In the United States, professional athletes and sports fans (for the most part) have come to embrace and develop the art of talking trash. When we look at professional sports being played and watched, there is a mental and physical side.
The expression “you’re in his/her head,” for those that don’t know, means your trash talking has thrown your opponent out of their element or off their game. For example, professional sports have produced some rather effective trash talkers like Chad Ocho Cinco with his verbal and electronic (usually via twitter) bantering and the originator – Muhammad Ali…nuff said. These athletes would use the mental side as leverage by frustrating the opponent resulting in a loss of focus.
Now, as much as golf is a mental game requiring serious concentration and focus, wouldn’t you think that on Sunday one of the two in the final pairing would throw a dig to the other golfer or something? I mean dude, you are in contention to win some serious cash. The hell with it, let whoever you’re paired with know their mother is a pickle smuggler. You see, the USGA has guidelines on etiquette, not necessarily rules, and last time I checked there aren’t any penalties for “bending” guidelines. Supposedly, Steve Williams (Tiger’s caddie) tells a story about Phil Mickelson when he was paired with Tiger at the U.S. Open that goes something like this:
The pair were dueling for the lead in the third round. Tiger waved to a grandstand packed with 5,000 people that bordered the 17th fairway. The crowd responded with applause and cheers. A hush fell back over the crowd and a fan yelled out “Phil!” No response from Mickelson. Again the fan yelled out “Phil!” Again no response. The fan changed tack. “Hey, Mr. Mickelson!” When Mickelson finally turned and waved, the fan yelled out “Nice tits!” The crowd erupted in laughter; Mickelson went double bogey, then bogey and his tournament was over.
Not for nothing, but some of the outfits these golfers wear just scream “make fun of me” too. Ian Poulter, Camilo Villegas and John Daly are all guilty of this. Holy crap! Just think of how exciting golf would be to watch if, let’s say Boo Weekely, was to really start insulting John Daly. This would be priceless! There would definitely be a good chance of them “dropping the gloves.” Don’t get me wrong, I do not support violence but, if you’re playing golf for a living professionally on T.V., it makes for good entertainment.
Golf is still the one sport that rises above all this nonsense. As a PGA professional I’m proud that our athletes behave as gentleman. The PGA Tour players might be playing for a lot a cash but they all respect each others games. I hope it always stays that way!