Is Jordan Spieth good for golf?

[HawkeyeMS]

But is he good for the game as OP asked? He's good at golf but will not transcend the sport or engage the wider public I don't think.

Tiger did alright for the game, he has hardly been sparkling in front of camera.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I believe Speith has a sister who is severely autistic which I expect helps him put it all in perspective. Plus he an US golfer who likes to travel a bit, he went down well when he went to Oz and said the right things there.

Golf will never have the most famous sportsperson on the planet again, as it did with Tiger in his pomp. As others have pointed out, Tiger's popularity was a mixture of several things which Speith or anyone else will never emulate. But having a couple of relatively young players going head to head in majors will not be a bad thing for the game.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

But is he good for the game as OP asked? He's good at golf but will not transcend the sport or engage the wider public I don't think.

I think with the recent problems the American media will see him as the wholesome poster boy that kids should aspire to be.

 

[palindromicbob]

I believe Speith has a sister who is severely autistic which I expect helps him put it all in perspective. Plus he an US golfer who likes to travel a bit, he went down well when he went to Oz and said the right things there.

Golf will never have the most famous sportsperson on the planet again, as it did with Tiger in his pomp. As others have pointed out, Tiger's popularity was a mixture of several things which Speith or anyone else will never emulate. But having a couple of relatively young players going head to head in majors will not be a bad thing for the game.

Think Rory is making a damn good stab at ensuring that isn't going to be the case. The olympics next year could boast his status into overdrive.

 

[Slicer30]

I think he is good for the game, if he can push Rory or even squeeze him out of No1 then we can hopefully see some great battles between them. Think Rory is the superior player, but Speith will be there to take the prizes when Rory is not playing well or is getting distracted off the course.

 

[Tongo]

But is he good for the game as OP asked? He's good at golf but will not transcend the sport or engage the wider public I don't think.

Being good for the game and transcending the sport are two different things though. Any young player capable of mixing it with the best and winning majors is good for the game. Beyond that is a different kettle of fish.

 

[3565]

Without doubt, the only disappointment is that he's an American and will be on their Ryder Cup team. But I think we need him, he's well grounded and very respectful to his peers. What's not to like about him?

Has as anyone tried his putting routine, today I had 4ft birdie, 5ft, 6ft and 7ft par putts all holed. Very bizarre feeling.

 

[freddielong]

The masters was boring this year due to the lack of a challenge apart from drop a few more shots there was not much Spieth could have done about that. For those old enough are there any similarities between Spieth and a young Jack Nicklaus. I have never seen much of early Jack but I hear he was very meticulous.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Being good for the game and transcending the sport are two different things though. Any young player capable of mixing it with the best and winning majors is good for the game. Beyond that is a different kettle of fish.

I agree that it will take something to get Spieth into the consciousness of the non-golfing public. The thing with Woods was not only was he talented but he seemed to have it all with his dad's own history, his rise from protegeee to #1. At the time the US were desperate for a clean (yes I know that didn't last) athlete and he ticked every box