I hate to admit this, but ....

[MattyO1984]

I can’t see myself every enjoy watching Bryson. I respect his golf game. The big hitting thing has massively distracted from his ability in over facets of the game. His approach to the game though and the persona or should I say “brand” that he creates along side it just rubs me up the wrong way. I can’t complain though, all sports should have a heel, a person the fans love to hate and Bryson (along with Reed) fulfils that role for me perfectly.

[BIG STU]

On 3/14/2021 at 2:22 PM, Obee said:

 

This ^^^^

 

I completely understand the need for many of them to be exactly as they are in order to compete in their own way at their own very best. It is a crazy fine line they walk.

 

In my own (not very good, amateur golf) life, my best golf only started to come when I completely, and utterly started to play the game in my own way and completely for me. Not to impress anyone. Not to follow convention. ONLY to play my best golf.

 

And that's not to say that there can't be growth or change in what that is over the years, but that always has to be the goal at any given time: to play one's best in one's own way.

You know me well enough on here to know I always try to play my way right or wrong. And I will tell you Stu Golf can be UGLY but it works for me and it is fun for me. I have always believed that there is no one etched in stone proper way to swing or play this game and that goes for equipment set up too. I remember my first impressions of you on the hybrids was " This guy knows his game and equipment and can play"

[mgoblue83]

There will never be another player as enjoyable to watch as Tiger. Absolutely must see TV. He's given us so many amazing moments that it's hard to even remember favorites but I'll say his 2018 PGA Championship final round is some of the most fun I've ever had watching sports on TV. He lost to Koepka but man that was exciting.

 

Of the current players Bryson is the most enjoyable to watch. He is doing things nobody else can do which is exactly what made Tiger so interesting in his prime. 

 

Brooks Koepka is another that is(was?) great to watch on TV. During his major run he was just flushing the ball and reminded me a lot of Tiger. Absolutely clutch. 

 

I think most of the other big names are pretty boring to watch on TV but are incredible to watch in person. (DJ, JT, Rory, etc)

[me05501]

I enjoy watching all the guys who do things differently and see the payoff. Watching Bryson execute shots is fun, especially his short game this season. It's been special. 

 

It would be nice if he could go an entire tournament without requesting a very questionable ruling from an official. That's the kind of stuff that drives me nuts. Big picture, it is not inconsistent with his overall strategy of pushing the game to the edges of what's allowable, but there are too many instances of him being rude to those officials, and this tactic interrupts the flow of the round for his playing partners. Both a big no-no in my book. 

[Shilgy]

1 hour ago, Frankensteins Monster said:

You would pick to watch Webb? Do you sit in your bathroom and watch your wet towel dry too?

I guess I do as well. Watching Webb is fascinating. He does not look the part compared to most swings on tour but is #10 in the rankings. I really enjoy watching him work his way around the course.....and watching towels dry too!!😂

[RichieHunt]

He makes the game more interesting to watch with his distance and strategy.  For instance, while most every other player would lay up to 150+ yards on #5 at Bay Hill, Bryson bombs it and ends up in the left rough with a 40-60 yard shot that you're just not used to seeing.

 

The problem with watching Tour golf either live or on TV is that the results are often too similar visually.  Rory might put it 30 yards past Patrick Reed off the tee, but from a visual standpoint it doesn't look too dissimilar.  It's not like watching baseball where one guy may hit a pop up off a slider, another guy hits a line drive to right field off a curve and another guy hits a home run to left field off a fastball.

 

With Bryson's distance, we're not only seeing greater distances, but different angles than the competitors and it's been fun to watch.

 

And personally for me, who has been discussing the math that shows how much of an advantage that distance provides since 2011 and predicted how there would be a player on Tour that would dominate driving, if not the Tour itself, by consistently reaching 195+ mph ball speed and got scoffed at and was told by a HoF golfer that I didn't know what I was talking about with distance and was treated like some stats nerd that couldn't break 80...it's very satisfying for me to see Bryson being so successful.

 

 

 

 

RH

[dlygrisse]

I generally agree with @Obee and his thoughts here.  I think watching the guys who are always in trouble, and working to get out of it, like JS, Reed, etc. are the most fun to watch.  It pains me to watch players with poor short games.  For example, I really don't like Rory, if he has his A game he is hard to beat, but he really has no chance of winning without it.  Tiger was so dominant because his A game was better than anyone's and his B or C game could still contend because his short game was so good.  Same with Phil to some extent. Jordan is so fascinating because he has the ability, much like Tiger, to hit spectacular shots under the spotlight, the flare for the dramatic.  (not saying he is as good as Tiger)  

 

Bryson is fun to watch because it's like a high speed car race, you will see more people try to replicate what he does in the future for sure, but whether they have a well rounded enough game to to pull it off remains to be seen.  

[Lobby]

My grandmother drilled it into me that if I didn't have something nice to say about someone, I should just shut up.    I also believe some of the folks we're talking about read this forum, so it can feel cruel when they hear unvarnished opinions about them.

That said, and without naming names, there are 3 players that I dislike watching.  Mostly for poor sportsmanship.  In fact, I actively root against them.  

I'll turn the tv off if these guys are in the final group.

[iNeedMoreGolf]

I hate whiny golfers... its golf... just because your a pro doesnt mean you cant shank or miss your spot geez. I like when jordan plays well but man hes whiny. Sergio might kill someone some day. Its as if they think just because they strike the ball it must go where they intended 😆

[LeoLeo99]

I'm a big BAD fan.  Was a fan of his during his amateur days.

 

Not a fan of Jordan.  He's a little too straight laced and a cowboys fan.  

 

I'm coming around to realize Bubba is a good dude and root for him but he's never on TV.  They seem to go out the way to not show him during the telecast.

[TiScape]

On 3/13/2021 at 7:59 AM, BNGL said:

DISCLAIMER these are my opinions formed through interactions with the players specifically or interactions with people who spend considerable time with a player. 

 

I don't root against a lot of players, but Bryson is one of them. I have met him twice (maybe three times?) every experience has been the absolute worst with him, talking to him is a step above jamming a clothes hanger in my ear. He's a child, constantly bemoaning course conditions (no bad shot is ever his fault). That bunker comment happens literally every week with him...he said the greens sucked at Winged Foot. 

 

Just a step above jamming a clothes hanger in your ear huh?! That’s funny. Definitely paints a picture. Hard to believe anyone would be surprised by that take. I’ve said on the site before I don’t root for him. But I definitely respect that he had the guts to break out of the mold and do things his way. The fact that not only has he done it, but is winning big tournaments is  commendable 👏🏼. You can dislike the guy, but can’t deny him that. Closest thing the tour has to ‘must see TV’. 

[me05501]

3 hours ago, dlygrisse said:

<snip>

 

Bryson is fun to watch because it's like a high speed car race, you will see more people try to replicate what he does in the future for sure, but whether they have a well rounded enough game to to pull it off remains to be seen.  

 

I agree. Some will try and it will be interesting to watch.

 

It's rare for the same person to be equally interested in stats/data AND nutrition/fitness. I'd imagine there will be a lot of swole bros who feel encouraged to follow him down the smash-and-hack path but knowing WHEN to take a chance is as important as having the guts to take it. 

 

Bryson is more like a disciplined professional poker player than an MMA fighter. 

[Popeye64]

7 hours ago, Frankensteins Monster said:

Bryson DeChambeau and Young Jordan Spieth.

Now I can be a cool kid. Thanks. 

[Bye]

8 hours ago, Frankensteins Monster said:

You would pick to watch Webb? Do you sit in your bathroom and watch your wet towel dry too?

Haha, That’s a normal day in lockdown Britain.

 

I would watch him, he is one of the few players that can shape the ball properly. 

[Frankensteins Monster]

1 hour ago, Bye said:

...he is one of the few players that can shape the ball properly. 

Especially 70 degrees to the right.

[Strategery]

test

Edited March 18, 2021 by Strategery

[bscinstnct]

There’s a bit to overlook with BD

 

But, man, when he took that line on Sunday over the trees on the left. Can’t remember which hole, one of the last 3, I think. That was good stuff. Even the announcers were stupefied. 
 

 

Edited March 18, 2021 by bscinstnct

[iNeedMoreGolf]

I dont personally think anything is that exciting about seeing bryson hitting bit drives. Its just a drive but longer and taking lines we all would if we could hit that far lol but it is intresting to know when someones expected to win if they can. Thats what intrest me. Everytime masters rolls around you have to say... man can rory win this one for the grand slam?? He just cant seem to do it lol. Also.. their really is no 1 i root against. All these guys deserve to win one.

[BNGL]

On 3/17/2021 at 2:35 PM, TiScape said:

Just a step above jamming a clothes hanger in your ear huh?! That’s funny. Definitely paints a picture. Hard to believe anyone would be surprised by that take. I’ve said on the site before I don’t root for him. But I definitely respect that he had the guts to break out of the mold and do things his way. The fact that not only has he done it, but is winning big tournaments is  commendable 👏🏼. You can dislike the guy, but can’t deny him that. Closest thing the tour has to ‘must see TV’. 

Oh sure it is impressive to see, and he's got non golfers talking, I've mentioned this before people at church have read/heard and asked me what I thought. He's not my cup of tea at all, just been my experiences with him.

[BNGL]

On 3/17/2021 at 7:24 AM, oikos1 said:

"no bad shot is ever his fault"

 

Seems this may be a trait of better players.  Nicklaus will tell you he never missed a three foot putt and here's Elk telling a story of Nicklaus "never blaming himself.

 

https://www.secretgolf.com/videos/vintage-vault/mental-game/mental-game--steve-elkington/nicklaus-never-blamed-himself-

 

Here's Dave Stockton on Gary Player:  "As we're walking off the 17th tee, Gary says, "Laddie, maybe you didn't see it, but I got a horrible break on that bunker shot." I say, "Yeah, Gary? What happened?" He says, "There was a rock this big directly behind my ball." And he forms a circle with his hands to illustrate a rock as big as your fist. Well, I was standing as close to Gary when he hit that shot as I'm sitting to you now, and believe me, there was no rock. Gary was just making it up. I was speechless.

 

Later, it dawned on me that he absolutely has the right approach to self-talk in golf: Never blame yourself. Tour pros realize it, and it's why they tamp down imaginary spike marks after missing short putts. Blaming outside agencies for a bad shot is much better for your frame of mind than telling yourself you're a lousy hack."

 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/myshot_gd0609

 

When on the course, I don't know why you would want to blame yourself for anything and I would imagine, based on Bryson's thoroughness in other parts of his game, that he does quite a bit of "self-reflecting" after the round. 

That certainly could be the case, and I do remember that my shot in GD. But when you make it a point to make sure that tournament staff know how bad a certain area on the golf course is then there's a difference.

[puttingmatt]

On 3/12/2021 at 3:57 PM, Obee said:

... I truly love to watch DeChambeau play the game. I so appreciate that he plays his own game, completely unafraid to do things differently in his quest to play the very best golf that he can play. I don't care for his personality (either on or off the course) much at all. He's whiny, ticky, and just too odd, even for an oddball like me! But I would much, much rather watch him play than DJ or Rory, for instance.

 

As for watching the pros, I'd say my top group to watch are:

• Tiger
• BD
• YJS:  Not at all a fan -- just like the way he plays the game. Always interesting to watch his rounds
• Berger: Jjust love that swing! -- All his!
• Patrick Reed: Can't stand him, but love to watch him play the game -- other than massive length, such a complete player

 

 

Agree with this, but would add Dustin Johnson, and Justin Thomas, 

[Teekman]

My favorite golfers to watch are definitely Reed, Dechambeau, Bubba, DJ, Simpson, Mcilroy, and really any of the guys who do things you don’t really see amateurs doing. From crazy lines with the driver to ridiculous saves with their short game or “unorthodox” mechanics.

 

My favorite golfer is Rickie Fowler and always cheer for him but from a golf standpoint looking for guys who pull off mind blowing shots.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2021 by Teekman

[ksher84]

Used to not like him, now I'm a fan.  I respect the time and work he puts into his game.

He's fun to watch.  Love to see him win and read the comments after