Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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For many years one of the great things about golf is that it has been dominated by men who are in their late thirties, even in their early forties. A new generation of players have emerged and one thought they were the new sensations. The amazing thing is that the 21 year old stars of one or two years ago are already been replaced by the new 21 year old stars. No sooner did we all think that Jordan Spieth was the best player on the entire planet, than Jason Day popped up. After Jason Day it was Dustin Johnson and already this year we have seen big wins by Justin Thomas who is 24 and the players’ tournament was won by a 21 year old, Si Woo Kim.
What is more worrying, while a lot of people gave Tiger Woods so much criticism for having back injuries, which started round about the age of 38, is that many of these players in their mid-twenties are already having back problems – Jason Day has had his share of back issues and now so too is Rory McIlroy. It does appear that the days of big, fat men slowly waddling over golf courses while smoking cigars are over, and to win these days you have to be lean, mean and do lots of work and gym – but that is extracting a price too – and I think we will see a lot more early retirements in future.
In short, the game is chewing up and spitting out the players, just like rugby does – where it is very rare for anybody to play in let’s say three World Cups even though, if you think about it logically, it only requires playing at the top level for 8 years. Golf used to be a sport where you could play at the top level for 20 or 25 years and I think in the modern era we will discover that somebody’s peak is probably going to last for a much shorter time frame and that no sooner does one star arrive than the next year another batch of 5 or 10 stars arrive. They might even have to start making exemptions for the big name players to keep playing. In other words, I don’t think some of the famous names will automatically get their card to play again the next year based on being on the top 125 in the world. As it is, of the older generation, very few even qualify these days for tournaments and most of them, like Ernie Els, get cut on Friday afternoon almost every week – in other words, they don’t qualify anymore to play in the top 72 players that play on the weekend, because their scores are no longer good enough.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 22-Jun-17
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Comments
Nicolle said:
on Monday 03-Jul-17 04:13 PM
This is the circle of life though isn't it?
*The young replace the old.*
David's comment sums it up perfectly.
Tersia said:
on Monday 03-Jul-17 07:47 AM
That is unfortunately how sport works and yet again good for those young folk trying to make it. In every sport there are some injuries you will always have, there is always a risk to be injured. I noticed when I was gumming with a personal trainer that I then had more back problems from the heavy weights that I lifted, but when I stopped my back problems went away. My point I'm trying to make is that with hard core training there are a few problems that will follow. In every sport you don't really see older men/woman playing the game anymore. There are properly to many young kids that are ready to take their place and actually one would have thought the more you play the better you will become - better than all the rest, but that is clearly not the situation.
Sinead said:
on Friday 30-Jun-17 08:18 PM
It's actually nice to see the young ones shine. It must be really annoying to the older players who have beeeeen working though. I still see golf as an older gentlemen's sport though. Except for Jordan Spieth.... Purely because he was the most talked about golfer for a while.
Liz said:
on Wednesday 28-Jun-17 04:54 PM
In an article I recently read the level of exertion and muscular activity required in golf was actually equated with sports such as rugby and ice-hockey. If one considers how physically strenuous golf actually is, it is no surprise that the game is being overtaken by younger players. It does, however, somewhat take away from the idea that we are all used to, which is that the older, more established generation where those enjoying and excelling in the sport.
Mathilda said:
on Wednesday 28-Jun-17 02:21 PM
I think it’s so stressful to be a pro golfer because you can be replaced in a matter of seconds by someone 10 years younger than you
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Wednesday 28-Jun-17 11:45 AM
I always thought as sport not being a lifelong career and believe you have to have something to fall back on All sports have their injuries and the more reason for you to have something else from which you can earn a living.
patrick said:
on Tuesday 27-Jun-17 03:48 PM
it shows how people are talking individual sport very serious hence we have young new golfers.
Jadine Richards said:
on Tuesday 27-Jun-17 01:33 PM
It is sad to see the pattern forming. To me Golf has always represented time slowing down and a game that was extra matured and meant to be savored. in other words, you knew that you had arrived at success when you could take your time and languish in the limelight as the top player for 10 - 20 years. We admired these players and saw them as wise old men. Unfortunately, as with everything modern, this has now become about money and not the art that it was considered to be in past times. The movie, "The legend of Bagger Vance" really brings home the fact that Golf is an Art and not just a game!
Jolene said:
on Tuesday 27-Jun-17 09:47 AM
All types of sports have a potential for injury, one would think golf is rather safe. I think some of the younger players is under huge amounts of pressure to perform. It is very important to look after yourself and to listen to your body.
Suzanne said:
on Tuesday 27-Jun-17 09:19 AM
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, my boyfriend and all his friends are big golfers and even bigger fans of the game so I hear a lot about it. I have to fully agree with what you have said here - as soon as I think I know a few big names, they start mentioning new guys, I can't keep up. In big tournaments, you still see the older legends, but they never win, unfortunately.
Thabitha said:
on Monday 26-Jun-17 02:45 PM
Golfers must take Golf as sports not as a career, look at Tiger he was smart and young and look at him know he is still young he can still make it but because of his injury its over.
brumilde said:
on Monday 26-Jun-17 11:14 AM
I have no aim accuracy at all. so golf is and never will be something i will look into. was more a netball girl than a hockey chick in high school. but people are getting into it from a young age, little girls as well
Joyce said:
on Friday 23-Jun-17 05:00 PM
Sounds like Golf is turning to be a short term game and looks like golfers will need not to rely on golf only.
I think the back injuries and golf, show that playing golf is not just fun but that a very strong body is needed to a golfer to stay top.
Daniella said:
on Friday 23-Jun-17 08:42 AM
I Had no idea that playing Golf would give you back problems, although it would make sense, I just always had a perception of Golf and Swimming being the only two sports that don't mess up your Cartilage, as say running would.
Prishani said:
on Friday 23-Jun-17 08:00 AM
I have seen many young golfers play and take a keen interest in golf, there is no doubt that the younger generation are wanting to succeed in this sport. The interest in the sport makes the competition tough and that means that we will keep seeing better more improved players which always makes things exciting! Young players are also breaking down any stereotypes surrounding the sport in general.
Angelique P said:
on Friday 23-Jun-17 07:37 AM
There are so many golfers now. It's amazing to see that these young golfers are so good. I am sure they start at a very young age and they get the best coaching. I know that golf is a very difficult sport and you must really be good to be one of the best because there is so many that play golf. It's just scary to see that the number 1 player gets replaced so quickly. Just as you think there can't be anyone better they surprise us.
Sarah said:
on Thursday 22-Jun-17 03:20 PM
Players start from very young these days especially if they have a family member that plays a sport. I can believe with golf that your back can get injured.
Lucretia said:
on Thursday 22-Jun-17 12:23 PM
Like any sport there are injuries, however, should we be seen such injuries in such young players. The likes of Gary Player, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, etc played for many many years. Is the younger generation not made for hard work :-). Where does it leave poor South Africa's, Caleb George, who at the age of 5 won a kids tournament and went to US to play in the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championship, coming 4th overall. He is now 11 - will he even reach 21 in the golf industry..........
Bianca R said:
on Thursday 22-Jun-17 09:45 AM
I suppose it really is like any other sport, we see them come and go. Rugby for one is the best example, if a player is injury prone, unfortunately their career is extremely short-lived. Much like Patrick Lambie, fantastic talent but unfortunately he is extremely injury prone and due to his size, he is quickly injured and ruled out for the remainder of the season. Sports and career sports can quickly be hampered by an injury/injuries.
Nina said:
on Thursday 22-Jun-17 08:46 AM
I can imagine that playing golf professionally will lead to health issues, specifically back problems. These players spend a ridicioulus amont of time practising and that means they spend a lot of time in an unnatural position. It makes sense that so many players have to step out at an earlier stage.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Thursday 22-Jun-17 07:41 AM
I did not think that Golf was such a physically demanding sport - alas my perspective has changed. Golf is usually associated with older players because of the costs involved - a set of clubs is not cheap and nor are Gold Club fees (or so I have been told). In saying that however, Golf is an option in many private schools - I know that Woodlands College for instance offers Golf to primary school goers, hence the increase in young players!
Jadine E said:
on Thursday 22-Jun-17 07:09 AM
Even though a sport may be what you are good at you always need something else to fall back on if you retire or have to quit because of injuries sustained. Golf might be good for now but you wont always be at the top in 10 years time.
david said:
on Thursday 22-Jun-17 07:04 AM
with careers being so much shorter, some of these guys are going to have to get real jobs one day.
imagine that, working for a living...
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
