Interested to here your opinions...
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Brian Manzella
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Maybe it was the Jim Grey interview of Pete Rose that started this crazy idea....
All I know is that is NOT what to ask. Period.
Here is my version...
"Ernie, tough finish. Did you hit the putt the way you wanted?"
All I know is that is NOT what to ask. Period.
Here is my version...
"Ernie, tough finish. Did you hit the putt the way you wanted?"
I'd heard about this but hadn't seen the actual interview until now.
Sands always struck me as a pretty stand-up guy. Not sure what other question he would/could ask if they just threw is down to him for an interview with Els. What question is he going to ask?? "Tell us about that birdie on 12"? Of course not.
Perhaps a better question to Ernie would be "what the hell has happened to your putting stroke"? Or maybe "when did you get so mechanical with your putting stroke and why"? He looks like a robot out there.
I don't envy those interviewers, especially the ones that have to deal with a guy that just gave one away. Total no-win situation.
Sands always struck me as a pretty stand-up guy. Not sure what other question he would/could ask if they just threw is down to him for an interview with Els. What question is he going to ask?? "Tell us about that birdie on 12"? Of course not.
Perhaps a better question to Ernie would be "what the hell has happened to your putting stroke"? Or maybe "when did you get so mechanical with your putting stroke and why"? He looks like a robot out there.
I don't envy those interviewers, especially the ones that have to deal with a guy that just gave one away. Total no-win situation.
Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
I hate the "here we are with the very disappointed Ernie Els" for starters.
"Did you have the confidence to make that putt?" I'll bet he wanted a mulligan as soon as he asked that one.
"Did you have the confidence to make that putt?" I'll bet he wanted a mulligan as soon as he asked that one.
Damon Lucas
Super Moderator
I have kept pretty quiet on the belly putter phenomenon up to now. I actually fitted someone into one today, and I gave my old man a few more years behind the wheel by putting him in one, so I am not against them.
That said, I think one of the faults with them is that because they are anchored, the player is prone to pulling the putt under pressure. You have to pretty well hit the putt as close to low point as possible, and that is hard with the belly anchor mandating the putter head being placed in the back of the stance which plays tricks on the eyes.
It is a shame. Sounds like Els, for all his talent, has never quite believed in himself. Similar to Couples in projecting a cool demeanor, he has had struggles with his putter in his 30s, and has sought the belly crutch.
His technique when he won the US Open at Oakmont was astonishingly good, with high hands and a pretty vertical shoulder motion helping him putt some of the most difficult greens on the planet, as our good friend, Matt Kluck would attest.
It is a pity that a guy like Els can't find a decent putting instructor anywhere!
That said, I think one of the faults with them is that because they are anchored, the player is prone to pulling the putt under pressure. You have to pretty well hit the putt as close to low point as possible, and that is hard with the belly anchor mandating the putter head being placed in the back of the stance which plays tricks on the eyes.
It is a shame. Sounds like Els, for all his talent, has never quite believed in himself. Similar to Couples in projecting a cool demeanor, he has had struggles with his putter in his 30s, and has sought the belly crutch.
His technique when he won the US Open at Oakmont was astonishingly good, with high hands and a pretty vertical shoulder motion helping him putt some of the most difficult greens on the planet, as our good friend, Matt Kluck would attest.
It is a pity that a guy like Els can't find a decent putting instructor anywhere!
Amen
duckjr78
New
It's a crap job, interviewing the guy who lost. Almost as bad as interviewing the football coach who is losing at halftime as he is jogging off the field.
That said, this is the profession they chose, so for pete's sake, do your job well. Do some research, write out a few generic openers, questions, etc. Know that you will have to interview the loser at some point, so do it with some class.
"Ernie, you played well all week, tough way for it to end. Tell me, how did you play today and did you hit the putt on 18 the way you wanted to? (Brian's question is perfect)"
"(Ernie's answer)"
"Well, hitting the ball the way you did, you're bound to have another shot at winning in the very near future, so best of luck, go get 'em next time."
"Back to you Bob"
That's not so hard, is it?
That said, this is the profession they chose, so for pete's sake, do your job well. Do some research, write out a few generic openers, questions, etc. Know that you will have to interview the loser at some point, so do it with some class.
"Ernie, you played well all week, tough way for it to end. Tell me, how did you play today and did you hit the putt on 18 the way you wanted to? (Brian's question is perfect)"
"(Ernie's answer)"
"Well, hitting the ball the way you did, you're bound to have another shot at winning in the very near future, so best of luck, go get 'em next time."
"Back to you Bob"
That's not so hard, is it?
grahler
New
That was the single worst most disrespectful thing I have ever seen.
WHAT WAS THE POINT OF DOING THAT EXCEPT TO KICK ERNIE ELS?????!!!!
I love the commentary during the round but really I don't want to see that.
Thank goodness I got a chance to express myself. Good call on the thread it was a travesty to do that interview at all.
WHAT WAS THE POINT OF DOING THAT EXCEPT TO KICK ERNIE ELS?????!!!!
I love the commentary during the round but really I don't want to see that.
Thank goodness I got a chance to express myself. Good call on the thread it was a travesty to do that interview at all.
magicmarker
New
I don't really mind how disrespectful it was to Els, which it was. I just think that anytime you ask a question that every player on tour will provide the exact same answer to... it's a safe bet you asked a really stupid question. It's a boring waste of time.
for instance
"did you have the confidence to....?"
"yes"
If you're going to ask about those kinds of putts, try to find out if it was a misread or a mishit, keep it simple.
for instance
"did you have the confidence to....?"
"yes"
If you're going to ask about those kinds of putts, try to find out if it was a misread or a mishit, keep it simple.
Mike Richardson
New
When guys "lose" their putting, they rarely seem to get it back. That's what's interesting about Tiger just now, from being the best in the 6 - 10 foot range, IMO he seems to be pretty average now.
Lindsey Newman
New
Those "tough question" interviews are bullshit.
It's no different than being rude to someone working a drive thru at McDonalds - They don't want to be there and they usually are because they have no choice.
It's no different than being rude to someone working a drive thru at McDonalds - They don't want to be there and they usually are because they have no choice.
ZAP
New
I never really understood the need to interview the person who just lost. We have all been there and we all know that talking to anyone is not on our list of things we feel like doing. I say leave the person who lost alone unless they ask to speak. There really is not much to learn from a guy who really just wants to go sign his card and be alone for a few minutes. There should be a 30 minute rule or something.
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