PGA vs European Tour

[CarpeDiem]

I was watching the Portugal Open today and watching Shell Houston Open now. What stands out for me is how many putts the guys in Texas are draining, birdie putt after birdie putt in comparison to the guys in Portugal. Is this due to the greens or are the PGA guys just better putters?

 

[TonyN]

The greens in Portugal were vewry slow, I think this probably has something to do with it. And The seniors were playing there too

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it is also to do with the high winds today in Portugal which made it dificult to read the greens and get the speed. Also it was much harder as a lot of players weren't grounding the putter as the ball was oscillating and they were worried about penalty shots.

 

[mono217]

Was very windy there today. huh.

 

[Andy]

Homer

Wind and reading greens, whats the connection?

Andy

 

[Herbie]

Homer

Wind and reading greens, whats the connection?

Andy

Its about calculating the wind and its likely effect on the ball when reading the greens as it can vary. I played at home course two weeks ago and if you didnt consider the wind you would miss quite a few holes, though reading the greens is the same its just an addition to consider.

 

[Robobum]

The high winds also meant that they could not cut the greens right down to get them really smooth and fast. If they had done the balls would have started to move on the greens and they would have had to call the players off the course.

 

[Cernunnos]

wind is always a factor on whatever green. tbh its probably a greater factor on fast greens or where harder balls are in use.

The USPGA tour & courses in the US tend to get very evenly manacured greens, meaning its way easier to judge breaks & roll on those greens, much as we would on practice putting surfaced we'd buy for home use.

Players on the European tour are equally as good putters, though with the USPGA players playing on predictable surfaces week in week out must count for something.

 

[Smiffy]

The tendency when it's windy is to rush putts or stab at them too.
I've played links courses in Scotland where the wind has been whipping across the course at a fair old rate.
It's difficult enough standing on the tee and trying to keep things smooth in strong winds, but when you are putting you are standing there waiting for the wind to drop a little and tend to grab your moment when you are not being blown about too much. This usually results in a bit of a jab at the ball and a missed putt. On a flat calm day, with no wind at all you can take as much time as you like over it....within reason of course.

 

[Spoff]

Time EA ditched the PGA, and Tiger Woods and started to make Rory McIlroy's European Race To Dubai on PS3 et al.

 

[thecraw]

A bit off line here, however give me the European Tour anyday over the USPGA Tour. Over here in Europe you get a variety of golf courses and conditions. Over the pond its all target golf, big boom off the tee and a wedge over a lake!

Thats not golf. Its target golf which caters to excite a brain washed US public. Boring stuff for me and a very big factor in my decision to bin Setanta TV. Its just not my cuppa.

 

[rgs]

The pros hate the wind when putting as the wind effects all aspects of putting.

Looking at some of the coverage today and the wind is still causing difficulties.

 

[nabbit]

The winds may have been worse in Portugal but i think the PGA players may have just shaded it as they also play in windy conditions but still manage to make birdie putts. I am of the opinion that whatever the conditions are,they are the same for everyone out there.