Things I learned at Wentworth this week.

[sawtooth]

1. 60 per cent of players use Titleist, Srixon seemed to be next most dominant ball perhaps 15-20% , followed by Callaway.

2. Drive distances on 3rd hole on Day 3 varied from 325 in the middle of the fairway , to a horrible snap hook in the rough that went only 213 yards.

3. Even the best can look like an ordinary club player at times. Thomas Pieters drove 270 into the light rough then duffed it along the ground 20 yards. Stepped up and did the same again!! Then played onto the green from about 150 yards and eventually made a 6

4. Most of the players were fooled by the wind on the approach on the 3rd hole. Nearly all of them were short and many found the right greenside bunker. I felt like telling the next players through for Gods sake take an extra club!

When Westwood an An came through, Westwood played first and sure enough came up short. An , who hit the same drive distance (299 yards) had a chat with caddie and deliberated before opting for a bigger iron. Went on to play a shot to the middle of the green. At last!

5. Clarke has piled the pounds back on, Aphibarnrat has lost some.

6. Andy Sullivan is tiny but he made the green in 2 on the 18th when many decided to lay up.

 

[HankMarvin]

Thanks for sharing that

 

[Slab]

1. 60 per cent of players use Titleist, Srixon seemed to be next most dominant ball perhaps 15-20% , followed by Callaway.

2. Drive distances on 3rd hole on Day 3 varied from 325 in the middle of the fairway , to a horrible snap hook in the rough that went only 213 yards.

3. Even the best can look like an ordinary club player at times. Thomas Pieters drove 270 into the light rough then duffed it along the ground 20 yards. Stepped up and did the same again!! Then played onto the green from about 150 yards and eventually made a 6

4. Most of the players were fooled by the wind on the approach on the 3rd hole. Nearly all of them were short and many found the right greenside bunker. I felt like telling the next players through for Gods sake take an extra club!

When Westwood an An came through, Westwood played first and sure enough came up short. An , who hit the same drive distance (299 yards) had a chat with caddie and deliberated before opting for a bigger iron. Went on to play a shot to the middle of the green. At last!

5. Clarke has piled the pounds back on, Aphibarnrat has lost some.

6. Andy Sullivan is tiny but he made the green in 2 on the 18th when many decided to lay up.

RE point 1

I keep seeing how popular they are on their GM ad counter thingy (top right) but it seems every time the cameras show a close up from the green its no more likely to be a Titleist than it is a Callaway or Srixon

How do they manage to be so dominant? I know the top players have ball sponsorship but I don't see that that's likely through the field. Do titleist just give balls away at every tour event to the pros? (& therefore keep their popularity artificially high)

 

[sawtooth]

RE point 1

I keep seeing how popular they are on their GM ad counter thingy (top right) but it seems every time the cameras show a close up from the green its no more likely to be a Titleist than it is a Callaway or Srixon

How do they manage to be so dominant? I know the top players have ball sponsorship but I don't see that that's likely through the field. Do titleist just give balls away at every tour event to the pros? (& therefore keep their popularity artificially high)

I would think all manufacturers give balls away to tour pros, I assume its safety in numbers thing and if the majority is using Titleist then there must be a good reason for it.

 

[Trojan615]

I would think all manufacturers give balls away to tour pros, I assume its safety in numbers thing and if the majority is using Titleist then there must be a good reason for it.

i think its a history thing... player grew up using pro v1 and feel comfortable knowing what it will do...

 

[Hosel Fade]

i think its a history thing... player grew up using pro v1 and feel comfortable knowing what it will do...

Pretty much, first Pro Vs came out 2000-2001 and nothing compared for a very long time. Expecting the shift to continue.

 

[BristolMike]

RE point 1

I keep seeing how popular they are on their GM ad counter thingy (top right) but it seems every time the cameras show a close up from the green its no more likely to be a Titleist than it is a Callaway or Srixon

How do they manage to be so dominant? I know the top players have ball sponsorship but I don't see that that's likely through the field. Do titleist just give balls away at every tour event to the pros? (& therefore keep their popularity artificially high)

Titleist are more than happy to offer a ball only contract for players. They are the biggest payers when it comes to that type of contract, so while the lower players won't get as much, they will still be paid. They are also very active in high level amateur golf, providing free balls.

 

[sawtooth]

Thanks for sharing that

And those drive distances were more realistic because a) they were onto the 3rd fairway which has a bit of an incline hence not much run at all. b) there was a bit of cool headwind.

A decent cat 1 at your local club would be up with the majority of these guys in terms of distance and past many of them. I firmly believe that the iron play, short game, bunker play and all round powers of recovery is what make these guys different class.

A few found the fairway bunkers on the 3rd but hit their approaches clean as a whistle onto the green from about 170 yds. Els played into the rough but had to deal with overhanging branches so hit what looked to be a 3I about head height 170 yds onto the green. Amazing.

 

[backwoodsman]

Things l learned from Wentworth yesterday....

I like 'Ben' An. He is demon from a sh*tty lie. Twice he clattered it into the trees above our heads. First time, from a totally hopeless lie adjacent a twig the size of a small tree, he punched a recovery through a gap no wider than a clenched buttock to just short & wide of the green. Up & down for par. Second time he had to drop from under a bush, then from a crappy lie, put his third onto the fringe and then up & down.

Tanihara's caddy is smaller than the bag she carries. Hope he pays her well.

Nobody respects the "no photography" rule and too many people dont put their phone on silent (somebody's went off on Noren's backswing on 13th green).

A glacier moves quicker than Fasth & Colsaerts.

Err...

 

[sawtooth]

Things l learned from Wentworth yesterday....

I like 'Ben' An. He is demon from a sh*tty lie. Twice he clattered it into the trees above our heads. First time, from a totally hopeless lie adjacent a twig the size of a small tree, he punched a recovery through a gap no wider than a clenched buttock to just short & wide of the green. Up & down for par. Second time he had to drop from under a bush, then from a crappy lie, put his third onto the fringe and then up & down.

Tanihara's caddy is smaller than the bag she carries. Hope he pays her well.

Nobody respects the "no photography" rule and too many people dont put their phone on silent (somebody's went off on Noren's backswing on 13th green).

A glacier moves quicker than Fasth & Colsaerts.

Err...

Phones and camera rule was relaxed this year. Flash not allowed on cameras and talking on the phone an obvious no-no when near the players but otherwise all OK to use.

A nice touch on the 18th grandstand Friday, the tour rounded up 40 or so random people from somewhere and gave them places to sit for free. Somewhat combats the prawn sandwich brigade that probably spent more time in the hospitality bar areas instead of sitting down watching the golf.

 

[backwoodsman]

Phones and camera rule was relaxed this year. Flash not allowed on cameras and talking on the phone an obvious no-no when near the players but otherwise all OK to use.

A nice touch on the 18th grandstand Friday, the tour rounded up 40 or so random people from somewhere and gave them places to sit for free. Somewhat combats the prawn sandwich brigade that probably spent more time in the hospitality bar areas instead of sitting down watching the golf.

Is that right? I know there were "phone areas" but everything else I'd seen still said "no pictures/video" etc?

 

[xcore]

Me n my pal got free entry to the 18th grandstand sat afternoon which was nice!

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Is that right? I know there were "phone areas" but everything else I'd seen still said "no pictures/video" etc?

I told my son to stop taking pictures on the 1st and then by the 3rd noticed everyone taking pictures, so let it go.

We sat at the back of the 4th green for a while, whilst rose/peters/hend etc played. It was a great place to watch from, but managed to walk the course twice during the day. Also sat on the 11th hole up the fairway and watched the last 6-7 groups come though on the 2nd loop.

Spent half the day wondering why I was carrying my coat as it was hot, quarter of the day wearing it and quarter of it soak to the bone!! Did it rain at the end of the comp and whilst waiting for the chiefs to come on and whilst they sung. But a great day, loved it:cheers:

Bummer was son beat me on all three of the 100 foot putt, nearest the pin(AG) and longest drive challenges(AG). Cant wait for the practise day at the open.