Brits rankings question,

[birdieman]

Looking at the world rankings this must be the best it's ever looked for British Players, 5 of the top ten including the no.1 are British.
My question is why the highest ranked Scot, Martin Laird, is at 49?
Something's not right with this, we have as good courses as anywhere, golf is easy to access in Scotland (not too elitist) and there seems to be a great many players packing the fairways every weekend. The climate is no worse than Northern Ireland and Eire yet they are producing high ranking pros.

I suppose Wales are in a similar position to Scotland - Dredge and Davies are about it for them but to be fair to the Welsh golf isn't really as big down there.

Why is this and what can be done about it? What are the English/Irish lads doing right or is it just co-incidence?

 

[GB72]

Looking at the world rankings this must be the best it's ever looked for British Players, 5 of the top ten including the no.1 are British.
My question is why the highest ranked Scot, Martin Laird, is at 49?
Something's not right with this, we have as good courses as anywhere, golf is easy to access in Scotland (not too elitist) and there seems to be a great many players packing the fairways every weekend. The climate is no worse than Northern Ireland and Eire yet they are producing high ranking pros.

I suppose Wales are in a similar position to Scotland - Dredge and Davies are about it for them but to be fair to the Welsh golf isn't really as big down there.

Why is this and what can be done about it? What are the English lads doing right or is it just co-incidence?

is it because they all head over to the US to college where they receive top class coaching and an early introduction to a competitive atmosphere.

 

[Imurg]

15 or so years ago there were no Englishmen in the top 100 at all.
I guess it goes in cycles

 

[Lawrence22]

I think there are 5 new Scots on the tour this year. 2 coming from Q-school and 3 from the challenge tour. Maybe on of them will make the break through this year.
Last couple of years have been great for Northern Irish Golf with G-Mac and Rors, we also still have big Darren who's not done with yet and I reckon Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey can move on this year too.

 

[Golfmmad]

I was watching Gareth Maybin today in the Joburg Open.

He has a lovely swing and looks a good prospect!

Golfmmad.

 

[madandra]

I think the young Scottish lads get an easy ride through their amateur days. They get all the gear free, free lessons and flown all over the world which is paid for by the SGU. At my club (Colville Park) we have produced the O'hara brothers and now Ross Kellett is showing some promise. Like everything else in Scottish sport its all down to participation numbers dropping.

 

[sev112]

Looking forward to seeing how George Murray gets on this year on the main tour

He's the nephew of my best mate at work - that's the closest i'll ever get to teh tour

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree with what you are saying especially about the courses. You guys really don't appreciate how good even the average ones are compared to the rest of the country. I guess it comes down to desire to a degree but like most other pro sports also the acsess to the best facilities. A lot of those going to the US on scholarships do seem to do well either making their cards or featuring on the Challenge tour. Is there really the coaching set up in place up there for those that don't go via the US to progress to that level?

 

[Dodger]

Guy I play with is pals with Murray and he says a nicer kid you'll not meet but he needs a rocket up his arse as he is so laid back he is horizontal!!

Has all the talent but he thinks he is genuinely too nice a guy!

He shot 66 yesterday but blew up today to MC.

The reason we Scots don't have anyone near the top is down to the SGU not using the cash as well as they might on the development of the young bucks...the EGU do however, but they have made a couple of good appointments lately so thinks are going in the right direction.

 

[HRC99]

Having spoken to a couple of people involved with the England team coaching, it seems a phenomenal set-up. The facilities, coaching, equipment and support are all hugely impressive.

It is also massively competitive, as it should be. But I suppose it all depends upon the raw material coming into the system and England has had a great run of golfers coming through.