Ryder Cup - Does anyone really care?

Question

It seems like a silly attempt to turn an individual sport into a team sport and the amount of attention the "captain" and his decisions get is laughable. It seems like you pick the top 12 golfers, roll dice for pairings and have the same end result. Also, having 1 country - the US - compete against a dozen European countries seems unbalanced.

As for national pride, the world money list and world golf rankings are the definitive measure of talent - not whoever wins the stupid Ryder cup.

Anyway, am I the only one who thinks the Ryder Cup is just a silly, meaningless event?

Answer 1

You make several good points which I totally agree with. The Ryder Cup isn't looked upon as an event that determines the greatness of golfers or what people think of them. The Ryder Cup is for the two teams competing to get bragging rights over eachother and for entertainment of golf fans.

Hope this helps

Best of luck

Answer 2

I can agree with you on several of your points. The original intent of the cup when first offered was to get golfers from Europe and the US to co-mingle. That was the time when the mode of overseas travel was steamship only. Now, much ado about nothing. So this to me is a " Made for Television " production. Most golfers will be playing and at the turn, may ask " Who is winning?"

Answer 3

The sponsors care. Keep in mind that golf, along with any other professional sport, is only entertainment. You don't see any of the golfers buying air time and telling you how important this event is. Sales and marketing does that. They have the most to win or lose.

Answer 4

nope

Answer 5

You probably never had the chance to play a team golf match like the Ryder or Walker Cups, but they are a lot of fun.  Granted golf is an individual sport, but the format of these team matches make for a totally different game and strategies.  First of all the events are all "match play", not medal, thus different rules and strategies apply.  Second because you are on a team, even tying a match means you get a half point, and that can be critical in the outcome.  For those of us that enjoy the intricacies of match play it is great fun to watch the best players in the world participate when the tours are dominated by medal play all year long.  If you have never played a "foursome" match you should try it sometime.  It is the most difficult of all forms of play.  You and your partner play a match against two others - and each side plays one ball.  The players alternate tee shots, and alternate hitting the ball during play of the hole.  Try it sometime and maybe you will gain some respect for the Ryder Cup.