What is Drive, Chip and Putt teaching kids?

[Michael Whitaker]

Watching the Drive, Chip and Putt competition I was struck with how deliberate (SLOOOOOW) most of the players are with their pre-shot routines. The announcers have even commented on it several times... Steve Sands: "they are obviously repeating what they've seen on TV from the PGA and LPGA tours."


I think this is a wonderful event that will continue to create a lot of interest from young competitive golfers, but, PLEASE... put these kids on a shot clock!!!

[Terry Lavin]

That it must be great to be a one-percenter.

[Mark Bourgeois]

That it's all about getting on TV.

[Jason Thurman]

That playing real golf is obsolete.

[Cliff Hamm]

Peter Jacobsen yesterday said what a great event it is- To paraphrase 'it's not just about the kids. It's a family event with lots of parental involvement'. Couldn't believe the statement. 


Why isn't it good enough to let children enjoy their accomplishments without mom and dad being overly involved. Just what we need another youth sport with parents living vicariously, pressuring kids, rewarding 'winning' over enjoyment.  I could go on and on, but anyone who has had children post 1980 or so has seen the horror of adults ruining youth sports.

[RJ_Daley]

Gee... I agree with everything everyone has said above.... 

[jeffwarne]

Jason day catches a lot of grief for his pace.
But when I watch Spieth I see frequent caddie player conversation well AFTER the green has cleared.
I just watch him spend at least a minute in conversation about the wind. The gauge on the TV was showing a 2 MPH crosswind.
2 MPH??


Is part of the problem that we've made it such an exacting, delicate game with hyper fast greens, plateaus (perfectly flat of course to accommodate green speeds) sharp edge definition (and yes freaking water everywhere gravity goes).....
that a 2 MPH wind can actually make that much difference between good and bad?


As aside, I've never seen a more sterile, defined course.
How do they keep runoff out of the water-it looks like whatever they feed those electric green fairways amd "roughs" HAS to go right into those perfectly fairway lined ponds....


Lots of good things to emulate about ANGC. Houston found a way to copy the worst things.


OT-Newsflash-Johnny just said Spieth's
 bent left arm causes him to miss right.(also said it a few weeks ago)
Did he not watch last year or his entire career?
or the straightest hitter of all time? (Calvin Peete)
wow...

[V. Kmetz]

Did he not watch last year or his entire career?
or the straightest hitter of all time? (Calvin Peete)
wow...

Calvin Peete was amazing...In the 80s, I always made a point to catch some of his play at any of the 15-20 tournaments I attended...He seemed to fare well at the local tournaments (Westchester and Hartford) in that time period. One thing I remember is how he had used RAM equipment for a good long time, but was the only player swinging Dave Pelz Featherlites near the end.


...
I don't think the DC and P venture is doing much except for the enjoyment of the kids who are participating...do the younger classes of kids even know what a "Wow" Augusta National is...isn't it the parents who have that sense, at that point? I tend to think ANGC could do as much for a broad class of child golfers by putting 9 Golden Tickets to play the course with a PGA Tour pro (no parents) at Christmas time, inside Wonka bars or Crayolas or something.


cheers
vk

[Tommy Williamsen]

Good grief, you guys could find something wrong with a birthday party. I have really enjoyed watching the kids. They have a lot of poise and joy. And yes, it is a family event. Some of my favorite memories is golf with my Dad and son.

[David_Tepper]

Sorry guys, find something else to complain about.

http://www.masters.com/en_US/watch/2016-04-03/amkvjrryvrw0_mz37iqw0lwfprgqnlc7.html?promo=vod_home

[David_Tepper]

http://www.masters.com/en_US/watch/2016-04-03/amkvjrryvrw0_mz37iqw0lwfprgqnlc7.html?promo=vod_home

[John McCarthy]

Vince: 

Calvin Peete was a true gentleman and always attracted one of the biggest galleries at The Western.  Always paid his caddy a premium. 

I do not remember him as  a Ram man.  For some reason I thought he played PowerBuilt woods.  PowerBuilt laminated clubs back then were very hittable, then Ping took it up a notch.  Cleveland made big persimmons....and then Taylor and Big Bertha ended that.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Some of my favorite memories is golf with my Dad and son.

Well, you might have won me over if instead of that you'd said something like, "Some of my favorite memories are my dad caddying for me, on TV."

Sorry guys, find something else to complain about.

Although it seems you still have some work to do with David Schmidt, I accept your apology.

[David_Tepper]

David Schmidt -

Just because I have better things to do at times than to maintain an ongoing dialog with yourself, I fail to see how that is either rude, obnoxious or pathetic. Given the nature of some of your past discourse, choosing not to do so might, in fact be a rather prudent thing to do.

I see nothing wrong with providing a point of view that is counter the collective "group think," whether it is my own or from a third party.

But back to things far more important than your opinions!

My understanding is that this event was created to provide a group of deserving kids with a fun, memorable and exciting golf experience. I find it disappointing that so many here, sitting on their couches, feel obliged to pass judgement because the actions of these kids did not meet some standard that may or may not have been relevant.

Some things to consider:

These kids were not out on a golf course playing a round of golf. They were in a contest where they had a very limited number of chances in each event. It certainly seems reasonable that they would take their time in preparing to hit each shot. Wouldn't you? I see nothing wrong with that.

I suspect that, for a good number of these kids, the setting and circumstance of this event was far and away the most significant in which they have ever participated. It is certainly reasonable to expect many of them to be very excited and nervous. If they chose to be more deliberate in their actions as a means of coping, that should not be surprising.

To extrapolate what happened today into future 5-hour rounds of golf is a judgement that is premature.

DT       

   

       

[Jim_Coleman]

    Am I too cynical to let it bother me that little boys have to wear long pants?  A little much for me, in addition to all the other stuff mentioned here.

[JJShanley]

David Schmidt -

Just because I have better things to do at times than to maintain an ongoing dialog with yourself, I fail to see how that is either rude, obnoxious or pathetic. Given the nature of some of your past discourse, choosing not to do so might, in fact be a rather prudent thing to do.

I see nothing wrong with providing a point of view that is counter the collective "group think," whether it is my own or from a third party.

But back to things far more important than your opinions!

My understanding is that this event was created to provide a group of deserving kids with a fun, memorable and exciting golf experience. I find it disappointing that so many here, sitting on their couches, feel obliged to pass judgement because the actions of these kids did not meet some standard that may or may not have been relevant.

Some things to consider:

These kids were not out on a golf course playing a round of golf. They were in a contest where they had a very limited number of chances in each event. It certainly seems reasonable that they would take their time in preparing to hit each shot. Wouldn't you? I see nothing wrong with that.

I suspect that, for a good number of these kids, the setting and circumstance of this event was far and away the most significant in which they have ever participated. It is certainly reasonable to expect many of them to be very excited and nervous. If they chose to be more deliberate in their actions as a means of coping, that should not be surprising.

To extrapolate what happened today into future 5-hour rounds of golf is a judgement that is premature.

DT   

The problem being that kids do get dragooned into the extended pre-shot routine at an early age. 

[RJ_Daley]

I wonder how much of a misperception of what these future golfers will expect from their futures in golf that will be generated by the aura of ANGC, in all its perfectly idyllic glory.  While I can see the allure of turning on kids with an experience at what is thought of as a venue of legendary and mythical proportions, I'd ask if this is a bit more of a wrong inculcation of what the soul and spirit of the game embodies.  And, what of all the kids that watched the telecasts also coming to believe that ANGC is the ideal.  Does the prestige of being there reflect more from the parent's dreams vicariously lived and influenced onto their kids as to what it means to "be" at the ANGC?  Would it be better in the long run to sponsor a widespread kids program that culminates in a punt, pass and kick....err putt, chip, and drive, if the finals were at a more realistic representation of a great golf course that is duplicable as a realistic and successful golf course operation that could be in anytown U.S.A. or other countries where most anyone could afford to play?

[John Kavanaugh]

Lots of micro aggression going on here. Many of these contestants fit the demographic of budding architect. It would be a shame to expose them to this toxic rhetoric.

[Mike Hendren]

Raise your hand if you have a few old Punt, Pass & Kick trophies in the attic.  I have several plus the even more rare necklace medallion earned with a broken right arm.   No authentication required.

Bogey

[noonan]

That playing real golf is obsolete.

This is very true. No one wants to play slow.


All the tours should require a group to play in 3 hours - or the scores do not count.

[Brett Wiesley]

The slow pre-shot routines are worrisome.  However, I watched with my daughter who is 6, and it was neat to see how excited she was to see other kids playing golf on TV.  I think it was inspiring.  Would I push her to be at the level of these kids, never, but if she dives into golf great! 


There was a show on for a while (may still be) called "The Short Game".  It showcased some kids/parents on the US Kids Golf tour.  It was sad to see.  Overbearing parents, yelling at kids, etc.  I think at least one of these kids was in the DCP yesterday.  The attitudes were much more toned down for good old ANGC.


As for pace of play.  Seeing this, it looks like we are doomed.  As a fast player I have found in competition it is very hard for me to deal with the slow play of another competitor.  I think it is likely harder to adjust as the fast player, and I know some players will purposely slow down more as part of their mental game strategy.  The kids and parents are certainly learning this from TV and what they think is better - the change needs to start at the top of the game.

[Kalen Braley]

Raise your hand if you have a few old Punt, Pass & Kick trophies in the attic.  I have several plus the even more rare necklace medallion.   No authentication required.

Bogey

Bogey,

I admit, I have one somewhere...  I won my local event one year.

[John Kavanaugh]

I still have my second place PP&K trophy from 1968. Three of us showed up but the kid that got third had one leg a full inch shorter than the other. He was one hell of a kicker but kept whiffing his punts.

[Kalen Braley]

Just for the record, as if it really mattered...

But I'm with Tommy and David on this one.  These kids are having the thrill of their life and I don't buy for one second that its not a huge thrill for them, even if its more so for their parents.

True, in an ideal world, the long pre-shot routine isn't desirable, but for an event like this, why get it all over in a hurry especially with such limited attempts?

On a related note, do the naysayers in this thread also go to the range and criticize the guy in the next stall for taking too long in between practice shots?

[jeffwarne]

I wonder how much of a misperception of what these future golfers will expect from their futures in golf that will be generated by the aura of ANGC, in all its perfectly idyllic glory.  While I can see the allure of turning on kids with an experience at what is thought of as a venue of legendary and mythical proportions, I'd ask if this is a bit more of a wrong inculcation of what the soul and spirit of the game embodies.  And, what of all the kids that watched the telecasts also coming to believe that ANGC is the ideal.  Does the prestige of being there reflect more from the parent's dreams vicariously lived and influenced onto their kids as to what it means to "be" at the ANGC?  Would it be better in the long run to sponsor a widespread kids program that culminates in a punt, pass and kick....err putt, chip, and drive, if the finals were at a more realistic representation of a great golf course that is duplicable as a realistic and successful golf course operation that could be in anytown U.S.A. or other countries where most anyone could afford to play?

RJ,
They did that for years.
DCP has been around for years.
It only got noticed when the finals went to ANGC.
So, no