Oh hell, the folks covering the tourneys on TV have some hi-tech stuff that I don't have access to...but I'm amazed at what kind quality pics/videos my Galaxy smart phone will take. (multi burts, slo-mo, time lapse, etc.) ...I remember back in the late 80's when I was playing a lot (5-7 days a week)(and if you play enough, you'll get good, even with a faulty swing)(I got down to a 1.5 handicap)...anyway, I had one of those monster VHS cam-corders and I took it to the course to video myself and my golfing partner at the time...and after reviewing the footage of my swing I was amazed at how solid my swing was ...and I learned right there that as long as you can repeat the swing over and over, you can work around the imperfections. ...golf is a very cerebral game that you cannot never completely master and as someone once said, and I'm paraphrasing, "the most important distance on the golf course is that distance between your 2 ears". Ben Hogan went to his grave trying to figure the game out, but never did, though he probably came as close to it as anyone else. ...I used to have a little sign in my golf shop that read, "Golf is like sex, you don't have to be good at it to enjoy it".
...I met him several years ago...really nice fella. ...I was fortunate enough to meet and work on a few Pro's clubs when I was a young buck at the MacGregor plant many years ago. (Nicklaus (he was a complete ass), Curtis Strange (nice guy and funny as hell), Weiskopf (very quiet and meticulous), and Greg Norman.(never actually met him but MacGregor did Cobra's forgings back in the early days)
Golf camera guys up in those cranes are the best. Battling the elements and still being able to find the flight path of the ball. No clue how they do it. I just take their hard work and turn it into pure magic.
I watch every PGA tournament that features the big names (DJ, Koepka, Spieth, Rory, Tiger, etc) or some combination of the big names, regardless if it's a major or not. Koepka is the closest thing I've seen to being the "next great" but like another poster said, there are just too many good golfers now for anyone to hold that mantle. I'd say DJ and Koepka will be doing most the damage going forward. Tiger looks really good but he's not "back" and I seriously doubt he ever will be. Not because he won't play great, but his competition is light years better now than it was when he was killing it (and he only has himself to blame for it, they were all inspired by him). Yes, I was rooting for him to win the PGA, but no, that's not why I was watching. I watch anyway. Bubba used to be my favorite golfer, then it went to DJ when he was making his "comeback" from cocaine, but he's too good now. I need to find a new rooting interest. I don't like to be a "fan" of the guys that are clearly the best. Tiger, well, I rooted for him because he's a great comeback story. A phenomenal comeback story all things considered. I will continue to root for him in every tournament he plays in until he wins at least one more major. So for now, he's my favorite golfer.
CBS's ratings this weekend would reflect that. They were up a ton from last years PGA Championship. I get it. I just enjoy watching golf now more than ever because there are so many great golfers now. It's always impressive with or without Tiger.
HomerLovesKoolAid's father was the golf pro at one of the most renowned golf courses in Oregon, the Oswego Country Club. Now Homer and his son know golf and they both play an excellent game. I do enjoy watching his son play 'cause he's so damned good. What a great family, by the way.
