2019 PGA Tour anonymous survey results

[StrokerAce]

Always fun to read these answers....

https://www.golf.com/news/features/2019/10/31/anonymous-pro-survey-pga-tour-tiger-trump-cheating/

Quote

 

It’s baaaack…and it’s a doozy. For this year’s edition of our always-revealing GOLF.com Anonymous Pro Survey, we protected the identity of 52 card-carrying PGA Tour players so they could speak candidly about the hottest topics of the day.

In return, they gave us their unfettered takes on everything from Tiger Woods (yes, he’ll win more majors) and Donald Trump (still popular), to driver testing (inadequate), backstopping (is it cheating?), best and worst Tour venues (sorry, TPC San Antonio), and favorite and least favorite playing partners (scroll down!). They even told us who is the most famous person in their contacts (looking at you, MJ).

Polling was conducted at the Safeway Open, in September. Over two days, we asked each player 46 questions. Among the respondents: 30 Tour winners, three major winners and 15 players who have made a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup team.

The mic is now theirs…

WHICH TOURNAMENT IS HARDER TO WIN?

Players Championship: 78%
PGA Championship: 22%

Hot takes:

“Do I get some brownie points from the Tour for saying Players?”
“Players. Everyone in the field can win it because the course doesn’t favor any particular style of game.”

WHICH TOURNAMENT WOULD YOU RATHER WIN?

Players Championship: 38%
PGA Championship: 62%

Hot takes:

“Whichever has the biggest purse.”

IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MAJORS OVERRATED? 

Yes: 22%
No: 78%

Hot takes:

“Yes, by fans.”
“Every week feels like a major.”
“Majors are what your career is based on and how you are remembered.”

WHO GOT YOUR VOTE FOR 2019 PGA TOUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR?

Rory McIlroy: 33%
Brooks Koepka: 17%
Other: 10%
Didn’t vote: 40%

Hot takes:

“Thirteen top 10s — Rory”
“Easy. Hands down, Rory. If he didn’t win the Tour Championship, it would’ve been close. He was the most consistent. People don’t give him enough credit for all those top 10s.”
“I forgot to vote.”

Rory McIlroy topped Brooks Koepka to win the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup.
BUTCH DILL/USA TODAY SPORTS
WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT MCILROY WON?

Yes: 31%
No: 69%

Hot takes:

“Who counts the votes? It’s the Tour, right?”

IN GENERAL, PGA TOUR SETUPS ARE…

…too hard: 4%
…too easy: 21%
…about the right difficulty: 75%

Hot takes:

“Grow some rough.”
“We need more rough.”
“Setups are too long. There’s not enough rough and they don’t penalize bad drives enough.”

RELATED: Are the pro tours failing to test the best players in the world? 

TRUE OR FALSE: THE TOUR WOULD BE MORE INTERESTING IF THERE WERE FEWER EVENTS.

True: 50%
False: 50%

Hot takes:

“More millionaires, but more guys getting hurt. If you increase quantity in any industry, quality goes down.”
“Would not be good for the new guys.”
“A four-month break would make fans psyched that golf is back.”

ARE YOU A FAN OF THE NEW COMPRESSED MAJOR SCHEDULE?

Yes: 55%
No: 45%

Hot takes:

“It’s not like the Champions tour with a major every other week.”

HOW MANY TIMES LAST SEASON DID YOU WITNESS A PLAYER KNOWINGLY BREAK A RULE AND TRY TO GET AWAY WITH IT? 

Never: 72%
Once: 17%
Twice: 7%
Three times: 2%
Four times: 0%
Five times: 2%

Hot takes:

“A few. More than you think. Always a hazard drop.”
“Zero this year, but last few years about five.”
“In person or on TV?”

"More than you think," one player said of the frequency of cheating on Tour. "Always a hazard drop."
USA TODAY
DO YOU CONSIDER “BACKSTOPPING” CHEATING?

Yes: 36%
No: 61%
Unsure: 3%

Hot takes:

“Seen instances but it’s blown out of proportion.”
“We’re not that good.”
“It’s against the rules. Look it up.”
“Only in rare circumstances. Everyone wants it to be fair.”
“It’s not cheating, but you should protect the field.”
“It’s not done with the intent to cheat.”
“By the letter of the law, yes. In my mind, no.”
“Absolutely.”

RELATED: Is backstopping a problem on the PGA Tour?

HAS FLAGSTICK-IN PUTTING MADE PUTTING EASIER? 

Yes: 15%
No: 81%
Unsure: 4%

ROUGHLY WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TOUR PROS WOULD YOU CLASSIFY AS “SLOW PLAYERS”? 

32% (average of all responses)

Hot takes:

“On average, there is one slow player in every group.”
“99%, including me.”
“Too many.”

IS EVERY PLAYER IN THE TOP 125 CAPABLE OF WINNING A MAJOR?

Yes: 40%
No: 60%

WILL RICKIE FOWLER WIN A MAJOR? 

Yes: 96%
No: 4%

Hot takes:

“He will win more than one.”
“100%”

WILL TIGER WIN ANOTHER MAJOR?*

Yes: 73%
No: 27%

Hot takes:

“We all said no before and he did, so I say yes.”
“Two more Masters. He’s going to have to get lucky, though, because his body is breaking down.”
“Yes, and I would’ve never said that two years ago.”

(*Question was asked before Tiger’s 82nd Tour win in October.)

Most players think Tiger's 2019 Masters win won't be his last major title.
GETTY
WILL PHIL WIN ANOTHER MAJOR? 

Yes: 18%
No: 82%

Hot takes:

“Yes, he’ll win another major…on the Champions tour!”
“He looks like the Incredible Hulk right now.”

WHO WILL WIN MORE MAJORS IN HIS CAREER? 

Brooks: 57%
Rory: 43%

Hot takes:

“If both stay healthy, Rory. Brooks is going to get injured working out.”

RELATED: If Brooks-Rory wasn’t a rivalry, Koepka just made it one

HOW MANY CARS DO YOU OWN? 

0: 4%
1: 36%
2: 38%
3: 16%
4: 4%
5 or more: 6%

Hot takes:

“Used to be four. Got it down to two.”
“One is a mini-van.”
“Do you count trucks?”
“My wife owns it, and it’s a Mini.”

HOW MUCH CASH ARE YOU CARRYING RIGHT NOW? 

$421 (average of all responses)

Hot takes:

“I’m young. We don’t carry cash.”
“$500 — mostly in fives for tipping.”
“Too much: $1,400.”
“$17 after I pay the locker-room guys.”

IF YOU AND TIGER PLAYED A 36-HOLE MATCH TOMORROW, WHO WINS?*

Me: 90%
Tiger: 10%

Hot takes:

“Can I get an injury report on Tiger?”
“Which course?”
“Tiger can’t do 36 holes.”
“Me, even though I shot 79 today!”

(*Question was asked before Tiger’s 82nd Tour win in October.)

WHO WILL HAVE THE BEST CAREER: MATT WOLFF, COLLIN MORIKAWA OR VIKTOR HOVLAND?

Wolff: 4%
Morikawa: 42%
Hovland: 54%

Hot takes:

“There’s no way Wolff’s back holds up with that swing; I love Hovland’s fundamentals.”
“Morikawa has the better swing.”
“Hands down, Hovland — a game that will last.”
“Morikawa hits it so much better.”
“Hovland is so solid all around.”
“All capable. It will come down to who wants it the most.”

RELATED: Viktor Hovland broke a ridiculous long-standing PGA Tour record

WOULD YOU PLAY IN AN OFFICIAL PGA TOUR EVENT IN WHICH PGA TOUR PLAYERS TEAMED WITH LPGA PLAYERS?  

Yes: 75%
No: 25%

Hot takes:

“Will the girls earn the same purse money as us?”
“I wouldn’t know anyone to ask.”
“Never.”

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF PLAYERS GAMBLING ON OR AGAINST THEMSELVES?   

Yes: 8%
No: 92%

WILL DONALD TRUMP GET YOUR VOTE IN 2020? 

Yes: 49%
No: 12%
Undecided: 14%
Ineligible: 25%

(Ed. note: In the 2018 edition of this survey, 56% of players said they voted for Trump in 2016.)

Hot takes:

“Hell no.”
“Not if he gets impeached.”

President Trump remains popular among Tour pros.
GETTY IMAGES
HAVE YOU EVER HAD SEX ON/AT A GOLF COURSE? 

Yes: 41%
No: 59%

Hot takes:

“I’d like to.”
“Not even on my bucket list.”
“Pro tip: avoid the sand.”
“Once…I think.”

DO YOU KNOW YOUR EXACT WORLD RANKING? 

Yes: 15%
No: 85%

IS THE DRIVER TESTING AT TOUR EVENTS ADEQUATE? 

Yes: 40%
No: 58%
Unsure: 2%

Hot takes:

“They’re not doing everyone — that’s not enough.”
“Is there an option for ridiculous?”

RELATED: Here’s the PGA Tour’s new driver testing protocol 

TRUE OR FALSE: THERE ARE PLAYERS WHO KNOWINGLY USE HOT DRIVERS.

True: 19%
False: 67%
Unsure: 14%

IF YOU WERE TO TEST EVERY DRIVER IN A RANDOM FIELD, WHAT PERCENTAGE WOULD BE NON-CONFORMING?   

18% (average of all responses)

Hot takes:

“40% less than a month ago, 10%-15% now”
“10% — it’s nonsense”

WHO KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE GOLF SWING: YOU OR BRANDEL CHAMBLEE?

Me: 18%
Chamblee: 82%

Hot takes:

“He seems like he knows more.”
“I don’t know anything about the golf swing.”
“I hate to admit it, but Brandel.”
“He knows more about everything.”

Brandel Chamblee at the 2018 British Open.
GETTY IMAGES
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE PLAYERS IN THE TOP 125 WOULD YOU ESTIMATE REGULARLY USE CBD PRODUCTS?

29% (average of all responses)

Hot takes:

“10%-15% — not as many as you think.”
“30%-40% on the PGA Tour Champions.”

SHOULD THE TOUR REMOVE MARIJUANA FROM ITS BANNED SUBSTANCES LIST?

Yes: 57%
No: 43%

Hot takes:

“It’s still an illegal drug.”
“They should add nicotine.”

HAVE YOU SMOKED POT/INGESTED EDIBLES IN THE LAST YEAR? 

Yes: 20%
No: 80%

HOW MANY TIMES DID THE TOUR DRUG TEST YOU LAST SEASON?

Never: 7%
Once: 7%
Twice: 15%
Three times: 22%
Four times: 39%
Five times: 10%

Hot takes:

“It felt like 10.”
“I had blood drawn once.”

CAN YOU ENVISION A DAY WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WHEN AN ACTIVE TOUR PLAYER WILL COME OUT? 

Yes: 74%
No: 26%

DO YOU KNOW OF ANY ACTIVE PLAYERS WHO ARE GAY?

One respondent said yes.

PGA TOUR CADDIES ARE…

…overpaid: 10%
…underpaid: 12%
…adequately paid: 78%

Hot takes:

“Mine is overpaid.”

IF/WHEN YOU WIN A TOURNAMENT WHAT PERCENTAGE WOULD/DO YOU GIVE YOUR CADDIE? 

10% (average of all responses)

IF YOU HAD A FILL-IN CADDIE ON YOUR BAG FOR A WIN, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR CHECK WOULD YOU GIVE HIM/HER?

9.2% (average of all responses)

Hot takes:

“Whatever was agreed to.”
“Depends on whether it’s a pro or friend.”
“Which country?”
“My wife got 100 percent.”

WHICH TOUR PLAYER HAS THE SALTIEST MOUTH? 

Pat Perez: 27%
Harold Varner III: 14%
Tiger Woods: 14%
Rory Sabbatini: 5%

Also receiving votes: Adam Hadwin, Brian Harman, Charley Hoffman, Colt Knost, Daniel Berger, Grayson Murray, Jason Day, Jason Dufner, Kevin Kisner, Matt Every, Matt Kuchar, Matt Wallace, Shane Lowry, Tom Lovelady, myself

*11 players declined to respond

Pat Perez has never been one to mask his feelings.
GETTY
WHO IS THE MOST INTIMIDATING PLAYER?

Tiger Woods: 46%
No one: 22%
Brooks Koepka: 20%
Rory McIlroy: 4%

Also receiving votes: Andres Gonzalez, Dustin Johnson, Rory Sabbatini, myself

Hot takes:

“I assumed it was Tiger then I played with him and he was, like, the nicest guy.”
“It’s golf, hard to be intimidating.”
“Used to be Tiger. Not anymore. Rory.”

WHO’S THE MOST FAMOUS PERSON IN YOUR CONTACTS?

Names that were cited more than once:

Michael Jordan (cited 6 times)
Tiger Woods (5)
Larry Fitzgerald, NFL receiver (2)
Thomas Keller, chef (2)

RELATED: See aerial views of Michael Jordan’s new private golf course

Cited once:

Amaury Nolasco (actor known for his role on the Fox series Prison Break)
Bo Jackson
Bob Stoops (former University of Oklahoma football coach now coaching in the XFL)
Brooks Koepka
Chairman Yu (Chinese politician)
Charles Barkley
Cole Swindell (country singer)
Davis Love III
Frankie Muniz (actor best known for role on Malcolm in the Middle)
George Brett (baseball Hall of Famer)
Gianfranco Zola (Italian soccer manager)
Herschel Walker (former NFL great)
Ian Baker-Finch
Jack Nicklaus
Jake Owen (country singer)
Jay Monahan (PGA Tour commissioner)
Jeremy Roenick (former NHL great)
Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks center)
Josh Beckett (three-time all-star MLB pitcher)
Jorge Campos (former Mexican football great)
Justin Thomas
Kelly Slater (surfing legend)
Phil Mickelson
Bill Clinton
Ricky Ponting (Australian cricket legend)
Tom Brady
Tony Finau
Wayne Gretzky
Webb Simpson

Hot takes:

“Since President Bush passed away, have to say Tiger.”

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PLAYING PARTNER ON TOUR?

Kevin Kisner: 9%
Charles Howell III: 7%
Harold Varner III: 7%
Anyone who plays quickly: 7%

Also receiving votes: Jason Bohn, Fred Couples, Harris English, Matt Jones, Johnson Wagner

WHO IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLAYING PARTNER ON TOUR?

Anyone who plays slowly: 26%
Bryson DeChambeau: 21%
Rory Sabbatini: 21%
Martin Laird: 8%

Also receiving votes: Ben Crane, Marco Dawson, Jason Dufner, Matt Every, Dustin Johnson, Brian Harman, J.B. Holmes, Patton Kizzire, Sung Kang, William McGirt

*12 players declined to respond

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOUR COURSE? 

Riviera: 20%
Muirfield Village: 16%
Harbour Town: 8%
TPC Sawgrass: 8%
Pebble Beach: 6%
Quail Hollow: 6%
Augusta National: 4%
Bay Hill: 4%
Torrey Pines South: 4%
TPC San Antonio: 4%
Old White Greenbrier: 4%

Also receiving a vote: Colonial, GC of Houston, Innisbrook, Sea Island, Spyglass, TPC River Highlands, TPC Southwind

The Genesis Open has called Riviera Country Club home since 1973.
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE TOUR COURSE? 

TPC San Antonio: 16%
None: 12%
Trinity Forest: 8%
TPC Louisiana: 6%
Bethpage Black: 4%
CC of Jackson: 4%
Coco Beach G&CC (Puerto Rico): 4%
GC of Houston: 4%
Quail Hollow: 4%
Silverado: 4%
TPC Southwind: 4%

Also receiving a vote: Bay Hill, Montreux G&CC, PGA National, Riviera, Torrey Pines, TPC Deere Run, TPC Scottsdale, TPC Summerlin

Hot takes:

“Wherever I missed my last cut.”
“TPC San Antonio wasn’t designed for the predominant wind. Big miss.”
“This one right now.” [Silverado]
“They’re all good today.”

 

 

[GolfSpy MPR]

Lots of interesting questions. The one that jumped out at me:

I guess I'm kinda stunned by the 4% for Wolff. I'm no physiologist, but I think there's something to be said for the idea that his big front heel left reducing strain on his back.

[StrokerAce]

Didn't Hovland start a pretty remarkable streak of rounds in the 60's?

Hard not to agree with the results.

[GolfSpy MPR]

Just now, GolfSpy Stroker said:

Didn't Hovland start a pretty remarkable streak of rounds in the 60's?

Hard not to agree with the results.

Results: Wolff and Morikawa both won tournaments.

I'm actually not trying to make the case that Wolff is the most promising of the three. I'm just surprised at the 4%.

[tony@CIC]

I was more intrigued with the written comments than the %. I was also surprised at Perez having the saltiest mouth. I can imagine a few players that would top him.  

 

Note; they should also add another question: who is the most volatile in either practice or play. on the course. I can think of at least 3 - starting with Sergio. 

[sixcat]

WHO WILL WIN MORE MAJORS IN HIS CAREER? 

Brooks: 57%
Rory: 43%

Hot takes:

“If both stay healthy, Rory. Brooks is going to get injured working out.”

I couldn't agree more!

[Shankster]

Riviera? Favorite course...

I haven’t had the pleasure, nor will I to play it... but man... that’s a shocker.

[StrokerAce]

not a surprise to anyone ... but B.A.D. almost tied with the infamous "anyone who plays slowly"....  

 

WHO IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLAYING PARTNER ON TOUR?

Anyone who plays slowly: 26%
Bryson DeChambeau: 21%
Rory Sabbatini: 21%
Martin Laird: 8%

Also receiving votes: Ben Crane, Marco Dawson, Jason Dufner, Matt Every, Dustin Johnson, Brian Harman, J.B. Holmes, Patton Kizzire, Sung Kang, William McGirt

*12 players declined to respond

[bens197]

The boss always gets paid first

[revkev]

Riviera? Favorite course...

I haven’t had the pleasure, nor will I to play it... but man... that’s a shocker.

Why? We often hear how much the players enjoy the course.

I thought it was interesting that Augusta was not ranked higher. Two reasons IMO - first not everyone polled has gotten to play it - at least in competition and second its not a particularly fair course any more.

I’m sure Sixcat would agree with the number of TPC courses listed among the favorites.


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[Shankster]

Why? We often hear how much the players enjoy the course.

I thought it was interesting that Augusta was not ranked higher. Two reasons IMO - first not everyone polled has gotten to play it - at least in competition and second its not a particularly fair course any more.

I’m sure Sixcat would agree with the number of TPC courses listed among the favorites.


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Just from a viewer perspective. I’d rather watch golf at Royal Portrush any day.

[GB13]

6 hours ago, Shankster said:

 

Just from a viewer perspective. I’d rather watch golf at Royal Portrush any day.

 

While I agree with this, from a viewer perspective I really like watching Trinity Forest, which was among the least favorite courses, I like watching it because it’s designed in a different way than 99% of courses in the US. Does that make it the “fairest” test of golf for tour pros? Probably not, but I enjoy watching it. 

[HardcoreLooper]

10 hours ago, GB13 said:

While I agree with this, from a viewer perspective I really like watching Trinity Forest, which was among the least favorite courses, I like watching it because it’s designed in a different way than 99% of courses in the US. Does that make it the “fairest” test of golf for tour pros? Probably not, but I enjoy watching it. 

Have they played TF when it's firm and fast yet?  I can't wait to see what the pros say if it gets bouncy out there.  What's lower than zero?

Of course, Zach Blair will love it.  Width and angles, baby.

Edited November 5, 2019 by HardcoreLooper
Grammar

[sixcat]

8 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Have they played TF when it's firm and fast yet?  I can't wait to see what the pros play if it gets bouncy out there.  What's lower than zero?

Of course, Zach Blair will love it.  Width and angles, baby.

I feel like if Trinity Forest were built in 1914 rather than 2014, it would be iconic.  But being built in 2014 on top of an abandoned landfill makes it something of a mockery.  The same can be said for Liberty National!

On the flip side, if some ancient courses were built today, they would be widely criticized.  The Old Course, Pebble Beach and Lahinch immediately come to mind. 

[DrMJG]

I, for one, agree there needs to be a bit more significant rough.  A number of matches this past year favored distance so much more over dealing with the full nature of the course, they became somewhat boring to watch..  And, more than a few had "rough" not much more challenging than the fairway, at least from a  viewer's perspective.

 

[Shankster]

While I agree with this, from a viewer perspective I really like watching Trinity Forest, which was among the least favorite courses, I like watching it because it’s designed in a different way than 99% of courses in the US. Does that make it the “fairest” test of golf for tour pros? Probably not, but I enjoy watching it. 

I like watching golf played on that course too. Minimalist designs are the way to go. No trickery, trees (minimal trees)... beautiful.

[revkev]

I like watching golf played on that course too. Minimalist designs are the way to go. No trickery, trees (minimal trees)... beautiful.

I can think of this one tree that should be gone.....:)

Seriously I think there’s a time and a place for differing designs. The design works best when it fits the place IMO. Pebble has some so so holes on it but it fits. So does the Old Course which is actually quite stupid in Orlando - Sawgrass however works great in FL - it would be ridiculous in the Midwest where rolling designs carved through the trees are wonderful.

As a fan and I’d think as a player I’d like to see more variation in design and course set up, particularly the latter -


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[Quigleyd]

On 10/31/2019 at 9:38 AM, GolfSpy MPR said:

Results: Wolff and Morikawa both won tournaments.

I'm actually not trying to make the case that Wolff is the most promising of the three. I'm just surprised at the 4%.

I could see these 3 being the next "big three" in just a few years. I am a bit surprised by the 4% as well. Which tour pro was it that said "soon you will have tour pros hidding in the woods trying to swing like Wolff". I think it was Max Homa. 

 

Regardless, I am excited for the young crop of players. They all seem to be unique and less cookie cutter tour pro. Swings are individual. Going to be a fun few years as these guys mature. 

Edited November 12, 2019 by Quigleyd

[Mr. 82]

On 11/5/2019 at 10:25 AM, revkev said:

So does the Old Course which is actually quite stupid in Orlando

 

Yeah, having played Grand Cypress New last year I would agree with this assessment.  Granted, I was playing in a tournament with young bucs who were outdriving me easily by 50 yards, making the distance not so much of a big deal.  But with the insanity of the undulating greens there, me having 4 and 5 iron into every par 4 just made it impossible to score or have a prayer.  And the one hole that (I think) mimmicks the Road Hole was just beyond ridiculous to me.  Long par 4 dogleg right with the wind in your face, with a berm in front of the green, where the green itself is about the size of my walk in closet, was just the dumbest designed hole ever.  I'm not going to try and hit 4 iron into that green, where anything buy a perfect shot is rejected by that green, with nowhere to bail out to.  I mean, come on.  I might return to play that course some day, but it sure as heck won't be from 6,700 yards.  Anything more than 6,000 yards on that course is just insanity, no matter how far you hit it.

[Quigleyd]

On 11/4/2019 at 10:08 AM, revkev said:

 

Why? We often hear how much the players enjoy the course.

I thought it was interesting that Augusta was not ranked higher. Two reasons IMO - first not everyone polled has gotten to play it - at least in competition and second its not a particularly fair course any more.

I’m sure Sixcat would agree with the number of TPC courses listed among the favorites.


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Rivera is a course worthy of a PGA championship or US Open. Sadly the property is just too small for such an event these days and will never be considered.