The GOAT is not an 8.

[Ced]

I watched the Tiger, Phil, Peyton Manning and “the GOAT” Tom Brady charity match. Great event for an amazing cause. Do you think the cameras, the microphones, playing with the pros, the weather or just golf made Tom play that way?  Is he the 8 handicap that they said he is? In the meantime, Peyton played some amazing golf. Your thought?

[RickyBobby_PR]

8 handicaps can have a bad rounds and still maintain an 8. 
While he is used to performing on tv and in front of fans he does that in an activity that he is used to where as here he was outside his comfort zone. Pro athletes get nervous before they compete even in their chosen sport so I’m pretty sure he had some nerves going on here, then add in bad weather and most amateurs will have some bad days.

 

[Golfspy_Lukes]

I'm a 3.8 and shot 84 on the same course I shot 77 on 4 days earlier. 

It's called golf and golf is hard. 

You don't think it's plausible for an 8 Handicap to go out onto an unfamiliar PGA Tour Level course in the pouring rain, in front of two of the best golfers of all time, and struggle? 

[perseveringgolfer]

Touring pro's can shoot 84 in a tournament! It happens, its golf and why we love it.

As a 2.3 handicap I could shoot 65 then a week later 81

Now as a 6 I can still shoot below par rarely and well above par consistently.

But I still have fun!

[Josh Ross]

3 minutes ago, jlukes said:

I'm a 3.8 and shot 84 on the same course I shot 77 on 4 days earlier. 

It's called golf and golf is hard. 

You don't think it's plausible for an 8 Handicap to go out onto an unfamiliar PGA Tour Level course in the pouring rain, in front of two of the best golfers of all time, and struggle? 

Back in 2013 I was playing off a 5.1 and shot a 90 at a course much harder than what I was used to. After taking the last two years off and going through a swing change my HC is coming back down but man, that round was a nightmare. Definitely can't hold that round against Brady.

[cnosil]

I fall in that 7-10 range and there are times I get on the course and play like a 20+ even when conditions are good. Course setup, length, conditions all play a factor for in how you play.

[SteddyGolf]

It was just one round. I’m not sure why the media and social media are getting so hyped up. The reality is amateur golfers are neither as good nor as bad as they say they are. It’s the whole “one that got away....” complex.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[palvord]

First, Tom Brady is not the GOAT. But that's a discussion for a different forum.

Second, definition time: A handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential that is used to enable players of varying abilities to compete against one another. 

TB for sure has the potential to shoot quality golf scores. He also, like all golfers, has the potential to have a bad day. It makes for something to talk about because there is nothing else really to talk about, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a nothing story.

[ncwoz]

I can certainly see it both ways here. In my very unprofessional opinion I think his swing looked better than Manning's, but obviously the results weren't great. Would I be shaking uncontrollably if I was golfing with Tiger and Phil on national TV? You betcha!!

That being said, you'd think a single digit handicapper would know how penalty areas work, or might have a few more bright spots in a round, even if there might have been some shaky shots in there. But hey, in the end he's payed to play football not golf, and they ended up raising ballpark $20mil I believe, which ultimately was the goal. Not to mention they ended up having a chance to tie it up towards the back end!

[beelzeberto]

Correct. The GOAT Drew Brees is not an 8.

[RickyBobby_PR]

46 minutes ago, ncwoz said:

I can certainly see it both ways here. In my very unprofessional opinion I think his swing looked better than Manning's, but obviously the results weren't great. Would I be shaking uncontrollably if I was golfing with Tiger and Phil on national TV? You betcha!!

That being said, you'd think a single digit handicapper would know how penalty areas work, or might have a few more bright spots in a round, even if there might have been some shaky shots in there. But hey, in the end he's payed to play football not golf, and they ended up raising ballpark $20mil I believe, which ultimately was the goal. Not to mention they ended up having a chance to tie it up towards the back end!

How many pros don’t know all the rules? i know low caps that are lacking in rules knowledge while having buddies who are mid-high cap that have a god grasp on the rules. 

[SmoothG]

48 minutes ago, ncwoz said:

That being said, you'd think a single digit handicapper would know how penalty areas work

You would think but you'd be surprised how many people build their handicap using questionable drops, breakfast balls, and gimmies.  Once you put them in an environment with strict adherence to the rules, the wheels fall off. 

[revkev]

I've certainly seen 8's have this sort of day.  I've certainly had this sort of day or more accurately I've had some pretty bad days even as a 1 or 2 and they weren't at courses that were nearly as tough as the Medalist.  The QBs were playing from a distance that the FLGA recommends for expert male golfers - 6,800 at Sea Level.  Throw in the conditions, the nerves, the partnerships and anything would be possible.

BTW I have no clue why I can't get this off of italics - that's not normal for me.  I guess when typing handicap will take a hit.

 

And just a minute - did someone write that they suspect that Tom Brady may bend the rules a bit when he plays golf.  Really, not a chance. (There may be a touch of sarcasm here)
 

[Shankster]

The GOAT played well.

His game is very similar to mine. He obviously hates the driver. Started hitting long irons off the tee... money.

Plus that hole out.

I’m around a 8 - 10 I suppose don’t keep. Handicap. I can go post a 100 right now.

Why? Because I’m a mechanic.

[Lacassem]

10 minutes ago, Shankster said:

The GOAT played well.

His game is very similar to mine. He obviously hates the driver. Started hitting long irons off the tee... money.

Plus that hole out.

I’m around a 8 - 10 I suppose don’t keep. Handicap. I can go post a 100 right now.

Why? Because I’m a mechanic.

Cant agree with this more. I am an 8 and have my off days. Same thing off the tee can be bad so I swap to my hybrids or long irons. I can also post a 72 on any given day and on the opposite end post 100...thats why I am an 8

[GolfSpy_BOS]

I'm an 8.X and can easily see myself getting into the same trouble that Tommy did.  Some times the swing just isn't there.  And with the rainy conditions they played in, I would probably have been right with him.  

I also found it telling that he wasn't playing with a driver.... He's obviously not comfortable with his long game right now, so it's no surprise he struggled off the tee.  He played better once he settled in, but those first few holes were a nightmare start. 

[scooterhd2]

nerves. ive seen him play before in other events and he has a decent swing. And of course he did hole out from 150 with a beautiful shot with a little pullback. Dont see alot of 18s doing that. im nervous on the first tee box of a golf tournament. cant imagine playing on national tv. and homie ripped his pants. that is what you have nightmares about. 

[Titleist87]

Does it really matter? The number is out for the public to see so I can't see him deflating (see what I did) his handicap for all to see. The course, weather, competition, etc., all play into a good or bad day. Just remember one thing, he goes home to Gisele every night.

[ZenGolfer]

I dont believe he's a legit 8.  I watched him play and Im a 15 and I honestly think that I could beat him.  I just looked at how many tee shots he hit OB and how he just seemed to have absolutely no ability to recover from any bad shot and just dont believe it.

Perhaps he is an 8 at an executive course that he plays all the time where he can bend the rules and no one cares but no way in heck is he a legit 8 when he counts every stroke and actually plays by the rules.  Brady and the Pats have a history of bending the rules in football though, so maybe he does that in golf too.

[Ced]

Great perspectives. I love this place. Everyone gave some great feedback and reasonable conversations. Thanks.