Golf is Not a Team Sport

[Naptime]

Collecting individuals under a "team" name doesn't make it a team sport.

 

Team sports = football, lacrosse, basketball, cricket, volleyball etc.

Individual sports = tennis, golf, fencing, judo etc.

[FIRs&GIRs&3-Putts]

So doubles in tennis is individual?

[challengers]

OP absolutely right. There is zero 'team' aspect. It's all individual, even in comps like the Ryder Cup.

Hate it when people talk about 'team dynamics', 'playing as a team', etc with regards to Ryder Cup - it doesn't make any sense.

 

Doubles in tennis is one of the hardest to watch sports out there, but that aside, tennis doubles do have a 'team' aspect - moving together and synchronising across the court.

[fawley]

You don’t think four balls or, especially, foursomes are team events?

[gvogel]

The OP is almost absolutely right, except for alternate shot. Which is why I think foursomes is great in the Ryder Cup.

[Hateto3Putt]

What about bowling?

[Naptime]

In doubles tennis both players are moving in a coordinated way. While they may alternate service, they are both active during the volley. Do we criticize Federer, Nadal, Djokovic etc. because they aren't doubles winners? Nah. Doubles are largely seen by the general public as a lesser sport for players who don't make it in singles.

 

Bowling? Another individual sport...LOL.

[Naptime]

It the stymie were still in effect, fourballs would make an interesting team sport since the player lying 5 on the hole could stymie the opponent who is putting for 3, and thereby keep his partner who is putting for 4 in the hole.

[Vindog]

And the OP said, " Golf is not a team sport." And I was so pleased to be informed of this, that I ran 20 red lights in his honor.

 

Thank you OP. Thank you GolfWRX

[hell_is_chrome]

Think it's time for a nap op.

[Lagavulin62]

Team sport or not the main reasons Americans don’t care about the Ryder Cup is:

 

1. As kids growing up they probably never heard of it.

2. Nobody really wants to watch golf in late September, especially if it’s happening on the other side of the planet.

3. And probably the biggest problem, even among golfers, nobody understands the scoring and whats at stake. And the media doesn’t seem to care to create easy to folllow scoring charts.

[Hawkeye77]

Whoa, must have just woke up from a 400 year nap, OP?

[SurfDuffer]

I've never been able to get into any of the team events.

[11forgedblades]

I have always thought the same thing. Definitely not a team sport. I've always thought the Ryder cup was pretty boring to watch personally. I know it's a really big deal to a lot of the competitiors. They have talked about never being so nervous before and the emotion in the matches gets very intense. I would just rather watch a stroke play tournament. I don't care if America or Europe wins really.

[caniac6]

If you are on a team, it's a team sport.

[MarkFromTheUK]

Thanks for your insight, Tiger.

[PappyVanWinkle53]

Team sport or not the main reasons Americans dont care about the Ryder Cup is:

 

1. As kids growing up they probably never heard of it.

2. Nobody really wants to watch golf in late September, especially if its happening on the other side of the planet.

3. And probably the biggest problem, even among golfers, nobody understands the scoring and whats at stake. And the media doesnt seem to care to create easy to folllow scoring charts.

 

Pretty broad generalization, don’t you think??

[Lagavulin62]

Team sport or not the main reasons Americans don’t care about the Ryder Cup is:

 

1. As kids growing up they probably never heard of it.

2. Nobody really wants to watch golf in late September, especially if it’s happening on the other side of the planet.

3. And probably the biggest problem, even among golfers, nobody understands the scoring and whats at stake. And the media doesn’t seem to care to create easy to folllow scoring charts.

 

Pretty broad generalization, don’t you think??

 

Could be, but it’s not really a mystery. You want hard data and until you get it you feel justified with continuing the same ole American failure every two years. Yet you pretend it’s important and Americans should climb aboard and show their pride, for the good of country.... Get a grip. This is nothing but the same ole high society bs and it will never be any different than that stupid America’s Cup Sail Racing.

[nichho]

Thread got relegated from Tour Talk to General Golf forum. Probably not a real thread!

[PappyVanWinkle53]

Team sport or not the main reasons Americans dont care about the Ryder Cup is:

 

1. As kids growing up they probably never heard of it.

2. Nobody really wants to watch golf in late September, especially if its happening on the other side of the planet.

3. And probably the biggest problem, even among golfers, nobody understands the scoring and whats at stake. And the media doesnt seem to care to create easy to folllow scoring charts.

 

Pretty broad generalization, dont you think??

 

Could be, but its not really a mystery. You want hard data and until you get it you feel justified with continuing the same ole American failure every two years. Yet you pretend its important and Americans should climb aboard and show their pride, for the good of country.... Get a grip. This is nothing but the same ole high society bs and it will never be any different than that stupid Americas Cup Sail Racing.

 

Where, in my post, did I say or suggest anything you just posted. “High society BS”!! You’re kidding right? I think you’re the one who needs to get a grip.

[puttingmatt]

Ever notice how threads like this are always started when Europe wins

The Ryder Cup.

[FIRs&GIRs&3-Putts]

“We don’t win so it doesn’t matter”

[Lagavulin62]

Team sport or not the main reasons Americans don’t care about the Ryder Cup is:

 

1. As kids growing up they probably never heard of it.

2. Nobody really wants to watch golf in late September, especially if it’s happening on the other side of the planet.

3. And probably the biggest problem, even among golfers, nobody understands the scoring and whats at stake. And the media doesn’t seem to care to create easy to folllow scoring charts.

 

Pretty broad generalization, don’t you think??

 

Could be, but it’s not really a mystery. You want hard data and until you get it you feel justified with continuing the same ole American failure every two years. Yet you pretend it’s important and Americans should climb aboard and show their pride, for the good of country.... Get a grip. This is nothing but the same ole high society bs and it will never be any different than that stupid America’s Cup Sail Racing.

 

Where, in my post, did I say or suggest anything you just posted. “High society BS”!! You’re kidding right? I think you’re the one who needs to get a grip.

 

 

 

Well I’ve shared my views. What do you believe to be the reasons USA can’t win?

[Invisible-z]

Well golf is an individual sport.

 

You can practice and play the game on your own without relying on any one else (ie no support crew needed neither)

 

Well golf is an individual sport.

 

You can practice and play the game on your own without relying on any one else (ie no support crew needed neither)

[Tiptx1122]

When your playing in the RC its a team sport, the Americans haven't figured that out yet because it's all about me.

[dlygrisse]

Collecting individuals under a "team" name doesn't make it a team sport.

 

Team sports = football, lacrosse, basketball, cricket, volleyball etc.

Individual sports = tennis, golf, fencing, judo etc.

 

I whole heartily disagree. Now, if your view of what golf is, is the PGA tour, then fair enough. But a large amount of golf played, whether its high school, college, club events there are teams or partners. When I play with my budddies we often play low ball, low total against each other. While the you against the world mentality is standard thinking on the PGA tour, it should be fun to step away and play with a team. The Euros are in the USA’s head.

 

....I blame Seve.

[andrue]

Collecting individuals under a "team" name doesn't make it a team sport.

 

Team sports = football, lacrosse, basketball, cricket, volleyball etc.

Individual sports = tennis, golf, fencing, judo etc.

Sour grapes, already? Sacré bleu!

[Springsteennut]

Sometimes it is. I played in an outing about a month ago. 18th hole one of my playing partners kills a drive down the middle. I hit a 3 hybrid about 210 to get us on in 2. My cousin hits the eagle putt and we win the outing. The fourth guy also had an important role, he bought the celebratory beers. So sometimes a team sport but mostly no.

[caniac6]

I don't want to compare interclub to the Ryder Cup, but our team plays against another team. My partner is trying to play his best to pick me up, and I try to play my best to pick him up. We try to win our match to help the team win. I really don't know how to define "team sport" any better.

[Superbrit]

Op you are so right, maybe the Ryder cup should just be banned because the US lost again??