Biggest gap between professional & enthusiast?
Discussion
What sport would you guys say has the biggest difference between professional and enthusiastic amateur?
My personal vote goes for top level cycling.
As aforementioned enthusiastic amateur it astounds me just how much speed those guys can carry day in, day out, not to mention their bike handling skills.
My personal vote goes for top level cycling.
As aforementioned enthusiastic amateur it astounds me just how much speed those guys can carry day in, day out, not to mention their bike handling skills.
My vote is Rowing.
At my fittest - when rowing - I was pulling 6:15 for 2k and weighed about 14 stone. This was training 5-6 times a week for a couple of hours at a time. My times were broadly equal to the published US training data for their lightweights (at the time - mid 90s) which has a weight cap of 11st 5 pounds.
For open class - which is what I rowed at - the likes of Pinsent and Redgrave were some 30 seconds quicker over 2k which is a massive amount over such a short distance.
At my fittest - when rowing - I was pulling 6:15 for 2k and weighed about 14 stone. This was training 5-6 times a week for a couple of hours at a time. My times were broadly equal to the published US training data for their lightweights (at the time - mid 90s) which has a weight cap of 11st 5 pounds.
For open class - which is what I rowed at - the likes of Pinsent and Redgrave were some 30 seconds quicker over 2k which is a massive amount over such a short distance.
I would say Golf is right up there...
There was a piece written a few years ago in Golf World about the global percentage handicap..
It said the average handicap of club golfers globally was 18 and that only 5% of ALL golfers who play will get to a single figure handicap, of that group, only 5% would ever get to handicap 5 or below. Then from that, 1% would get to a Scratch(zero) handicap..
The pro guys are Plus 4 or 5 Hcap generally before they even turn profesional. There might be quite a few of them globally, with all the different tours.. BUT, the ones we hear about on the TV are a very limited number of those professionals. More fail than make it to the big time.
Also the set-up dificulty and length of the courses compared to the ones general public play are very different.
There was a piece written a few years ago in Golf World about the global percentage handicap..
It said the average handicap of club golfers globally was 18 and that only 5% of ALL golfers who play will get to a single figure handicap, of that group, only 5% would ever get to handicap 5 or below. Then from that, 1% would get to a Scratch(zero) handicap..
The pro guys are Plus 4 or 5 Hcap generally before they even turn profesional. There might be quite a few of them globally, with all the different tours.. BUT, the ones we hear about on the TV are a very limited number of those professionals. More fail than make it to the big time.
Also the set-up dificulty and length of the courses compared to the ones general public play are very different.
bridgdav said:
I would say Golf is right up there...
There was a piece written a few years ago in Golf World about the global percentage handicap..
It said the average handicap of club golfers globally was 18 and that only 5% of ALL golfers who play will get to a single figure handicap, of that group, only 5% would ever get to handicap 5 or below. Then from that, 1% would get to a Scratch(zero) handicap..
The pro guys are Plus 4 or 5 Hcap generally before they even turn profesional. There might be quite a few of them globally, with all the different tours.. BUT, the ones we hear about on the TV are a very limited number of those professionals. More fail than make it to the big time.
Also the set-up dificulty and length of the courses compared to the ones general public play are very different.
I've played golf a grand total of twice in my life, second time was at a 'good' course in Ireland where I was invited to tag along and I have to say I didn't disgrace myself, several holes I shot on par and played (some) better than my vastly more experienced companion, of course I'm trying to say I'm some sort of prodigy There was a piece written a few years ago in Golf World about the global percentage handicap..
It said the average handicap of club golfers globally was 18 and that only 5% of ALL golfers who play will get to a single figure handicap, of that group, only 5% would ever get to handicap 5 or below. Then from that, 1% would get to a Scratch(zero) handicap..
The pro guys are Plus 4 or 5 Hcap generally before they even turn profesional. There might be quite a few of them globally, with all the different tours.. BUT, the ones we hear about on the TV are a very limited number of those professionals. More fail than make it to the big time.
Also the set-up dificulty and length of the courses compared to the ones general public play are very different.
but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.TheFungle said:
I've played golf a grand total of twice in my life, second time was at a 'good' course in Ireland where I was invited to tag along and I have to say I didn't disgrace myself, several holes I shot on par and played (some) better than my vastly more experienced companion, of course I'm trying to say I'm some sort of prodigy but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.
You've played twice in your life? What did you shoot? No chance a normal person could compete with the pros. but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.I'd agree with the suggestion of golf. It's how consistently close the pros can stick it next to the pin that amazes me. And that's on the hardest courses in the world. Tiger broke 80 by the age of 8, I still struggle to do that more than once in a while at 20.
FloppyRaccoon said:
TheFungle said:
I've played golf a grand total of twice in my life, second time was at a 'good' course in Ireland where I was invited to tag along and I have to say I didn't disgrace myself, several holes I shot on par and played (some) better than my vastly more experienced companion, of course I'm trying to say I'm some sort of prodigy but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.
You've played twice in your life? What did you shoot? No chance a normal person could compete with the pros. but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.I'd agree with the suggestion of golf. It's how consistently close the pros can stick it next to the pin that amazes me. And that's on the hardest courses in the world. Tiger broke 80 by the age of 8, I still struggle to do that more than once in a while at 20.
The point I was trying to make was that as an absolute beginner I could thrash my way round the course and still not be a million miles away from being close to a good score.
TheFungle said:
FloppyRaccoon said:
TheFungle said:
I've played golf a grand total of twice in my life, second time was at a 'good' course in Ireland where I was invited to tag along and I have to say I didn't disgrace myself, several holes I shot on par and played (some) better than my vastly more experienced companion, of course I'm trying to say I'm some sort of prodigy but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.
You've played twice in your life? What did you shoot? No chance a normal person could compete with the pros. but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.I'd agree with the suggestion of golf. It's how consistently close the pros can stick it next to the pin that amazes me. And that's on the hardest courses in the world. Tiger broke 80 by the age of 8, I still struggle to do that more than once in a while at 20.
The point I was trying to make was that as an absolute beginner I could thrash my way round the course and still not be a million miles away from being close to a good score.
Even 10 shots is a lot in golf terms, I don't think someone playing for their second time ever would be within 30 shots of a pro.
Bing o said:
TheFungle said:
no idea
The point I was trying to make was that as an absolute beginner I could thrash my way round the course and still not be a million miles away from being close to a good score.
BullsThe point I was trying to make was that as an absolute beginner I could thrash my way round the course and still not be a million miles away from being close to a good score.
tI'd say that for a given round of golf an amateur could score the same as a pro, could he do it over and over? Highly unlikely.
Snooker. it never fails to amaze me how accurate the pros are, when they make it a mistake everyone is surprised.
but its the same as that argument a few weeks ago, there are probably millions of people who have the hand/eye coordination to be brilliant snooker players but have never stood at a table.
but its the same as that argument a few weeks ago, there are probably millions of people who have the hand/eye coordination to be brilliant snooker players but have never stood at a table.
golf - I have friends who play off scratch, on a good day I'm sure they could be pretty close
cricket? - pretty massive difference between a casual Sunday bowler and the county pros
athletics? - not sure anyone can rock up and run sub 10 seconds without alot of training etc. mid 11's possible for other athletes I.e rugby players but athletics not really a sport you do on the odd weekend for fun!
I'm sure we could go on and on
cricket? - pretty massive difference between a casual Sunday bowler and the county pros
athletics? - not sure anyone can rock up and run sub 10 seconds without alot of training etc. mid 11's possible for other athletes I.e rugby players but athletics not really a sport you do on the odd weekend for fun!
I'm sure we could go on and on
nick s said:
TheFungle said:
Did I say I could hit a 10 under par on the toughest course in the world? No, I don't believe I did.
I'd say that for a given round of golf an amateur could score the same as a pro, could he do it over and over? Highly unlikely.
This has to be a wind up?I'd say that for a given round of golf an amateur could score the same as a pro, could he do it over and over? Highly unlikely.
Sometimes they seem to do reasonably well. Of course, they're excellent golfers, but still amateurs nontheless...
I'd say football. Anyone can kick a ball around, but to do it for 90 minutes whilst worrying about all the money in your bank account and high on Coke - THAT takes some doing...
M.
rhinochopig said:
My vote is Rowing.
At my fittest - when rowing - I was pulling 6:15 for 2k and weighed about 14 stone. This was training 5-6 times a week for a couple of hours at a time. My times were broadly equal to the published US training data for their lightweights (at the time - mid 90s) which has a weight cap of 11st 5 pounds.
For open class - which is what I rowed at - the likes of Pinsent and Redgrave were some 30 seconds quicker over 2k which is a massive amount over such a short distance.
Not wanting to sound like a tit at all, but how exactly does that transcend to being amateur? At the end of the day all professionals would have been enthusiasts at some point before becoming a professional, only they would be above average in their ability, hence many/most of them becoming professionals in that discipline. But chances are they'd have been almost as good even when not a professional.At my fittest - when rowing - I was pulling 6:15 for 2k and weighed about 14 stone. This was training 5-6 times a week for a couple of hours at a time. My times were broadly equal to the published US training data for their lightweights (at the time - mid 90s) which has a weight cap of 11st 5 pounds.
For open class - which is what I rowed at - the likes of Pinsent and Redgrave were some 30 seconds quicker over 2k which is a massive amount over such a short distance.
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