• Tour Talk

  • Rory takes issue with rowdy fans, citing too much alcohol

Tinker
I think the problem is when you grow up with mostly silence when playing tournaments then as you advance through the levels it takes to get to the pros the level of noise increases. Playing most other sports the crowd are usually larger and always noisy. It is just something you get used to and it is hard to get accustomed to the noise. Plus usually it is quite while you are setting up to hit and then people start taking pictures with their cameras, crowd movement as they want to get to another hole or further up the hole that is being played. It is not a problem or at least I think it would not be if there was constant noise, but when it is quite and suddenly someone yells or cameras go off in the middle of a swing or some drunk screams out some inane words while the player is hitting his shot.

Playing ball when I was younger the noise never bothered me, in fact most times I just seemed to shut it out. When at bat you concentrate on one thing that is the ball coming out of the pitchers hand and that is just for a split second. As an example look at the tournament in Arizona. On the par three they almost entirely enclosed the hole. The noise is pretty constant and some of the players encourage the fans to get loud, then in fact want them to get louder. If you know there is going to be loud noise you concentrate harder to ignore it. When it is a sudden noise out of nowhere is a shock to the player.

    Tinker Noise doesn’t bother me at all

    Me neither.
    However, some drunken asswipe yelling mashed potatoes from 20 yards away in the middle of my back swing might have some influence on the result.

        Spuzz

        I think that happens a lot more than we're aware of. When we watch on tv - we're primarily watching 1/8th of the players playing, because the coverage is biased towards those playing well and in contention. We don't see what happens the rest of the time with those simply trying to finish well enough, earn enough money, to retain their cards at the end of the season. Which, mind you, is just as important (to them) as Rory trying to focus and win Arnie's tournament.

        This isn't an issue solely exclusive to the one's who are the "needle movers." A lot of these players have to deal with it. And I'm sure it gets very old.

            Spuzz

            Any fan who yells anything during a players swing or putt should automatically be shown the exit.

            Can't control roars, yells , noise from other holes , emergency vehical sirens . players often are required to reset after such. augusta is the prime example.

            Extraneous Noise doesnt bother me either. I can play with music on. Played in a match last year where one of the opponents dropped his club at least 3 times in the middle of one my team's swing. Infuriating but we said nothing.....my playing partner let out a big sneeze during one if his crucial putts later in the match - he missed , lost the hole. We won 3/2

                I don't think much can be done about the alcohol considering the amount of sponsorship at tournament site and during the broadcast from alcohol related businesses. Definitely boot anyone that is intentionally disruptive while a player addresses the ball or is swinging. Unfortunately, that doesn't repair any damage done to the player's immediate situation by the disruptive action, but at least it keeps the creep from following the same player all day.

                I have zero desire to go see these ******* play. Hate to say it, but when I do tune in, it's mostly to see Tiger. I'd rather watch the LPGA.

                Weirfan

                Uncontrollable situations verus controllable situations. We all recognize the difference.

                We also recognize when the Tour chooses to not enforce slow play, or enforce spectator behavior. Those are very much controllable situations, but for whatever reasons these things continue to be a blight on the game at that level.

                I occasionally play with music on my bluetooth speaker, but have always asked my playing partners if they mind. And on the rare occasion someone isn't fond of it - I keep it off. I recognize that it's not "just about my experience."

                I also make sure my shadow isn't anywhere in the peripheral view of a playing partner when he is swinging, and for whatever reason - I'm the one guy in the group looking over his shoulder and making sure someone isn't waiting on us.

                Make it a point to not walk in someone else's putting line, will even rake a bunker from a playing partner's sand shot if it helps speed up play.

                It's called "awareness."

                And so many people have no clue to that concept on a golf course. Or, in this particular case, as a spectator at an event. It seems the etiquette part of the game has been overlooked for so long that a lot of this stuff no longer matters.


                  PA-PLAYA I think that happens a lot more than we're aware of

                  I am certain it does, especially on Thurs and Fri with limited coverage and the split tees are another factor as well.
                  In some ways, it contributes to an uneven playing field, which is unavoidable obviously, but unfortunate nonetheless.
                  At Riviera (I Think), there were a couple of groups who were finishing their rounds on the Front 9 virtually alone in a quiet setting while Tiger's mob was on the Back 9. It reminded me of twilight rounds with my buds, the birds and the setting sun as fans. lol

                    Weirfan Any fan who yells anything during a players swing or putt should automatically be shown the exit.

                    Agree but this happens inadvertently from adjacent holes, especially on old courses where the tee box is close to the previous green. I am not talking about crowd noise or cheers, but blatant shouting.
                    IMO, it also adds to slow play on tour because guys wait to putt out until tee shots are done and sometimes vice versa because they know some idiot is going to do it, especially around Tiger"s group.

                    The Seve Change Jingle and whatnot is a two way street that I find humourous most of the time, but I rarely play for anything serious so it's not a big deal.
                    It's akin to trash talking in hockey which I also found funny although I could respond with a body check or a punch to the face if I chose to which I believe is frowned upon in golf LOL

                        Spuzz to trash talking in hockey which I also found funny although I could respond with a body check or a punch to the face if I chose to which I believe is frowned upon in golf LOL

                        Perhaps not always

                            Golf isn't football, so some decorum is needed. You can't have some asshole yelling Rory's wife's name following him around the course. Just as you can't have some jerk following Justin Thomas around rooting for his ball to get in a bunker etc.. The 16th at TPC Phoenix is an exception to the norm. It's a unique hole.

                            I understand they want to attract new golf fans, but these new fans need to learn how to behave at tournaments. Rory was correct in calling out bad behavior.

                            I don't even watch any more because of the fans, I can't imagine having to play in front of them. I'll stick to watching the LPGA also.

                            It's hard to feel.sorry for millionaires, but I will say, golf etiquette and certain things within etiquette that irritate me. Ashing/spitting/etc on the greens and people moving around in my view when I'm putting or addressing the ball about to hit my shot. There are others but, I can at least empathize with millionaires in these instances....oh yeah and not fixing your ball mark!

                            Maybe the PGA/Golf Ch./NBC etc. should start showing some of these loud jerk offs getting
                            escorted off the premises,instead showing guys spending 30 seconds lining up a 3' putt.
                            If they start seeing an unfavorable consequence on tv,maybe they'll think twice about saying
                            "mash potatoes","bababooey" etc.

                            And WHY do these lame asses even say anything in the first place?
                            Is it so when they see their loser buddy's the next day they can say,
                            "hey remember when Rory hit that bomb drive on 16 and somebody said GET IN THE HOLE,dude that was me"!
                            Maybe some of the loopers need to go to the Steve Williams caddy school of thuggery,
                            DRUNK FANS BEWARE SPEAK AT YOUR OWN RISK!😉

                              darpar "hey remember when Rory hit that bomb drive on 16 and somebody said GET IN THE HOLE,dude that was me"!

                              It's a self-important world. I imagine this is the motivation in many cases. Being a known asshole is better than being an unknown anything to some.

                              Thank Facebook/YouTube.

                                As stupid as they sound, the guys who yell dumbass phrases after the ball has been struck do not bother me, at least not that much. Just before or during the swing is a problem, there is a difference between being a dumbass and heckling. Hecklers should be kicked out, dumbasses not so much, although I think they could be pointed out and talked to or given a stern warning. I mean do you really kick someone out of an event for yelling bobbaboey, after a tee ball?

                                When I go to a PGA event I want to enjoy the tournament, with a mix of following a group or two, finding a good spot to sit and watch the action, and enjoying a brat/beer. I don't want to deal with hecklers or dumbasses, so I would avoid them.....luckily I've had no experience with either!

                                Tar and feathers!! That'll learn 'em!!