Golf at the Olympics

Tom.D.BJJ

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

McGinley has to carry the can for this failure. Between not getting a top flight team out there, and being unable to make anything of what he did have, he has questions to answer to Irish golf fans, and dont think there can be any way he be let near the job next time.

You're clutching st straws to get a reaction. It won't work, but I'm sure you'll try again during the Ryde cup

Dirty Dingus McGee

Was it just me or was the pace of play excruciatingly slow for the last few holes?

Tom.D.BJJ

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Was it just me or was the pace of play excruciatingly slow for the last few holes?

Stenton paced out a couple of wedges which didn't help

Very dramatic though, pretty happy for Rose

slave1

Great last day, the lads lost a bit of ground but the course was great to look at, well done to Matt as well, unexpected medal

Seve OB

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

McGinley has to carry the can for this failure. Between not getting a top flight team out there, and being unable to make anything of what he did have, he has questions to answer to Irish golf fans, and dont think there can be any way he be let near the job next time.

Will you cop on and stop trolling

Steve

We got the reports, mods will deal with it, no need to argue on-thread. Thanks.

Keano

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

McGinley has to carry the can for this failure. Between not getting a top flight team out there, and being unable to make anything of what he did have, he has questions to answer to Irish golf fans, and dont think there can be any way he be let near the job next time.

Don't post again in this thread again as you're not adding anything. Thanks

FixdePitchmark

Have to say - for all the problems.

The lack of imagination with format.
The drop outs.
The strange expensive decision to build a course for it, for the event only - with ugly skyscrapers in the background - Ok it was in Rio , I sort of get it. Maybe a legacy concept ?
The sometimes terrible coverage.

The event was a remarkable success.

The finish at 16/17/18 was genuinely nervous for the two lads - just playing for a bit of national pride and a piece of an element for the top two.

Fantastic performance by Power and I think Paddy didn't have a great week but was still in the mix.

I'd love if it could stay in the Olympics with a new format.

But sadly it looks like golf at the Olympics in the future could be a failure because of the people inside golf who didn't and don't support it.

I'm watching the games - and with a bit of imagination with filling venues more - it is every bit as good as the great game like London - Sydney - Barcelona.

I think the failure of the golfing community to grab this opportunity - sums up the problems golf has going forward.

So fair play the golfers that got it and the idea. You need people with a bit of vision, not overly worried about money / excuses and self interest.

I congratulate the lads that did it.

Golfgorfield

It was certainly an enjoyable finish, th elast 3 holes of driveable par 4, short par 3 and par 5 finish was great and left it in a way that anything could happen!
I suspect the guys that didnt play are a little sorry, the only bad thing was the hilariously bad commentary, so maybe were a bit hard on Sky at times, when you hear that garbage from the olympics it makes you realise how good Sky really are!

Jawgap

I honestly thought that the gold was going to be a dull affair - even after the scoring on day 1 I thought it was going to be birdy-fest with some ridiculous score of 20 under winning.

I'm happy to admit I was wrong - I thought it built very nicely to an enjoyable and dramatic conclusion, as good as you'd see anywhere. And for all the withdrawals, the three medal winners certainly seem to have enjoyed it and valued the win!

I agree that the commentary was lacklustre - maybe they'd should've sub-contracted the gig to the Golf Channel or even Sky!

Also, how many times do people have to be told to put the phones away!!! Honestly, there should be a point where a caddy can take a 7-iron pick someone as an example and smash their phone into one of the lakes!

Finally, the spectator picking up Rose's ball was pretty funny......

Domo1982

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Was it just me or was the pace of play excruciatingly slow for the last few holes?

Stenson was using a poker chip marker I think;)

the groutch

Jawgap wrote: »

Also, how many times do people have to be told to put the phones away!!! Honestly, there should be a point where a caddy can take a 7-iron pick someone as an example and smash their phone into one of the lakes!

there definitely needed to be a higher level of policing of this, I think Rose had to stop his prep/swing at least 4 times on the back nine.
I know it's an inherent risk when you put it in a multi-sport event that you'll get a good few non-golfies who aren't used to the rules/etiquette, but that could have been easily avoided with signs stating that phones/cameras can be confiscated.

Rikand

Golfgorfield wrote: »

It was certainly an enjoyable finish, th elast 3 holes of driveable par 4, short par 3 and par 5 finish was great and left it in a way that anything could happen!
I suspect the guys that didnt play are a little sorry, the only bad thing was the hilariously bad commentary, so maybe were a bit hard on Sky at times, when you hear that garbage from the olympics it makes you realise how good Sky really are!

Ah now, steady on there gorfield. Just because this commentary was bad doesnt make the alternative good


That final Sunday was brilliant. Kuchar really added something to the mix that at least made the top 2 aware of themselves. Rose played great and that 3rd shot to close it out was clutch

Golfgorfield

Rikand wrote: »

Ah now, steady on there gorfield. Just because this commentary was bad doesnt make the alternative good


That final Sunday was brilliant. Kuchar really added something to the mix that at least made the top 2 aware of themselves. Rose played great and that 3rd shot to close it out was clutch

I probably should have said apart from Roe Sky are not that bad..... Beemer and Nick Dougherty have breathed life back into it imho

Jawgap

Anybody know if the caddies get anything?

I know the player hits the ball and makes the shots but golf is a bit unique in the role caddies play in the sense of being part bagman, part coach, part sports psychologist and part on-course manager.

i was just reading an article about Rose's caddy (Mark Fulcher) and how he went and spent time talking to the Olympic golf course architect to get some insight on how the course might play.

First Up

Jawgap wrote:

Anybody know if the caddies get anything?

That would be between the player and caddy. No prize fund for anyone. Some brought friends/family to do it.

charlieIRL

Would be bad form if they didn't get something.

Seve OB

charlieIRL wrote: »

Would be bad form if they didn't get something.

the get nothing for the ryder cup!

there should have been caddy medals though IMO. I know every game has its back room staff that don't normally get medals etc, but these guys are front line and involved in every single shot.

charlieIRL

Seve OB wrote: »

the get nothing for the ryder cup!

there should have been caddy medals though IMO. I know every game has its back room staff that don't normally get medals etc, but these guys are front line and involved in every single shot.

That's exactly what I was thinking!

Jawgap

First Up wrote: »

That would be between the player and caddy. No prize fund for anyone. Some brought friends/family to do it.

I was more wondering if they got a medal, memento or some other token to recognise their participation.

First Up

Jawgap wrote:

I was more wondering if they got a medal, memento or some other token to recognise their participation.

Don't know. It would be a nice touch.

martinkop

I don't think they should. They're not competitors. Coaches in boxing wipe blood, spit and sweat off their fighters, study opponents for hours to develop a strategy and they don't get medals.
If they want a nice memento, maybe the medal winners will give them that crappy bit of plastic tat they all get at the medal ceremony.

Jawgap

martinkop wrote: »

I don't think they should. They're not competitors. Coaches in boxing wipe blood, spit and sweat off their fighters, study opponents for hours to develop a strategy and they don't get medals.
If they want a nice memento, maybe the medal winners will give them that crappy bit of plastic tat they all get at the medal ceremony.

That's true, but they're more than coaches - boxers don't turn around mid-bout and have a discussion on whether to throw a right cross or an uppercut, just like coaches don't come on to the pitch to discuss with a free taker where to place a football and how to kick it.

I'd argue caddies are 'in the game' - not on the sidelines as passive observers who use breaks in play to pass instructions, wipe blood, treat injuries etc.

Seve OB

Jawgap wrote: »

That's true, but they're more than coaches - boxers don't turn around mid-bout and have a discussion on whether to throw a right cross or an uppercut, just like coaches don't come on to the pitch to discuss with a free taker where to place a football and how to kick it.

I'd argue caddies are 'in the game' - not on the sidelines as passive observers who use breaks in play to pass instructions, wipe blood, treat injuries etc.

and coaches in football always get medals also

PARlance

Jawgap wrote: »

Anybody know if the caddies get anything?

I know the player hits the ball and makes the shots but golf is a bit unique in the role caddies play in the sense of being part bagman, part coach, part sports psychologist and part on-course manager.

i was just reading an article about Rose's caddy (Mark Fulcher) and how he went and spent time talking to the Olympic golf course architect to get some insight on how the course might play.

There are plenty of coaches / managers / psychologists that are actively involved during competition in Olympic sports. Boxing, diving, tennis, badminton, gymnastics to name a few. Every athlete will have a team behind them doing research and preparation. Caddies get closer than most but the idea that they would get a medal is a mad one imo.
I don't think I've ever heard it suggested that they should get credited with a Major.

valoren

Every participant get's a token medal.

e.g.
http://olympic-museum.de/pmedals/olympic-games-participation-medals-2012.htm

Not sure if the caddies get them though. Surely the players would give it to them if not.

valoren

PARlance wrote: »

There are plenty of coaches / managers / psychologists that are actively involved during competition in Olympic sports. Boxing, diving, tennis, badminton, gymnastics to name a few. Every athlete will have a team behind them doing research and preparation. Caddies get closer than most but the idea that they would get a medal is a mad one imo.
I don't think I've ever heard it suggested that they should get credited with a Major.

How Many does Steve Williams have again?

Jawgap

PARlance wrote: »

There are plenty of coaches / managers / psychologists that are actively involved during competition in Olympic sports. Boxing, diving, tennis, badminton, gymnastics to name a few. Every athlete will have a team behind them doing research and preparation. Caddies get closer than most but the idea that they would get a medal is a mad one imo.
I don't think I've ever heard it suggested that they should get credited with a Major.

I'm not suggesting they get the credit for anything - only that their somewhat unique position might be worthy of official recognition.

Put it this way, if somehow I managed to sneak on to the British pursuit cycling team I'd have won a medal despite being a lardy arsed, no talent cyclist because the timing for the team comes from the third placed rider, not the freeloader sucking wheels at the back So there is some precedent for on course 'appendages' getting their hands on something they've maybe only made a partial contribution to winning......it's just a thought.

abff

Jawgap wrote: »

I'm not suggesting they get the credit for anything - only that their somewhat unique position might be worthy of official recognition.

Put it this way, if somehow I managed to sneak on to the British pursuit cycling team I'd have won a medal despite being a lardy arsed, no talent cyclist because the timing for the team comes from the third placed rider, not the freeloader sucking wheels at the back So there is some precedent for on course 'appendages' getting their hands on something they've maybe only made a partial contribution to winning......it's just a thought.

Not really comparable. The fourth member of a pursuit cycling team will have contributed to the pacemaking of the team.

What about coxsains if those people sitting at the front of the boat shouting at the rowers get a medal surely a caddie should

Birdie Num Num

Jawgap wrote: »

I'm not suggesting they get the credit for anything - only that their somewhat unique position might be worthy of official recognition.

Put it this way, if somehow I managed to sneak on to the British pursuit cycling team I'd have won a medal despite being a lardy arsed, no talent cyclist because the timing for the team comes from the third placed rider, not the freeloader sucking wheels at the back So there is some precedent for on course 'appendages' getting their hands on something they've maybe only made a partial contribution to winning......it's just a thought.

I may be wrong but I think there is a squad so there can be 5 (maybe 6) in that squad but only 4 can race and those 4 that medal in a final are the only ones entitled to a medal. It's certainly that way in athletics. The guys who race in heats can be different to the guys who run the final because of injury or team selection and again only the guys who race in the final are entitled to the medals.

mickmackey1

Leona Maguire at +3 and Stephanie Meadow at +6 unfortunately. Ciganda leads at -6.

Tockman

-6 so far in Leona's round today. -3 overall, four shots off lead!

abff

Great round by both Irish golfers today - 6 under for Leona Maguire and 5 under for Stephanie Meadow.

spacecoyote

Leona paired with Lydia Ko & Lexi Thomson for tomorrow, should be a great experience

eagle eye

Leona currently -5 after 11 holes today. Lydia Ko on fire, -6 after 11 holes today for -9 total. Inbee Park two shots clear at the front on -12.

Joe_ Public

Course seems to be playing a bit tougher for the players today, the wind looks fairly beefy. Par 4 7th isn't even reachable in 2 for most of the field. Any round under par here would be a good score for Maguire, currently -1 for the day.

trishasaffron

Inbee Park wins with an amazing 15 under - she makes putting look like a doddle.

Leona did well to come 21st - did I hear she was one of only 3 amateurs in the event?

Joe_ Public

trishasaffron wrote: »

Inbee Park wins with an amazing 15 under - she makes putting look like a doddle.

Leona did well to come 21st - did I hear she was one of only 3 amateurs in the event?

Cream rose to the top today. Lydia Ko might have challenged but couldn't buy a putt and Park just cruised to victory. Good tournament for Maguire, can't wait for her to turn pro.

fryup

serious question....

i'm not a golf person...but having watched the women's golf over the past few days...is there any reason why women can't compete against men in the sport?

obviously they'd be physically weaker when it comes to teeing off, but apart from that physical strength doesn't come into it...so????

Joe_ Public

fryup wrote: »

serious question....

i'm not a golf person...but having watched the women's golf over the past few days...is there any reason why women can't compete against men in the sport?

obviously they'd be physically weaker when it comes to teeing off, but apart from that physical strength doesn't come into it...so????

I like women's golf. It's developing and getting more competitive. But the world's two best players - Lydia Ko and Inbee Park - have average driving distances of 250 yards which would be 20-30 yards short of the shortest guys on the PGA Tour (60-70 of the longest). So they're at a serious disadvantage right from the start.

And while Ko and Park have great short games, the fact is the men have superior short games too, in most cases significantly so. They control the ball better, their strength and power is an advantage in deep rough and they will generally handle rougher weather conditions better. I'm not sure there is any physiological reason why this should be so, but if you watch golf regularly it will become obvious that it is the case.

Women have played men's tour events in the past - Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie are two that come to mind. But neither made the cut in those events iirc. If Ko or Park had the power to go with their touch, it's possible they might make a go of it. But you have to be realistic too. Shorter hitters can still do well in golf, but they're increasingly making courses longer and putting an even bigger premium on power. It's entirely possible a female golfer could emerge with the right balance of long and short game to contend with the males, but it'll never become a common trend.

spacecoyote

fryup wrote: »

serious question....

i'm not a golf person...but having watched the women's golf over the past few days...is there any reason why women can't compete against men in the sport?

obviously they'd be physically weaker when it comes to teeing off, but apart from that physical strength doesn't come into it...so????

You have to allow for the fact that the men's course measures just over 6500m, the ladies, just over 5900m, so strength is a fairly defining factor

Chivito550

I've been in Rio for 2 weeks now and I have not seen a single mosquito since I have arrived. I'm afraid to say you have all been taken for a ride by McIlroy and Lowry. Hook line and sinker.

Hoof Hearted2

Chivito550 wrote: »

I've been in Rio for 2 weeks now and I have not seen a single mosquito since I have arrived. I'm afraid to say you have all been taken for a ride by McIlroy and Lowry. Hook line and sinker.

Breaking news folks, there is no such thing as Zika, thanks for clearing that up Chivito550 (y)(y)

First Up

Chivito550 wrote:

I've been in Rio for 2 weeks now and I have not seen a single mosquito since I have arrived. I'm afraid to say you have all been taken for a ride by McIlroy and Lowry. Hook line and sinker.

Pray tell how we were "taken for a ride" by McIlroy and Lowry (or Speith, Schwartzel, Day or anyone else who opted out.)?

They decided not to go for whatever reason (scheduling mostly.) Zika was a handy enough excuse - we all knew that.

CMOTDibbler

‘Crazy’ mosquito swarms inside Rio’s Olympic venues spur Canadian MD to urge Zika protection.

charlieIRL

Ahh lads, don't feed the troll!!

PARlance

Chivito550 wrote: »

I've been in Rio for 2 weeks now and I have not seen a single mosquito since I have arrived. I'm afraid to say you have all been taken for a ride by McIlroy and Lowry. Hook line and sinker.

Going by that timeline....any sign of them letting you come home Pat?

Chivito550

First Up wrote: »

Chivito550 wrote:

I've been in Rio for 2 weeks now and I have not seen a single mosquito since I have arrived. I'm afraid to say you have all been taken for a ride by McIlroy and Lowry. Hook line and sinker.

Pray tell how we were "taken for a ride" by McIlroy and Lowry (or Speith, Schwartzel, Day or anyone else who opted out.)?

They decided not to go for whatever reason (scheduling mostly.) Zika was a handy enough excuse - we all knew that.

Plenty were buying the excuse here, talking about them needing to look after their health first and foremost.

First Up

Chivito550 wrote: »

Plenty were buying the excuse here, talking about them needing to look after their health first and foremost.

Not "all" were.