Do you support the World Golf Rankings?

[Ego Woods]

Much debate has been made about this from tour players and the media, so the question is:

Do you think that the World Golf Rankings is a fair measurement of comparing professional tour players?


Here's the link to see how the system works:

http://www.owgr.com/about_us/default.sps?iType=425

but here are the key points:

The official events from the 6 Professional Tours (US PGA Tour, European Tour, JGTO, SA PGA, Asian PGA Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia) together with the Canadian, Nationwide and Challenge Tours are all taken into account and points are awarded according to the players’ finishing positions
However, the 4 Major Championships are rated separately to reflect the higher quality of the events together with The Players Championship in the United States. In addition, the BMW Championship in Europe, and the Australian, Japan and South African Open Championships are allocated higher minimum points levels to reflect their status.
The World Ranking points for each player are accumulated over a two year “rolling” period with the points awarded in the most recent 13-week period doubled – ranking points will then decline in eight equal quarter-year intervals
The points awarded are generally related to the strength of the field based on the number and ranking of the Top-200 World Ranked players and the Top-30 of the Home Tour players in the respective tournaments (event “Ratings”).
What's your opinion?

[chiantibro]

Much debate has been made about this from tour players and the media, so the question is:

Do you think that the World Golf Rankings is a fair measurement of comparing professional tour players?


Here's the link to see how the system works:

http://www.owgr.com/about_us/default.sps?iType=425

but here are the key points:

The official events from the 6 Professional Tours (US PGA Tour, European Tour, JGTO, SA PGA, Asian PGA Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia) together with the Canadian, Nationwide and Challenge Tours are all taken into account and points are awarded according to the players’ finishing positions
However, the 4 Major Championships are rated separately to reflect the higher quality of the events together with The Players Championship in the United States. In addition, the BMW Championship in Europe, and the Australian, Japan and South African Open Championships are allocated higher minimum points levels to reflect their status.
The World Ranking points for each player are accumulated over a two year “rolling” period with the points awarded in the most recent 13-week period doubled – ranking points will then decline in eight equal quarter-year intervals
The points awarded are generally related to the strength of the field based on the number and ranking of the Top-200 World Ranked players and the Top-30 of the Home Tour players in the respective tournaments (event “Ratings”).
What's your opinion?
It's a subjective thing, and open to some controversy, but I dare say if there was a better way surely the rankings people would have found it. It's also a bit of fun for a board like ours. On some other golf boards I've surfed however there is actual hostility towards the World Rankings, and a few posters even imply that some sort of conspiracy is in place to keep Tiger at #1. Of course we all know differently. It's the PGA Tour that messes with statistics and whatnot in order to keep Tiger on top.

[Shadow]

World rankings are good for water cooler discussions, perhaps in attracting patrons(getting ready for The Masters:)) to a tournament and to fill some newspaper columns, but in reality are meaningless. The only question that needs to be answered each week is, "Who won?" not, "Who is #1?"

Here is a test of the WR importance. We know Tiger is #1. Now, who is 9th, 23rd, 72nd and 128th? See what I mean? Who cares?

However, as Dr. Phil says, "There is no reality, only perception." So if someone out there says that the rankings are important, I guess they are. To some.

[Ego Woods]

World rankings are good for water cooler discussions, perhaps in attracting patrons(getting ready for The Masters:)) to a tournament and to fill some newspaper columns, but in reality are meaningless. The only question that needs to be answered each week is, "Who won?" not, "Who is #1?"

Here is a test of the WR importance. We know Tiger is #1. Now, who is 9th, 23rd, 72nd and 128th? See what I mean? Who cares?

However, as Dr. Phil says, "There is no reality, only perception." So if someone out there says that the rankings are important, I guess they are. To some.
Hmmmmmm, I guess nowhere did I ask the importance of golf rankings in itself, but hey anything can and should be debated.

Are they important?

You're right, importance in the grand scheme of things are relative depending on the type of person you are. I guess you could also ask the question of do you need to know who won last week's tournament and the week before that? If you do, then why? Why follow or watch the PGA in the first place?

I think everyone here wants to watch good golf. They also want to watch good golfers compete. Make no mistake, the pro tours are all about competition and making money. I think the World Golf Rankings are just a step beyond that. It gives recognition to good golfers. It gives pros a way to compare themselves to other pros. Why else would Mickelson or Singh say bluntly "they'd want to be #1 in the world". It's because they're competitors. Why do we care? Because we love to watch them compete!!!:D

Do I know whose #128 in the world? No, why should I, since they're ranked so low! :rofl:

A similar analogy I'd probably use (and don't kill me for it) is the handicap index. Some (not all) of you guys out there do care what your handicap is, right? Why? Is it because it's a way to measure your progress in golf? Or is it also a way to also compare yourself to others with their own handicaps?

I think there's a fair amount of golfers that love competition. That's just our nature. If it wasn't, then why bother entering tournaments? Don't get me wrong, because I know there's also probably an equal number that just love to play golf and enjoy the surroundings, friends, etc.

My point in all this? the WGR is just another way golfers compete against other golfers. Some pros find it a way of comparing themselves in the grand scheme of pro tour golf. These same ppl probably find the WGR important.

And to us avg joe's? Makes for that good water-cooler talk and watching drama unfold. :)

[Queen of the Beach]

I think that the calculation of the world golf rankings should remain the same. I don't think that they are an unfair measurement. Why change something that works? Unless you are one of those players that win more tournaments in Japan, South Africa, Australasia, etc. then you might have more to gain if the WGRs were revamped.

And I just want to add that the world golf rankings really do matter if you are a player on tour. Who cares if you're 9th, 23rd, 72nd or whatever unless you are those players that are ranked in those positions. I personally only care that Tiger has regained his rightful position at #1 and hope that those at #2, 3, 4, and 5 stay well back! :rofl:

[golfnut2005]

hi this is my first time ---------i would like to know how do i go on line to chat golf ------------------ottawa

[Ego Woods]

hi this is my first time ---------i would like to know how do i go on line to chat golf ------------------ottawa
I believe u were online when u posted this msg which also means u were chatting.....so all u need to do now is talk about golf. :D

[Ems]

I believe u were online when u posted this msg which also means u were chatting.....so all u need to do now is talk about golf. :D
I think he's looking for a chat room... but this is a bulletin... you only post mssgs...

[Mok]

Hmmmmmm, I guess nowhere did I ask the importance of golf rankings in itself, but hey anything can and should be debated.

Are they important?

My opinion is that the Official World Golf Ranking are important. They give tournaments a basis in which to pick the player fields. Also, in match play, it helps officials determining the seeding.

I guess if you compare the tennis rankings and golf rankings, golf rankings do not matter as much (in stroke play) but golf rankings are "NEEDED", and not something that is expendable.