Are we under-estimating Spieth's "A" game?

[cardoustie]

Spieth has a great A game. How won the event with his Saturday putting on the back 9

 

Reasons why I and others (I am guessing) don't love the guy ..

 

- power game not up to snuff with other top guys. Everyone loves the LONG ball, not just chicks

- slightly funky swing

- the whole "we" thing

 

 

-Loving the long ball and thinking Jordan has a better A game than DJ, Day and Rory are not mutually exclusive

-slightly funky? wha?

-What's wrong with acknowledging that you have a whole team of people supporting you? I think it's cool to show public support for the supporting staff. It's like a running back crediting his offensive line for a great performance.

 

You don't think his move (chicken wing) if funky Disco Dave?

[mrmacwvu1]

Think of it this way. There are only about ten guys that are active on the tour that have more wins than Spieth. If he wins 4 more times and hangs it up it he is in the Hall. He is only 23.

[whr]

Underestimating Spieth's game is like underestimating Steph Curry's game.

 

Perfect response!

[Frostfield]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

[socied]

Spieth has a great A game. How won the event with his Saturday putting on the back 9

 

Reasons why I and others (I am guessing) don't love the guy ..

 

- power game not up to snuff with other top guys. Everyone loves the LONG ball, not just chicks

- slightly funky swing

- the whole "we" thing

 

 

-Loving the long ball and thinking Jordan has a better A game than DJ, Day and Rory are not mutually exclusive

-slightly funky? wha?

-What's wrong with acknowledging that you have a whole team of people supporting you? I think it's cool to show public support for the supporting staff. It's like a running back crediting his offensive line for a great performance.

 

You don't think his move (chicken wing) if funky Disco Dave?

 

It is funky, but boy I wish I had that move hahaha.

 

I think you summed it up well. It is all subjective, for all the reasons you do not like him, I like him. Not saying you are wrong at all. Its what makes sports and the people we rout for so incredible.

[ProphetLogic]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

 

Crazy stat of the day. Spieths longest drive of the week was 317. That's good enough for T110. Nutso.

[Ayoung19]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

 

Crazy stat of the day. Spieths longest drive of the week was 317. That's good enough for T110. Nutso.

 

On a course that was very soft, no less

[SwooshLT]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

 

But what is the ratio for the handful of active players with more wins? Dj, rors, day, furyk..... don't compare anyone to Tiger as that's not a fair comparison.

[cdnglf]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

 

But what is the ratio for the handful of active players with more wins? Dj, rors, day, furyk..... don't compare anyone to Tiger as that's not a fair comparison.

 

Adjusted for age, Spieth is the clear leader in PGA Tour wins. Rory is probably on a bit better overall trajectory, but for this generation its clearly these two guys and then everyone else.

[xflex]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

 

But what is the ratio for the handful of active players with more wins? Dj, rors, day, furyk..... don't compare anyone to Tiger as that's not a fair comparison.

 

I believe they showed the stat. The only person to get to 9 wins quicker than Jordan was Tiger woods. So basically he's on pace to be the second greatest player ever and the guy above is saying he doesn't have his A game enough :/

[xflex]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

 

But what is the ratio for the handful of active players with more wins? Dj, rors, day, furyk..... don't compare anyone to Tiger as that's not a fair comparison.

 

I believe they showed the stat. The only person to get to 9 wins quicker than Jordan was Tiger woods. So basically he's on pace to be the second greatest player ever and the guy above is saying he doesn't have his A game enough :/

 

Correction. third quickest to ever get to 9 wins behind Mcilroy ( i looked it up). Still......

[EKELLY]

Let's see where Jord's is when he's 30. Certainly doesn't over swing creating injury like Day and Rory do (ala Tiger), so longevity is in his favor. The kid can win, and let's face it, it's probably tougher than ever to win on that tour.....

[Terry Gold]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

 

Crazy stat of the day. Spieths longest drive of the week was 317. That's good enough for T110. Nutso.

 

Link?

[Frostfield]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

 

Crazy stat of the day. Spieths longest drive of the week was 317. That's good enough for T110. Nutso.

 

That's hard to believe on a soaking wet golf course in cool conditions

[Forged4ever]

Jordan manages his game better than most. His misses are usually in a spot where he can get it up and down. The key to being a great player is that you make pars out of bogeys. Jack Nicklaus' greatest trait was turning a 75 into a 72 and not shooting himself out of the tournament in early rounds when he was off a bit. Then all of a sudden your in contention again on the back 9 on Sunday. Spieth has showed a knack in his young career to be near the lead on Sunday in Majors. He had 1 horrific hole at Augusta, but in general, this kid isn't a choker.... in fact, he's shown himself to be pretty clutch when he's in the fire.

Best post in the thread regarding strategy!!

 

This was the best piece of advice that I ever got from either Pete or Sam and actually Pete had been trying to tell me this for years but I was a tad thick headed.

 

And THIS is the big difference from the guys who "make it" and the guys who don't, and I think Patrick(Rangersgoalie) and Isaac might even agree with me on this, lol-

 

Everyone of these guys is capable of going out and firing a 63, 64 or 65 and they all have-

 

It's when they and their games go sideways, are they able to turn a 75-76 into a 71-72 and stay in the game for the weekend?

 

Great post WM!!

 

All the Best,

RP

[ProphetLogic]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

 

Crazy stat of the day. Spieths longest drive of the week was 317. That's good enough for T110. Nutso.

 

Link?

 

http://www.pgatour.com/content/pgatour/players/player.34046.html/scorecards/r005

 

Fourth stat from the bottom.

[HeadCase1]

I can't relate at all to the people who would say he has a 'boring' game.. What's boring about it? Conversely what's exciting about Day, Johnson, or Rory's game? Driver PW into the green really gets y'all fired up? When Spieth is throwing darts with his driving iron/3 wood or draining putts from across the green, I find that both more impressive and more exciting than one of the bombers hitting 5 iron in. Also I can't fathom how -20 is ever boring. The kid has put some absolute whippings on the field in his young career, and did it again yesterday. In the past couple years the most exciting golf I've seen was his run starting at the Masters and concluding with the FedEx Cup.

[Hawkeye77]

He's a true Golfer!

[Terry Gold]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

 

Crazy stat of the day. Spieths longest drive of the week was 317. That's good enough for T110. Nutso.

 

Link?

 

http://www.pgatour.c...scorecards/r005

 

Fourth stat from the bottom.

 

thanks

[Disco Dave]

Spieth has a great A game. How won the event with his Saturday putting on the back 9

 

Reasons why I and others (I am guessing) don't love the guy ..

 

- power game not up to snuff with other top guys. Everyone loves the LONG ball, not just chicks

- slightly funky swing

- the whole "we" thing

 

 

-Loving the long ball and thinking Jordan has a better A game than DJ, Day and Rory are not mutually exclusive

-slightly funky? wha?

-What's wrong with acknowledging that you have a whole team of people supporting you? I think it's cool to show public support for the supporting staff. It's like a running back crediting his offensive line for a great performance.

 

You don't think his move (chicken wing) if funky Disco Dave?

 

Maybe just semantics, but calling it funky seems off (although you did say slightly funky, so I'm probably just being pedantic). I'd call Ryan Moore's backswing funky, and I don't think Spieth's is as odd.

[Disco Dave]

He's not a short hitter. Just not super-long. Hits it plenty far.

 

Crazy stat of the day. Spieths longest drive of the week was 317. That's good enough for T110. Nutso.

 

On a course that was very soft, no less

 

Which course/hole was it hit at? There are a couple drives at Spyglass and at Pebble that have severe downhills, especially if you can carry it far enough.

[mosesgolf]

Putter and Wedge the greatest equalizer. We're talking about a guy that won the first two majors in 2015, 1 shot out of the playoff at the British Open (dang 3 putt), and another 2nd at the PGA. Watching someone consistently make 20-25 footers for birdie is just as nice as watching a 330 yard carry drive.

 

Underrated? Hardly.

[puttingmatt]

Great player, seems to be gaining more confidence.

[Shilgy]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

 

But what is the ratio for the handful of active players with more wins? Dj, rors, day, furyk..... don't compare anyone to Tiger as that's not a fair comparison.

 

I believe they showed the stat. The only person to get to 9 wins quicker than Jordan was Tiger woods. So basically he's on pace to be the second greatest player ever and the guy above is saying he doesn't have his A game enough :/

 

Correction. third quickest to ever get to 9 wins behind Mcilroy ( i looked it up). Still......

By age you mean? Others, including Jack, had more than 9 wins in their first 100 starts.

[Shilgy]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

 

But what is the ratio for the handful of active players with more wins? Dj, rors, day, furyk..... don't compare anyone to Tiger as that's not a fair comparison.

 

I believe they showed the stat. The only person to get to 9 wins quicker than Jordan was Tiger woods. So basically he's on pace to be the second greatest player ever and the guy above is saying he doesn't have his A game enough :/

All I said was 6 out of 100 was not very often. Personally I think he has his best more often than that but it's not always good enough. He's a great player. And if he continues this great play he will be one of the greats. Time will tell.

[Dave230]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

That stat is more unflattering that it should be because he turned pro at 19 and took a while to learn how to win, since his second win at 21 and a half years old, he's won 13% of the time. McIlroy is the same with his stats on the European Tour, can't expect teenagers to be winning regularly, 21/22 seems to be the earliest point where players really arrive.

 

Again Jason Day is a similar story, do you judge him on a likelihood of winning based off his entire career (which includes only one win from 2009 to 2013), or do you judge him on his likelihood of winning from when it 'clicked' for him? (9 wins since 2014). I'd be more inclined to say the latter.

[Shilgy]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

That stat is more unflattering that it should be because he turned pro at 19 and took a while to learn how to win, since his second win at 21 and a half years old, he's won 13% of the time. McIlroy is the same with his stats on the European Tour, can't expect teenagers to be winning regularly, 21/22 seems to be the earliest point where players really arrive.

 

Again Jason Day is a similar story, do you judge him on a likelihood of winning based off his entire career (which includes only one win from 2009 to 2013), or do you judge him on his likelihood of winning from when it 'clicked' for him? (9 wins since 2014). I'd be more inclined to say the latter.

IMO most players ride their hot streaks. Hideki's won a boatload (cause I'm too lazy to look it up?) of his last ten starts. Send likely to cool off much like Spieth cooled off from 2015 to 2016.

All of us get a little too excited when a player gets hot and down on the same player when the cool off.

[mizuno player]

Spieth isn't as flashy as some. When he's on he just gets the ball in the hole.

 

I think he can more than hold his own against Rory or anyone's A game.

 

Hole he wins the Master.

[damyers10]

He's 1 bad swing followed by 1 bad decision at last year's Masters from this not even being a thread. I'm not a huge fan of his, admittedly, but he has one of the best 'A' game's in the world.

 

And while A game vs A game I would take my shot with Rory, that's something we may never actually see. Phil vs. Henrik was one for the ages that almost never comes around. In my opinion, it's Spieth's B and C game that is more remarkable. When the putter goes south for Rory, he can really struggle. Spieth can win when he doesn't have it all together.

[Dave230]

His A game is impressive. But... He has won 9 times in 100 starts. By all accounts he has won occasionally without his A game. If he is unbeatable with his A game that means he has only summoned it, what, 6 times or so out of 100? Seems to be a rare occurrence.

 

That stat is more unflattering that it should be because he turned pro at 19 and took a while to learn how to win, since his second win at 21 and a half years old, he's won 13% of the time. McIlroy is the same with his stats on the European Tour, can't expect teenagers to be winning regularly, 21/22 seems to be the earliest point where players really arrive.

 

Again Jason Day is a similar story, do you judge him on a likelihood of winning based off his entire career (which includes only one win from 2009 to 2013), or do you judge him on his likelihood of winning from when it 'clicked' for him? (9 wins since 2014). I'd be more inclined to say the latter.

IMO most players ride their hot streaks. Hideki's won a boatload (cause I'm too lazy to look it up��) of his last ten starts. Send likely to cool off much like Spieth cooled off from 2015 to 2016.

All of us get a little too excited when a player gets hot and down on the same player when the cool off.

 

If a player suddenly wins five times at 36, then maybe you have to be skeptical. Even with Matsuyama, you would like to see him do it for slightly longer. But all the signs are there that Matsuyama is improving with age, just like Spieth. That's just how sport generally works, you trend towards your peak years. Spieth is nowhere near what should be his peak years.

 

I would say that Spieth's run is definitely more than just a hot streak, when he 'cooled' down in 2016, he was still second in a major, won twice on the PGA Tour and won the Australian Open, which is a nice year by anyone's standards. In fact, Spieth has not shown any signs of going away so far, from being in the top 25 of an event as a teenage amateur, to finishing 7th on the money list at age 19/20, 2015, everything suggests generational talent for me, too early to say if he will be the best, but definitely looking at someone who will be top 5 of his generation at the very least.

 

Maybe Spieth won't have a better major year than 1, 1, t4, 2 again, just like Tiger had his best year at the age of only 24. But I see no reason to think that Spieth can't win 3-4 events a year for many seasons in the future. Seems to have a good head on his shoulders, a great work ethic and a rare talent with the putter.