Saturday with Bubba

[Mike Sweeney]

I played Yale the other day with an obscenely long hitter. Jeff Loh a new member here is 10-15 yards past me, and this guy was 40+ yards past Jeff. Played baseball in college, averaged 310 yards during a season of competitive play. I have seen Tom Paul's Long John from Nebraska and this guy was past him. He works for a living so the OB drives were deep and short game needed work similar to Sweeney.

Today was the first time I watched Bubba Watson. Bubba is it me or maybe you should consider backing down and hitting shots with spin into US Open greens. Yes he had the meltdown on the one hole and he seemed to get frustrated, BUT should the USGA fear the long hitter? I mean if Bubba tries to drive Merion 8, I will take that bet all day long. Thoughts?

[TEPaul]

Mike:

How in the world do you know or can say that that long hitter can get it past John Hurley from Nebraska? Did you see them play together?

I sure didn't.  

[Mike Sweeney]

Mike:

How in the world do you know or can say that that long hitter can get it past John Hurley from Nebraska? Did you see them play together?

I sure didn't.  

Tom,

This conversation should head over to Bombsquad (which is the long hitters website).

For GCA, I would be interested in your thoughts on Bubba's strategy for the US Open. If I remember from the post during The Amateur, Long John struggled at Merion too. Should we not worry about the long hitter?

[TEPaul]

"I mean if Bubba tries to drive Merion 8, I will take that bet all day long. Thoughts?"

Mike:

I walked around Merion with a couple of college coaches who were trying to recruit Nebraska's Hurley and one of them said he should've tried to drive Merion's #8.

This kind of thing is what some of these people do for a living but in my opinion that's one of the stupidest things I've heard.

On the other hand, maybe I just don't have any appreciation for that kind of strategy as Hurley hits tee shots a good 100 yards farther than I ever could.  

Since Hurley's ball speed was about 12-15 MPH higher than Tiger's I doubt even Bubba Watson could get it past Long John Hurley. I'm pretty sure the USGA's equipment has tested both of them and last I asked they still hadn't seen a ball speed as high as Hurley's.

[Mike_Young]

I have played with Bubba a few times when he was at UGA and he would come to ACC.....He used to crack the first Ping Drivers about every two weeks....I don't think the USGA has to fear the longhitters unless they are also course managers....

[Gary Daughters]

Mike,

He might actually win this thing.  I wouldn't bet on him, but I think it would be a good thing for golf.. or at least for the tour.

PS.. disparage not your fellow lefties!

[Mike_Young]

Gary,
He could......as long as he doesnt realize where he is.....

[Eric_Terhorst]

I have to say I like the look of Bubba.  He looks like a left-handed Freddy Couples to me.

[Kalen Braley]

I have to say I like the look of Bubba.  He looks like a left-handed Freddy Couples to me.

Maybe in appearance, but not the way he swings the club...

[Gary Daughters]

Mike,

No doubt you have the skinny on exactly what went down in Athens.

[Mike_Young]

Mike,

No doubt you have the skinny on exactly what went down in Athens.

He is a good guy......

[Gary Daughters]

Sure seems like it.

No shortage of controversy in that leg humper golf program.

[Bill_McBride]

Bubba lives about 20 miles from Pensacola and is around quite a bit.  He is one of the most genuine, down to earth guys you would ever want to meet.

I thought his strategy - and Cabrera too - on #17 was right on.  That fairway appeared to be shaved as tight as the green when you saw how tough it was to lay up to the right place.  Bubba and Cabrera both blew it up by the green, both got a bit unlucky with their results, but Bubba made an easier par than many who tried to lay up.

He does pound it and played pretty well in spite of some poor chipping and pitching.  He might stick around tomorrow.

[Jim Nugent]

Bubba is listed as 6 foot 3 inches, and 180 pounds.  Is that weight accurate?  Looks like he is carrying pretty much weight around the middle.  If that's not a TV mirage, and he really is 6 foot 3, I would have thought 220 sounds more in line.  

[Mike_Young]

Bubba is listed as 6 foot 3 inches, and 180 pounds.  Is that weight accurate?  Looks like he is carrying pretty much weight around the middle.  If that's not a TV mirage, and he really is 6 foot 3, I would have thought 220 sounds more in line.  

Jim,
I think he looks heavier on TV because of those custom pants......I bet those are $500 Zanella customs made really baggy.....when he was in Athens he was not exactly a "clothes horse"......

[Alfie]

Mike,

To answer your main question ; "should we worry about the long hitters ?"

Certainly not ! Some will always be longer than others ?

It's the equipment / ball we should really worry about !

The likes of Bubba and Cabrerra are vital to spectator golf. Whether their likes can actually win through consistently at the top edge is another matter ?

Keep em coming - but restrict them ! They'll still be longer than the shorties... (like me  )

Alfie

[George Pazin]

Bubba is listed as 6 foot 3 inches, and 180 pounds.  Is that weight accurate?  Looks like he is carrying pretty much weight around the middle.  If that's not a TV mirage, and he really is 6 foot 3, I would have thought 220 sounds more in line.  

I think the weight looks more accurate than the height. He doesn't look anywhere near 6' 3" to me.

And if you really want to chuckle, check out what they list JD's weight at.