Back in 1980 the PGA Tour created a “Senior Tour” because people still wanted to see Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in action.
Palmer, the most charismatic player in the history of golf, was the driving force by himself. It was, without a doubt, the tour Palmer created.
Fast forward to today and it’s called the “Champions Tour” and the top three finishers in the Charles Schwab Cup competition that ended this past week were Berhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie and Jeff Maggert.
Combined the three of them and they have enough charisma to fill a shot glass. Or maybe not.
Seriously, who wants to drop everything and run out and spend five hours watching those guys?
Especially Langer. He is the dominant player out there. He’s won the Schwab Cup three times and no one on that tour has accomplished that.
The sad thing about Langer being the dominant player is that he’s also one of, if not the slowest guy out there. He’s the poster-boy for slow play, just what old-guy golf needs.
There’s another Sign Of The Apocalypse about to hit this senior circuit.
Come January, they will have to get rid of their long putters, their belly putters, any sort of anchored putters. So says the USGA and it’s a world-wide deal so there’s no age discrimination issue going on here.
It’s going to affect some of the prominent players out there. Fred Couples uses the belly putter, Michael Allen uses the long, anchored putter, like Langer. So does Peter Senior. Nick Price uses the belly putter.
There are probably more but that list will suffice for now.
Langer says he’s not worried and maybe he’s not. He’s invented all sorts of putting styles over the years, including the one where he secures the putter against the inside of his left forearm, which is legal. Maybe that’s the one he’ll return to.
What the rules change doesn’t take care of is the fact that he is the King Of Slow Play. He’s simply painful to watch and there hasn’t been much to watch on that tour lately unless you really like Montgomerie or Maggert, two guys combined who aren’t capable of starting any sort of buzz with television audiences.
Yes, this tour is perhaps the best thing for sleep since night-time.
Sad fact is, most of us would rather watch Arnold Palmer in television commercials.
Too bad Arnie’s not 50 anymore.
11 Comments
Reg Bateman
What kind of an idiot are you? The players on the Champions Tour and the tour itself are a delight to watch. To see the greats of not that long ago (they still play great) is a treat. They also tend to have class. Some of the newer guys like Speith, Day, etc. have it as do some of the veterens like Mickelson and Adam Scott but Woods, Mcilroy and some of the others don’t. They may not hit the ball as far but they play a better game probably due to experience.
George
Agree totally. Love watching Langer play.
BAXTER
There’s no competing with the King.
But golf tourneys are still about who shoots the lowest score ?
You either like the sport or you don’t. It’s not a personality contest.
Some people watch golf for celebrities; the writer is simply one of those folks. Nothing wrong with that I guess.
Personally the senior coverage is easier to watch then euro, web, even secondary pga tour events; even when the charisma guys are out of it.
Langer may be slow but he is pretty close to everyone else with his pace of play…seems more like winner hatred to me.
Anchored putters will go. But somehow Langer is not going anywhere. Because these days the steely German is the king of the senior tour, like it or not.
Dave Bowers
I enjoy watching the Champions Tour because, I can relate to the players.Could be because of
my age. I disagree that Mcilroy doesn’t have class . All the interviews I have
seen with Mcilroy,he has showed class. I do agree slow play has to be addresses more then it
has in the past.
Burr
Slow play really ought not be tolerated anywhere. That said, the Senior Tour is a great place to watch the great players of yesteryear in an relatively informal setting where the players can and do interact with their fans a great deal more than they can on the PGA Tour. They may be slower on TV, but the “up close and personal” aspect for those fortunate enough to be there is super.
James Gilstrap
Obliviously you do not play golf. You sure do not have a clue as to how to judge golfers. Bernhard Langer is the nicest guy I ever played golf with on the PGA Tour pro am. I played in 25 PGA Tour pro ams. I played with all the top golfers in that 25 year period. Arnold is a great guy and golfer but he paid no attention to his playing amateur partners. He was more interested in the ladies that carried the score boards. Player was super a lot of fun to play with. Golfers especially older players still enjoy watching Senior Tour players. It is amazing how well some still play. The ones that still play well are the ones that stay in shape and work on their game. They tried to have a super senior bracket but no one wanted to watch their old heroes play so poorly. The golfers today are very good but very slow and dull. I still enjoy watching them and what they can do with a golf club is exciting.
Chuck Green
Slow play continues on most courses continues to get worse because too many amateurs watch too much TV and try to emulate what they see there. As far as I am concerned, pros and amateurs both should be penalized for slow play. For most of us amateurs, there is not need for several practice swings and looking at the putt from several angles.
Hank
Hey Chuck why not? Whenever I have time and look at my put from several angles I usually have a great put if I miss it is usually a gimme!!! Oh by the way I am 69.
Jack
Apparently, you are not old enough to enjoy all the tour play. The Champions Tour is excellent, and gives a 50+ yr old player to continue to compete !! You need a brain transplant !!
Peter.P.
Agree with most of the comments here. I was at the Champions Tour event in Tucson last year and it was a great event and really enjoyable watching what was exceptional golf; simple fact is these guys are still really good! And the real beauty is that you don’t have to deal with the overwhelming thousands of fans you get at the Tour (and some other) events. You can be really up close to the action wherever and whenever you want and the majority of the guys are happy to chat and interact. Great golf in a competitive, but more relaxed environment, from guys you’ve watched all your life in intense competition at the highest levels. Makes for a fun and enjoyable time…….. And very watchable on the Golf Channel if not attending live.
I think the author wrote the article just to see if he could get a raise out of us……
BOB MEEK
THE SENIOR GOLFERS STILL PLAY VERY WELL AND ARE FUN TO WATCH ! WE HAVE A CHAMPIONS TOUR EVENT HERE IN TUCSON AND IT IS VERY WELL RECEIVED-GOOD GOLF -GOOD GUYS- GOOD EVENT ! IF THE AUTHOR DOESN’T LIKE THE CHAMPIONS TOUR-DON’T WATCH IT-BUT HIS OPINION APPARENTLY IS NOT VERY POPULAR !