How to fix golf at the Olympics

[jp5]

Agree with this. There's so many dross, dull sports in the Olympics, squeezing a 72-hole Golf tournament in shouldn't be an issue. I worked the Sochi Paralympics this year, and jesus, some of the sports were dull as dishwater. The endless biathlons, match after match of curling, Golf is infinitely more entertaining a spectacle than either of those. Also, if people actually sat down and watched it, they'd hopefully realise it isn't as dull as it's made out to be, and it could actually end up getting more people involved in the sport, especially if the tournament is an exciting one.

That's because you're a golfer. I expect the majority of viewers would prefer to watch curling (or the summer games equivalent) over a 72 hole golf tournament any day of the week.

Football, tennis and golf should never be in the Olympics.

 

[Slab]

Just thought of another way to add intrest to the Olympic golf... a standard set of clubs with standardised ball! after-all the guys in the shot-putt don't get to bring their own

Then we'd see how many of the top pros even want to attend

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Each team can consist of: 2 men & 2 women
18 hole Strokeplay rounds of : 4BBB, Foresomes, indiv'l.
Mixed tournaments as well as single sex events.
Giving 8 gold medals to be played for.

Then do the same for the Paralympics as well.

 

[AmandaJR]

Just thought of another way to add intrest to the Olympic golf... a standard set of clubs with standardised ball! after-all the guys in the shot-putt don't get to bring their own

Then we'd see how many of the top pros even want to attend

I like that idea and would tune in to see it for sure...

 

[Imurg]

I like that idea and would tune in to see it for sure...

They would have to get a completely independent manufacturer to make them though - just say Nike got the contract, everyone would say that Tiger or Rory would have the advantage.....

Maybe Slazenger could do it...

Or Fazer.....

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The Olympics should be the peak of any sport so personally I don't think golf should be anywhere near it. As they have managed to squeeze it in there I think they need to make it different to the standard fare so I would go with a team event, either 2 or 4 in a team. I suppose 2 in a team makes more sense for golf. Some sort of matchplay would probably suit best of all.

 

[AmandaJR]

They would have to get a completely independent manufacturer to make them though - just say Nike got the contract, everyone would say that Tiger or Rory would have the advantage.....

Maybe Slazenger could do it...

Or Fazer.....

I was thinking Dunlop clubs and Top Flite balls...

 

[Slab]

I was thinking Dunlop clubs and Top Flite balls...

I'd agree with this, after all what better way to promote golf to the masses and attract new members than by showing how affordable it is and what the best in the world can do with a £95 starter set from sports direct...

Ideal for those taking up the game, the Dunlop 65i Golf Clubs have a forgiving design, where the wood and hybrid come in 15 and 21 degree loft, increasing the trajectory of the ball to help the beginner get the ball airborne. Weight in these golf irons is also placed lower down in the head, combined with a large, cavity design helping to increase the sweet spot for improved accuracy.

 

[guest100718]

I was thinking Dunlop clubs and Top Flite balls...

But when the pros still shoot crazy good rounds with crap gear, everyone may realise that its actually how you swing it and not what clubs you have that really matters...

 

[AmandaJR]

But when the pros still shoot crazy good rounds with crap gear, everyone may realise that its actually how you swing it and not what clubs you have that really matters...

Win win then

 

[guest100718]

Win win then

Not for TM...

 

[AmandaJR]

Not for TM...

Agreed - not a bad thing!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Agree with this. There's so many dross, dull sports in the Olympics, squeezing a 72-hole Golf tournament in shouldn't be an issue. I worked the Sochi Paralympics this year, and jesus, some of the sports were dull as dishwater. The endless biathlons, match after match of curling, Golf is infinitely more entertaining a spectacle than either of those. Also, if people actually sat down and watched it, they'd hopefully realise it isn't as dull as it's made out to be, and it could actually end up getting more people involved in the sport, especially if the tournament is an exciting one.

Why are you comparing it to the Winter Paralympics ?!

Golf is only more of a spectacle to you because you are a golfer - a fan of other sports might think the total opposite

They great thing about the olympics is it caters for many sports that arent normally televised - it gives these sportsmen and women the time ti show of their abilities and compete against the best in their sport - whether that is athletics or trap shooting - both are equal in the eyes of the olympics

 

[Sweep]

In my opinion the Olympics should be the pinnacle of any sport that takes part. For example being the Olympic 100m champion is the highest accolade in that event. For that reason I'd take out golf, football and tennis for starters. Winning a major, World Cup final or Grand Slam event is the pinnacle of those sports so they shouldn't be in the Olympics.

+ 1 on this

 

[Sweep]

Golf should never be there. In fact I find it slightly offensive as I love The Olympics. And it's a chance for a lot of minor sports to get there day in the sun and we get to hear great stories and see new sporting superstars. Not watch a bunch of golfers who could earn over 1 million dollars most weekends for winning a tournament being greedy and now wanting an Olympic gold medal, trying to live like common people in the Olympic village, trying to see what common people see for a few days before boarding their private jets to take them out of there and stop it all.

I know The Olympics has long since stopped being for amateurs only, but to me golf (and as already mentioned tennis and football, without googling it, name me the current Olympic football champions anyone???) should not be an Olympic sport and golfing authorities should really think of other ways to grow the game an make it accessible, rather than muscling in on The Olympics. Plus all it will do I fear is expose just how boring a lot of 72 hole stroke play is to watch, so that's probably going to backfire. To be honest I'd rather watch the qualifying heats of the greco-roman wrestling than Olympic golf. And I like golf.

And + 1 on this too

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not sure of the relevance to the winter games. It shouldn't be in the games. Golf isn't an Olympic sport in my opinion and it'll be a one game wonder.

 

[sev112]

Don't quite understand "Olympics is the pinnacle, so count out ... "
I agree 72 stroke play will mean the gold medallist will be the unknown Colombian who hits a flakey eagle on the 2 round Rain shortened comp.

I like the idea of team comp, but 2 person isn't great - tehere have been some off world Team golf results when you only have 2 players. Increase to 4 and you get less freaky winners. Make it mixed , and even add amateu and senior to the team could be fun

If you look at W nter Olympics a load of new sports have been included, where the pinnacle was elsewhere but they have breathed new life into the games. I'm not sure golf could do the same, but there's precedent for new events coming in and doing well

 

[sev112]

And +1 to whoever said about swimming (and to a certain extent running) just adding a couple more lengths and a couple more lengths and a couple more lengths. They should shake the swimming events up a bit. Like make some you have to swim in your pyjamas, or have a shark chasing you - that would be worth watching. I have to admit even cycling is a bit like that too.

Always odd that to win a football, ice hockey, rugby 7s, bowls , etc gold medal you have to play loads of matches, whereas in some events you can turns up, shoot your clay pigeons for 10 mins and win a gold medal.

 

[sev112]

Anyone for dancing horses while we are dissing everyone else's' favourite sports ?

 

[Hacker Khan]

Don't quite understand "Olympics is the pinnacle, so count out ... "
I agree 72 stroke play will mean the gold medallist will be the unknown Colombian who hits a flakey eagle on the 2 round Rain shortened comp.

I like the idea of team comp, but 2 person isn't great - tehere have been some off world Team golf results when you only have 2 players. Increase to 4 and you get less freaky winners. Make it mixed , and even add amateu and senior to the team could be fun

If you look at W nter Olympics a load of new sports have been included, where the pinnacle was elsewhere but they have breathed new life into the games. I'm not sure golf could do the same, but there's precedent for new events coming in and doing well

I'm not sure there are many, if any winter sports, where the pinnacle is not winning an Olympic Gold. For golfers Olympic Gold will probably rank 5th at best, and if some are honest a lot further down than that if you can get over a million dollars for winning one event on the PGA tour. And any sport in which winning an Olympic Gold is not commonly accepted by competitors as the ultimate achievement in your sport should not really be there. IMHO.

Also with all the money in the game of golf then if they need the Olympics to breathe new life into it then they are doing something very badly and need to look closer to home first. And whilst I don't want to come over all Bill Oddie, that's before you think about the ethical and environmental wisdom of building a course for 4 days of golf in an environmentally protected area in some of Rios last green spaces.