G.O.A.T Debate

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By GStuart

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  • 20 Replies
  1. GStuart

    GStuart
    Blackfoot, ID

    Military

    I've been thinking about the G.O.A.T debate lately, and it usually revolves around arguing between Jack and Tiger. I just don't love that debate, so here's what I suggest going forward, I'd love to hear everyone's response on this. I've separated this debate into 4 different areas: Greatest Swing/Ball Striker, Greatest Winner, Greatest Finisher, Greatest Personality. I'm going to say that we can't pick a GOAT or Greatest of All Time/Most Consistent at this point, or ever because we play a game that can't be mastered, every golfer, whether a 22 handicap or scratch is constantly trying to get better.

    I'll share my answers, I'd love to hear everyone's replies!

    Greatest Swing/Ball Striker: Ben Hogan (no question)

    Greatest Winner: Tiger Woods (82 wins, 15 majors)

    Greatest Finisher/Most Consistent: Jack Nicklaus (18 majors, 19 second place finishes in the majors)

    Greatest Personality: Tie for me... Arnold Palmer/Gary Player

    Love this community and love this game! Thanks Dad for getting me involved in golf and all of the hours we spent watching these guys on TV and armchair quarterbacking!

  2. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Swing...Sam Snead (The Gold Standard)
    Winner....Tiger
    Finisher....Jack Nicklaus
    Personality...Arnold Palmer/ Lee Trevino



  3. Scott D

    Scott D
    Lethbridge,

    Swing...Adam Scott
    Winner... Too many good different eras to compare Tiger, Snead or Nicklaus
    Finisher... Has to be the Golden Bear
    Personality.. The King Arnold Palmer
  4. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    With all due respect to all the different catagories, my pick for the GOAT is simply, Jack Nicklaus.
  5. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    WOW Deno. You submitted a post that should get a lot of replies!

    Yep I agree with you on the Swing.....Sam Snead. Got to see him on the range one time hitting balls. OMG...Smooth and effortless. The sound coming off the ball was amazing!

    Winner.....I have to say for right now Jack Nicklaus (he's won more majors) and to me that is what the standard is for winning.

    Finishing...again I would have to say Jack Nicklaus.

    Personality.....again I agree with you Arnold/Lee

    I somehow hope my Winner category will eventually change to Tiger. I'm pulling him in every major and every tournament just so he can have the most majors and official wins on the PGA Tour. I love to see history being made!
  6. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military

    Jerry M said:

    WOW Deno. You submitted a post that should get a lot of replies!

    Yep I agree with you on the Swing.....Sam Snead. Got to see him on the range one time hitting balls. OMG...Smooth and effortless. The sound coming off the ball was amazing!

    Winner.....I have to say for right now Jack Nicklaus (he's won more majors) and to me that is what the standard is for winning.

    Finishing...again I would have to say Jack Nicklaus.

    Personality.....again I agree with you Arnold/Lee

    I somehow hope my Winner category will eventually change to Tiger. I'm pulling him in every major and every tournament just so he can have the most majors and official wins on the PGA Tour. I love to see history being made!

    Jerry

    "You know what they say " It ain't over 'til it's over"

    Deno
  7. Amanda S

    Amanda S
    Richmond, Va

    the greatest swing i’d vote for would be Ernie Els and the greatest personality i’d vote would be Chi Chi Rodriguez. As for the others i’m not sure who i would vote.
  8. Robert J

    Robert J
    Washington Township, MI

    Swing: Steve Elkington
    Ball striker: Ben Hogan
    Winner: Jack Nicklaus
    Finisher: Jack Nicklaus
    Personality: Arnold Palmer (started with Arnie's Army)
  9. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military
    Greatest Swing/Ball Striker: Ben Hogan

    Greatest Winner: Tiger Woods

    Greatest Finisher/Most Consistent: Jack Nicklaus

    Greatest Personality: Meri Mex
  10. Diego D

    Diego D
    Miami, FL

    What about the GOATs in the hand/magic or recovery shot category?

    Phil, Seve and Tiger

    What is funny is that Tiger falls into every single category; even personality in his own way.
  11. Christopher W

    Christopher W
    Oxford, UK

    Greatest Swing - of the current crop, Adam Scott and Rory up there for me
    Greatest Winner - Tiger
    Greatest finisher - Tiger, ridiculously good conversion stats when leading.
    Greatest Personality - I didn't see too much of the older generation so difficult to judge but Arnold Palmer certainly looks/sounds like a stand up guy. I do like a lot of what Rickie Fowler says and does.

    I saw a few of you guys combined finisher and most consistent - for me they're 2 very different things. I guess an extreme example would be Tony Finau - last year in particular he was so consistent with top 5's / top 10's but he's got a bad rep for being a poor finisher.
  12. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    GStuart said:

    I've been thinking about the G.O.A.T debate lately, and it usually revolves around arguing between Jack and Tiger. I just don't love that debate, so here's what I suggest going forward, I'd love to hear everyone's response on this. I've separated this debate into 4 different areas: Greatest Swing/Ball Striker, Greatest Winner, Greatest Finisher, Greatest Personality. I'm going to say that we can't pick a GOAT or Greatest of All Time/Most Consistent at this point, or ever because we play a game that can't be mastered, every golfer, whether a 22 handicap or scratch is constantly trying to get better.

    I'll share my answers, I'd love to hear everyone's replies!

    Greatest Swing/Ball Striker: Ben Hogan (no question)

    Greatest Winner: Tiger Woods (82 wins, 15 majors)

    Greatest Finisher/Most Consistent: Jack Nicklaus (18 majors, 19 second place finishes in the majors)

    Greatest Personality: Tie for me... Arnold Palmer/Gary Player

    Love this community and love this game! Thanks Dad for getting me involved in golf and all of the hours we spent watching these guys on TV and armchair quarterbacking!

    Tiger is a great winner, but he is tied with Sam Snead on wins and second to Jack on most majors. Ben Hogan without a doubt on swing. Jack could finish like no other and personality, Arnie could draw the crowds.
  13. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Snead vs Hogan
    Shell's world of Golf


    https://youtu.be/YCL86AOvr_0

    Deno
  14. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Deno said:

    Snead vs Hogan
    Shell's world of Golf


    https://youtu.be/YCL86AOvr_0

    Deno

    I saw Slammin' Sammy at an exhibition at Patriots Point in Mt Pleasant where I live in the 80's....what a pure swing and he could place the ball where ever he wanted. I use to play in a Tuesday blitz with an elder amateur gentleman who use to play with Hogan and Snead up and down the east coast in matches that involved wagering. Mr Whitesides had one the best short games of any person I have ever met and could read putts like no other. He use to tell me stories about beating them. I made sure I always played on his team. His personality had to be overlooked, because most did not like playing with him. I felt like if you want to win, you have to play with winners and overlook the small details. Sam was so smooth with a club in his hand, too bad he had putting woes.
  15. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    The one and only Arnie, period.
  16. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    Greatest Swing/Ball striker; Sam Snead
    Greatest Winner: Jack
    Greatest Finisher: Ray Floyd
    Greatest Personality (Tie); Chi Chi Rodriguez-LEe Trevino
  17. Jonathan Smith

    Jonathan Smith
    Charlotte, NC

    Great topic, I like breaking it down into the different categories


    Greatest swing- Freddie Couples
    Greatest Winner- Tiger Woods
    Greatest Closer- Jack Nicklaus
    Greatest Personality- Payne Stewart

    Lots of worthy players in each category...
  18. Tom B

    Tom B
    Northborough, MA

    Greatest swing/ball striker-Ben Hogan
    Greatest Winner-Jack Nicklaus-behind the 18 majors 19 second places
    Greatest Closer- Jack Nicklaus, same reason as above. Tiger, 2nd place
    Greatest Personality-No doubt at all Arnie

    Greatest character- Tie --- Lee Trevino and Fuzzy Zoeller.
  19. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    Great thread!

    Greatest Swing/Ball Striker: Fred Couples
    Greatest Winner: All winners
    Greatest Finisher/Most Consistent: Jack Nicklaus
    Greatest Personality: Tie for me... Arnold Palmer


    GOAT of Hickory - Robert Tyre Jones Jr.
    GOAT of Persimmons woods - Ben Hogan
    GOAT of graphite shaft - Tiger Woods
    GOAT of of Pro V1(x) - Anyone who tees it up!
  20. GStuart

    GStuart
    Blackfoot, ID

    Military
    I love your added equipment section, and I'd have to agree with you on all but the hickory selection... my choice would be Harry Vardon.
  21. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    Ah, of course, Harry Vardon, yes, he was a great for sure!

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