Jason.H
Well-known member
When if ever will we have an English number 1, or major winner? As a kid I used to watch Faldo striding down the fairways with an air of confidence that he was going to win.
Next Nick Faldo
- Thread starter Jason.H
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Foxholer
Blackballed
Can't see a #1 in the near future, but plenty of guys near the top that could have a great week and score a Major.
In fact, take away Rahm (#1), McIlroy and Hovland (4 & 5) and there's not a European in the top 20! Quite a few English guys in the next bunch though.
In fact, take away Rahm (#1), McIlroy and Hovland (4 & 5) and there's not a European in the top 20! Quite a few English guys in the next bunch though.
Jason.H
Well-known member
I was hoping Tommy Fleetwood would keep stepping up the ladder but he’s looking less likely to win now. I remember Ian Poulter many many years ago saying it was a successful year if he won a tournament. I think Faldo was driven to try and win every tournament he entered, totally different mindset and ability’s.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
In a way be thankful for what we've got.
I remember a time when the highest placed English man in the rankings was Westy...at number 99!!
I remember a time when the highest placed English man in the rankings was Westy...at number 99!!
timd77
Assistant Pro
Golf’s a funny one, and I guess it’s because of the Ryder Cup, but I personally don’t differentiate between English, British or European when it comes to who I want to do well. I’m just as pleased to see Rahm at the top as I was when Westie or Donald were up there.
Not saying that’s the point you were making by the way. I can’t think of any English players who are likely to get to number 1 in the next few years, but then you tend not to hear about them until they explode onto the scene.
Not saying that’s the point you were making by the way. I can’t think of any English players who are likely to get to number 1 in the next few years, but then you tend not to hear about them until they explode onto the scene.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Robert MacIntyre will have a good go at the Masters, assuming he's invited.
HampshireHog
Assistant Pro
We had Justin Rose #1, and a major winner.?
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
Luke Donald was number 1
Rory was number 1 and won majors
Rory was number 1 and won majors
Pro golf is ridiculously competitive, lots of people from all over the world chasing the pot of gold. Golfers from the UK have punched above their weight for years. We have a few on the edges right now, maybe some will take that next step shortly. (When on the edges I am meaning of top 10, genuinely competing in majors. I know we have top golfers already)
Apologies if I've missed it but no one has mentioned Danny Willett winning The Masters.
Apologies if I've missed it but no one has mentioned Danny Willett winning The Masters.
bobmac
Major Champion
Do we expect too much from our sportsmen/women?
Can we beat the best in the world at everything?
Obviously not but still we try.
Maybe we'd be better off focusing and supporting the few things we are good at like snooker, darts,football, dominoes
Can we beat the best in the world at everything?
Obviously not but still we try.
Maybe we'd be better off focusing and supporting the few things we are good at like snooker, darts,
Mel Smooth
Hacker
Didn't Faldo start playing golf seriously when he was around 13? I might have that worng but I'm sure I heard that in an interview from the man himself.
Americans are dominating the world rankings at the moment, and we don't seem to have that many up and coming players coming through - especially in the UK - it will be interesting to see how The Ryder Cup pans out in the coming years.
I see some great young players when I'm at tournaments with the boy - but golf doesn't offer the support structure to young players in the same way that football does. Maybe that's the answer - a centralised national junior academy that scouts the best young players, then provides them with better facilities, equipment, coaching etc, etc?
Americans are dominating the world rankings at the moment, and we don't seem to have that many up and coming players coming through - especially in the UK - it will be interesting to see how The Ryder Cup pans out in the coming years.
I see some great young players when I'm at tournaments with the boy - but golf doesn't offer the support structure to young players in the same way that football does. Maybe that's the answer - a centralised national junior academy that scouts the best young players, then provides them with better facilities, equipment, coaching etc, etc?
VVega
Assistant Pro
Didn’t most young your players come through England Golf?
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
The way americans marry sport and education has to he a key part of their success.
Over here it seems we wait for a star to be born. Over there they are mass produced.
Over here it seems we wait for a star to be born. Over there they are mass produced.
Mel Smooth
Hacker
They may well have done, but the set up isn't adequate. If you are a parent of a kid with potential, it's down to the parent to find the right coach and facilities for that child, conversely football has scouts at literally every junior football match in the country looking for potential talent.
Mel Smooth
Hacker
And look at the top players in the world, Rahm, Morikawa, Hovland etc, all products of college golf in the states.
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
The facilities they have are top class and many of the universities also benefit from year round golf.
D
Deleted member 25575
Guest
Davis Hartwell. There's a name yo remember. Hes 13/14
VVega
Assistant Pro
While may be not as obvious the progression in England is quite well defined - join County Boys/Girls, progress through their squads - get picked for England’s squads.
At all stages there will be free coaching available from top coaches - not sufficient by itself of course, but it’s there. At that age (11 - 18), I’d say the system is as good as in the US or even better.
Even this national support is under threat as some think that spending public money to produce “super rich golfers” shouldn’t happen and instead the funds should be applied to “growing the sport”.
There is then indeed a gap after 18, as the most promising route is to go to the US Colleges. This is also the age when most churn happens as young people need to balance their golf prospects vs other career /lifestyle options.
And the reason that football is different is because the clubs are for-profit organisations looking for the edge. What’s the equivalent in golf? It’s an individual sport where earnings are going to the individual less the agent. IMG doesn’t have to find ‘every’ talent to keep their books healthy.
pendodave
Tour Rookie
Agreed that ours is pretty good.
There was a podcast (mckellan iirc) where lawrence doneghan (ex guardian golf journo, now living in the US) compared the jumior golf experience in the US to the UK. Iirc he was very positive about the UK vs the US. Apart from the weather...
As for Uni sport, the US system has a lot of very murky consequences that we are spared. As someone who played uni sport, and has kids who play(ed) it, I'm very comfortable that ours is just fine. Producing tour pros is of far less importance than what we have imho.
Incidentally, significant numbers of good UK golfers are also going through the us college system. It's very much a target for juniors now, they don't even have to be exceptional. Being exceptional gets you in a better college but I know of 18yr olds off 3 or 4 going to the USA via a golf scholarship.
