Love and loathe

I see in a lot of the posts here talk about which professional golfers people really like and really dislike for various reasons. Should it be their demeanor, attitude (on and off the golf course), views or anything else. So, lets ask who do you like and why and who do you dislike (I won't say hate as that is too strong of a word) and why?

Like - Alvaro Quiros - Because of his attitude. I remember he was leading a tournament, but a ball up a tree, took a triple bogey, lost the lead but kept his positive attitude. Later in the round he had a hole in one and won.

Dislike - Ian Pouter - I admit he is a very good golfer and almost unbeatable at match play, but the way he dresses and his over confident arrogance puts me off.

Like: Ian Poulter, yes he has been known to dress like a plum, although not as bad as he used to and yes his constant banal tweeting is irritating but you have to respect someone who got to where he is from the route he had to take.
He'll never be my truly favourite player but I like his confidence and being brave enough to say what he thinks and not give footballer like interviews. Very underated short game too. Can see why people don't like him though.

Loathe: Woods, who else? What is there to like about the guy? Sullen, miserable, boring demeanour. Unpleasant attitude on the course. Stupidly quick and uncontrolled swing. Gung Ho golf with very little course management. Sycophantic coverage. predictable interviews, arranges press conferences but isn't intelligent enough to answer off the cuff and has to dictate the questions which are asked.
Creator of stupid expressions like 'w' and uses expressions like 'woo ha' probably the whitest black man around if that makes any sense. Glory hunting fans and he never ever smiles unless he's winning.
Once a peerless golfer, now just one of the pack, so let's hope he's treated as such and not like he's a deity.
A truly loathsome individual.

Like and dislike.
Like Luke Donald. Just a classy guy, goes about his job well and a lovely swing.
Dislike Garcia. Sulky, moody and fickle. Also strikes me as not the sharpest tool in the box. Also a lovely swing though.
Generally also dislike anyone using a cheat stick.

Love: Tiger, who else? There is just so much to admire about the guy both on an off the course. He transformed the game from something small minded saddo’s in golf club bars watched into a truly global sport. I find a lot of people associated with golf loathsome, boring and narrow minded, and the fact they all hate tiger is just brilliant.

Not only is his existence flicking the bird to the typical golfer he revolutionised the standards you need to attain in order to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Without Tiger feats like Luke Donald’s double money win just wouldn’t be possible. His play and charisma have also meant that when such achievements are accomplished the monetary rewards and riches are much greater.

I cannot think of a player who has produced more of those sporting moments that leave you gob smacked and the hairs standing on the back of your neck. Even a half fit and off form tiger conjured up moments like his eagle on no.8 at the masters this year and his recent birdie, birdie finish to beat zach. But over the years there have been so many unbelievable moments it is impossible not to feel a positive connection with the man. After all he his given so much to the game we love.


Loathe: Darren Clarke. He epitomises the entire range of features associated with the typical golf club bore I mentioned above. He portrays a very poor image for the sport and is the type of figure that will thankfully be gone from the sport in the future. It is so tiresome to hear about his little jaunts with chubby, lee and the other philistines of that stable. The man is sewer.

O joy, he drank another Guiness, what a great man he must be? And don’t get me started on the disgusting habit he has of strolling up the fairway fag in hand looking like such fool.

For a man who has said very little of interest or offered any meaningful insight he gets a lot of love from the golfing world, in its self very worrying.

I would rather hear some good ol American god bothering on the golf coverage before I hear the bloody “Darren Clarke the everyman” cliché again.

Love: Darren Clarke 'who else?'

For all the reasons previously mentioned in the post above (except the fags).

Strange, Darren's such a big mate of Tiger...........I suppose opposites attract

Loathe: no-one - too strong a word.

Dislike: Bjorn, went off him after his RC winge several years ago.

Love? Not sure that's exactly how I feel about them, but always very pleased when Donald and/or Westwood do well. Not to mention Darren Clarke and Sergio!
Best ever to follow for me is Mark Calcavecchia; usually joking with the fans, unusually (for a golfer) self-deprecating, plays quickly and with a minimum of fuss, and is very aggressive.
Adam Scott and Badds very entertaining also.
Funniest to follow: Jarrod Lyle.

Loathe? There's no-one I loathe but I DO loathe the media's sycophantic treatment of Woods.
And there are some guys who are pretty bloody miserable to follow; Kevin Na probably at the top of that list, Rod Pampling not far behind.

Ah the lovely Rod Pampling ... face like a squashed tomato!

I think like best and dislike most would be better than love or loathe although in Tiger's case I could make an exception for the latter!

Like best: has to be Sevvy, just for the pure joy he gave to everyone by the way he played the game when at his peak. There has been no-one to match him before or since.

By strange coincidence, the two golfers I dislike the most have the surname "Kim"... Anthony Kim & Christina Kim.

I also agree with McLaren's assessment of Darren Clarke. If a cheating, chainsmoking alcoholic is a suitable rolemodel in the 21st century, then it's a sad indictment on our society.

Other dislikes... Rory Sabbatini, Matt Kuchar, Sergio Garcia, Jeff Overton & Zach Johnson.

I am also starting to dislike McIlroy.


Likes.... Sir Big Phil, DJ, David Duval, Nick Watney & Luke Donald.

Marcus wrote:...I also agree with McLaren's assessment of Darren Clarke. If a cheating, chainsmoking alcoholic is a suitable rolemodel in the 21st century, then it's a sad indictment on our society...

Cheating? When was that?

Likes:-

Luke Donald - lets his golf do the talking and no-one seems to have a bad word to say about the man.
Lee Westwood - like his golf and the fact he's been at the top and in the depths but has got back to the top again. Also like his no nonsense interviews.

Dislikes:-

Tiger Woods - mainly for the reasons S_R states albeit when at his best, his game was pretty mesmeric. Hate the sycophantic media coverage of everything Tiger but to be fair, that's not the fault of Woods.

Boo Weekley - for the Ryder Cup idiocy alone.

Ian Poulter - admire his tenacity to make the most of what he has but does he have to look and sound such a plank all the time?

Anyone who thanks The Almighty after winning a tournament!

navyblueshorts wrote:Likes:-

Luke Donald - lets his golf do the talking and no-one seems to have a bad word to say about the man.
Lee Westwood - like his golf and the fact he's been at the top and in the depths but has got back to the top again. Also like his no nonsense interviews.

Dislikes:-

Tiger Woods - mainly for the reasons S_R states albeit when at his best, his game was pretty mesmeric. Hate the sycophantic media coverage of everything Tiger but to be fair, that's not the fault of Woods.

Boo Weekley - for the Ryder Cup idiocy alone.

Ian Poulter - admire his tenacity to make the most of what he has but does he have to look and sound such a plank all the time?

Anyone who thanks The Almighty after winning a tournament!

I thanked God when I came seventh in the Turkey Trot

is turkey trot what you get when the Christmas dinner was a little under cooked?



I was also wondering about the accusation that clarke had cheated, I am not his biggest fan but would not accuse him of cheating.

McLaren wrote:is turkey trot what you get when the Christmas dinner was a little under cooked?



I was also wondering about the accusation that clarke had cheated, I am not his biggest fan but would not accuse him of cheating.

yeah, unfortunate term but it is just a stableford where first prize is a large turkey, second meat voucher, third maybe a chicken or something. The club paid out of first 17 places, I was 7th on countback with 37pts but 22 on back nine. My prize for some reason was a litre of Jack Daniels. From what i understand many clubs round the country have a Turkey Trot, certainly up your way Kilspindie does. Incidently as i am a lothian boy my mother and father gave me for christmas two rounds at Gullane with a member and lunch to use in 2012, will be great when I go to Dalkeith to see my parents and a game at Kilspindie with a family friend

LOVE: luke donald .......class act
tom watson.......gentleman, still one of the greatest links golfers ever
anyone who beats tiger.

LOATHE: tiger......no class.
poulter..he just annoys me.
GMACS swing
JB Holmes.

Mac
I think the public took to DC for the dignified way he handled his wife's illness and his obvious love and care for his two boys.

We all like to see someone recover from dispair when a loved one dies.

Marcus wrote:By strange coincidence, the two golfers I dislike the most have the surname "Kim"... Anthony Kim & Christina Kim.

I also agree with McLaren's assessment of Darren Clarke. If a cheating, chainsmoking alcoholic is a suitable rolemodel in the 21st century, then it's a sad indictment on our society.

Other dislikes... Rory Sabbatini, Matt Kuchar, Sergio Garcia, Jeff Overton & Zach Johnson.

I am also starting to dislike McIlroy.


Likes.... Sir Big Phil, DJ, David Duval, Nick Watney & Luke Donald.

Interesting comments:

Cheating: please can you explain?
Alcoholic: oh really, I'd be interested to know where you got that info from?

I agree entirely with your approval of David Duval and Donald but I understand that even David Duval likes to partake in the odd bender now and again as I'm sure many of us do; but that doesn't make an alcoholic.

Like:
Young = Rory McIlroy (that swing) Nick Watney & Jason Day
Older = Woods, Donald & Els
Past = Tom Watson, Payne Stewart & Faldo

Dislike:
Young = None really, they're young, give them time.
Older = Westwood, Poulter, Daly & Zach Johnson
Past = Norman, Kite, Lyle, Montgomery and ill tempered Seve

Fowler is an easy one to dislike.
Hyped well beyond his talent, seriously ugly swing, dresses in a manner so ridiculous that he makes Poulter look like John Steed and he also believes in god and likes to let people know.

i cant take to darren clarke despite his obvious personal trials but to call him a cheat and alcoholic is ridiculous and possibly libellous

im surprised the comments have been left to stand

also fowler is an easy target but has the class about him to make a big impact i wish i had a swing as ugly as him

What class has Fowlers got, he's only won one very small tournament, he's way down the pecking order of rising stars?
I'd like him better if he didn't model himself on a cross between a guantanamo bay escapee amd one of the worlds most annoying and talentless people: Justin Bieber. I'd never tire of stabbing that t.wat. he's up there with heston blumenthal on the annoying scale.

PoultersWig wrote:...im surprised the comments have been left to stand...

I'm sure we're awaiting some further info re. those comments. Marcus? Come on....what's your evidence?

Way back in the day on the old BBC site there was talk DC used to put it about a fair bit while married. Not sure how they started or on what basis bit I do remember it. Maybe that's the cheat reference ?
Is that why him and Tiger are such good buddies. I'm sure a fair few of them play away in every sense.

Found this on YouTube....?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYSIU1MHy3A

Love: Sergio and Lefty.

Loathe: a bit strong feeling. So

Dislike: Faldo, Poults ( but like his honesty ) , and Tiger (of course).


Grey area in between: could begin to dislike Rory, Westwood

Love: Westy, Sergio, Poulter (like their attitudes)

Loathe: Love (although I'm starting to get used to his sour face), Boo, JB

Kenny Ferrie is a very grumpy individual on the golf course......................

Like - Woods (Best of his generation by a country mile, look for more "W's" this year.) Fowler (Predict a big year for him.) McIlroy (We're entering his era.)

Loathe - Nah ...

Like - Faldo,Donald,Westwood,Watney,D Johnson,Kaymer,Stricker,Mcilroy and Scott

Dislike - Woods,Overton,Na,Kim,Boo,Norman and Mark James

Seems like a lot of people now dislike Woods.
The worm has turned.

Has he? Does his girlfriends know?

Can't say I've ever thought he was loved or liked SR. If the poll was about respecting/rating someone's golf game then perhaps the result would be different.

I respect his achievements but not his game.
I see his way as a very unintelligent and needlessly risky way to play golf, and think he would have won more had he ever heard of course management.

super_realist wrote:What class has Fowlers got, he's only won one very small tournament, he's way down the pecking order of rising stars?
I'd like him better if he didn't model himself on a cross between a guantanamo bay escapee amd one of the worlds most annoying and talentless people: Justin Bieber. I'd never tire of stabbing that t.wat. he's up there with heston blumenthal on the annoying scale.

i thought fowler was excellent at last years open and i rekon he will turn out to be a very well liked guy on tour and i hope he wins a few along the road. now kevin nah and anthony kim have no class.


and super...you want to stab bieber....what with ?

super_realist wrote:I respect his achievements but not his game.
I see his way as a very unintelligent and needlessly risky way to play golf, and think he would have won more had he ever heard of course management.

He won an Open by managing the course better than anyone. Westy, Donald, Garcia, Poulter and Monty have never managed that between them.
It's impossible to say whether if he'd changed his fmgame plan he would have done better. Doing it his way has made him one of the top 2 players on history so probably unlikely but who knows.

Likes

Payne Stewart stood out a mile, before his untimely death, I suppose now, Ernie Els, and just for some of the magical shots Phil Mickelson, would love to see Tiger make a huge comeback in 2012, just for his golfing ability.

Dislikes

Poulter must be top of my list along with Faldo.

Like. Most British golfers.
Dislike. Most American golfers.

Love - David Howell - a true gent, shame that injuries called a halt to his achievements. Also like Casey, Donald and Westwood.

Dislike - bit of a split decision here - I admire Ian Poulter as a player for his approach to the game and his tenacity to get where he has, but, having seen him off the course - he can be a bit of a tool as a person.

4putt wrote:Like. Most British golfers.
Dislike. Most American golfers.

Isn't that just a tad jingoistic? I am from Ireland and see them as individuals, not as nationalities. Just as much as I admire Luke Donald, I just can't warm to Ian Poulter. Coincidentally they are both English. Is there a nicer person around the golf world than Tom Watson?

As a Brit surrounded by Americans I tend to root primarily for Brits/Europeans on principle.
I have a hard time rooting for tiger, rory sabbatini, and anyone using a long putter unless it's Adam Scott or freddy couples.

Like- Paddy Harrington (anyone who has ever been one Iain Carter’s BBC Blog will know this). As an Irishman he has put us through some unbelievable highs and lows, exciting to watch because of some of the short game shots he can pull off, a gritty competitor who, through an iron will and hard work ethic has managed to over achieve given his natural (sorry to use this loaded word) “talent”. An absolute gent, humble and sporting, open and honest in interviews, a credit to his family, his country and his sport

Rickie Fowler – Exciting young man who plays the game with imagination and touch not seen in many young “robotic” players of recent years. A good attitude and seemingly a really nice young man with a lot of respect for his peers and the sport, extremely popular on tour. Hopefully he’ll develop a sense of style in a few years time!!!

Dislike- Ian Poulter- brash, cocky, arrogant, IMHO a football lout, stupid clothes hairstyle, when he plays bad he is an absolute pr1$k to the press.

Darren Clarke- all the reasons above, a bad role model (smoking, fat and Guinness swilling) for the sport, all that sympathy and tears at the Ryder Cup after his wife passed, then it turns out not more than a few weeks later he’s b@nging one of her mates.

Jeff,

you are bang out of order.............

So do people think that Darren Clarke deserved his OBE?

And is there evidence to support the theory he was banging someone else?

Putting any reservations about the Honours system to one side, and considering who else has got what in the past, I'd say DC very definitely deserves his OBE.

As for Jeff's final sentence, not sure that, true or not (and I've no clue on that), it has any relevance and/or makes him any less of a guy one should enjoy. (Understand your reservations on other personal characteristics, about which I also couldn't care less either.)

What do you want Mac? Photo? DNA?

At least a link to a newspaper article.

Have to say I'm pretty surprised at all the people that dislike Poulter. Looks clownish out there to be sure, and certainly not in the elite tier of accomplished or potential professionals, but didn't know he had such an arrogant reputation.

i think he is an R-sole

the chunks he took out of the fringe on the 14th at pebble beach was enough for me.

Turnberry 2009 - a young lad is waiting at the entrance to the practice ground for Poulter to arrive - "Ian, please will you sign this ball. I found it after you hit a shot into the rough yesterday (practice round)."

Poulter - "That's not my ball".

Young lad - "I'm sure it was where your shot landed, please will you sign it?"

Poulter, with total disdain - "Trust me, I know which ball I play."

Poulter walks off, leaving young lad forlornly holding unsigned ball.

As the bloke next to me put it - "FFS, it's not as though it was a yellow Pinnacle, couldn't he just have made the kid's day by signing it."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-421681/How-I-love-Heather-Darren-Clarke.html

Not that there's anything wrong with that . . . . .