| 0 |
Subject: GuruGolf - strategy
Posted by: StLCards
- Leader [31010716] Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 15:07
The pre-season is winding down and the regular season is about to begin. What better time to talk strategy! The regular season opens with a very tough contest in the US Open. These courses are typically set long, narrow, tall rough, tough pin placements, and fast greens, which all of course lead to some pretty tough scoring conditions.
I think it would be informative to kick around some ideas as to possible strategies to employ to get off to a succesful start in this game.
Hope everyone has a great year. I'm sure there are some relative newbies playing fantasy golf for the first time, or possibly some that don't even play golf at all (you there Richard?). One thing to know about the golf forum, at least in past days, is that we are all more than willing to help out our fellow gurupies the best we can, so if you have questions of any kind, just ask! |
| 1 | smallwhirled
ID: 17558917
Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 15:18
|
I just realized that the US Open was comign up, so this week's Buick is my first and only practice shot. It's kinda tough getting a full roster with only 4 mil, that's for sure.
As for strategy: I'm probably going to lean more towards underpriced veterans and hope they can do well to build some roster value. I think I'll go a couple of weeks without the big guns to gain some RV. Although, the majors are where the cream of the crop rises, so maybe I'll try to fit in a stud for this week, then go for more of a roster with potential gainers next week.
|
| 2 | StLCards
Leader
ID: 31010716
Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 15:21
|
Going in to the pre-season I tried an approach of choosing some younger players that had some recent success, were supposed to play a few tournaments in a row, and had decent birdies per round and eagles per round totals. My thinking was that if these guys made the cut they would reward me handsomely with early money that would afford me better players later. Unfortunately that strategy, at least with the guys I chose, led to some poor scores and a few missed cuts.
Now I am thinking that scoring success in itself will be enough reward money wise. For a tournament like the Open, not too many players will have committed to playing the following week. This presents an interesting problem. You can take a cheaper player that might choke under the intense pressure and save possibly save a trade next week, or you can take a more established player and use the trade next week. With the option now of spending $$ for trades, that might be a feasible approach to take.
While total birds/eagles plays in to money making, the best ball scenario seems to still dictate that you have some good par3 shooters as well as the par5 studs. Having 4 guys that shoot lights out on all par5's might get lots of total birds/eagles but might not ham 'n egg it too well together. Long drives and good putting don't necessarily go well together either.
I'm thinking to start the tournament I'll use all available money to buy one stud that can hit both par3's and par5s, one average long ball hitter, and one control type shooter, both being established type guys. For that last spot I'll try to take a flyer on some unederdog with a commitment for next week. It seems some of the European players are typically underrated and I might go with a few of them as well.
I'm sure there are some other considerations but need to keep pondering over potential lineups soon.
|
| 3 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 15:48
|
I haven't been able to find out much on early commits for the Booz Allen Classic, which is the week after the US Open. Here is a short list from a Seattle newspaper, of all places: No one on the current top 10 money list has committed to play this year. The marquee names so far include Corey Pavin, Justin Leonard, Lee Janzen, Rich Beem and defending champion Rory Sabbatini.
|
| 4 | StLCards
Leader
ID: 31010716
Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 16:01
|
Here is the official Booz Allen Classic site link
It lists two amateurs turning pro, Bill Haas and Matt Hendriz, both accepting a sponsors exemption.
and also says:
Five of the PGA TOUR's hottest players, ZACH JOHNSON, JONATHAN KAYE, ADAM SCOTT, JOEY SINDELAR and HEATH SLOCUM - each of whom has captured a TOUR event this season - are expected to play the 2004 Booz Allen Classic June 21-27 at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Avenel in Potomac, MD
|
| 5 | StLCards
Leader
ID: 31010716
Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 16:12
|
I would imagine some big names will show up for this one as the first place check this year is for $864,000 which is pretty good. This tournament used to be called the Kemper if anyone is looking for historical info on it.
|
| 6 | Rex Davidson
ID: 37492717
Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 17:48
|
Normally I look over the results of the year before and see if any of last year's top 30 are hot right now and entered in the current tourney. Success in one year usually (but not always) means a player will return the next.
One wrinkle, however, is the schedule. The BoozAllen is a good example. Last year, as the FBR Capital Open, it was the week before the US Open. In 2002, as the Kemper Open it was 2 weeks prior. This year it is the week after. Many of the "A" list golfers who entered in 2003 did it as a warmup for the Open. Davis Love is in the Buick Classic this year but wasn't last year when it was the week after the US Open. In fact, DL3 didn't play again until The Open Championship. He finished T7 in the FBR in '03 but will likely skip it this year.
As to the best bet for the US Open, one thing to consider is the course. Shinnecock Hills isn't that long (6,996 yds., par 70) but it's as close a true links course as there is in the US. Also, the "experts" expect it to be very windy much of the time. One might expect guys who rate highly on overall driving or GIR to do well. The course and the weather may also favour Euro pros. Nick Faldo qualified at Lake Nona G&CC in Orlando on Tuesday. Maybe that makes him a bit of a sleeper pick!
It would be interesting to hear everyone's selection process and maybe a guess at a final champion, after our picks are locked in. Any takers?
|
|
|
|
Post a reply to this message: (But first, how about checking out this sponsor?)
|
|