Walker Cup

[rochdaleblue]

Went to watch the future stars of tomorrow in the Walker Cup at Hoylake today. Some great play for GB & Ireland saw us take a 7-5 lead over USA. You can walk with the players on the fairway and get a much better view of the golf then the pro events. Get to Hoylake tomorrow for the final day and give the lads your support to try and win back the cup.

 

[maccavennie]

Went to watch the future stars of tomorrow in the Walker Cup at Hoylake today. Some great play for GB & Ireland saw us take a 7-5 lead over USA. You can walk with the players on the fairway and get a much better view of the golf then the pro events. Get to Hoylake tomorrow for the final day and give the lads your support to try and win back the cup.

Gutted I missed this mate, its on my list to do. Can't go tomorrow either but keep us posted if you can

 

[rochdaleblue]

Gutted I missed this mate, its on my list to do. Can't go tomorrow either but keep us posted if you can

Will do fella. Was wondering when I was watching how many of these players will be back here in 3 years time when the open returns to Hoylake? Lots of players impressed me, no more so then Alex Fitzpatrick (with brother Matthew watching) and Brandon Wu of the US team.

 

[maccavennie]

Will do fella. Was wondering when I was watching how many of these players will be back here in 3 years time when the open returns to Hoylake? Lots of players impressed me, no more so then Alex Fitzpatrick (with brother Matthew watching) and Brandon Wu of the US team.

The missus said Fitzpatrick stood out from what she seen. Make a list of all the players mate and its worth seeing in the future if any break through like you said.

 

[rochdaleblue]

The missus said Fitzpatrick stood out from what she seen. Make a list of all the players mate and its worth seeing in the future if any break through like you said.

Your missus is right, but aren’t they always right??? I agree though Fitzpatrick did stand out as did Brandon Wu. It’s interesting, the US team hammered us in los Angeles 2 years ago with an extremely strong team. But it’s only Cameron Champ whose done anything as a pro and he wasn’t even one of their better performers that week. Likewise Robert MacIntyre is the only member of the GB whose done well since he went pro. It just shows the standard that these players have to attain to be competitive on tour.

 

[PhilM]

£25 a ticket isn't too bad for a ticket (children under 16 are free too), so I think I might take my son today to watch some.

 

[maccavennie]

Your missus is right, but aren’t they always right??? I agree though Fitzpatrick did stand out as did Brandon Wu. It’s interesting, the US team hammered us in los Angeles 2 years ago with an extremely strong team. But it’s only Cameron Champ whose done anything as a pro and he wasn’t even one of their better performers that week. Likewise Robert MacIntyre is the only member of the GB whose done well since he went pro. It just shows the standard that these players have to attain to be competitive on tour.

Yep, gives you a true appreciation of the absolute elite golfers such as Rory, Johnson, Keopka, Rose etc. Their mindset, skillset, variety of shots, improvisation and will to win is superb.

When you go to something like the British Masters and you get to see the players the next level under them ( still quality!) then there's others on the tour just looking to survive and get their card for the following year. The gulf seems massive between the top end and a few rungs below.

I always say to my lad, it must be real tough for some of them. Growing up as an amateur they probably win all kinds of trophies and then they turn pro and some of them don't get a taste of victory for years. I should imagine that's quite disheartening regardless of money from Sponsorship.

Its a tough sport, but a brilliant one with so much to it and it's when your out there right up, close and personal with these golfers that it gives you a massive appreciation of how good they are.

And yep, the missus is always right lol

 

[maccavennie]

£25 a ticket isn't too bad for a ticket (children under 16 are free too), so I think I might take my son today to watch some.

Well worth it mate, always a great day out is the golf.

 

[Eggs]

....never knew this was taking place, bit surprised at the lack of publicity and thanks for the heads-up. I notice it’s on Sky Sports from 10am this morning, that’s a must watch for me.

 

[rochdaleblue]

£25 a ticket isn't too bad for a ticket (children under 16 are free too), so I think I might take my son today to watch some.

It’s so much better mate being able to walk with the players on the fairway and see them close up and hitting shots. Really was impressed with the standard of play yesterday, they hit the ball so well. There was a lot of people there yesterday but because you can get up close to the players it isn’t bad. If your son wants to see a player hit it a long way, watch the American Steven Fisk. Unusual swing but it explodes off the club. I heard his caddie tell another caddie he’d hit a 3 iron 250 yards!!!!

 

[rochdaleblue]

Yep, gives you a true appreciation of the absolute elite golfers such as Rory, Johnson, Keopka, Rose etc. Their mindset, skillset, variety of shots, improvisation and will to win is superb.

When you go to something like the British Masters and you get to see the players the next level under them ( still quality!) then there's others on the tour just looking to survive and get their card for the following year. The gulf seems massive between the top end and a few rungs below.

I always say to my lad, it must be real tough for some of them. Growing up as an amateur they probably win all kinds of trophies and then they turn pro and some of them don't get a taste of victory for years. I should imagine that's quite disheartening regardless of money from Sponsorship.

Its a tough sport, but a brilliant one with so much to it and it's when your out there right up, close and personal with these golfers that it gives you a massive appreciation of how good they are.

And yep, the missus is always right lol

Being a keen golfer myself and not a bad one in my youth. I’ve always thought this, what makes the elite stand out. Yes Rory, DJ, Koepka et al stand out for their ball striking, but the same could be said for a number of players. I really think like most sports at elite level, it comes down to temperament and how strong they are mentally. Koepka holds the edge in that regard at the moment, but Rose, Woods, Els and the other greats were mentally so strong. What can it be denied to be an elite player you need an exceptional short game. In all my years watching golf, Spieth had a 2 year period of the best short game and putting, I think the game has ever witnessed. He has flaws in other areas of his game (driving) but his exceptional short game allowed him to contend. Due the the fact his putting has gone slightly off, and it’s still excellent, he’s unable to contend. Just shows how small the margins are at the very top.

 

[rochdaleblue]

....never knew this was taking place, bit surprised at the lack of publicity and thanks for the heads-up. I notice it’s on Sky Sports from 10am this morning, that’s a must watch for me.

Only the highlights from yesterday @Eggs. Like you really surprised more coverage not given to it. I think it’s been live in previous years. There are also highlights tomorrow on BBC.

 

[Eggs]

Only the highlights from yesterday @Eggs. Like you really surprised more coverage not given to it. I think it’s been live in previous years. There are also highlights tomorrow on BBC.

...oh dear, you’re right. So disappointed it’s not on live.

 

[maccavennie]

Being a keen golfer myself and not a bad one in my youth. I’ve always thought this, what makes the elite stand out. Yes Rory, DJ, Koepka et al stand out for their ball striking, but the same could be said for a number of players. I really think like most sports at elite level, it comes down to temperament and how strong they are mentally. Koepka holds the edge in that regard at the moment, but Rose, Woods, Els and the other greats were mentally so strong. What can it be denied to be an elite player you need an exceptional short game. In all my years watching golf, Spieth had a 2 year period of the best short game and putting, I think the game has ever witnessed. He has flaws in other areas of his game (driving) but his exceptional short game allowed him to contend. Due the the fact his putting has gone slightly off, and it’s still excellent, he’s unable to contend. Just shows how small the margins are at the very top.

Spot on regarding Spieth, even going back to the Open win a few years ago and some of the long putts he was sinking was just unreal, it wa alike he wasn't even having to think, just pure instinct. That's what the short game is though, a lot of the time, instinct, feel and that little old ingredient called confidence!

I think your right about temperament, it's something I always tell my lad it's vitally important to have a good temperament in golf. That and the elite players have such a drive/will to win. They want to be winners and it ain't got nothing to do with money, it's all to do with those shiny trophies and getting your name on it.

 

[Methuselah]

Yep, gives you a true appreciation of the absolute elite golfers such as Rory, Johnson, Keopka, Rose etc. Their mindset, skillset, variety of shots, improvisation and will to win is superb.

When you go to something like the British Masters and you get to see the players the next level under them ( still quality!) then there's others on the tour just looking to survive and get their card for the following year. The gulf seems massive between the top end and a few rungs below.

I always say to my lad, it must be real tough for some of them. Growing up as an amateur they probably win all kinds of trophies and then they turn pro and some of them don't get a taste of victory for years. I should imagine that's quite disheartening regardless of money from Sponsorship.

Its a tough sport, but a brilliant one with so much to it and it's when your out there right up, close and personal with these golfers that it gives you a massive appreciation of how good they are.

And yep, the missus is always right lol

I am of the opinion that the greatest gulf, in sport, between amateurs and professionals is in golf and snooker. And I agree with maccavennie that the gulf is also greater in those two sports between the top players and the journeymen pro's. I played football at (what was then) senior amateur level. I played against pro teams and always felt that with full-time training I would be on a par. (no pun intended). When I went to watch the top pro's in a golf tournament, I always considered it to be a different game to the one I played!