Shane Lowry - 2019 Champion Golfer of The Year (note first post please for posting guidance)

rocky911

First Up wrote: »

Only if you are a fish. He threw it into a lake - after he had worked out he wouldn't need it again for the rest of that round. It was a bit childish but there is a difference between letting off steam and cutting your nose off to spite your face.

Casual golfers doing it is one thing - a world ranked pro damaging his equipment is pretty dumb. Just because you like him because he comes across as "one of the lads" is not a reason to excuse it.

Not excusing it but just think should be parked at this stage regardless. I still would rank throwing a club worse then striking it off the ground for example.

I doubt now McIlroy was thinking that he didnt need the club when he flung it haha

Alf Veedersane

First Up wrote: »

Only if you are a fish. He threw it into a lake - after he had worked out he wouldn't need it again for the rest of that round. It was a bit childish but there is a difference between letting off steam and cutting your nose off to spite your face.

Casual golfers doing it is one thing - a world ranked pro damaging his equipment is pretty dumb. Just because you like him because he comes across as "one of the lads" is not a reason to excuse it.

I don't think either action should condoned.
But McIlroy has previous for being petulant with his gear. Whether or not he needed his club for the rest of the round doesn't make the fact that he flung it away any less stupid and I doubt he stopped to think if indeed he would need it before he threw it.

First Up

Russman wrote: »

Exactly.
But IMHO a lot of people seem to dislike Shane because he doesn't always conform to what they think a pro golfer should be like. He doesn't practice when they think he should practice or doesn't do x,y,z which is what they think he should be doing and when he should be doing it. As if there is a one size fits all approach to being a pro. They won't be happy until he's 9 stone, clean shaven, doing triathlons and hitting balls 12 hours a day and probably miserable as f--k.

Another way of looking at it is that a lot of his fans in this forum are prepared to overlook shortcomings in his approach because they are glad to see someone they can identify with doing well.

It isn't about "liking" him or not. Professional golf is not a personality contest and what you get out of it tends to depend on what you put in. From what I see of him - including what he says about himself - I think he needs to up his approach if he hopes to compete at top 50 level. Talent gets you only part of the way but they all have that in spades. It may be an anathema to some of the "casual" golfers in here but diet, exercise and lifestyle can make a difference when the margins between success and failure are so tight.

rocky911

First Up wrote: »

Another way of looking at it is that a lot of his fans in this forum are prepared to overlook shortcomings in his approach because they are glad to see someone they can identify with doing well.

It isn't about "liking" him or not. Professional golf is not a personality contest and what you get out of it tends to depend on what you put in. From what I see of him - including what he says about himself - I think he needs to up his approach if he hopes to compete at top 50 level. Talent gets you only part of the way but they all have that in spades. It may be an anathema to some of the "casual" golfers in here but diet, exercise and lifestyle can make a difference when the margins between success and failure are so tight.

While I do love Lowrys approach to the game and I think you are right that a some stage he is going to have to make a few changes to his routine or approach to the game.

First Up

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

I don't think either action should condoned.
But McIlroy has previous for being petulant with his gear. Whether or not he needed his club for the rest of the round doesn't make the fact that he flung it away any less stupid and I doubt he stopped to think if indeed he would need it before he threw it.

I'm not condoning it either and he did apologise after. He said he knew he wouldn't need a three iron the rest of the round; I don't know if that is true or was just his way of minimising it but for sure a three iron is less critical than a putter.

Golfgorfield

rocky911 wrote: »

While I do love Lowrys approach to the game and I think you are right that a some stage he is going to have to make a few changes to his routine or approach to the game.

Yep a guy whos top 50 in the world, over €7 million prize money earnings, should defo take a long hard look at himself and make some changes.

He just cant go on being fat, lazy, drinking every day, never practicing and breaking his clubs.


:rolleyes:

Alf Veedersane

Golfgorfield wrote: »

Yep a guy whos top 50 in the world, over €7 million prize money earnings, should defo take a long hard look at himself and make some changes.

He just cant go on being fat, lazy, drinking every day, never practicing and breaking his clubs.


:rolleyes:

You don't think he needs to improve his approach if he wants to realise his full potential?

You'll be in a minority so.

He's where he's at because he has a talent. But there's more to it than going out on the range and improving the finer points of technique. Making yourself stronger in the right areas and improving your physical fitness will undoubtedly imrpove your chances of scoring better.

Golfgorfield

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You don't think he needs to improve his approach if he wants to realise his full potential?

You'll be in a minority so.

He's where he's at because he has a talent. But there's more to it than going out on the range and improving the finer points of technique. Making yourself stronger in the right areas and improving your physical fitness will undoubtedly imrpove your chances of scoring better.

Hes constantly working on fitness and conditioning with Robbie Cannon travelling with him, that does not mean he should slim down and become a gym bunny.....

Alf Veedersane

Golfgorfield wrote: »

Hes constantly working on fitness and conditioning with Robbie Cannon travelling with him, that does not mean he should slim down and become a gym bunny.....

He doesn't have to become a gym bunny or have to drop to 12 stone but if he's putting in the work he should be then you would expect to see the physical results. Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand.

Russman

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Making yourself stronger in the right areas and improving your physical fitness will undoubtedly imrpove your chances of scoring better.

I'd say Darren Clarke or Carl Petterson might beg to differ a little

But, in all seriousness, he can be plenty strong enough and flexible enough for golf without necessarily shedding a load of weight. You'd think one would lead to the other, but I guess not so in his case.

I'd bet if you offered Shane a good putting stroke or to be two stone lighter he'd take the putting stroke in a heartbeat. That's really all that hold him back at times IMO.

First Up

Russman wrote: »

I'd say Darren Clarke or Carl Petterson might beg to differ a little

But, in all seriousness, he can be plenty strong enough and flexible enough for golf without necessarily shedding a load of weight. You'd think one would lead to the other, but I guess not so in his case.

I'd bet if you offered Shane a good putting stroke or to be two stone lighter he'd take the putting stroke in a heartbeat. That's really all that hold him back at times IMO.

Two bad examples - Clarke rarely got close to his full potential and Petersen has hardly set the world alight.

Lowry's physique does not suggest a disciplined lifestyle and putting it bluntly, he is not exactly a sponsor's dream.

benny79

Why not cause hes over weight? Im sure he is very fit just because he doesn't show it! and I'm also sure it buts in a lot of work but he is allowed a day off every now and again.

Should just change this thread to Shane lowry's Weight issues :rolleyes:

hawkelady

Jimenez would be a tad overweight , have you seen him do the duck walk to stretch !! Mickelson is no slim jim but his flexibility is unbelievable , he's like a rubber band !! So you don't need to be a rake to make it at golf tbh

yipsnomore

Ah lads it makes great pub talk but in fairness its laughable for us to assume to know what any pro needs to do to improve.

Alf Veedersane

Russman wrote: »

I'd say Darren Clarke or Carl Petterson might beg to differ a little

But, in all seriousness, he can be plenty strong enough and flexible enough for golf without necessarily shedding a load of weight. You'd think one would lead to the other, but I guess not so in his case.

I'd bet if you offered Shane a good putting stroke or to be two stone lighter he'd take the putting stroke in a heartbeat. That's really all that hold him back at times IMO.

The thing is would they have done better with a little more strength and fitness work?

I don't think Lowly needs to become a gym bunny or a slim Jim. I'm just suggesting that a bit more work on that side of things would help. Something that might ultimately mean not feeling fatigue on a playoff for a Major or keeping him setup and swing tighter better.

Not so that he can qualify for the Olympics or run a sub-40 10k.

Anyway, if he doesn't, I'm happy for him to win some majors and rub egg all up in my face

LinksLad

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

The thing is would they have done better with a little more strength and fitness work?

I don't think Lowly needs to become a gym bunny or a slim Jim. I'm just suggesting that a bit more work on that side of things would help. Something that might ultimately mean not feeling fatigue on a playoff for a Major or keeping him setup and swing tighter better.

Not so that he can qualify for the Olympics or run a sub-40 10k.

Anyway, if he doesn't, I'm happy for him to win some majors and rub egg all up in my face

{the L and th R are a long ways apart on my keyboard}

A bit more than what? Exactly how much does he do now, and what's your source on that?

Alf Veedersane

LinksLad wrote: »

{the L and th R are a long ways apart on my keyboard}

A bit more than what? Exactly how much does he do now, and what's your source on that?

{your keyboard might not operate with predictive text}

He's looking for fine margins to elevate him and make more of his potential. I think he has the capacity to be a brilliant player. But I think he could do a bit more than he evidently is. Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand.

I'm not having a go at him. I could only wish to have his game or his bank account.

And I'm ok with being wrong on any of this. It's just that sometimes he's so laid back I wonder if he's as laid back about squeezing every last bit of talent out of himself because there's a lot there.

Russman

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

The thing is would they have done better with a little more strength and fitness work?

I don't think Lowly needs to become a gym bunny or a slim Jim. I'm just suggesting that a bit more work on that side of things would help. Something that might ultimately mean not feeling fatigue on a playoff for a Major or keeping him setup and swing tighter better.

Not so that he can qualify for the Olympics or run a sub-40 10k.

Anyway, if he doesn't, I'm happy for him to win some majors and rub egg all up in my face

My point is that I'd argue Clarke played his best golf when he was bigger, and Petterson freely admitted a few years ago when he shed a few stone that he couldn't swing properly (for him) so he put it all back on.
If Shane is strong enough and fit enough that's all that matters imo and whatever size he is, he is.

Rikand

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You don't think he needs to improve his approach if he wants to realise his full potential?

You'll be in a minority so.

He's where he's at because he has a talent. But there's more to it than going out on the range and improving the finer points of technique. Making yourself stronger in the right areas and improving your physical fitness will undoubtedly imrpove your chances of scoring better.

Jason Dufner may disagree with you

Alf Veedersane

Rikand wrote: »

Jason Dufner may disagree with you

Again, I said it would likely improve his chances of realising his full potential

Not that he could never win anything big as it is.

abff

Rikand wrote: »

Jason Dufner may disagree with you

Surely it depends on the individual. Sure, the likelihood is that becoming fitter and losing weight will make someone a better player, but that wont be the case for everyone. Petterson and Clarke are examples of players where losing weight has hindered rather than helped (although I think it's less clear cut in Clarke's case).

So becoming really fit might help Shane to move up to an even higher standard, but it might also cause his swing to lose its rhythm and cause him to lose his feel around the green. There's an element of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and maybe Shane is already playing to his full potential.

First Up

abff wrote: »

Surely it depends on the individual. Sure, the likelihood is that becoming fitter and losing weight will make someone a better player, but that wont be the case for everyone. Petterson and Clarke are examples of players where losing weight has hindered rather than helped (although I think it's less clear cut in Clarke's case).

So becoming really fit might help Shane to move up to an even higher standard, but it might also cause his swing to lose its rhythm and cause him to lose his feel around the green. There's an element of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and maybe Shane is already playing to his full potential.

There is more to it than that. It is simply not plausible that a physique like that could belong to someone with the sort of disciplined lifestyle required to compete at the very top level.

Him looking more like an athlete is not an end in itself. Looking more like a professional athlete would be the result of having a lifestyle and attitude more like that of a professional athlete.

abff

First Up wrote: »

There is more to it than that. It is simply not plausible that a physique like that could belong to someone with the sort of disciplined lifestyle required to compete at the very top level.

Him looking more like an athlete is not an end in itself. Looking more like a professional athlete would be the result of having a lifestyle and attitude more like that of a professional athlete.

You're probably right, but it doesn't automatically follow that Shane would play better if he was slimmer/more toned.

He is who he is and if he's happy with how things are going, maybe he's right not to change it. Having said that, he didn't seem that happy during the recent Irish Open, so maybe he needs to change things a bit.

He had professional agents and coaches etc. advising him and I'm sure they know better than us what's right for him. Of course, it's always possible that they're advising him to do things differently and he's ignoring their advice. Who knows?

First Up

abff wrote: »

You're probably right, but it doesn't automatically follow that Shane would play better if he was slimmer/more toned.

He is who he is and if he's happy with how things are going, maybe he's right not to change it. Having said that, he didn't seem that happy during the recent Irish Open, so maybe he needs to change things a bit.

He had professional agents and coaches etc. advising him and I'm sure they know better than us what's right for him. Of course, it's always possible that they're advising him to do things differently and he's ignoring their advice. Who knows?

I'm talking about a correlation more than causation. Him playing better would be as a result of the things he was doing (or not doing) that also improved him physically.

I am quite sure he gets good advice but he often makes a thing of being "his own fella" so I think it fair to think he isn't the best at taking it.

vienne86

abff wrote: »

He had professional agents and coaches etc. advising him and I'm sure they know better than us what's right for him. Of course, it's always possible that they're advising him to do things differently and he's ignoring their advice. Who knows?

I'm surprised he hasn't changed things all right. We don't know what goes on behind the scenes. He is obviously a heavy bloke by nature, butI am really surprised he hasn't trimmed up.

cornerboy

How did the weightwatchers thread get moved into the sporting section........oh sorry this is the thread about Shane Lowry the golfer, I see back there someone posted about his excellent ball striking especially his iron play being the catalyst that has propelled him into the World's top 50. Could have sworn this was the weightwatchers thread.

rocky911

cornerboy wrote: »

How did the weightwatchers thread get moved into the sporting section........oh sorry this is the thread about Shane Lowry the golfer, I see back there someone posted about his excellent ball striking especially his iron play being the catalyst that has propelled him into the World's top 50. Could have sworn this was the weightwatchers thread.

Weightwatchers is so last year.. Slimming world is the cool thing now :D:pac::pac:

Keano

Unislim is actually the new fad. Back on topic on please

Golfgorfield

Keano wrote: »

Unislim is actually the new fad. Back on topic on please

Back on topic??? This thread has never been on topic!! Ever!

That is if the actual topic is Shane Lowry and his golf??

rocky911

Anyone else think that he has good shout this weekend with the course they are playing, cant help but think that those who played Irish Open may benefit from the experience