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Being Overrated Is Overrated

May 19, 2015 | By Chris Chirico | Leave a Comment

Rickie Fowler golf
Is Rickie Fowler golf’s version of Anna Kournikova? (Photo by Chris Breikss / CC BY 2.0)

So your peers think you’re overrated.  Does that matter?  What does it even mean?  And what do you care anyway?  Well everyone has seen by now, in an anonymous poll by Sports Illustrated, pro golfers voted Ricky Fowler and Ian Poulter the most overrated players on the tour.

This makes me curious.  What do you think Fowler and Poulter think of this?  Do you think it upsets them?  Do you think it angers them?  Do you think they use it as motivation?  Or do you think they just don’t pay attention?  I guess it depends from what angle you look at it.

If it were me, I would probably say that I didn’t pay attention, all the while knowing full well that I did.  And while I don’t know that it would necessarily anger me, it would frustrate me to some extent knowing that I’m working my butt off to be a good player, only for some other golfers to think I’m perceived to be better than I actually am.

From the standpoint of all the golfers on the tour who were polled, how seriously do they take this?  It’s not like this makes a bit of difference to them.  It has no real affect on the game, the tour or the sport itself other than to stir up a little conversation and maybe controversy.  But, now that I think about it, maybe that couldn’t hurt.

I guess these polls are really done for the fans though.  It does give them something to talk about, right?  And maybe even agree with.  Now I don’t follow the tour all that closely, but I have to say…I do see an awful lot of Rickie Fowler in promos and commercials considering, up until last week (nice way to respond by the way), he’s only won on the pro tour once, and that was back in 2012.  And by the way, one win does not necessarily exonerate you though.  It’s like a pro baseball player being mired in a 4 for 42 slump.  Just because he goes 3 for 4 the next game doesn’t mean he’s snapped out of it.  He’s still 7 for his last 46.

So I guess you just take these polls for what they’re worth, which is not all that much.  Are they fun to read?  Sure.  Create good conversation?  Yup.  Maybe somehow keep Rickie Fowler from turning into golf’s version of Anna Kournikova?  Now we’re talkin’…

Filed Under: The Pro Tours Tagged With: Anna Kournikova, Ian Poulter, Rickie Fowler, Sports Illustrated

When Should I Get New Golf Shoes?

October 5, 2012 | By Pete Girotto | 3 Comments

Golf shoes can say a lot about a person. They can say if someone is flashy or conservative, how often they play or how serious they are about the game. You can pick out someone from a mile away by their golf shoes. Over the years I’ve seen people sport some strange footwear on the course ranging from football cleats to sandal style spikes.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking anyone for what they wear but you have to admit – it can be a little funny. When it comes to golf shoes I tend to fall in the middle. Not quite the traditional “oxford” style nor the Ian Poulter purple pimped out kicks. It seems that my preference is for the could-be-a-sneaker-could-be-a-shoe style golf shoe.

Considering I golf as often as I can and have had these shoes for quite some time, when should I get new golf shoes? I’ve changed the spikes a few times and they’ve been good to me. The waterproof warranty has long since expired but they still keep my feet dry. Ok, ok…they’re beat to s**t! I’m just being stingy and don’t want to fork over the $100+ for a decent pair.

Golf shoe prices have been getting up there. Now that I’m in the market for them, I’ve noticed that you can drop a few Franklin’s on a pair. WTF?! And the different styles to choose from make it even harder. Should I get the Crocs, Chuck Taylor’s or Nike running shoe? I wouldn’t be surprised if they had Uggs, although that would be very odd. Maybe I’ll just wait for the off-season and hopefully find a better deal. We’ll see. Next season if you see someone out there with two different shoes from the discount rack, that’ll be me. Stop by and say hello.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Filed Under: Golf Life Tagged With: Chuck Taylor, crocs, golf shoes, Ian Poulter, Nike, uggs

Do Pro Golfers Trash Talk?

February 5, 2010 | By Pete Girotto | 1 Comment

Muhammad Ali - the original trash talker (CC BY-SA 3.0 NL)
Muhammad Ali – the original trash talker (CC BY-SA 3.0 NL)

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.

Filed Under: The Pro Tours Tagged With: Boo Weekely, Camilo Villegas, Chad Ocho Cinco, Ian Poulter, John Daly, Muhammad Ali, phil mickelson, Steve Williams, trash talking

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