DennisM

Without simply saying "because he's the BEST" or "she's HOT"... who are your favorite professional golfers for OTHER reasons?

For example, I like to watch Ernie Els because he is tall, like me and has what I feel is the smoothest swing going. I feel from watching him, I can learn a lot about how I might be able to swing a club. The same with Vijay, same reasons.

I also like Jerry Kelly. He has personality, doesn't give cliche answers and never seems to forget he's in an entertainment business. I think he would be fun to follow around, watching the way he interacts with the galleries.

On the LPGA Tour, I like to watch Lorena Ochoa. She's not as long as some of the others, but her course management is incredible. At the recent Masters, some guy who won made a point of how his course management on par 5 holes led to a ton of birdies without having to hit one green in 2 all week.

In the past, nobody was more fun to watch than Seve or Arnie for their attack of the course based on their passion to win. Jack was methodical and while those of us who observed his growth as a winner replacing Arnie at the top had to learn to love him, there was no denying that he seemed to win by sheer application of will. It was incredible to watch a putt curve and drop into the hole when you were SURE it had missed by inches. Their modern counterparts are Sergio and Jim Furyk, also both favorites of mine.

On the Nationwide Tour, I follow the career of Eric Compton, a graduate of a local high school and good friend of some guys I play with. He doesn't know me, but I'm a fan.

So, let's hear some GOOD reasons for liking a certain player...

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Doby45

Phil Mickelson - Cause he is a lefty, like me and because he has an awesome short game.

Annika - Simply due to what she has accomplished and her very level headed game play..

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Fourputt

I've always loved to watch Fred Couples swing. Like Ernie, he is effortless... it really pains me that his back is going to keep him off the course for the rest of the year. Payne Stewart had perhaps the most beautiful swing I ever saw. But my guy was and is Jack Nicklaus. I've always been just slightly rotund like Jack, my putting style is somewhat patterned after his, and I just always loved to watch him on the course. I could only wish for the mental side of his game. His was the first book on golf I ever read, and for many years the only one. I don't think you can pick a better player, either for styling your game after, or for a role model.

While I like to watch the ladies, I don't see enough of the women's tour to pick a favorite at this time. Anything I might say would just make me sound like a dirty old man...

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DennisM

Have you noticed nobody sets up open to putt and shoves the putter head with their right hand like Jack did? My putting stance is also rather like that, but I can't understand why some young pro doesn't emulate Jack.

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jump15vc

no one does it because technically its the wrong way too putt. jack had amazing feel that none of us have and was able to make a consistent stroke that way. jabbing with the right hand was ok on the slower greens they played in the 60's and 70's but today its too hard to control speed that way and leaves the door open to open or close the face at impact if your not completely confident.

Anyway, Tiger really got me to start enjoying golf and me and my swing coach have patterned my swing after his old one (the "Tiger Slam" swing) the way he energizes crowds and the way he plays the game mentally as well as anyone in history makes it a lot of fun to root for him.

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zaphod

I'm with Jerry Kelley and Lorena for the same stated reasons. Kelley also donates $ and time locally here in Wisconsin without fanfare. A very stand-up guy.

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JPsuff

.


I'd have to go with Jack as well.

I grew up being a Jack fan and I've always admired the fact that when he set his mind to doing something, it was as good as done. A brilliant course manager, power in reserve, great long iron player and arguably the best "money" putter in the game. Watching him in the final round of the '86 Masters is probably the only time in my life I've ever gotten goosebumps while watching someone play golf.
None of Tiger's exploits could ever match the electrified collective consciousness that gripped the golf world that Sunday afternoon. I don't believe there was a lover of the game anywhere who wasn't pulling for him that day and there were few dry eyes to be found when it was over.

Tiger has revolutionized the game in his own way and he will surely leave us all with many fond memories as well (he already has) but he will always be second to Jack because Jack did it first.



BTW, I adopted Jack's putting style many years ago (decades, actually) and it has served me well. He used to be more of a "slapper" from that stance back in the sixties, but he refined it into the right hand "piston" motion that he's famous for as he got older. That putting style is the most intuitive and most comfortable I've ever used. I consider myself an excellent putter and I believe that style has a lot to do with that.



-JP

Butz

Hey,

A few years ago, when I wasn't playing Golf, I liked Vijay Singh, because he won against Tiger Wood. That time, I always root for the underdog.

However, last year, I met a few friends, who personally have encountered Vijay & Colin, and they, my friends and relatives do not like their attitude towards their fans etc.

So, my favorite Golfer is still Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus,and Tiger Wood.

I liked Bobby Jones for his intellect and accomplishments, both academic and sports. I liked Jack Nicklaus because he's one of the greatest player of his time. And TW for his...well, for his success, imagine having a beautiful wife and his disposition.
He is a disciplined and does not like intrigues.

For the current female LPGA, I loved how Lorena Ochoa plays the game. She is not only a Good golfer but also excels other sports too, like triathlon.
I also liked Julie Inkster and Mia Miyazato.

Outside the PGA circuit, I guess I would choose Michael Jordan.
I saw a few clips on how he plays Golf. And boy he can play.
How I wished he would play the game and maybe give a run of money on the current PGA players.

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DennisM

Hey Butz... Picking Bobby Jones is an interesting angle. I have a couple books and dvd's about him, but because he was so much older than me and I obviously can't remember him as an active player, I never considered him. You are right though, the man was the ULTIMATE role model in golf and in life. Others may match him someday, but nobody could ever beat him..

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Homeless

My favourite for sentimental reasons is Greg Norman. He got me interested in golf and I got to cheer for him with my dad...Norman is his favourite player. Today I enjoy watching Tiger, I like his intensity, and the way he shapes iron shots. He also has an incredible amount of creativity on the course and comes up with shots I couldn't think of, or pull off for that matter!