Devil Ball Golf - Golf

So we've been forcing the Presidents Cup down your throat all week here at Devil Ball without even bothering to ask if you'd like some more. That's rather rude of us. So let's back up a bit and ask -- are you even excited about the Presidents Cup?

Let's think about this for a second. One of the major problems with the golf "season" is that it's not really a season in the accepted sense of the term. Everything wraps with the Tour Championship ... except that the very next week, the Turning Stone begins the fall schedule. This would be like playing the Super Bowl, and then the very next week a dozen teams that didn't make the playoffs start playing once again. Mix in things like the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup and half a dozen other one-off events, and it's easy to see how any one of those can get overlooked or disregarded.

Plus, there's the team factor. Some viewers just don't really care to watch teams of golfers play, and I can understand that. Golf's a solitary game, one that places individual achievement at its highest pinnacle. It doesn't adapt easily to a team-based format. (Just think how many gyrations you have to go through in order to make any kind of team game fair ... and make sure your boss stays happy.)

And then there's the familiarity. It's not like an All-Star game, where you never see these guys playing together. You see Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy and everybody else tee it up together almost every single week. So the sense of the "new" is missing. (Plus, most of these guys live near each other anyway. Lanny Wadkins once dismissed the Presidents Cup by saying, "Why would I want to fly around the world to play a bunch of guys from Orlando?"

Still, I'm stoked. I love head-to-head play; matter of fact, I'd like to see more of it. And seeing how the solitary stars work in a team environment is always interesting. So yeah, I'm all over this. But how about you?

digg delicious
more

55 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Kevin S
    1. Posted by Kevin S Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love golf. You know this. In non-Ryder Cup years my interest in PGA Tour Golf marginalizes after the PGA Championship. FedEx is giving away a bajillion dollars? Ok.... I still use UPS in my office. Does Tim Finchem know the New York Giants and New York Jets are a combined 7-1? And the Olympics will only make the President's Cup THAT much more irrelevant. However, the Presidents Cup is still golf and I'm marginally interested because it's golf. But the NFL is where my head's at right now.
  2. Vito Puzzo
    2. Posted by Vito Puzzo Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love to play this recreation we call Golf, but to watch it this time of the year? Gnaw, it's so played out. Let's call it quits. But I do have a idea that I think will be brilliant! Let's get the Eldrick Woods, PGA, Senior Tour, Nationwide Tour and the lpga together for a weekend golf scramble. Mic them up. Have beer cart girls and guys. Cart riding allowed. Even throw some exploding mulligans in for good fun. Thank god, Pete Rozelle, Lamar Hunt, etc...
  3. ramskijr
    3. Posted by ramskijr Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:07 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I'm with you Busbee, looking forward to the matches. Love to see heads-up play and see who is better that particular day. Then you throw in the fact that it is the US players against the rest of the world (excluding those certain other players) and it makes for some drama. We all love to hear the chants USA! USA! USA!
  4. William M
    4. Posted by William M Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:09 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I like team golf. The recent womens Solhiem Cup was a blast. Those girls were really wound up. Who says golf can't be a team sport. The problem with the Presidents Cup is the timing. Falls right in the middle of college and NFL football. I'll watch football before golf.
  5. ed k
    5. Posted by ed k Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:09 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Having played college golf, I like the team aspect of the President's/ Ryder Cups. And sometimes, during these events, it actually seems like these guys care about something else other than themselves. Overall, I love golf, so I watch. Not quite the level of the Ryder Cup, but that's okay. Besides, October is the best month of the year for sports. Baseball playoffs, NFL, NASCAR, golf, College Football, Hockey, NBA starting again.......it's great.
  6. Ron M
    6. Posted by Ron M Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    No, I could care less about the president's cup. And I especially careless about Michael Jordon. The guy is a self absorbed jerk and he has no business being a special asst...whatever the hell that is. I'm an avid golfer and probably better than Jordon ever will be, so does that mean I'm qualified to be a special asst coach for the president's cup team.
  7. EddyL
    7. Posted by EddyL Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:42 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yawnsville
  8. Smart arack
    8. Posted by Smart arack Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Mothers Day was created by Hallmark Cards to sell more cards. The Presidents Cup is like Hollywood. Lets create a weekly award show that pays all the dumb actors suckered into going to it nothing... while the shrewd creators make millions in ad dollars.
    The great vast low IQ audience that now calls itself American is only too happy to oblige.
    Daa. Hey,I gotta an idea? Let's create an end of season golf tournament with all da flag wavin yahoo's and ra ra's to make it work and imagine the money we can make in ad sponsorship!
    Lets let em dress up in matching uniforms like good little military weenies as the Colonies take on the rest of the world and swear to win one for the Gipper! Teary eyed promos are filmed as "our boys" march on and subsequently watched by our vast 35 handicap and over audience!
    When are they gonna make golf a contact sport?
    My only gripe? Why cant Christina Kim be on the team?
    Daa,I watch more of it den........
    You da man Tiger and Christine!
  9. Tarheels SUCK
    9. Posted by Tarheels SUCK Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Love it....thank goodness we get at least 2 opportunities each year to watch Match play golf at the highest level.
  10. Smart arack
    10. Posted by Smart arack Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Did you know the festival of Kwanza or however you spell it was made up by some guy in the latter half of the 20th Century. Its all concocted and so is this Presidents Cup farce. Oh yea,if the Republic survives another 200 years of "You da man!" I'd say it might have built a reputation by then but right now it just smells of commericialism and I am NOT a Commercialist and NEVER WAS!
    Now you know why dere aint no *Rushkies in da Cup.
    *Putins Redcoats.
  11. thinker
    11. Posted by thinker Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:36 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    You don't suppose Lanny got it right do you? He of the pin seekers of America..never met a pin he didn't like...Ya, I think he did...Why in the world fly half way around the world to watch this drivel...Made for TV? hell yes, doesn't everything evolve around the tube? What generates more money? Ask ol Smiley Jones of the cowbooys...nada baby...that's why everyone wants TV CONTRACTS...think not, just look at the Olympics...without the TV, no one would touch those farces with a 10 ft pole...Hey, if they want match play, make all the Majors match play..I guarantee you, than you will really see players step it up...STUB
  12. R.S.
    12. Posted by R.S. Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:16 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It's golf, I love it, and really that's all that matters.
    Cheers,
  13. 3for5spotshooter
    13. Posted by 3for5spotshooter Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I'll play in the President's Cup ----if I can light a cigar.... President's Cup I get it that's why Clinton was there....wow...so why exactly was Jordan there?
  14. Lefty Grove
    14. Posted by Lefty Grove Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:25 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I like watching the Presidents Cup, but don't have the "must see TV" feeling that I do with the Ryder Cup. I think a large part of it for me is that the International teams, with the exception of the 1998 team, just haven't played very well (or at least up to their capabilities) during the competitions while the Americans have usually played pretty well (or at least not as bad as the International side). Until the Internationals start beating the Americans semi-regularly, the Presidents Cup will always be somewhat in the Ryder Cup's shadow, IMO.
  15. Roberto
    15. Posted by Roberto Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love to see how they interact as a team. you see those that are loners and those that also like team sports and how they relate. i think these events are great, different formats and a different kind of pressure. a good change every once and awhile is refreshing.
  16. billieboy
    16. Posted by billieboy Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I would prefer that the Presidents' Cup be a relaxing affair !
    Just have fun and who cares who wins ! ?
    Not the awful and hated ' war - like ' mentality of the Ryder Cup
    that the golf media really loves and thrives on ! - Ahem !
  17. Lou.M.
    17. Posted by Lou.M. Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:26 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love it. I like it better than the Ryder cup. They have fun and it's catching. You have to really like the players to enjoy it. . It's small and mostly the best players
  18. Lou.M.
    18. Posted by Lou.M. Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:26 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love it. I like it better than the Ryder cup. They have fun and it's catching. You have to really like the players to enjoy it. . It's small and mostly the best players
  19. balls
    19. Posted by balls Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:04 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    are you serious? lucky for me i have thursdays off and i got to watch some world class golf today. The teams is awesome too. In fact the alternate shot was great to watch, a little change of pace from the norm, wouldnt it be crazy if they added a two man scramble to the event or something?
    cant beat watching tiger and strick just dominate today
  20. blah
    20. Posted by blah Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It's a great weekend for golf. Let's go USA.
  21. Birdie74
    21. Posted by Birdie74 Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:46 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Oh, I have an idea. Why don't those of you wbo believe golf is not a sport, those who do not wish to watch the president's cup, those of you who bad mouth the LPGA and mutter horrible adjectives about them, etc., etc., etc., --well, why don't you just NOT watch them. No one holds a gun to your head and forces you to do so. And while you are exercising your prerogative to NOT watch, please allow those of us who feel differently to er uh well just be ourselves and enjoy whatever it is we please to enjoy.
    Your opinions are not appreciated and cannot be forced on us "regular" people who love the game of golf -- the skill levels, the scenic courses, etc.
    Great golf today!
  22. REDOCTOBER
    22. Posted by REDOCTOBER Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yes I am excited about the Presidents Cup, and I love watching these guys play for it , It's a lot of fun and you needn't be apologetic, you can stop making remarks about it and do something else, whatever. I am a golf enthusiast and I love playing it as well as watching the best in the business. You are not obligated to cover them if you dislike it so much, we can always read someoneelses objective remarks and praise for the good play.
  23. REDOCTOBER
    23. Posted by REDOCTOBER Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    One more thing, these guys don't get payed for participating. most of the revenue that it generates go for charity, devided evenly amongst all participants for the charity of their choice. Why are you critizicing the unselfish gesture?
  24. Soldier boy
    24. Posted by Soldier boy Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Ron M I hear Michael Jordan is a good golfer but a better basketball player. You said you could probably beat him but the only way to put your money where your big ass mouth is to call him out and see what happens. I bet Jordan will kick your ass on the course. If you have notice just like Justin Timberland those guys can really play golf and if you really think your ass is that good why not try to play professional because the different between you and Michael is about millions plus he is world known and your ass isn't even known in your small ass city. Jordan is there because he is Jordan and you aren't. Motivation is what he brings so what do you bring beside posting comments about someone else? You probably have on a pair of the drawers he sponsor anyway so get a smaller size tomorrow and shut up! World class athlete vs a world class ass something you just made yourself out to be!

Devil Ball Golf

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Jay Busbee

Devil Ball is a golf blog edited by Jay Busbee. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Michael Arkush,

Related Photo Gallery

Featured Golf Video

Y! Sports Blogs

Devil Ball Golf Recent Readers