Who is stronger right now, Europe or the USA?

Ulick McGee

I entered into this debate on a American golf blog site & it went pear shaped because they are very sore losers. It will always go pear shaped if one brings politics in sport!!! Anyways would love to know your thoughts

The_Kew_Tour

Europe

Not just cause they won Ryder cup but also because of fact Europe has produced last 3 majors from the european tour but also fact Europe can leave players such as Casey and Rose and still claim cup now.

Its used to be other way around but think the lesser of the European tour players are now better then those in States.

bridestream

Not much in it either way - golf is always 'on the day'.

Ulick McGee

adrian280582 wrote: »

Europe

Not just cause they won Ryder cup but also because of fact Europe has produced last 3 majors from the european tour but also fact Europe can leave players such as Casey and Rose and still claim cup now.

Its used to be other way around but think the lesser of the European tour players are now better then those in States.

I hear you, my answer is Europe will always be stronger because our top players play a lot (some every week) of the PGA tournaments. Playing both sides of the pond will always have you at an advantage with the different weather conditions & greens. Casey should have been there instead of Harrington (love the guy), Casey was playing better.

Not sure what you mean by "the other way around"

Only one Keano

Not much in it but reckon it has to be Europe now.

We have the better more rounded young players coming through and the game also seems to be growing in non-traditional golf countries like Italy and Germany etc.........

I think a lot of the younger US golfers are pampered and are not as hungry as the counterparts from the rest of the world.

You've got to remember as well that nearly all the big tournaments are played in the States which is a big advantage for the US golfers. If the golf tour was more like tennis where the top players play in different countries every few weeks then I think American golfers would be further behind the European guys.

Also believe that the Asian guys are the ones to look out for as Asian women are making huge inroads in the world rankings and the game seems to be growing there far quicker than anywhere else in the world!

Ulick McGee

Only one Keano wrote: »

Not much in it but reckon it has to be Europe now.

We have the better more rounded young players coming through and the game also seems to be growing in non-traditional golf countries like Italy and Germany etc.........

I think a lot of the younger US golfers are pampered and are not as hungry as the counterparts from the rest of the world.

You've got to remember as well that nearly all the big tournaments are played in the States which is a big advantage for the US golfers. If the golf tour was more like tennis where the top players play in different countries every few weeks then I think American golfers would be further behind the European guys.

Also believe that the Asian guys are the ones to look out for as Asian women are making huge inroads in the world rankings and the game seems to be growing there far quicker than anywhere else in the world!

Not much in it, true!

Germany & Italy have had their share of successful golfers in the past...

The kids over in the USA are not pampered and are just as hungry, unless you have experience in junior golf in the USA ?

Yes 3 out of 4 majors are in the USA, but a lot of European guys play on the PGA tour and some are invited from the PGA to play certain tournaments or qualify to play. There is no advantage if you ask me!!!

The Asian women are dominating the LPGA and the guys will be a force in the future, which will be even better for new events like a Asian Ryder Cup!

Only one Keano

Ulick McGee wrote: »

Not much in it, true!

Germany & Italy have had their share of successful golfers in the past...

The kids over in the USA are not pampered and are just as hungry, unless you have experience in junior golf in the USA ?

Yes 3 out of 4 majors are in the USA, but a lot of European guys play on the PGA tour and some are invited from the PGA to play certain tournaments or qualify to play. There is no advantage if you ask me!!!

The Asian women are dominating the LPGA and the guys will be a force in the future, which will be even better for new events like a Asian Ryder Cup!

Have to disagree with you Ulick on a few points.

Firstly Italy have now 3 world stars and Rocca is the only other player from Italy to make a mark on world golf. Watch out for players from the other non-traditional golfing countries in Europe to start challenging for more titles. There is a shift occuring in European amatuer golf seen in the results over the past few years in the European Amateur Championships. Countries like Denmark, Italy, Norway, Germany, France, Holland, Portugal etc......are getting stronger and stronger. This will only benefit European golf in the upcoming years.

It has to be an advantage for American golfers playing all the big events in the home country for numerous reasons..........food, tv, culture, home support, not having to travel so much, more accustomed to the courses etc..... Including all of the above one of the biggest advantages is the ability to have all your home comforts close to hand. Imagine all the big events being played in Ireland. Naturally we would expect our guys to do better and I doubt the American players would be so successful. Yes a lot of European players have based themselves in the States but it still is a big move and may not get the approval of the families and it must be a strain to be away from friends & family at home. A happy golfer is always a better golfer.

If the American young top golfers are not pampered then why don't they travel more to improve their games. They are all millionaries so money should not be an issue. Dustin Johnson spent 4/5 weeks outside of American before and after the British Open where he spent a week or 2 practising in Ireland and then after the Open played 2/3 European tour events in a row. What impressed was Johnson was willing to get out of his comfort zone in order to make himself a better golfer. He could have stayed at home and played in tour events but he wanted to learn about himself as a golfer and as a person which should make him a better player in the long run. The rest of the good young American golfers are too busy counting their dollers. Its ironic that this week sees the PGA Tour go to Malaysia which is probably a sign of things to come in the future of the game and it will be the Euroepan golfers who will be in a better position to take advantage of this!

PhilipMarlowe

Harrington had some interesting thoughts on the issues facing young PGA players in an interview recently... time to dig it up.

edit... here it is, towards the end of this page...
http://www.pgatour.com/2010/tournaments/r476/08/03/harrington-transcript/index.html

Only one Keano

Licksy wrote: »

Harrington had some interesting thoughts on the issues facing young PGA players in an interview recently... time to dig it up.

I think he was saying that the competition is so strong on PGA Tour that it is harder for the young players there to win and it can be better for a younger player to play either in Europe or Asia to get more chances of winning and as a result gaining confidence and learning more about their games as a result. Fair point as there still is more depth on the PGA Tour.

I think with European players now getting more access to the bigger events it has helped eliminate the stigma that the PGA Tour players were better. For a long time good young European golfer were not getting the same opportunities to play in these bigger events but this has changed now and I think the players have benefitted from this.

Ulick McGee

Only one Keano wrote: »

Have to disagree with you Ulick on a few points.

Firstly Italy have now 3 world stars and Rocca is the only other player from Italy to make a mark on world golf. Watch out for players from the other non-traditional golfing countries in Europe to start challenging for more titles. There is a shift occuring in European amatuer golf seen in the results over the past few years in the European Amateur Championships. Countries like Denmark, Italy, Norway, Germany, France, Holland, Portugal etc......are getting stronger and stronger. This will only benefit European golf in the upcoming years.

It has to be an advantage for American golfers playing all the big events in the home country for numerous reasons..........food, tv, culture, home support, not having to travel so much, more accustomed to the courses etc..... Including all of the above one of the biggest advantages is the ability to have all your home comforts close to hand. Imagine all the big events being played in Ireland. Naturally we would expect our guys to do better and I doubt the American players would be so successful. Yes a lot of European players have based themselves in the States but it still is a big move and may not get the approval of the families and it must be a strain to be away from friends & family at home. A happy golfer is always a better golfer.

If the American young top golfers are not pampered then why don't they travel more to improve their games. They are all millionaries so money should not be an issue. Dustin Johnson spent 4/5 weeks outside of American before and after the British Open where he spent a week or 2 practising in Ireland and then after the Open played 2/3 European tour events in a row. What impressed was Johnson was willing to get out of his comfort zone in order to make himself a better golfer. He could have stayed at home and played in tour events but he wanted to learn about himself as a golfer and as a person which should make him a better player in the long run. The rest of the good young American golfers are too busy counting their dollers. Its ironic that this week sees the PGA Tour go to Malaysia which is probably a sign of things to come in the future of the game and it will be the Euroepan golfers who will be in a better position to take advantage of this!

And Langer who should have played in the Ryder Cup the way he is playing on the Sr. tour !!!
I do not get to watch as much of the Euro tour as i would like (5 hour difference), great hearing we have a lot of good golfers from different countries on the march.

I hear your points OOK but do not agree with some, the pro's these days have a team of staff to cover every basic need. They are PRO's in the world of golf or any profession there will always be hardship to the road of success. But again i hear your points...i have to leave but will finish the rest of my points later.