Not one golfer today has any personality.......... boring stoics

[jkittlesen]

I understand to win, one must keep a calm demeanor, or so it seems.

 

I miss the John Daly........drama............

 

Not the Bubba or Ian douchebags.

 

More the Lee Trevino kind of golfer.

 

Is anyone else bored by the golfing robot of today?

[Undershooter]

I understand to win, one must keep a calm demeanor, or so it seems.

 

I miss the John Daly........drama............

 

Not the Bubba or Ian douchebags.

 

More the Lee Trevino kind of golfer.

 

Is anyone else bored by the golfing robot of today?

Follow Kelly Craft, John Peterson and Grayson Murray on social media. You may not agree or like their politics but they aren't afraid to speak their minds lol.

[downlowkey]

I tend to observe athletic competition for the display of skill. In golf competitions, remaining calm and focused for 5+ hours under inconceivable stress is a skill, albeit not the most overtly entertaining.

 

These days most athletes have social media accounts to address background/personality/personal predilections.

 

Players encompassing an era from Palmer to early-Daly had much greater latitude to express their true personality without fear of reprisal via sponsor contract dissolution that today's players face. I may get hammered...but for some perspective, there is a decades old quote about TW that goes "Tiger may break Jack's record but he'll never break Arnie's". On its face it would seem like an odd claim as Jack has a far better career major record. In reality, the quote is in reference to the prowess Arnie showed with the ladies early on in his career, bagging multiple babes every night. Absent 24 hour sports news services there was simply no place for comment re: Arnie's off course pursuits. Modern players know they are always under the micro$cope and behave accordingly. In my opinion, the real blame for ubiquitously bland golf personalities lies squarely with the public and our incessant demands for private insight.

[null]

In today's world athletes are damned if they do and damned if they don't

 

Speak their mind? Then the offend someone and become part of the 24 hour news cycle

 

Be politically correct? Dubbed "robotic" or "not genuine"

 

Say nothing? Labeled boring

 

 

These guys are their own enterprise.  Everything the say and do directly leads to how much money they make through sponsors.  It is hard to blame guys for not wanting to say or do anything that would scare sponsors away.

[jkittlesen]

I tend to observe athletic competition for the display of skill. In golf competitions, remaining calm and focused for 5+ hours under inconceivable stress is a skill, albeit not the most overtly entertaining.

 

These days most athletes have social media accounts to address background/personality/personal predilections.

 

Players encompassing an era from Palmer to early-Daly had much greater latitude to express their true personality without fear of reprisal via sponsor contract dissolution that today's players face. I may get hammered...but for some perspective, there is a decades old quote about TW that goes "Tiger may break Jack's record but he'll never break Arnie's". On its face it would seem like an odd claim as Jack has a far better career major record. In reality, the quote is in reference to the prowess Arnie showed with the ladies early on in his career, bagging multiple babes every night. Absent 24 hour sports news services there was simply no place for comment re: Arnie's off course pursuits. Modern players know they are always under the micro$cope and behave accordingly. In my opinion, the real blame for ubiquitously bland golf personalities lies squarely with the public and our incessant demands for private insight.

Well said sir............I will now STFU

[null]

I wonder how Arnold Palmer would have been perceived if he was a pro in the modern era.  He was quite the ladies man.  Was always with different women, even when married to his first wife.  Tom Callahan, the famous sports author who recently penned "Arnie" has covered as much in the book and through radio interviews discuss Arnold and his life.

[jkittlesen]

Damn it I do not like this new America, have we lost individuality ?

[jkittlesen]

Or our privacy

[jkittlesen]

But we do have Wes Bryan

[BIG STU]

I tend to observe athletic competition for the display of skill. In golf competitions, remaining calm and focused for 5+ hours under inconceivable stress is a skill, albeit not the most overtly entertaining.

 

These days most athletes have social media accounts to address background/personality/personal predilections.

 

Players encompassing an era from Palmer to early-Daly had much greater latitude to express their true personality without fear of reprisal via sponsor contract dissolution that today's players face. I may get hammered...but for some perspective, there is a decades old quote about TW that goes "Tiger may break Jack's record but he'll never break Arnie's". On its face it would seem like an odd claim as Jack has a far better career major record. In reality, the quote is in reference to the prowess Arnie showed with the ladies early on in his career, bagging multiple babes every night. Absent 24 hour sports news services there was simply no place for comment re: Arnie's off course pursuits. Modern players know they are always under the micro$cope and behave accordingly. In my opinion, the real blame for ubiquitously bland golf personalities lies squarely with the public and our incessant demands for private insight.

You are 110% correct and the same thing has happened in NASCAR

[Badfish]

When I think of professional golf personality takes a back seat to skill.  Don't get me wrong...I can dislike a player for things they've said, or the cold attitude toward competitors cough...cough Rory. But personality is in the eye of the beholder.  For me Chi-Chi was the embodiment of personality on the course.  When he was excited, you were excited.  I liked watching Daly play, but when I think of him I think long drive, U.S. open in 95', and PGA championship in 91'.  Beyond that its off the course stuff that really isn't that positive.  Tiger is a more interesting example.  He did things on the course that could only be compared to things Jordan did on the court.  It was exciting.  But when things didn't go well he would throw a fit like a toddler denied a chocolate bar.  I don't like that.  At the end of the day the guys who lose as well as they win impress me plenty.  I don't need a showboat, or an image conscious player to win me over.  To me golf is a gentleman's game.  And should be played by gentlemen. 

[HighFade]

BEEF

[silver & black]

When I think of professional golf personality takes a back seat to skill.  Don't get me wrong...I can dislike a player for things they've said, or the cold attitude toward competitors cough...cough Rory. But personality is in the eye of the beholder.  For me Chi-Chi was the embodiment of personality on the course.  When he was excited, you were excited.  I liked watching Daly play, but when I think of him I think long drive, U.S. open in 95', and PGA championship in 91'.  Beyond that its off the course stuff that really isn't that positive.  Tiger is a more interesting example.  He did things on the course that could only be compared to things Jordan did on the court.  It was exciting.  But when things didn't go well he would throw a fit like a toddler denied a chocolate bar.  I don't like that.  At the end of the day the guys who lose as well as they win impress me plenty.  I don't need a showboat, or an image conscious player to win me over.  To me golf is a gentleman's game.  And should be played by gentlemen. 

Great post! Having said that...... John Daly is my boy! 

[downlowkey]

Well said sir............I will now STFU

 

Please don't do that on my account pards.

 

I think your premise was both absolutely valid and a poignant topic of modern sport deserving of some time under sunlight...the best disinfectant.

[hckymeyer]

First - Completely agree with Highfade....BEEF!!

 

Second - Like Downlowkey mentioned, in today's world we have a ton of opportunities to see a golfers personality through social media.  Take a guy like Bowditch.  He's playing so terrible right now he wouldn't win a club championship 2nd flight.  He hasn't been on TV in ages, let along actually played a weekend.  But if you follow the guy on twitter he's freaking hilarious.  Just from his personality and tweets he's one of my new favorite golfers.  I'm pulling for him based purely on his personality.

 

Third - Did you watch the Ryder Cup this year?  Holy crap was it full of exactly what you say is missing.  I think today's players are just a little more careful expressing themselves on the course, but they still pick and choose when to let the emotion flow.  

[Undershooter]

First - Completely agree with Highfade....BEEF!!

 

Second - Like Downlowkey mentioned, in today's world we have a ton of opportunities to see a golfers personality through social media.  Take a guy like Bowditch.  He's playing so terrible right now he wouldn't win a club championship 2nd flight.  He hasn't been on TV in ages, let along actually played a weekend.  But if you follow the guy on twitter he's freaking hilarious.  Just from his personality and tweets he's one of my new favorite golfers.  I'm pulling for him based purely on his personality.

 

Third - Did you watch the Ryder Cup this year?  Holy crap was it full of exactly what you say is missing.  I think today's players are just a little more careful expressing themselves on the course, but they still pick and choose when to let the emotion flow.  

I'm a big fan of Bowdo's twitter as well. Love that guy despite all of his problems!

[dang3rtown]

Well, he's not exactly at the top of the game right now but I can tell you this, Ernie Els is a real fun guy to be around!

About 15 years ago (maybe a little longer), I was living and working in Vail, Colorado for their parks department. The head of the operation was a South African by the name of Piet who was best buddies with Ernie. I witnessed Ernie Els in all his vacation glory. The man likes to have fun.

The first time I met Ernie, he pulled up to the club house in an old VW bus, the door slid open and out fell about 50 beer cans followed by the big easy who apparently was living in the van and had not changed clothes or showered in a few days. We went out to play in two foursomes with carts. Ernie played in cut off jean shorts, flip flops and drank at least one beer per hole. Coming in, we had a foursome behind us grow irritated with our slow pace of play. I do not remember the exact circumstances but Ernie ended up playing the pissed off guy from the group behind us heads up for a considerable amount of money. Ernie won. Ernie was incredibly nice and incredibly drunk every time I met him. Not a pretentious bone in his body and I truly believe, if it were possible, he would have played the majority of his golf in cut offs, flip flops and three sheets o the wind.

 

I have another Ernie story involving a snow mobile, I'll save it for another day...

[Undershooter]

Bravo for that story ^ sir.

 

[dadivots]

I wonder how Arnold Palmer would have been perceived if he was a pro in the modern era.  He was quite the ladies man.  Was always with different women, even when married to his first wife.  Tom Callahan, the famous sports author who recently penned "Arnie" has covered as much in the book and through radio interviews discuss Arnold and his life.

I have wondered this too. If the original Nest, an old watering hole between Palm Springs and Rancho MIrage, that was torn down in the middle 2000's, could tell stories Arnie would of had a lot splainin to do. Winnie seems not to uncommon where $$$ lifestyle and golf is involved, I have seen. To many stories to even bother with.

I dont blame any of todays players for minding their own business on or off the course to avoid the social media nonsnese. As had been said to many dollars involved to let click bait determine that.

[808nation]

I personally like to play a round with people that actually talk to you during the round and not so much focused on their round, it is a game after all.  Some people I get paired up with need to loosen up and relax.....have fun. 

[MDGolfHacker]

I like to see the fire that pros get when that one birdie or par save gets them going. I also like the sportsmanship that shows... Like Rose and Garcia had at the Masters coming down the stretch, each congratulating the other when great shots were made. I do miss the emotions Tiger displayed on the course the electrified the spectators on the phenomenal shots he made. These pros are so good that it does become robotic at times.

 

MDGolfHacker

[drewneddy]

Murray is a great follow on twitter. He calls out trolls and speaks his mind. He usually goes off once a week on something that would be considered controversial.

 

Notably lately have been his comments on the OWGR catering to European and Asian tour players and something about he hates foreigners who come to the USA and take college scholarships from American student athletes

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Shankster]

Jason Dufner has the best personality on tour. Hands down.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[AH1980MN]

I always liked Ernie...

[westy]

to be fair with the money involved it's easy to see why players aren't prone to being fun or that charismatic even.

 

That said some players are perceived

 

Spieth - is boring and slow

Rory - aloof

Etc etc

 

But was it ever really different?

 

Yes we had people like John Daly, but what about woods and Faldo? Amazing, exciting players - but wow hard to love those personalities. Maybe, cold hard bastards win more?

 

Is part of the issue, the traditional nature of the PGA tour? Once a season it gets a bit crazy with the football style crowd lining a par 3 - why not more often? Give the players a chance to show their personality, bet many of them are a lot more fun than we see now.

[ole gray]

Did I say I'm a huge Boo Weekly fan and he's pretty cool too

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Shankster]

I think part of the problem is, guys like Speith think us older crowd is weird for wanting his autograph or a picture. Arnie, Jack and the Men of golf woulda stopped and given you a handshake you'll never forget and say thanks. Not ew, an old guy.

 

I know a good memory in a child is priceless, but there are older fans too which are forgotten about with the "kids" of golf.

 

If someone had a different experience please share!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[null]

It's not really ew an old guy. The athletes are sick of grown men shoving kids out of the way to get autographs, only to put the signed item's on ebay

[Shankster]

It's not really ew an old guy. The athletes are sick of grown men shoving kids out of the way to get autographs, only to put the signed item's on ebay

Yeah, there are those jackasses. But what about the genuine fan? A few jerks ruin it for us all.

 

And would they give the genuine fan a chance?

 

- Al

[null]

Yeah, there are those jackasses. But what about the genuine fan? A few jerks ruin it for us all.

 

And would they give the genuine fan a chance?

 

- Al

 

Problem is they can't distinguish between the two.  So yes, a bunch of jerks ruin it for the rest of us

 

http://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/jordan-spieth-torches-adult-autograph-seekers-at-pebble-beach-over-profanity/