I don't get the Ryder Cup

[mike_beene]

People are buzzing about it at the club. A touring pro I was practicing next to was getting constant updates. I watch every bit of the majors.To me golf is an individual sport and this was set up to be a friendly. Maybe the war by the shore crap turns me off.Maybe I am not sure who I should be for since I was born in Europe to US citizens.Why all the hype?Am I a bad person because I can't seem to give a rip who wins?And the wives running around everywhere bugs me.The Baseball wives aren't in the dugout. Maybe there are one or two out there who can identify with this?

[Sam Morrow]

People are buzzing about it at the club. A touring pro I was practicing next to was getting constant updates. I watch every bit of the majors.To me golf is an individual sport and this was set up to be a friendly. Maybe the war by the shore crap turns me off.Maybe I am not sure who I should be for since I was born in Europe to US citizens.Why all the hype?Am I a bad person because I can't seem to give a rip who wins?And the wives running around everywhere bugs me.The Baseball wives aren't in the dugout. Maybe there are one or two out there who can identify with this?

You're a bad person, we aren't friends anymore. The Ryder Cup is cool because it's a chance to see one play for their country and route for your country. I understand your part about golf being an individual sport, in junior and amateur golf I never felt fully comfortable playing in a team format. Part of that might be that I sucked though and I didn't like bringing anyone down.

[mike_beene]

Sam,as Dr Evil's son Scott said"we were just making progress at group"

[Sam Morrow]

Sam,as Dr Evil's son Scott said"we were just making progress at group"

The group leader was Carrie Fisher. In my single days I once told a girl my mother was a web footed prostitute named Chloe and my father invented the apostrophe. My friends and I were impressed I kept a straight face, this was until the girl asked what an apostrophe was. She wasn't cute enough to overcome that stupidity.

[Alex Miller]

so this is the second time i'm posting this link tonight... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieszHz1itU

Mike, I don't think there is anything wrong with you, and I think the way you've expressed yourself on the matter makes boat loads more sense than most people. If you don't care or don't like something, don't watch. To each their own.

[Sam Morrow]

so this is the second time i'm posting this link tonight... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieszHz1itU

Mike, I don't think there is anything wrong with you, and I think the way you've expressed yourself on the matter makes boat loads more sense than most people. If you don't care or don't like something, don't watch. To each their own.

Alex,

 I'm worried about you, how'd you find that video?

[Alex Miller]

so this is the second time i'm posting this link tonight... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieszHz1itU

Mike, I don't think there is anything wrong with you, and I think the way you've expressed yourself on the matter makes boat loads more sense than most people. If you don't care or don't like something, don't watch. To each their own.

Alex,

 I'm worried about you, how'd you find that video?

I think the only way to answer here is honestly: I was texting with my friend and for some reason took the persona of Jabba the Hut (won a bet of food and now he was in debt to me). Star Wars puns ensued and next thing you know I was checking to see if what I just sent already existed in some form. It did.

I also find this version better than the original.

[Matthew Rose]

I'm starting to hate it myself.

[Mark Chaplin]

Golf may have become an individual sport where every shot matters and a card and pencil is vital but it wasn't always like that. Fortunately in some small corners matchplay and alternate shot is still the norm.

[danielfaleman]

I get the Ryder Cup, and why it interests people. Never interested me, though. Didn't watch a second of it.

[Ivan Morris]

There is not the slightest doubt in my own mind that match-play requires higher mental qualities than medal. If you are keen enough on the game, it is not too difficult to develop an ability to isolate your mind in a kind of cocoon of concentration, taking each shot as it comes and thinking of nothing else...It is impossible, whatever anyone may say, to ignore a living opponent who flukes a three when he ought to have taken five and it takes a special form of golfing courage to do so - HENRY LONGHURST
IMHO - Match play played in a team context is an even higher calling. My favorite form of golf is alternate shot foursomes. It's fun and it is fast, if you play it properly.

[Tom Yost]

Setting aside the increasingly distasteful peripheral elements of the competition, a lot of it media fueled, I do find the team match play format far more interesting than any individual stroke play tournament. Which leads me to comment on the statement "golf is an individual sport."

Indeed, it seems to have evolved to that point, in American golf anyway.  For the majority of golfers the most familiar golf is medal play. We see it on TV every weekend.  Our handicap system encourages the posting of a score for every round.  Mark Chaplin mentions the predominance of the pencil and scorecard.  Our golf has become man vs. the course and the final outcome is a score.  Any type of round that doesn't involve keeping a tally on that total number is unfamiliar and largely scorned.

But the true origins and perhaps even the spirit of the game lie in a social, match play setting and for at least once a year, the team events like the Ryder Cup and President's Cup shift the focus from the familiar stroke play format.  Beyond the personal joy I get from watching a team match play event, I also see the educational value it has in at least introducing the concept to the "masses."  It never fails that a conversation about the Ryder Cup, even with experienced golfers, will bring up questions like "what does that mean, 3&2?"  

Unfortunately, the elements surrounding the actual matches are detracting from the event. The overemphasized partisanship, rowdy fans, etc. turn it more into a football match.  

[JSlonis]

I get the Ryder Cup, and why it interests people. Never interested me, though. Didn't watch a second of it.

Do you play golf?  I know it seems like an odd question given the fact that you've posted on a golf site but I truly don't understand how a "golfer" would have zero interest in this event.

Perhaps it's because I love to play competitive golf but I've always been fascinated by watching the very best players perform at the highest level under that type of pressure.  Just yesterday for instance, there were a large number of birdies made on the first hole.  For me, the entire day was great to watch.

[Sam Morrow]

so this is the second time i'm posting this link tonight... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieszHz1itU

Mike, I don't think there is anything wrong with you, and I think the way you've expressed yourself on the matter makes boat loads more sense than most people. If you don't care or don't like something, don't watch. To each their own.

Alex,

 I'm worried about you, how'd you find that video?

I think the only way to answer here is honestly: I was texting with my friend and for some reason took the persona of Jabba the Hut (won a bet of food and now he was in debt to me). Star Wars puns ensued and next thing you know I was checking to see if what I just sent already existed in some form. It did.

I also find this version better than the original.

Alex, you're a dork, will you be my new internet friend? You can go with Kavanaugh and I to see The Hobbit.

[Dan Moore]

There is not the slightest doubt in my own mind that match-play requires higher mental qualities than medal. If you are keen enough on the game, it is not too difficult to develop an ability to isolate your mind in a kind of cocoon of concentration, taking each shot as it comes and thinking of nothing else...It is impossible, whatever anyone may say, to ignore a living opponent who flukes a three when he ought to have taken five and it takes a special form of golfing courage to do so - HENRY LONGHURST

IMHO - Match play played in a team context is an even higher calling. My favorite form of golf is alternate shot foursomes. It's fun and it is fast, if you play it properly.

Here, here.

I was commenting Friday morning on the bus to Medinah that the US team is at a distinct disadvantage because we don't grow up playing match play and foursomes.  Probably every player on the Euro team played alternate shot with their dad or their brother when they were growing up and learning the game, and cut their teeth playing matches rather than stroke play.  Match play requires a completely different mental approach that is not baked into the golfing souls of those of us on this side of the pond and consequently we suffer from a sub-conscious discomfort when the score we write down with our pencil over 18 holes is less important than what we did vis a vis our opponent on the hole we just played.  And I wish my friends here would listen to me when I try to tell them how fast and fun foursomes is but its hard to convince them when the round still takes 5 hours behind the group ahead that is dutifully holing out every putt so they can write their score down for their handicap.  

[Sean_A]

Jeepers!  Its because these pros embrace the team aspect of golf (yes, it does exist as is obviously the case in better ball and 4somes) that the Ryder Cup is compelling.  I wouldn't mind never putting in another card the rest of my golfing days simply because the team aspect of golf is far superior to the individual aspect. 

Ciao

[Adam Lawrence]

There is not the slightest doubt in my own mind that match-play requires higher mental qualities than medal. If you are keen enough on the game, it is not too difficult to develop an ability to isolate your mind in a kind of cocoon of concentration, taking each shot as it comes and thinking of nothing else...It is impossible, whatever anyone may say, to ignore a living opponent who flukes a three when he ought to have taken five and it takes a special form of golfing courage to do so - HENRY LONGHURST

IMHO - Match play played in a team context is an even higher calling. My favorite form of golf is alternate shot foursomes. It's fun and it is fast, if you play it properly.

Here, here.

I was commenting Friday morning on the bus to Medinah that the US team is at a distinct disadvantage because we don't grow up playing match play and foursomes.  Probably every player on the Euro team played alternate shot with their dad or their brother when they were growing up and learning the game, and cut their teeth playing matches rather than stroke play.  Match play requires a completely different mental approach that is not baked into the golfing souls of those of us on this side of the pond and consequently we suffer from a sub-conscious discomfort when the score we write down with our pencil over 18 holes is less important than what we did vis a vis our opponent on the hole we just played.  And I wish my friends here would listen to me when I try to tell them how fast and fun foursomes is but its hard to convince them when the round still takes 5 hours behind the group ahead that is dutifully holing out every putt so they can write their score down for their handicap.  

That really isn't the case. Foursomes play is very popular at a small number of posh clubs, and there's a bit of it in the high level amateur game. Ordinary clubs might have one or two foursomes comps a year. But that's about it, sadly - I wish there were more.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

After yesterdays level of golf, it was as compelling as any sports event I can imagine.
At least as a golfer that is.
I was as compelled and as enthralled, nervous, anxious as I was watching United get beat on Saturday.
Now I love Manchester United, have done for 40 odd years, watching them over the years has given much pleasure and an equal amount of dispair, and yesterdays golf was right up there with the best of watching my beloved team.

Brookline was much the same only with a very heavy dose of dispair instead of yesterdays joy.

[Mark Pearce]

Michael,

You won't have enjoyed the match on Saturday, then!

[mike_beene]

Yes,I do play golf and am intensely interested in the majors and many regular events.I have the Ryder Cup recorded and will watch every bit of the golf.What I don't get is the extreme emotions that go into the outcome and in fairness have little interest in Davis Cup tennis but have made the trek to Wimbledon several times.Most of the golf I play on Saturday mornings is match play of some sort.Setting aside alternate shot,which I have only played at Muirfield and in a few member tournaments,golf still is a play your own ball individual sport.Baseball is to some degree individual so don't overreact to my definition.Let me put it this way: If given a choice in my hypothetical career to win one Open Championship and never play Ryder Cup or play multiple Ryder Cups successfully but no Open Championship,I pick the Open and don't understand the thought process of anyone who wouldn't

[JMEvensky]

Let me put it this way: If given a choice in my hypothetical career to win one Open Championship and never play Ryder Cup or play multiple Ryder Cups successfully but no Open Championship,I pick the Open and don't understand the thought process of anyone who wouldn't

I think anyone would--even Colin Montgomerie.

But,I think the whole point of the RC is that it's a team event without any prize money made up of guys who normally only play for themselves and for cash. And they care about winning the RC almost as much as winning any tournament individually.

The proof,I think,is the pressure each one says they feel.Only a handful of tournaments induce this kind of pressure.This is why the President's Cup will always be a pretender.Much as he'd like,Tim Finchem can't manufacture pressure.

[Jud_T]

I don't get guys who don't get the Ryder Cup.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Mark
The second half was great, the best they have played for over a year.
The result not so much, but if the second half is what we have in store the rest of the season, my optimism level is rising!!!!

[SL_Solow]

Several thoughts;

  1.  If your point is that it is overhyped and has morphed away from its original intent, that is hard to dispute.
   2. Clearly, the players who are involved and actually have the opportunity to play in majors and the Ryder Cup really care.  Witness Poulter, Garcia and even McElroy.  See the impact on players like Furyk, Stricker,Mickelson, etc,,  or better still, the reaction at Brookline. There must be something to it if that many players are willing to fight to get on the team and react the way they do.  I suggest that it is the very fact that they are part of a team that increases the intensity.  Playing for your "friends" (and country) creates pressure and magnifies the importance.
  3.  You create a false choice; to date no one has to choose between the majors and the Ryder Cup.  I suspect different players react differently.
  4.  In the end you are right, you don't get it.  But clearly most if not all of the players do.  I also suspect that the fact that  the tournament is played only once every 2 years as opposed to 40 or more tourneys per year and 4 majors per year serves to magnify the feeling.  In that regard, the President's Cup, while giving the Americans more experience, may lessen their intensity as opposed to the Euros.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Interesting that many would choose the major over winning a Ryder Cup..yet almost to a man those who have the privelage of doing both,choose the moment of winning the Cup as a bigger emotional event.
Kaymer last night said so much, Mcdowell has said so on many occasions,that may not transfer to the players on this side of the pond and PERHAPS there lies why Europe has one seven of the past nine or whatever the number is.