Opinion & Analysis
Music and golf: Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Except for the par-3, 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale where the pros play in a coliseum-like setting with 20,000 fans chanting, singing, cheering, and even booing, golf is mostly a game of respectful quiet.
No one talks when a guy in your group is standing about to hit his shot. On the tee, in the rough or fairway, or putting, there’s usually dead silence as we play any meaningful stroke. Oh, of course, in between shots people give each other the needle, but for hundreds of years, etiquette has demanded and custom has dictated quiet immediately before and during the strike.
This time-honored tradition is changing though. Slowly building like the chorus of “Hey Jude,” this trend is led by mostly younger golfers (more on that later) who increasingly are bringing music with them to the course.
“I guess ‘playing through’ has a new meaning,” one of my playing partners said recently during a round at Black Gold.
“Yeah, playing through your dumb-a** playlist,” teased his cart-riding companion. “Put some Marley on, man. Let me get into the groove.”
Played through easily portable wireless speakers, or at a smart phone’s full volume, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and iTunes now provide a digitally connected soundtrack for golf.
[quote_box_center]“I think it’s a millennial thing,” said Jimmy, a soccer coach from Pasadena, playing at Empire Lakes.[/quote_box_center]
And yet his choice of musical accompaniment was classic rock tracks from the 1960s and 70s. And even I must admit that there’s nothing in my previous golfing experience like standing on the first tee ready to hit my opening drive while Mick and the boys work through, “Start Me Up.”
And yes, I did hit a good drive: thanks Keith.
Mike from Mojave, an aerospace engineer who helps design civilian spacecraft – really, that’s what he said and why would I doubt him? This is Southern California, after all – Mike was listening to Avenger on Pandora.
[quote_box_center]“Sometimes I listen to salsa while golfing, sometimes to classic rock. But I think the last few holes have me in the mood for something a little heavier. AC/DC or Offspring sometimes,” he said as he gripped his driver with tattooed hands.[/quote_box_center]
And then he crushed it.
“There isn’t any song I wouldn’t want to hear while I’m playing,” said Kyle from Apple Valley. “It’s my playlist so there’s nothing on it I don’t like.”
“Well, you’ve got some twangy country on there…” said C.J., who obviously doesn’t appreciate how “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die“ relates to golf.
“Does anyone ever complain?” I asked Mike.
“I keep it low, or turn it off if I think it’ll bother someone,” he answered. “But I did have a guy one time who blamed the music when he hit a bad shot. I think he was just looking for an excuse because he’d parred the two holes before that with Zeppelin playing.”
“Give me something with a beat and a good bass line,” said Renn at Oak Quarry. “Or sometimes I listen to jazz, something without any words to distract me.”
“Music never distracts me,” said C.J. “But then again I went to clown school in Florida, so I’m used to a lot going on at the same time.” Honest, he said this while balancing a driver on his chin for about 12 seconds!
In Long Beach I played with Greg from Redondo. He never listens to music on the golf course, never heard of that. “What, are they doing that now?” He did allow that one time he played with a guy who listened to Rush Limbaugh on the front nine.
[quote_box_center]“I pushed every drive out to the right all day.”[/quote_box_center]
And if what you hear really does influence how you play, then wouldn’t listening to upbeat, positive songs help, maybe in some minimal subliminal way? Hopefully, while it still matters on the front nine.
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” maybe? Or Simon & Garfunkel’s swing advice, “Slow down, you move too fast.”
As a golfer on the back nine of the music-on-the-golf-course demographic, I accept it, even if I don’t join the chorus and sing along. Not for tournaments or serious golf, but for casual play. Maybe someday carts will have iPhone docks and built-in speakers that automatically lower volume when you approach a green? As long as the tunes are only loud enough to be heard within the group who like it, who cares, right? Let the music play.
I have just one request: when I’m standing over the ball, don’t put on Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good.”
- LIKE78
- LEGIT14
- WOW3
- LOL5
- IDHT2
- FLOP4
- OB2
- SHANK30
19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 PGA Championship betting preview: Rising star ready to join the immortals at Valhalla
The second major of the 2024 season is upon us as the world’s best players will tee it up this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky to compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.
The last time we saw Valhalla host a major championship, Rory McIlroy fended off Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler and the creeping darkness that was descending upon the golf course. The Northern Irishman had the golf world in the palm of his hand, joining only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as players who’d won four major championships by the time they were 25 years old.
Valhalla is named after the great hall described in Norse mythology where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The course is a Jack Nicklaus-design that has ranked among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” for three decades.
Valhalla Golf Club is a par-71 measuring 7,542 yards with Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens. The course has rolling hills and dangerous streams scattered throughout and the signature 13th hole is picturesque with limestone and unique bunkering protecting the green. The 2024 PGA Championship will mark the fourth time Valhalla has hosted the event.
The field this week will consist of 156 players, including 16 PGA Champions and 33 Major Champions.
Past Winners of the PGA Championship
- 2023: Brooks Koepka (-9) Oak Hill
- 2022: Justin Thomas (-5) Southern Hills
- 2021: Phil Mickelson (-6) Kiawah Island
- 2020: Collin Morikawa (-13) TPC Harding Park
- 2019: Brooks Koepka (-8) Bethpage Black
- 2018: Brooks Koepka (-16) Bellerive
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) Quail Hollow
- 2016: Jimmy Walker (-14) Baltusrol
- 2015: Jason Day (-20) Whistling Straits
- 2014: Rory McIlroy (-16) Valhalla
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Valhalla
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for Oak Hill to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Valhalla will play as a true all-around test of golf for the world’s best. Of course, it will take strong approach play to win a major championship.
Strokes Gained: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Shane Lowry (+1.25)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.09)
- Jordan Smith (+1.05)
- Tom Hoge (+.96)
- Corey Conners (+.94)
2. Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Valhalla will play long and the rough will be penal. Players who are incredibly short off the tee and/or have a hard time hitting fairways will be all but eliminated from contention this week at the PGA Championship.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Bryson DeChambeau (+1.47)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.11)
- Keith Mitchell (+.90)
- Alejandro Tosti (+.89)
- Ludvig Aberg (+.82)
Strokes Gained: Total on Nickalus Designs
Valhalla is a classic Nicklaus Design. Players who play well at Nicklaus designs should have an advantage coming into this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Nicklaus Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Jon Rahm (+2.56)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.48)
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.35)
- Collin Morikawa (+1.79)
- Shane Lowry (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Tee to Green on Very Long Courses
Valhalla is going to play extremely long this week. Players who have had success playing very long golf courses should be better equipped to handle the conditions of this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Very Long Courses Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.44)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.24)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.78)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.60)
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships
One factor that tends to play a large role in deciding major championships is which players have played well in previous majors leading up to the event.
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships over past 20 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+3.14)
- Will Zalatoris (+2.64)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.49)
- Xander Schauffele (+2.48)
- Tommy Fleetwood (2.09)
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens
Valhalla features pure Bentgrass putting surfaces. Players who are comfortable putting on this surface will have an advantage on the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens over Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+1.12)
- Denny McCarthy (+1.08)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (+0.99)
- Justin Rose (+0.93)
- J.T. Poston (0.87)
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways
Valhalla features Zoysia fairways. Players who are comfortable playing on this surface will have an advantage on the field.
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways over past 36 rounds:
- Justin Thomas (+1.53)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.47)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.40)
- Brooks Koepka (+1.35)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.23)
2024 PGA Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), SG: Off the Tee (22%), SG: T2G on Very Long Courses (12%), SG: Putting on Bentgrass (+12%), SG: Total on Nicklaus Designs (12%). SG: Total on Zoysia Fairways (8%), and SG: Total in Major Championships (8%).
- Brooks Koepka
- Xander Schauffele
- Rory McIlroy
- Scottie Scheffler
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Shane Lowry
- Alex Noren
- Will Zalatoris
- Cameron Young
- Keith Mitchell
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Billy Horschel
- Patrick Cantlay
- Viktor Hovland
- Adam Schenk
- Chris Kirk
- Sahith Theegala
- Min Woo Lee
- Joaquin Niemann
- Justin Thomas
2024 PGA Championship Picks
Ludvig Aberg +1800 (BetMGM)
At The Masters, Ludvig Aberg announced to the golf world that he’s no longer an “up and coming” player. He’s one of the best players in the game of golf, regardless of experience.
Augusta National gave Aberg some necessary scar tissue and showed him what being in contention at a major championship felt like down the stretch. Unsurprisingly, he made a costly mistake, hitting it in the water left of the 11th hole, but showed his resilience by immediately bouncing back. He went on to birdie two of his next three holes and finished in solo second by three shots. With the type of demeanor that remains cool in pressure situations, I believe Ludvig has the right mental game to win a major at this point in his career.
Aberg has not finished outside of the top-25 in his past eight starts, which includes two runner-up finishes at both a “Signature Event” and a major championship. The 24-year-old is absolutely dominant with his driver, which will give him a major advantage this week. In the field he ranks, in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, and has gained strokes in the category in each of his past ten starts. Aberg is already one of the best drivers of the golf ball on the planet.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the great hall where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The Swedes, who are of Old Norse origin, were the last of the three Scandinavian Kingdoms to abandon the Old Norse Gods. A Swede played a major role in the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and I believe another, Ludvig Aberg, will be the one to conquer Valhalla in 2024.
Bryson DeChambeau +2800 (BetMGM)
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the few players in the world that I believe has the game to go blow-for-blow with Scottie Scheffler. Although he isn’t as consistent as Scheffler, when he’s at his best, Bryson has the talent to beat him.
At The Masters, DeChambeau put forth a valiant effort at a golf course that simply does not suit his game. Valhalla, on the other hand, is a course that should be perfect for the 30-year-old. His ability to overpower a golf course with his driver will be a serious weapon this week.
Bryson has had some success at Jack Nicklaus designs throughout his career as he won the Memorial at Muirfield Village back in 2018. He’s also had incredible results on Bentgrass greens for the entirety of his professional career. Of his 10 wins, nine of them have come on Bentgrass greens, with the only exception being the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He also has second place finishes at Medinah and TPC Summerlin, which feature Bentgrass greens.
Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to argue that Bryson isn’t one of the most exciting and important players in the game of golf. He’s also one of the best players in the world. A second major is coming soon for DeChambeau, and I believe he should be amongst the favorites to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy this week.
Patrick Cantlay +4000 (FanDuel)
There’s no way of getting around it: Patrick Cantlay has been dissapointing in major championships throughout his professional career. He’s been one of the top players on Tour for a handful of years and has yet to truly contend at a major championship, with the arguable exception of the 2019 Masters.
Despite not winning majors, Cantlay has won some big events. The 32-year-old has won two BMW Championships, two Memorial Tournaments as well as a Tour Championship. His victories at Memorial indicate how much Cantlay loves Nicklaus designs, where he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total over his past 36 rounds behind only Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.
Cantlay also loves Bentgrass greens. Six of Cantlay’s seven individual wins on the PGA Tour have come on Bentgrass greens and he also was one of the best putters at the 2023 Ryder cup at Marco Simone (also Bentgrass). At Caves Valley (2021 BMW Championship), he gained over 12 strokes putting to outduel another Bentgrass specialist, Bryson DeChambeau.
Cantlay finished 22nd in The Masters, which was a solid result considering how many elite players struggled that week. He also has two top-ten finishes in his past five PGA Championships. He’s undeniably one of the best players in the field, therefore, it comes down to believing Cantlay has the mental fortitude to win a major, which I do.
Joaquin Niemann +4000 (BetMGM)
I believe Joaquin Niemann is one of the best players in the world. He has three worldwide wins since December and has continued to improve over the course of his impressive career thus far. Still only 25, the Chilean has all the tools to be a serious contender in major championships for years to come.
Niemann has been the best player on LIV this season. Plenty will argue with the format or source of the money on LIV, but no one can argue that beating players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith is an unremarkable achievement. Niemann is an elite driver of the golf ball who hits it farther than just about anyone in the field not named Bryson DeChambeau or (arguably) Rory McIlroy.
Niemann is another player who has been fantastic throughout his career on Bentgrass greens. Prior to leaving the PGA Tour, Bentgrass was the only green surface in which Joaco was a positive putter. It’s clearly a surface that he is very comfortable putting on and should fare around and on the greens this week.
Niemann is a perfect fit for Valhalla. His low and penetrating ball flight will get him plenty of runout this week on the fairways and he should have shorter shots into the green complexes than his competitors. To this point in his career, the former top ranked amateur in the world (2018) has been underwhelming in major championships, but I don’t believe that will last much longer. Joaquin Niemann is a major championship caliber player and has a real chance to contend this week at Valhalla.
- LIKE30
- LEGIT11
- WOW3
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP4
- OB2
- SHANK12
In my last post, I explained the basic performance dynamics of “smash factor” and “gear effect” as they apply to your wedges and your wedge play success. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
At the end of that post, I promised “part 2” of this discussion of what makes a wedge work the way it does. So, let’s dive into the other two components of any wedge – the shaft and the grip.
It’s long been said that the shaft is “the engine of the golf club.” The shaft (and grip) are your only connection to all the technologies that are packed into the head of any golf club, whether it be a driver, fairway, hybrid, iron, wedge or even putter.
And you cannot ignore those two components of your wedges if your goal is optimizing your performance.
I’ve long been an advocate of what I call a “seamless transition” from your irons into your wedges, so that the feel and performance do not disconnect when you choose a gap wedge, for example, instead of your iron-set-matching “P-club.” In today’s golf equipment marketplace, more and more golfers are making the investment of time and money to experience an iron fitting, going through trial and error and launch monitor measuring to get just the right shaft in their irons.
But then so many of those same golfers just go into a store and choose wedges off the retail display, with no similar science involved at all. And that’s why I see so many golfers with a huge disconnect between their custom-fitted irons, often with lighter and/or softer graphite or light steel shafts . . . and their off-the-rack wedges with the stock stiff steel ‘wedge flex’ shaft common to those stock offerings.
If your wedge shafts are significantly heavier and stiffer than the shafts in your irons, it is physically impossible for you to make the same swing. Period.
To quickly improve your wedge play, one of the first things you can do is have your wedges re-shafted with the same or similar shaft that is in your irons.
There’s another side of that shaft weight equation; if you don’t have the forearm and hand strength of a PGA Tour professional, you simply cannot “handle” the same weight shaft that those guys play to master the myriad of ‘touch shots’ around the greens.
Now, let’s move on to the third and other key component of your wedges – the grips. If those are not similar in shape and feel to the grips on your irons, you have another disconnect. Have your grips checked by a qualified golf club professionals to make sure you are in sync there.
The one caveat to that advice is that I am a proponent of a reduced taper in your wedge grips – putting two to four more layers of tape under the lower hand, or selecting one of the many reduced taper grips on the market. That accomplishes two goals for your scoring.
First, it helps reduce overactive hands in your full and near-full wedge swings. Quiet hands are key to good wedge shots.
And secondly, it provides a more consistent feel of the wedge in your hands as you grip down for those shorter and more delicate shots around the greens. And you should always grip down as you get into those touch shots. I call it “getting closer to your work.”
So, if you will spend as much time selecting the shafts and grips for your wedges as you do choosing the brand, model, and loft of them, your scoring range performance will get better.
More from the Wedge Guy
- The Wedge Guy: What really makes a wedge work? Part 1
- The Wedge Guy: The easiest-to-learn golf basic
- The Wedge Guy: Golf mastery begins with your wedge game
- LIKE6
- LEGIT3
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK5
19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Wells Fargo Championship betting preview: Tommy Fleetwood ready to finally land maiden PGA Tour title
The PGA Tour season ramps back up this week for another “signature event,” as golf fans look forward to the year’s second major championship next week.
After two weaker-field events in the Zurich Classic and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, most of the best players in the world will head to historic Quail Hollow for one of the best non-major tournaments of the year.
Last season, Wyndham Clark won the event by four shots.
Quail Hollow is a par-71 measuring 7,521 yards that features Bermudagrass greens. The tree-lined, parkland style course can play quite difficult and features one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in golf known as “The Green Mile,” which makes up holes 16-18: two mammoth par 4s and a 221-yard par 3. All three holes have an average score over par, and water is in play in each of the last five holes on the course.
The field is excellent this week with 68 golfers teeing it up without a cut. All of the golfers who’ve qualified are set to tee it up, with the exception of Scottie Scheffler, who is expecting the birth of his first child.
Past Winners at Quail Hollow
- 2023: Wyndham Clark (-19)
- 2022: Max Homa (-8)
- 2021: Rory McIlroy (-10)
- 2019: Max Homa (-15)
- 2018: Jason Day (-12)
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) (PGA Championship)
- 2016: James Hahn (-9)
- 2015: Rory McIlroy (-21)
Key Stats For Quail Hollow
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes gained: Approach will be extremely important this week as second shots at Quail Hollow can be very difficult.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Akshay Bhatia (+1.16)
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Corey Conners (+1.01)
- Shane Lowry (+0.93)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.82)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Quail Hollow is a long course on which it is important to play from the fairway. Both distance and accuracy are important, as shorter tee shots will result in approach shots from 200 or more yards. With most of the holes heavily tree lined, errant drives will create some real trouble for the players.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+0.73)
- Rory McIlroy (+0.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.62)
- Viktor Hovland (+0.58)
- Chris Kirk (+0.52)
Proximity: 175-200
The 175-200 range is key at Quail Hollow. Players who can hit their long irons well will rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Proximity: 175-200+ over past 24 rounds:
- Cameron Young (28’2″)
- Akshay Bhatia (29’6″)
- Ludvig Aberg (+30’6″)
- Sam Burns (+30’6″)
- Collin Morikawa (+30’9″)
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs
Players who thrive on Tom Fazio designs get a bump for me at Quail Hollow this week.
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.10)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.95)
- Tommy Fleetwood (+1.68)
- Austin Eckroat (+1.60)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)
Strokes Gained: Putting has historically graded out as the most important statistic at Quail Hollow. While it isn’t always predictable, I do want to have it in the model to bump up golfers who prefer to putt on Bermudagrass.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Taylor Moore (+0.82)
- Nick Dunlap (+.76)
- Wyndham Clark (+.69)
- Emiliano Grillo (+.64)
- Cam Davis (+.61)
Course History
This stat will incorporate players that have played well in the past at Quail Hollow.
Course History over past 36 rounds (per round):
- Rory McIlroy (+2.50)
- Justin Thomas (+1.96)
- Jason Day (+1.92)
- Rickie Fowler (+1.83)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.78)
Wells Fargo Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: Off the Tee (23%), SG: Total on Fazio designs (12%), Proximity: 175-200 (12%), SG: Putting Bermuda grass (12%), and Course History (14%).
- Wyndham Clark
- Rory McIlroy
- Xander Schauffele
- Shane Lowry
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Viktor Hovland
- Cameron Young
- Austin Eckroat
- Byeong Hun An
- Justin Thomas
2024 Wells Fargo Championship Picks
Tommy Fleetwood +2500 (DraftKings)
I know many out there have Tommy fatigue when it comes to betting, which is completely understandable given his lack of ability to win on the PGA Tour thus far in his career. However, history has shown us that players with Fleetwood’s talent eventually break though, and I believe for Tommy, it’s just a matter of time.
Fleetwood has been excellent on Tom Fazio designs. Over his past 36 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Fazio tracks. He’s also been incredibly reliable off the tee this season. He’s gained strokes in the category in eight of his past nine starts, including at The Masters, the PLAYERS and the three “signature events” of the season. Tommy is a golfer built for tougher courses and can grind it out in difficult conditions.
Last year, Fleetwood was the first-round leader at this event, firing a Thursday 65. He finished the event in a tie for 5th place.
For those worried about Fleetwood’s disappointing start his last time out at Harbour Town, he’s bounced back nicely after plenty of poor outings this season. His T7 at the Valero Texas Open was after a MC and T35 in his prior two starts and his win at the Dubai Invitational came after a T47 at the Sentry.
I expect Tommy to bounce back this week and contend at Quail Hollow.
Justin Thomas +3000 (DraftKings)
It’s been a rough couple of years for Justin Thomas, but I don’t believe things are quite as bad as they seem for JT. He got caught in the bad side of the draw at Augusta for last month’s Masters and has gained strokes on approach in seven of his nine starts in 2024.
Thomas may have found something in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage. He finished T5 at a course that he isn’t the best fit for on paper. He also finally got the putter working and ranked 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week.
The two-time PGA champion captured the first of his two major championships at Quail Hollow back in 2017, and some good vibes from the course may be enough to get JT out of his slump.
Thomas hasn’t won an event in just about two years. However, I still believe that will change soon as he’s been one of the most prolific winners throughout his PGA Tour career. Since 2015, he has 15 PGA Tour wins.
Course history is pretty sticky at Quail Hollow, with players who like the course playing well there on a regular basis. In addition to JT’s PGA Championship win in 2017, he went 4-1 at the 2022 Presidents Cup and finished T14 at the event last year despite being in poor form. Thomas can return as one of the top players on the PGA Tour with a win at a “signature event” this week.
Cameron Young +3500 (DraftKings)
For many golf bettors, it’s been frustrating backing Cam Young this season. His talent is undeniable, and one of the best and most consistent performers on the PGA Tour. He just hasn’t broken through with a victory yet. Quail Hollow has been a great place for elite players to get their first victory. Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark all notched their first PGA Tour win at Quail.
Throughout Cam Young’s career, he has thrived at tougher courses with strong fields. This season, he finished T16 at Riviera and T9 at Augusta National, demonstrating his preference of a tough test. His ability to hit the ball long and straight off the tee make him an ideal fit for Quail Hollow, despite playing pretty poorly his first time out in 2023 (T59). Young should be comfortable playing in the region as he played his college golf at Wake Forest, which is about an hour’s drive from Quail Hollow.
The 26-year-old has played well at Tom Fazio designs in the past and ranks 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on those courses in his last 36 rounds. Perhaps most importantly, this season, Young is the best player on the PGA Tour in terms of proximity from 175-200 in the fairway, which is where a plurality and many crucial shots will come from this week.
Young is an elite talent and Quail Hollow has been kind to players of his ilk who’ve yet to win on Tour.
Byeong Hun An +5000 (FanDuel)
Byeong Hun An missed some opportunities last weekend at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He finished T4 and played some outstanding golf, but a couple of missed short putts prevented him from getting to the winning score of -23. Despite not getting the win, it’s hard to view An’s performance as anything other than an overwhelming success. It was An’s fourth top-ten finish of the season.
Last week, An gained 6.5 strokes ball striking, which was 7th in the field. He also ranked 12th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The South Korean has been hitting the ball so well from tee to green all season long and he now heads to a golf course that should reward his precision.
An’s driver and long irons are absolute weapons. At Quail Hollow, players will see plenty of approach shots from the 175-200 range as well as some from 200+. In his past 24 rounds, Ben ranks 3rd in the field in proximity from 175-200 and 12th in proximity from 200+. Playing in an event that will not end up being a “birdie” fest should help An, who can separate from the field with his strong tee to green play. The putter may not always cooperate but getting to -15 is much easier than getting to -23 for elite ball strikers who tend to struggle on the greens.
Winning a “signature event” feels like a tall task for An this week with so many elite players in the field. However, he’s finished T16 at the Genesis Invitational, T16 at The Masters and T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 32-year-old’s game has improved drastically this season and I believe he’s ready to get the biggest win of his career.
- LIKE9
- LEGIT4
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK1
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
What we know about Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D-printed Avoda irons
John Daly WITB 2024 (May)
John Daly WITB accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2014 PGA Championship
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Rory McIlroy outlasted Phil Mickelson at the 2014 PGA Championship. It’s...
Tiger Woods WITB 2024 (May)
Tiger Woods WITB accurate as of the PGA Championship. In-hand photos from 2024 Genesis Open. Check out more photos of Tiger...
Michael Block WITB 2024 (May)
Michael Block what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 “Dot” (9 degrees @7.5) Shaft:...
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoGary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Equipment1 week agoDetails on Justin Thomas’ driver switch at the Wells Fargo Championship
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks agoTeam McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoKeegan Bradley WITB 2024 (May)
-
Equipment2 weeks agoGolf fans left surprised by LIV’s choice of course for its 2024 individual championship event
-
Whats in the Bag3 days agoRory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Double Mocha Man
Mar 18, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, Third Movement, can put you in the mood for a string of birdies.
Jeremy
Mar 18, 2015 at 6:40 pm
Quiet, sounds of nature only should be the default, but there’s room for music in the game as well. From an etiquette standpoint, seems simple enough: on your own, do what you want, just keep it reasonably quiet so as not to disturb other groups. With your friends where everyone’s cool, same deal. With strangers, just don’t, or if it’s really you’re thing then ask if they’re okay with it.
Overall, just have fun and enjoy the day. Let others do the same. Be conscious of what you’re actually playing for. If it’s a massive putt to win a really big prize, by all means insist on rigid silence. But chances are you’re just doing it for the fun, the exercise, the peace of mind. There’s no reason to let being within earshot of a song you hate for 30 seconds ruin your day.
chunner
Mar 18, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Steely Dan on the course all the way! I’m 100% for music. Got paired up with a couple of old timers, asked them if the music was okay and they loved it. The super hot cart girl loved the Rolling Stones jam that was on. Music fuels the soul. People try to ‘play’ golf way to seriously…keep it loose and and swing!
chunner
Mar 18, 2015 at 5:08 pm
***I am an Acushnet employee, but am not an Acushnet spokesperson. This posting is my individual opinion only.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Could dig that – as long as everyone is in agreement and if asked to turn it down by others, one respects that they are not alone on the course (usually).
Rich
Mar 18, 2015 at 3:31 pm
I can’t stand music on the course. And I’m 32. For those of you who love playing music, I ask you this:
If you went to fire up the bluetooth speaker, would you be cool with someone else in the foursome controlling the entire playlist?
I would love to hear my favorite songs all day every day. But it’s disrespectful to think that anyone else in the world wants to. And most people are too courteous to tell others to turn off their music on the course. Don’t make people tell you that they don’t want to hear your music.
Assume that if they aren’t playing it themselves, they’re either respectful of their playing partners, or don’t want to hear music on the course.
Double Mocha Man
Mar 18, 2015 at 8:06 pm
I’m fine with music on the course. Did it myself, alone, using earbuds, with “A Little Bit is Better than Nada” to keep me in the golf mood. “Tin Cup” reference. But it’s not very conducive to good golf camaraderie and banter when playing with friends. And please, don’t be the guy in the car with his music cranked up because he thinks everyone else will think he has great taste in music. He doesn’t. He’s just egotistical. And his playlist only works for him and his cookie-cutter friends.
Rich
Mar 19, 2015 at 10:56 am
Very much agreed with all of this. Ear buds shouldn’t even be an issue. Can’t imagine why anyone would have a problem with someone else using headphones when they play golf.
I’d much rather play with someone wearing ear buds than have them ask me if it’s ok if they play music on their bluetooth speaker.
Tupac
Mar 17, 2015 at 9:31 pm
If you need music on the golf course it’s not your sport. oh and your probably a hack!
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 10:11 am
That’s incredibly stupid…
rgb
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:05 pm
You misspelled ‘accurate’.
HTH.
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Thanks…but my plus index disagrees. Now if you’ll excuse me, gotta crank the jawbone up before I hit this tee shot.
Taylor
Mar 21, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Jawbone ftw…dropped 5 strokes when I put it in the bag
Brad
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Also, I believe it should be you’re…. not your. Spelling hack.
BAA
Mar 18, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Do you even english? “Your” is the correct usage.
“You’re” is an abbreviation for “you are”.
JJ
Mar 18, 2015 at 4:13 pm
@BAA…you might want to re-read the entire excerpt.
Brad is correct in his analysis of @Tupac’s word usage.
Damn, I love it when one is wrong when trying to correct another.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Actually they are both correct – “your sport” is correct, “your probably” s/b “you’re probably” – as usual, depends on the context, as does music on a golf course or in the office.
Jeremy
Mar 18, 2015 at 6:32 pm
No it doesn’t. The context is “you are,” which should be “you’re.”
Philip
Mar 19, 2015 at 12:11 am
what doesn’t? The context I was relating to was which “your” was being referred to. The first was used correctly, the second wasn’t …
Jeremy
Mar 19, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Yup, I get it now. Hard to decipher punctuation when the reply only gets 4 words per line. Carry on!
BAA
Mar 18, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Yep, my bad. I was looking at the wrong “your”.
RG
Mar 21, 2015 at 5:27 am
This is why people hate golfers.
Jeff
Mar 21, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Your sport: correct usage. your proably a hack: should be you’re.
other paul
Mar 17, 2015 at 7:26 pm
I played a round with my bro and we listened to the music from the group ahead for the whole round. It wasn’t to loud, it just carries forever on our flat courses. You can be a 550 yard par 5 away and hear it clear as day around here. So I am not a fan so far.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 11:42 am
That’s the only thing about it. The design of course courses would make it almost impossible to properly isolate the music from each group. So if one group is listening to hip hop and the other country, there is no way a battle of the louder music will not erupt eventually. We think we sometimes have problems on courses with tempers now and slow play – it could get way worse when someone gets so annoyed they take a wedge to another groups boom box …
Beacher50
Mar 17, 2015 at 7:10 pm
Why does everyone always have to be listening to music, I like music, but not in a golf setting. And I deplore it when people use it as a means (with ear buds) to prohibt talking with others. On the driving range, standing in line or whereever. Its just plain rude. They call the new generation the connected generation, to me they’re disconnected.
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 10:14 am
Maybe I don’t want you talking to me on the driving range while I’m in my practice routine. I could call your invasiveness rude.
Goes both ways…
talljohn777
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:59 pm
Golf is a social sport. Being anti-social is not really the point…
rer4136
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Being social means you get to do what you want?
Mark
Mar 18, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Golf is an individual sport. While competition may be social, practice is usually not really all that social.
I could count the number of times I’ve had a practice partner on the range or practice green on one hand. If I want to go through my routine with earphones on and music playing, I don’t want to be interrupted.
Shallowface
Mar 17, 2015 at 6:54 pm
I feel the same way about music on the golf course as I do hearing it blasting out of cars. Keep your lack of taste to yourself.
Most communities have “disturbing the peace” ordinances on the books, so if it gets too bad on the golf course I might have to see what the police can do about it.
.
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Wow…really? Already threatening to call the police, huh? That would be an interesting conversation to hear. “Those whippersnappers won’t turn down their Snoopy Dog while I’m trying to make this putt to win a dime off of Bob over here.”
My advice…turn down your hearing aids.
Brad
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Classic. LMAO
Brad
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:36 pm
HAHA…. Classic..
HackerDad31
Mar 19, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Phenomenal! And we wonder why no one is taking up the game. Because curmudgeons are threatening to call the f-ing police over music. This like Footloose, only lamer. That’s no small feat.
Philip
Mar 17, 2015 at 5:39 pm
I see two things that can go wrong with music. the first is that people are always competitive and I can see different groups eventually cranking the tunes, which is of course, totally dissing everyone else on the course. Also, what are the odds everyone in the group is in the mood for the same genre of music for that round.
The second thing is – how am I supposed to even make a swing – as a music lover and musician, there is no way I could maintain my natural rhythm without the rhythm of the music changing my walk, pace, swing – everything.
Now, can I play with music blasting at rock concert levels – oh yea baby – had no choice. The course I joined for the last three years is part of a ski mountain resort and during the summer they have downhill bike races, carnivals, concerts, conferences and lots of other festivities – and all you hear is crowds and blasting music (heavy rock, hip hop, rap – not classical of course) along with the DJ and race announcer, along with trying no to hit groups of people who think the golf course is a park to stroll in.
You’ll be surprised how much you can tune it all out to make that putt :o)
RoscoDog
Mar 17, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Bluetooth Headphones. I don’t want to hear your music and I don’t expect anyone to listen to mine. Or sometimes I use a bluetooth headset, that way I get music in one ear but I can still hear out of the other ear.
Sean
Mar 17, 2015 at 3:40 pm
I like music, but not on the golf course. The only sounds I want to hear are those provided by nature.
Keith
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:54 pm
I listen to the Dre/Snoop channel on Pandora and check my email and texts constantly. Different people have different ideas of what disconnecting or unplugging is. Mine is getting out of the office, but my job requires me to be accessible and responsive. I keep the music low and make sure it’s not turned up so as to be respectful. But if we want this game to grow, it’s needs to feel inviting to millennials, not like a stuffy coat and tie dinner.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Just curious, do you listen through headphones? When the course is slow I try to chit chat, but my groups tend to play opposite corners of the fairways so I can enjoy the view and sounds for only so long before it just becomes boring waiting all the time, but maybe I’ll bring a tiny player with headphones so that I forget how long i am waiting. I can listen to mediation music I guess, because if I try something with more of a beat I’ll end up strutting down the fairways to the beat. Of course, I could always provide the entertainment and give a pulse to the group – lol
MJS2
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:48 pm
I do not think its a situation where we cant unplug. I do not belong to Facebook and rarely check my phone throughout the day, but I have been brining my portable speakers on the course for a year or so now. I think the idea of golf is to go out, test your limitations, and enjoy some time with your buddies or make new ones. I fail to see how music (which is incorporated in every other sport out there) deters from this.
I always ask the group if they mind or if they want to listen to something in particular (when not playing with my regular 4some). It is never loud, just faintly playing in the background, and I always keep my distance from the person hitting (unless its my cart mate). I find it takes off the edge, especially when you are waiting 5+ minutes on a saturday afternoon in-between each shot because the groups ahead of you are slow.
Ive yet to play with someone that this really bothers, however, if i do i will gladly turn it off and wait in silence.
rer4136
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:54 pm
If the music is not a bother to you then wear headphones. If noise is not a distraction then why does Tiger Woods (and former caddie Stevie) go gimp when a photographer clicks a camera during his swing. I promise you my focus isn’t even close to Tiger’s. I would guess that most of your playing partners hate the music but won’t say so.
MJS2
Mar 18, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Where in my above post does it state that noise is NOT a distraction, ill wait while you re-read…
…great.
If I wear headphones, then i surely can’t hear the multiple FOURS that are yelled during a Sat-Sun afternoon round and certainly put me and my groups safety in grave danger and nobody would want that. And unfortunately, you would have guessed wrong, it was my playing partners who first starting bringing music to the course.
If the birds chirping, frogs gulping, wind howling and tress rustling (all of which constitutes as noise) is that distracting to, maybe you should try a nice song faintly playing in the background one day, it may help you drown those sounds out and focus.
HIT ‘EM STRAIGHT!
Joe
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Im in favor of a quiet peaceful round except for the boys jawing one another. Fully agree its a time to unplug from everything. How annoying is it when one of your crew has to check their phone every few minutes etc.
rer4136
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Seems like more of a situation where we can’t unplug from some sort of media or the other. I kind of think that the idea of golf is to detach from the constant stream of media. Does all the media have to intrude into every part of our existence. It’s a noisy world already and I guess it is going to get worse. The problem I have with this is, as a paying customer at a golf course why should I have someone else impose their music on me? There are wireless headphones that sync with your phone, so wear those and listen to your hearts content. Better yet relax!