Weirdly I feel like players are really unfair to themselves here, even though that guidance leaves it wide open for score fudgery. If the ball hits middle-ish of the cup at a moderate pace and hits the foam and bounces out, in my opinion that’s a holed shot. But I’ve seen a lot of golfers that think it doesn’t count.
It gets tricky with lipouts - some look like they graze the foam and then bounce out. So I’ve not been counting those, and the 50% thing makes sense there.
I’ve also been counting shots that hit middle of the stick and due to the tilt of the flag blocks the ball from holing.
Surprised to learn this is a fair way of scoring - but I’m really not a dishonest golfer. I try to be fair to myself and the game, but these foam holes with the flags in have been tricky to score.
Played the first real round of the year today, low 40s and raining but it was still a good time. Course was pretty empty, in good shape for March. Opened with an easy par on a par 5 and had a really nice round going until I went +13 on the last 5 holes to finish at 95. Didn’t lose a ball, can’t remember the last time I played 18 and didn’t lose a ball.
Down in Florida visiting my folks, first round in the books. Started strong with a par but disaster holes and 3 putts got me. Found some water too. Was nice playing with my own sticks and hoping to get my first sub 90 round in Florida. Dad shot an 81 while claiming he’s been terrible lately, I’m skeptical. He’s resting tomorrow so I’m playing 18 at Sandridge with Mom at 1pm. Should be fun.
Watch quit on me mid round so no pic, think I’m having battery issues. Good news is I broke 90 for the first time outside of NY. 48-40 88 at Sebastian Municipal. Could’ve been a lot better had I 3 putt less, though these greens are fast and deceptive. Playing near Tampa tomorrow with some friends then staying overnight at the Hard Rock. If I’m not exhausted I’ll try to get a little gambling in before returning to my folks.
Shot a 96 in Tampa and had a blast at a beautiful semi private course and a 97 today in the wind at Fairwinds. Walking solo at Sandridge tomorrow, folks have had enough golf for a bit, lol
I mean unless CBS chooses not to air the tournament, which they are not going to do, even without sponsors the event will go on. It ran without sponsors for a couple years in the early 2000s when they tried to hold the line and not admit any women members.
Personally, I think The Masters is the worst tournament of the year as it showcases everything I dislike about the game I love to play to the nth degree and any pressure applied to it to change those green jacket, secret hand shaking assholes is fine by me.
ETA: not trying to make myself sound all pious as this isn’t going to stop me from watching every second I can and gambling on it though.
Also happy to see him back. It’s also pretty rare to see someone get to the top and completely fall off the map and then get back to the top. He didn’t quite go David Duval but he basically couldn’t putt and would hit some really odd shots for the last few years. It isn’t just that he wasn’t winning, he wasn’t even close most of the time. To me that always signals it is a mental issue which isn’t easy to fix.
So when betting on golf I generally avoid anyone at <+2000. I think that especially holds true for an event like The Masters where getting hot and going low is necessary compared to a US Open where just surviving is key. 50+ of the 88 players make the cut, so you don’t necessarily have to play great on Thursday/Friday (whereas it’s harder in the US Open to make it when only the top 60+ out of 156 do). I haven’t reviewed any data but if I remember correctly, in 3 of the last 5 years you had guys all >+3000 win.
The only player with lower odds I’d consider throwing down on this week is JT. My money is on the following, so feel free to fade my thoughts and bets and expect DJ to repeat.
Morikawa +3150 (this really feels like a sucker bet because he should be one of the favorites IMO)
Simpson +3500
Casey +3500
Niemann +5500
Ortiz +17500
Kisner +20000
