole. Thsi sis exactly the same as playign a strokeplay event on the back nine on a Sunday when you and you playing partner are both four shots ahead of the field. Most of the tactics are little morer than common sense. If pro golfers spend a fortune on pyscho analysts etc, a little common sense should be available to them.
October 2nd, 2006, 08:09 PM
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