Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Swedish golf pro Daniel Chopra beats 67 million to one odds

Flabbibulin · 02-09-2012, 12:32 PM

A couple interesting points in this flukey vs. that was my objective argument:

The difference between getting a hole in one in a practice round vs. competitive round is huge- not so much because of the pressure, but because most pro golfers have the luxury of becoming pin seekers during practice rounds- something that is not likely to take place in a competitive round. In a competitive round, the tee shot on a par 3 is all about course management and playing to a spot on the green that fits in with multiple factors- pin position, wind, spin, your shot making ability etc. The pin may your general target line, it may not. In a practice round though where the consequences of a missed tee shot are minimal (often desired so you can practice scrambling), some golfers forego course management and go straight for the pin- classic risk/reward as pins are always protected. Regardless of all that- 2 aces in a single round is incredible.

As far as the holes in question-

Hole # 7 at Pebble Beach is one of the most famous, yet shortest, par 3's played in professional tours. The difficulty of the hole comes in the weekend front pin placement and with the ocean wind. If wind was non-existent on the hole, it would arguably be the easiest par 3 in golf as the majority of golfers would be hitting a Sand or Gap Wedge. When the wind picks up, which it always does on # 7, golfers are forced to hit a knock down short iron.

#17 is difficult regardless of the scenario- but it is exceptionally difficult if the pin is in the back section of the hourglass shaped green (I dont know where the pin was for Chopra). Interesting to note that Jack Nicklaus needed a 1 iron in the final round of the 1972 US Open to hit a ball stiff, while current tour players likely use anything from a 5-7 iron. (thanks technology)

I played Pebble Beach a couple years ago and was lucky to get a calm day. I don't recall what clubs I used on those two holes.

Sorry for that, but I live and breathe golf and jump at the chance to post in golf threads

02-09-2012, 12:32 PM	#15
Flabbibulin Franchise Player Join Date: Nov 2009 Exp:	A couple interesting points in this flukey vs. that was my objective argument: The difference between getting a hole in one in a practice round vs. competitive round is huge- not so much because of the pressure, but because most pro golfers have the luxury of becoming pin seekers during practice rounds- something that is not likely to take place in a competitive round. In a competitive round, the tee shot on a par 3 is all about course management and playing to a spot on the green that fits in with multiple factors- pin position, wind, spin, your shot making ability etc. The pin may your general target line, it may not. In a practice round though where the consequences of a missed tee shot are minimal (often desired so you can practice scrambling), some golfers forego course management and go straight for the pin- classic risk/reward as pins are always protected. Regardless of all that- 2 aces in a single round is incredible. As far as the holes in question- Hole # 7 at Pebble Beach is one of the most famous, yet shortest, par 3's played in professional tours. The difficulty of the hole comes in the weekend front pin placement and with the ocean wind. If wind was non-existent on the hole, it would arguably be the easiest par 3 in golf as the majority of golfers would be hitting a Sand or Gap Wedge. When the wind picks up, which it always does on # 7, golfers are forced to hit a knock down short iron. #17 is difficult regardless of the scenario- but it is exceptionally difficult if the pin is in the back section of the hourglass shaped green (I dont know where the pin was for Chopra). Interesting to note that Jack Nicklaus needed a 1 iron in the final round of the 1972 US Open to hit a ball stiff, while current tour players likely use anything from a 5-7 iron. (thanks technology) I played Pebble Beach a couple years ago and was lucky to get a calm day. I don't recall what clubs I used on those two holes. Sorry for that, but I live and breathe golf and jump at the chance to post in golf threads Last edited by Flabbibulin; 02-09-2012 at 12:47 PM.