I see the same guys, ever run into that weekly 5 some on Gus Wortham, they tee off around 8:30 every Monday except Memorial and Labor days...

I haven't played Wortham since about January but I see a lot at Pasadena and San Jac.

Are you a member of the 5-some?

Pretty sure that Black Irish refers to the descendants of the Spaniards who washed ashore in Ireland during the Spanish Armada.

Are you trying to say that African Americans don't possess the physical abilities to reach the top of golf?

No.

Are you trying to say that whites don't possess the physical abilities to reach the upper echelon of defensive backs?

BO

Okay my mistake. No, I don't believe white people have the speed to play cornerback or RB at the highest level (yes there have been a few exceptions). Playing safety is different as it doesn't require the speed that a corner needs.

My point was there's a double standard. People are all up in arms about the lack of African Americans on the PGA Tour while nobody bats an eye about the lack of whites playing corner.

Let's take your above opinion about whites not having the physical tools to play certain positions. It's socially acceptable to state such. But if somebody voices an opinion that African Americans can't putt well enough to compete on the PGA Tour, they would be ostracized. (putting is merely an example, I do not believe that or any other aspect to be true)

Personally, I don't think in either the PGA Tour or the NFL there's racial discrimination.

BO

The lack of minorities in golf is ldo 99.999% economic and 'cultural', i.e. most top golfers had a dad with the time, interest, ability & resources to teach the kid how to play. Who's a current PGA/LPGA pro from a lower-middle class or worse background, or whose family has no golfers?

The most common "physical limitation" argument against blacks viz a certain sport a la whites & speed I recall was lack of buoyancy for swimming due to lower bodyfat, heavier bones, etc.

By almost all accounts, Stevie W is a major douche. By any account, he's a bag carrying, yardage book keeping towel boy who owes everything he currently has to Tiger. Maybe he's an above-average caddy but he's still just a ****ing caddy, so stfu Stevie, until Scott wins a couple majors. Nobody seriously believes Tiger's career is much different with Byron Bell & Jerry Chang on the bag.

Geoff Ogilvy has some very nice wins on his resume but he still couldn't draw flies in a garbage dump. So far, he's missed his chance to build towards Vijay/Ernie level. So STFU too.

As for Greg Norman, were I Tiger I'd be concerned when Norman says he's done winning majors. Greg's the Einstein & Mozart of not winning majors, so he prolly knows what he's talking about.

I believe his career would be different without Steve. I 100% believe Steve on the bag accounts for probably 2+ majors of Tigers vs. almost any other caddie. Having a guy who is cocky as hell and cool under pressure on the bag is what helped foster Tiger's arrogance of not being beatable. When you are in the heat of the moment and you look at your caddie and he hands you a club with 100% confidence you can see in his eyes it breeds confidence in you. Steve brings that out in his players. It is a cool "hit this ****ing ball in the hole" look that not many other caddies bring to the course. Yes it appears as though Stevie is a major douche, but he is for sure a MAJOR asset to have in your corner.

It isn't a coincidence that Adam Scott came through with one of his biggest victories so quickly after hiring him. Steve is not a racist, I can promise you that. An idiot yes, but not a racist. Stick a few drinks in any of us and then have a locker room atmosphere with a bunch of caddies and see what you get.

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I'll give you the second point about his putting, I almost mentioned the same thought. As for Earl's death I don't think it has anything to do with Tiger's game. The media and Tiger might remember Earl with a bright point, but I watched those two in junior/college/professional events and it wasn't as rosy as it seemed. If it was such a big deal, how do you explain Tiger's 2006 after his death? MC at US Open, then a 2nd at the Western followed by 8 straight PGA Tour wins.

Obviously you are taking the side that the caddie has little to do with the results correct? If that were the case, why do these guys all pay enormous sums to a person to simply carry the bag. If you were looking for a show up and shut up guy you could find that for 50k a year. Instead it is a bidding war when a good looper comes available. I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong as I just know my opinion, but if the best players in the world consistently pay top dollar for the few great caddies maybe there is something there.

re: Earl Woods i'm not commenting on his death whatsoever. my point was that during Tiger's formative years Earl instilled in him the ingredients of a champion which have served him well as a professional golfer.

i would say that a good caddie is important to a golfer's success and the best should demand higher pay / bidding wars. i'm surprised that caddies miss some simple steps that can make a difference during the heat of the moment (DJ's grounding his club at the PGA and Romero's decision making during his 2nd shot on the 71st hole at Carnoustie come to mind).

Caddies have gotten paid more because it has been historically based on a percentage. They certainly, imho, have not added 3x value since 1990.

The best looper at my club is the same as any looper on the tour. In fact, many of them have caddied on the tour. They just get $40 a putter vs. potentially $100,000 for a nice weekend. Sucks.

It is hitting the lottery caddying for a great player.

Obviously I couldn't agree more on how he raised him...Tiger is the 1/1,000 whose parent took that route that ended up with a good player vs. a father and son that never speak again after high school.

With regards to the choking under pressure it is amazing how many times a caddie freezes up and is a negative for his player. Choking is largely mental and the pressure a caddie feels even though they aren't hitting a shot is it the high end of their ability. The speed your mind starts racing in those situations is amazing and they are prone to F up just like the player. How about Van de Velde's caddie if you want to name a mistake.

Yes they get paid more because it is based on a percentage, but many of the top players now pay a flat fee. Some caddies get 5-10k a week flat fee and others less....why the difference?

The best caddie at your club might be very good and comparable to an average caddie on Tour, but they are nowhere near the top ones. When I was playing the Nationwide on 2009 I picked up a different caddie every week since I never knew if I was going to be in the event or not. I can assure you there are some caddies that are great and others that are awful.

Yes it is hitting the lottery caddying for a great player, but like most other business ventures hard work and mastering a craft breeds luck. It isn't a fluke that Steve Williams and Joe LaCava keep getting picked up by great players. They earned their lottery tickets by being great caddies.

Scott ranked 143rd in strokes gained in putting (-.172) for 2011. Didn't find info for previous years.

Boo Weekley was DFL at -1.102. I think we know why he's at Q-School.

This is why all the other caddies were furious at Steve Duplessis for blowing his gig with the young Furyk, iirc.