Phil Mickelson

[buckeyebri]

Originally Posted by billmac91

I have to say, it is a bit over the top......he literally has a routine for every tournament.

1. Smile
2. Put head down
3. Walk 3 steps
4. Lift Head
5. Make eye contact with random fan
6. Give random fan a thumbs up

Repeat steps 1 through 6 until ball has been approached.

It's laughable once you see what he is doing. I appreciate that he wants to be a fan favorite, but it could be a bit more genuine. He's robotic in his fan-pleasing ways.

That is amazing, so care to enlighten us on what other players fan routines are....at least Phil actually acknowledges fans which is more than what a majority of the top players do.

I can tell you as someone who has played golf most of my life and in amateur tournaments that routines are what you do to try to maintain consistency....

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by buckeyebri

That is amazing, so care to enlighten us on what other players fan routines are....at least Phil actually acknowledges fans which is more than what a majority of the top players do.

I can tell you as someone who has played golf most of my life and in amateur tournaments that routines are what you do to try to maintain consistency....

sure.....I guess. Most players don't have a fan routine. They are themselves. I don't hold it against Phil that he has a fake routine. I was just pointing out what he does. Rewatch the US Open and tell me it isn't fake....my steps 1 - 6 are spot on. He just flashes a thumbs up sign every 3 steps.

I just don't see the genuine nature of an Arnold Palmer. I've actually talked to him at Bay Hill and it was pretty amazing. I don't get the sense Phil really gives a [censored] other than coming off as a fan pleaser. Otherwise, he wouldn't take 3 steps flash a thumbs up sign, put his head down, walk 3 more steps, put his head up, and flash a thumbs up in a general direction. It's just odd once you pick up on it.....if you weren't looking for it, it'd look fine.

[CookyPuss]

Originally Posted by billmac91

sure.....I guess. Most players don't have a fan routine. They are themselves. I don't hold it against Phil that he has a fake routine. I was just pointing out what he does. Rewatch the US Open and tell me it isn't fake....my steps 1 - 6 are spot on. He just flashes a thumbs up sign every 3 steps.

I just don't see the genuine nature of an Arnold Palmer. I've actually talked to him at Bay Hill and it was pretty amazing. I don't get the sense Phil really gives a [censored] other than coming off as a fan pleaser. Otherwise, he wouldn't take 3 steps flash a thumbs up sign, put his head down, walk 3 more steps, put his head up, and flash a thumbs up in a general direction. It's just odd once you pick up on it.....if you weren't looking for it, it'd look fine.

Maybe it just doesn't come natural to him the way those flop shots do, so he's developed a way to deal with it without being a dick. But, yeah, I can see how that could be funny especially if you start mimicking him as he's doing it. Could get you some big laughs at a bar I'm sure.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by MuckFich06

Maybe it just doesn't come natural to him the way those flop shots do, so he's developed a way to deal with it without being a dick. But, yeah, I can see how that could be funny especially if you start mimicking him as he's doing it. Could get you some big laughs at a bar I'm sure.

or some laughs in front of the TV as a brother mimicks Phil perfectly from a tee shot to his ball. Smile and all...it was funny as hell.

Phil is a personable guy, and I really do like him. I don't even remember why this came up. I would just like him more if he were more genuine. If you take the time to notice his routine, his fan friendly nature takes a huge hit.....

[osuteke]

He'd be a lot cooler if he dropped f bombs and Gd's on live camera like everyone else. One of these days I think Woody Austin is going to take his club to the nearest person's head, that guy does not [censored] around.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by osuteke

He'd be a lot cooler if he dropped f bombs and Gd's on live camera like everyone else. One of these days I think Woody Austin is going to take his club to the nearest person's head, that guy does not [censored] around.

I agree. The St. Jude Classic sucked since Brian Gay dominated the tournament. I really only watched to see if Woody Austin would snap. He came close with his putter, but it didn't bend or break. He definately put enough force behind his slamming to damage the club, but no luck. I bet D.J. Trahan wishes he had that luck....

[fourteenandoh]

Originally Posted by billmac91

I have to say, it is a bit over the top......he literally has a routine for every tournament.

1. Smile
2. Put head down
3. Walk 3 steps
4. Lift Head
5. Make eye contact with random fan
6. Give random fan a thumbs up

Repeat steps 1 through 6 until ball has been approached.

It's laughable once you see what he is doing. I appreciate that he wants to be a fan favorite, but it could be a bit more genuine. He's robotic in his fan-pleasing ways.

Jesus Christ, what do you want from the guy? You want him to put on some mirror lens oakleys and pretend he is the only guy on the course? He does a damn good job of acknowledging the fans and keeping his focus. I can't imagine how hard it was for him at the open on Monday. He couldn't take 2 steps without someone hollering at him. He got a standing ovation and a "lets go Phil" chant on 17. It was just like a Yankees game. That isn't stuff that happens every day, and it must make it very tough to focus. Also, he isn't faking it. After he lost, he stuck around for awhile and signed a ton of autographs. That is genuine class if you ask me.

I get fired up when people talk [censored] about Phil because I have been around the game for awhile, and I have been around true pricks. There are plenty of them out there. Phil is not one of them.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

Jesus Christ, what do you want from the guy? You want him to put on some mirror lens oakleys and pretend he is the only guy on the course? He does a damn good job of acknowledging the fans and keeping his focus. I can't imagine how hard it was for him at the open on Monday. He couldn't take 2 steps without someone hollering at him. He got a standing ovation and a "lets go Phil" chant on 17. It was just like a Yankees game. That isn't stuff that happens every day, and it must make it very tough to focus. Also, he isn't faking it. After he lost, he stuck around for awhile and signed a ton of autographs. That is genuine class if you ask me.

I get fired up when people talk [censored] about Phil because I have been around the game for awhile, and I have been around true pricks. There are plenty of them out there. Phil is not one of them.

There are plenty of pricks.....Payne Stewart was a major prick. Tiger can be conceived as a prick b/c he doesn't sign. It is what it is.

Again, I like Phil and was pulling for him on Sunday. I would have enjoyed the Open thoroughly more had Phil won. I just dislike the fakeness of his fan pleasing ways. Just be genuine........

If you disagree with what I am saying, just pay closer attention in his next tournament and get back at me. Seriously....watch his routine, and tell me if it doesn't come off as disingenuous.

[fourteenandoh]

Originally Posted by billmac91

There are plenty of pricks.....Payne Stewart was a major prick. Tiger can be conceived as a prick b/c he doesn't sign. It is what it is.

Again, I like Phil and was pulling for him on Sunday. I would have enjoyed the Open thoroughly more had Phil won. I just dislike the fakeness of his fan pleasing ways. Just be genuine........

If you disagree with what I am saying, just pay closer attention in his next tournament and get back at me. Seriously....watch his routine, and tell me if it doesn't come off as disingenuous.

funny you mention him. it seems to be a little known fact, but i can definitely back you up on that. tiger is a dick. vijay, duval, strange, norman and azinger. i've had personal run ins with all those guys and found them to be assholes.

let me ask you this though. when you are getting as many shout outs as he got at bethpage what would you do? seriously? if coming up with a routine to acknowledge the fans and keep his focus helps then more power to him. at least he had the courtesy to include them. none of the other guys were looking at the crowd like he did.

[jimotis4heisman]

can you be a prick and good for the game? can you actually be a prick but put on an act and thats good for the game? does it really actually matter?

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

funny you mention him. it seems to be a little known fact, but i can definitely back you up on that. tiger is a dick. vijay, duval, strange, norman and azinger. i've had personal run ins with all those guys and found them to be assholes.

let me ask you this though. when you are getting as many shout outs as he got at bethpage what would you do? seriously? if coming up with a routine to acknowledge the fans and keep his focus helps then more power to him. at least he had the courtesy to include them. none of the other guys were looking at the crowd like he did.

That's my exact issue though....it isn't real. It's a routine. Why not just smile down the fairway and occasionally tip your hat in appreciation? The routine ruins any form of real connection for me. The fans love him, which is great. It creates huge excitement around tournaments. I just wish his appreciation for that support was genuine. Not a 3 step drop and throw...

[fourteenandoh]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

can you be a prick and good for the game? can you actually be a prick but put on an act and thats good for the game? does it really actually matter?

of course

everyone knows sims hates old people, children and dogs (Tin Cup)

good question

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

funny you mention him. it seems to be a little known fact, but i can definitely back you up on that. tiger is a dick. vijay, duval, strange, norman and azinger. i've had personal run ins with all those guys and found them to be assholes.

let me ask you this though. when you are getting as many shout outs as he got at bethpage what would you do? seriously? if coming up with a routine to acknowledge the fans and keep his focus helps then more power to him. at least he had the courtesy to include them. none of the other guys were looking at the crowd like he did.

a side note on Vijay...I ran into him at the hotel after Mike Weir won the Masters. He didn't have a particularly good tournament, and was quick to get out of the hotel and leave. I approcahed him with a friend and asked for the autograph. He was unhappy about it, but signed, which I appreciate. I was probably 19 at the time. He had also won the Masters a year or two before.

Anyways, I can see Vijay being a dick, but I'll respect him for signing with his wife and son right there. I definately caught him in an awkward spot as the bell-boy wa sloading clothes into his SUV.

By the way, coolest guy ever has to Jose Maria Olazabal. Just a great, genuine guy. I like Sergio a lot too. He is great with the fans. Unfortunately for him, as a European, I don't think he has the fan support he should have.

[fourteenandoh]

Vijay doubled 15 on monday, and i followed him up to 16th tee. He slammed his putter into his bag and said "mother [censored]in bitch" to his caddy kinda under his breath. Since he was way off the lead no one was around. I kinda respect him for not being afraid to do stuff like that. That's how golfers really act, but on tour its got to be tough because that is so unacceptable when you are under the microscope of the final few groups. I like when Tiger does it too. I don't really think that makes a guy a dick (it doesn't make you a classy guy though either). Its all about how you treat staff at courses and the fans.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

Vijay doubled 15 on monday, and i followed him up to 16th tee. He slammed his putter into his bag and said "mother [censored]in bitch" to his caddy kinda under his breath. Since he was way off the lead no one was around. I kinda respect him for not being afraid to do stuff like that. That's how golfers really act, but on tour its got to be tough because that is so unacceptable when you are under the microscope of the final few groups. I like when Tiger does it too. I don't really think that makes a guy a dick (it doesn't make you a classy guy though either). Its all about how you treat staff at courses and the fans.

which is why I like Phil in a way. I know it seems contradictory, but word is, Phil is the biggest tipper on tour. He tips everyone huge, and is pleasant towards everyone. I really do like Phil.

I just hate his on course routine of giving thumbs up on a 3 step count. It's disingenuous and fake.