'Overweight' players on pro tour..

[SirSliceAlot]

Before I start, I would like to say that I hope no one takes offence to this post, that is not my intention at all, as I appreciate there are probably several 'portly' forum members on here, myself needing to lose a couple pounds included!!
My question is, what is your opinion of the larger professional players on your television, particulary on the US PGA Tour?
Only ask as my wife has asked me a couple of times recently when the likes of Stadler, Daly, Pettersson, Calcavecchia, Cabrera, Perry etc are on screen how golf can be taken seriously by non-golfers as a sport? I can remember as a teenager that I used to take the mickey out of my dad and brother for playing golf and how you didn't need to be fit/healthy to take it up.
I realise the game has changed dramatically over recent years and most of the top players in the world are very fit, strong and athletic. However I really don't like to see fat players on tour and don't think it does the game of golf many favours, especially when looked at by non-golfing eyes.
Your thoughts?

 

[Whee]

I quite like watching Jimenez strolling down the fairway having a good go at a cigar, fair play to him.

You don't need to be fit, strong & healthy to get near the top. It just helps if you want to stay there for any length of time.

 

[Bucket92]

At the end of the day golf is about getting a ball in a hole, doesn't matter if you're 8 stone or 28 stone, it's about the skill of getting a ball in a hole.

 

[One Planer]

I've said on threads before that fitness it not a neccecity to play good golf.

To use an example of yours. Ángel Cabrera is not what you would call a gym freak, but still managed to win a couple of majors and stock up 48 professional wins and even took this years Masters to a play off against a much younger and much, much fitter Adam Scott.

 

[Birchy]

Despite being fat/chunky these guys will still be reasonably fit. Playing 4 rounds on consecutive days isnt a walk in the park. Plus golf is a sport more based around skill rather than fitness. Being fit doesnt necessarily make you a good sportsman or woman in most sports, you need a certain amount of skill as well to be very good at it.

 

[Ethan]

The truth is that golf is not an athletic sport, it is a highly polished skill.

 

[MegaSteve]

You are what you are...

And people shouldn't expect criticism with regard their size, shape or weight...

 

[bobmac]

These guys also have to earn their right to be on tour.
If they are not good enough, they lose their card.
Besides, what you would call over weight may be normal in the States

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Saying that you need to be fit and slim to play golf is a bit like saying that you need to be fit and slim to play darts.

Carl Petterson actually had to put weight back on after he dieted because he lost his swing.

And before you say anything, I'm the perfect weight, I'm just 5 inches too short.

 

[AmandaJR]

I think what I think when I see any overweight person "you need to move more and eat less"!

I then also wonder if they could be even better golfers if they were fitter and leaner.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Camilo Villegas is arguably the fittest golfer on tour. Yet he as 0 majors & Cabrerra as 2 & a runners up spot.
Got to agree about Jimenez,the man is Class:thup:

 

[Garush34]

I think it just shows that anyone has a change to play the game. Can you think of any other sports where the pros look like the average Joe?

AS stated walking around 4 days in a row isnt easy.

 

[Imurg]

Carl Petterson actually had to put weight back on after he dieted because he lost his swing.

I then also wonder if they could be even better golfers if they were fitter and leaner.

So not always the answer.
Whatever your body shape, over time, you get used to it.
Any changes are going to mess with the dymanics of the swing until you've had time to get used to it again..
One of the reasons Justin Rose missed so many cuts when he turned pro was that he grew a ridiculous amount in the space of a year and completely threw his swing out of kilter.

I'm in shape - round is a shape! But I know that if I lost a few stone it would benefit my health but would ruin my game for a while.
No excuse I know but I'm sticking to it at the moment!!

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I'm in shape - round is a shape! But I know that if I lost a few stone it would benefit my health but would ruin my game for a while.
No excuse I know but I'm sticking to it at the moment!!

You mean it can get worse?

 

[Imurg]

You mean it can get worse?

Damn Right it can!

 

[Stuey01]

Depends how you define fit doesn't it.
Fitness is by its very definition is a relative term. Fit for golf is not the same as fit for running a marathon, and fit for running a marathon, whilst undoubtably fit is not fit for running onto a rugby field. Different activities have different fitness requirements. Think of fitness as "fit for purpose".

Golf fitness requires a certain amount of strength, flexibility, explosive power, and a LOT of co-ordination. As long as you have those and are in good enough cardio fitness to get round 4 rounds in 4 days without tiredness unduly affecting your golf swing then you are "pro golf fit".
Some (most?) of the top pros these days do include gym work in their routines, because developing increased explosive power is a good thing, its nothing without the skill required of course. It used to be there were a few naturally powerful guys who smashed it miles, and they still get pointed to by those wanting to make the point that gym work is not important for whatever reason they want to make that point. But now almost all the players are bombers, and they all work out. There are still some longer than others, but they are even longer than before.

The resistance to injury is a big factor too. I recall discussion on here recently where in one thread many posters were making the case for strength being unimportant, and in another thread one of the same posters was decrying the fact that he'd thrown his back out doing some menial task.

Someone like Cabrera is a naturally big strong guy, yeah he doesn't look in great shape but he's broad shouldered, powerful and flexible and I bet he'd crush your hand in a handshake. No he couldn't run onto a football field and hold his own, but then he doesn't have to does he.

 

[Snelly]

Playing 4 rounds on consecutive days isnt a walk in the park..

Er, yes it is. That is exactly what it is in fact.

If you can't play 4 rounds in 4 days then you are not fit enough or quite ill.


You don't need to be fit to play golf. Nor do you need to eat the whole way round. Or have a pre shot routine. Or spend thousands on chrome irons.

Not sure what it does for the image of golf? I don't care really. I am sure it does less damage than the absolutely stupid, ridiculous clothes that some choose to wear....

 

[shivas irons]

Don't matter how big you are remember Russell Claydon,big fella great swing.

 

[Neddy]

I have had a few people say to me "Golf is not a sport" and my response is always....."Fair enough if you feel like that, but it's bloody hard, have you tried it?"

You may be able to make a very good living on tour as a larger gentleman, and if you are particularly skilled even win a major or two (Cabrera) but the players who are consistently excellent are all of well above average physical condition, and some of the older guys (Westwood etc) have openly admitted that working on their fitness is important to keep up.

The pro game is getting more and more athletic, but it's a game that doesn't REQUIRE excellent physical fitness to play at a social/amateur level. And I think that's good.

One of the reasons I enjoy it. Keeps me active....but i don't have to be super fit. And I'm not...lol

 

[Pin-seeker]

Think tiger raised the bar for fitness.