Mel Smooth
Hacker
He’s still only 26. He’ll get one at some point.
Professional Golf 2024 & 2025
- Thread starter Whydowedoit
- Start date
He’s still only 26. He’ll get one at some point.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Think with those that “should” have won a major etc have all at some stage being in position to challenge for one or more- Montgomerie, Westwood etc
So far Niemann hasn’t got to that stage and it may take a few years of getting close like Xander Schaffale who was getting close a number of times before he finally crossed the barrier
It’s something said about many of players in the past - we saw it with the likes of Donald etc who were world class players who got to number one etc but just couldn’t break the major barrier
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
So were Monty, Westy, Poults and Luke.......not saying he won't win one but it's far from a certainty.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Is it though? Because he's been crap in all of them so far.
Mel Smooth
Hacker
Is it though? Because he's been crap in all of them so far.
I wish I was that good at golf that I could finish 8th at the PGA Championship and that be described as ‘crap’ by some hacker on the inter web
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
I wish I was that good at golf that I could finish 8th at the PGA Championship and that be described as ‘crap’ by some hacker on the inter web
There is always a hyperbole
But so far his major record has been underwhelming
One top ten in 24 majors isn’t a great record so far
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I'm just bitter because I've backed him twice and he was useless both times.I wish I was that good at golf that I could finish 8th at the PGA Championship and that be described as ‘crap’ by some hacker on the inter web
The true point is as said above though - you can't say he's certain to win a major until he's at least been in contention, which he is yet to do.
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
I never said certain.I'm just bitter because I've backed him twice and he was useless both times.
The true point is as said above though - you can't say he's certain to win a major until he's at least been in contention, which he is yet to do.
Just my opinion.
I also backed him
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
There are a few with the label of “best current golfer to not win a major”
Finau
Fowler
Hovland
Cantlay
Fleetwood
Hatton
It’s tough to get over the line
And through the years there have been some that have won from nowhere and prob disappeared
Micheel
Hamilton
Jones
Even Beem
Finau
Fowler
Hovland
Cantlay
Fleetwood
Hatton
It’s tough to get over the line
And through the years there have been some that have won from nowhere and prob disappeared
Micheel
Hamilton
Jones
Even Beem
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Blimey,forget I said anything 
Orikoru
Tour Winner
We might be able to forget, but we can never forgive.Blimey,forget I said anything
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Actually watching some LIV I've sometimes wondered if Cam Smith might fall into the group I'll call one hit wonders (in terms of majors)
Time will tell I guess but I'd like to see him do better week to week and in the majors
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Cam Smith is an interesting one
Had a conversation about him a while back and whether or not he just had that one hot period where he cashed in , his putter was what got him over the line in The Open - was unbelievable that day
A bit like Molinari , Fitzpatrick, Matsuyama , Stenson etc
A major happened right in the middle of a hot streak
Mel Smooth
Hacker
Cam Smith doesn’t drive the ball well enough to contend in most majors, he’s one of the best short game players in the world, but unless he cam improve his driving statistics, he is up against it, unless the course and conditions suit him like they did at St Andrews.
D-S
Well-known member
You could add Mark Brooks, Y E Yang, Toms, Curtis, Ogilvy and Walker to that list.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
D
Deleted member 21784
Guest
Not quite the heights of the "PGA TOUR" or even the Euro pro tour but I thought this was the best place for a write of yesterday and the PGAs flagship event (for national pros ie your coaches / shop pros)
The day started off as normal. Downstairs with the kids sorting breakfast but middle child noticed I was in my golf gear (not my normally snazzy PJs) so she remarked "not golf again daddy" .. not quite little one.. off down to ball spot for a tourament.
Left my house 07:15, arrived on site at 07:30. With my trolley being wheeled into reception as the night before tha marshalls had sent out a request for 4 electric trolleys to be hired out for the week to 4 irish pros who couldnt get theirs over from ireland and couldnt afford to bring their caddies with them. I mean im not going to be using mine with the course closed, might aswell make a bit of cash lol
Up the stairs to the PGA to be told what I would be doing for the day (ball spotting on hole 5, the SI1) Was handed a little pack (see picture) red flag to signal to the pros either you didnt see it down or they will need to play again (ie its gone in the gorse... had to use this flag a lot) a green flag to signal its safe (if not obviously fairway) then 2 little flags that you see on TV to mark balls you find in the deep rough. Also was given a hivi, a nice little pack lunch and a gift gift (ball marker and pitch mark repairer) for helping out.
By 07:45 I was dropped off by buggy at the 5th hole (its one of the furthest from the clubhouse) the guy who dropped me off (our GOM rather than the PGA) said to watch from the 3rd bunker... which is a good wack off the tee into wind. I changed this about an hour into the day to the second bunker as I lost a ball as couldnt see where in the gorse the other side of the fairway the ball had gone.. so i elected to move down a bunker which gave a much boarder view. Below is a picture of the hole, into wind. the yards are off as thats sets the tees as "whites" they were 30 odd yards further back off the "blacks" (some of the tees werent even blacks they were further back.. tees built for the pros only that us mortals dont get to play)
here was the patch I orginally was watching, lots of gorse about
Around 07:55 the first groups appeared. Was tough to see the ball against the grey sky (didnt get much easier but when I moved up it was slightly better.. and when the sun came out about 14:00 was a tiny bit easier) The wind was strong so lots of their drives were being pushed out right towards the gorse. The 3rd group of the day caused a bit of backlog as 2 of them put their first around the gorse area.. and one put his provisional ball into the gorse (red flag waved lol) Gave me the chance to find my first ball of the day.. unfortunately out of the 2 that hit into the area I could only find one.. with 7 second left on his timer (they are very good.. phones out and timer set when they get to their ball) the other we couldnt find in his 3 mins.. he was the guy who was in the gorse for his provisonal aswell.. so we had found that and playing 5 after his drop. This was when I decided to move down a bit to not let it happen again. We searched that gorse section well over the day.. any ball that wasnt theirs was handed to me to get rid of as they wanted to speed up play (if found can confuse the search) so I got a fresh stash of balls to lose this winter
The pros were very thankful of all the help for the day. Almost every group at least 1 of them took the time to thank me for helping out. One group was a 2 ball so they had to wait. They were asking how far london was and what best train route in (well if you ask me my job ill do my best to assist lol) Not long after my pro I go to for lessons appeared.. pulling his drive slightly towards me "Morning Paul thought id come say hello" he remarked as we had a chat whilst he waited for the green to clear (he ended up Even par for the day after holing out from 103 yards for eagle on 16). You didnt get many divas either.. few were understanbly cross with their shots or lie.. one walked up after I gave him a green flag "give me the good news" .. well ive found it is the good news im afraid.. "well at least your shirts a good colour" (we had the same shirt lol) we caught up after the round.. "are you a member" yes lol "play somewhere else , this place is brutal ive hit 3 bad shots all day and im +7" . he was unlucky with that lie.. the wind had only just pushed his drive. the only other real strop all day was someone who found the 3rd bunker.. then didnt get out first time.. but was a little moan at himself while he tidied up the bunker (i offered all of them to do the bunker for them but everyone was happy to do it.. was like they wanted to clear their minds)
Was interesting to see the different appraoches .. some carried.. some had caddies others trolleys. some had trolleys with a caddy lol. Didnt see that many watches following them.. well until Pete finchs group. I could see the 3rd tee from my spot and you saw a small gathering of about 20 people.. not long until he appeared at my spot.. carrying the ball just over my head (green flag and marked for him) walking up the fairway the gathering followed him with his camera man filming bits (not all) of it. He thanked me for finding his ball and joked "you teed that one up nicely for me thanks" as he handed my little flag back. He played his shot.. not bad considering he was blocked out.. long of the green on the right.. up and down for par. After he left my shift was technically over (was past 16:00 as agreed) however there were 3 more groups and I felt it would be unfair to not watch their shots as it wouldnt make it an even playing field if they lost one. The last group saw the longest drive of the day.. boy it was long.. it went well over my head and i heard it smash into the gorse not to be seen again.. taking me up to 5 balls lost of hole 5 for the day ( 2 really badly left never had a chance they didnt even look, that last one really long and then 2 ran out of time) 96.5% find rate out of 144 pros lol Also in the last group was the lad who had my trolley.. he thanked me again and was good to see him post a very postive -3 for the day.
After my trolley departed I followed the group to the green as it was the last one. Then finchs group was on hole 7 (green is very near the 5th green) so followed him in for the par 3 8th and the par 5 9th (off the tiger tees). His following was a bit deeper than when he went through my patch.. think people were waiting for him on certain spots. All 3 in his group on the 8th hit the green but pars all round.. His drive on 9 was very long.. just off the green in 2... but a chip close and lipped out his birdie putt (the crowd gave the respectful clap for the par)
I left him there.. headed in for a well earned shower lol on the way I got asked how I shot today . I can honestly say no bogeys ... lol but I didnt play
-5 was the best for the day.. but indication to the conditions (or the quality of our head pros lol) former head pro +11 current head pro +7 .. (I don't think he's ever scored par round ours)
Good day out would do again.. just not anytime soon. knackered today
The day started off as normal. Downstairs with the kids sorting breakfast but middle child noticed I was in my golf gear (not my normally snazzy PJs) so she remarked "not golf again daddy" .. not quite little one.. off down to ball spot for a tourament.
Left my house 07:15, arrived on site at 07:30. With my trolley being wheeled into reception as the night before tha marshalls had sent out a request for 4 electric trolleys to be hired out for the week to 4 irish pros who couldnt get theirs over from ireland and couldnt afford to bring their caddies with them. I mean im not going to be using mine with the course closed, might aswell make a bit of cash lol
Up the stairs to the PGA to be told what I would be doing for the day (ball spotting on hole 5, the SI1) Was handed a little pack (see picture) red flag to signal to the pros either you didnt see it down or they will need to play again (ie its gone in the gorse... had to use this flag a lot) a green flag to signal its safe (if not obviously fairway) then 2 little flags that you see on TV to mark balls you find in the deep rough. Also was given a hivi, a nice little pack lunch and a gift gift (ball marker and pitch mark repairer) for helping out.
By 07:45 I was dropped off by buggy at the 5th hole (its one of the furthest from the clubhouse) the guy who dropped me off (our GOM rather than the PGA) said to watch from the 3rd bunker... which is a good wack off the tee into wind. I changed this about an hour into the day to the second bunker as I lost a ball as couldnt see where in the gorse the other side of the fairway the ball had gone.. so i elected to move down a bunker which gave a much boarder view. Below is a picture of the hole, into wind. the yards are off as thats sets the tees as "whites" they were 30 odd yards further back off the "blacks" (some of the tees werent even blacks they were further back.. tees built for the pros only that us mortals dont get to play)
here was the patch I orginally was watching, lots of gorse about
Around 07:55 the first groups appeared. Was tough to see the ball against the grey sky (didnt get much easier but when I moved up it was slightly better.. and when the sun came out about 14:00 was a tiny bit easier) The wind was strong so lots of their drives were being pushed out right towards the gorse. The 3rd group of the day caused a bit of backlog as 2 of them put their first around the gorse area.. and one put his provisional ball into the gorse (red flag waved lol) Gave me the chance to find my first ball of the day.. unfortunately out of the 2 that hit into the area I could only find one.. with 7 second left on his timer (they are very good.. phones out and timer set when they get to their ball) the other we couldnt find in his 3 mins.. he was the guy who was in the gorse for his provisonal aswell.. so we had found that and playing 5 after his drop. This was when I decided to move down a bit to not let it happen again. We searched that gorse section well over the day.. any ball that wasnt theirs was handed to me to get rid of as they wanted to speed up play (if found can confuse the search) so I got a fresh stash of balls to lose this winter
The pros were very thankful of all the help for the day. Almost every group at least 1 of them took the time to thank me for helping out. One group was a 2 ball so they had to wait. They were asking how far london was and what best train route in (well if you ask me my job ill do my best to assist lol) Not long after my pro I go to for lessons appeared.. pulling his drive slightly towards me "Morning Paul thought id come say hello" he remarked as we had a chat whilst he waited for the green to clear (he ended up Even par for the day after holing out from 103 yards for eagle on 16). You didnt get many divas either.. few were understanbly cross with their shots or lie.. one walked up after I gave him a green flag "give me the good news" .. well ive found it is the good news im afraid.. "well at least your shirts a good colour" (we had the same shirt lol) we caught up after the round.. "are you a member" yes lol "play somewhere else , this place is brutal ive hit 3 bad shots all day and im +7" . he was unlucky with that lie.. the wind had only just pushed his drive. the only other real strop all day was someone who found the 3rd bunker.. then didnt get out first time.. but was a little moan at himself while he tidied up the bunker (i offered all of them to do the bunker for them but everyone was happy to do it.. was like they wanted to clear their minds)
Was interesting to see the different appraoches .. some carried.. some had caddies others trolleys. some had trolleys with a caddy lol. Didnt see that many watches following them.. well until Pete finchs group. I could see the 3rd tee from my spot and you saw a small gathering of about 20 people.. not long until he appeared at my spot.. carrying the ball just over my head (green flag and marked for him) walking up the fairway the gathering followed him with his camera man filming bits (not all) of it. He thanked me for finding his ball and joked "you teed that one up nicely for me thanks" as he handed my little flag back. He played his shot.. not bad considering he was blocked out.. long of the green on the right.. up and down for par. After he left my shift was technically over (was past 16:00 as agreed) however there were 3 more groups and I felt it would be unfair to not watch their shots as it wouldnt make it an even playing field if they lost one. The last group saw the longest drive of the day.. boy it was long.. it went well over my head and i heard it smash into the gorse not to be seen again.. taking me up to 5 balls lost of hole 5 for the day ( 2 really badly left never had a chance they didnt even look, that last one really long and then 2 ran out of time) 96.5% find rate out of 144 pros lol Also in the last group was the lad who had my trolley.. he thanked me again and was good to see him post a very postive -3 for the day.
After my trolley departed I followed the group to the green as it was the last one. Then finchs group was on hole 7 (green is very near the 5th green) so followed him in for the par 3 8th and the par 5 9th (off the tiger tees). His following was a bit deeper than when he went through my patch.. think people were waiting for him on certain spots. All 3 in his group on the 8th hit the green but pars all round.. His drive on 9 was very long.. just off the green in 2... but a chip close and lipped out his birdie putt (the crowd gave the respectful clap for the par)
I left him there.. headed in for a well earned shower lol on the way I got asked how I shot today . I can honestly say no bogeys ... lol but I didnt play
-5 was the best for the day.. but indication to the conditions (or the quality of our head pros lol) former head pro +11 current head pro +7 .. (I don't think he's ever scored par round ours)
Good day out would do again.. just not anytime soon. knackered today
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Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Guy just gone out in 49 on the Hotel Planner Tour 
Recovered with a 46 inward half for a 95
Recovered with a 46 inward half for a 95
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Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Obviously not this major
Mel Smooth
Hacker
Obviously not this major
Guy needs to pick up the phone to Billy Foster