More Stadium Golf?

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  • 16 Replies
  1. Team Titleist Staff

     Hey, everyone.

    This weekend on the PGA Tour, a big part of the story at TPC Scottsdale is going to be how players handle the pressure on the par-3 16th hole. Walking through that tunnel that separates the 15th green and the 16th tee, players must feel like gladiators walking into the Coliseum. Would you like to play in an amphitheater setting, with unruly fans right surrounding you, where a bad shot will earn you a serenade of merciless booing?  I, for one, like the change of pace. Heckling at a major would probably not be ideal, but I do like seeing players contend with new obstacles. 

    How about stadium golf, in general? Would the Tour benefit from holding more events on these types of designs? Curious what you think.  Thanks!

    Rick

  2. BR

    BR
    Dundalk, Louth

    No thanks I'm not a fan of it :(
  3. David T

    David T
    Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

    Personally I'd hate it! I tense up when there are people standing behind me on the 1st tee watching. I can't imagine the pressure of 100's of screaming fans heckling me after I chunk one 20yds- talk about performance anxiety!
  4. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    In a lot of other sports (baseball, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, etc.....) the crowds are loud and raucous and those players seem to handle the environment pretty well. So a little bit of that kind of environment on the PGA Tour is a fun to watch.

    Would I like to experience it.....maybe one time just to see how it feels (and I would be praying that I hit a decent shot).
  5. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    I would love to see more stadium golf. I've been to the tournament for years and it just gets better and better. Every sport has the fans involved, except tennis. And tennis is a stadium sport. I'm headed out to the 16th right now. I've also caddied in the pro-am for a friend and it was amazing! Golf needs to stop being so precious and become the great sport that it is! Here's a few shots I took this week with the great Aaron Dill and Jason Dufner.
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  6. Filipe

    Filipe
    New York, NY

    Honestly I think I must be awesome to play that 16, but we don't need more. Let's keep it that way and the 16 at TPC will always be special.

  7. spencer j

    spencer j
    Murfreesboro, Tennessee

    Personally, I like the atmosphere. It seems like a very exciting and very fun time. The players seem to like it for the most part and the fans love it especially. I do not think it would be for me. I would probably shank one right into the crowd and then get a bad case of the yips after that.
  8. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    More pics from the 16th today.
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  9. Carl Gelardi

    Carl Gelardi
    King of Prussia

    Military
    I feel that golf could benefit from it. This attracts a different group of fans. almost like a happy gilmore atmosphere. If the game wants to grow i believe this would be a great stepping stone to improve
  10. killerbgolfer

    killerbgolfer
    Lacey, WA

    I love it, but not more of it. This is unique and the WM people have built a great event with the PGA tour. I think adding to other venues would dilute the things that make this one special. Small doses make this cool, much more than that and it's obnoxious. Great pics Vurich
  11. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    killerbgolfer said:

    I love it, but not more of it. This is unique and the WM people have built a great event with the PGA tour. I think adding to other venues would dilute the things that make this one special. Small doses make this cool, much more than that and it's obnoxious. Great pics Vurich

    I agree!
  12. frank z

    frank z
    Murrieta Ca.

    I love the anxious moments! It makes the sport more exiting and it can intrigue more young players. The stadium like holes also bring in huge crowds that are record breaking, for example this weekend!
  13. Bryan F

    Bryan F
    Rosemount, MN

    If one of the goals is to grow the game then absolutely there should be more stadium golf. Stadium golf shatters the misconceptions about the game and makes it more accessible for others.
  14. John G

    John G
    Napa, CA

    I think the 16th hole is great and look forward to the WM tournament every year for that reason. However, I like that it's unique to that one tournament and wouldn't want to see it anywhere else. American fans are already raucous enough with all the the yelling as soon as the player hits just so they can hear themselves scream "you the man!" As a pro, I would look forward to playing the 16th each year. You have to know the booing is all in good fun and the crowd treats everyone equally. As an 8 handicap? No way! I have a hard enough time hitting the green with no one watching.
  15. tdogg21

    tdogg21
    Chambersburg, PA

    I love what the WM has created at the 16th hole, but I'm not sure it would work as well at other places. For one, I think what makes it work so well is how unique it has become. I wouldn't mind seeing it at one or two other places, but any more than that and I think it will lose it's luster.
  16. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    Personally I would love the opportunity to hit a shot in front of that many people. A little (or a lot) of pressure makes sports more fun. Yes the crowd might boo you if you fail, but think of the cheers if you hit it stiff! The memory would last a lifetime.
    What WM has done with this tournament is exceptional. The attendance numbers alone are impressive. I'm glad to see the players embrace, or at least fake it, for the week. Plus, I think we can all agree that the 16th would be completely benign if weren't for the atmosphere. That said, I don't feel that there's room for more tournaments or holes like this on the PGA. It this became a regular thing it would lose it's luster quickly. Like killerbgolfer said, anything more would be obnoxious.
  17. Greg Barker

    Greg Barker
    Tampa, FL

    Military
    I think there are lots of ways the PGA could embrace the format, and make for a more TV friendly event at the same time. Have a 9-hole par 3 event, light the course, and do it in prime time. Or, let the players show off their skills with a 'trick shot' type event or hole setup. Have a skills competition as part of tourney weeks. Bottom line, encourage the players to be more interactive with the fans by building fun into the event, and it is a better/more fun experience for both.

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