You should’ able to pull names out of a hat, Wyndham Clark is told.
After all, if you’ve made it through four-man teams for golf events, the gap in average world ranking between teams is eye-opening. Finally, the Presidents of the Month Cup 35.7 (US 15.1 and International 50.8). Last year the Ryder Cup, 12.5 (US 11.1 and Europe 23.6). For the 2024 Presidents Cup, 22.4 (US 11.9 and International 34.3). In 2023 Ryder Cup, 17.1 (US 12.9 and Europe 30). All these things should’ they mean America should’ rolling alternate shots to play.
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by no means to be Even if you’re a casual observer, you know the guide: Across those same four events, the US is an astounding 8-26 in foursomes. So, no, hat art probably won’t work. But what does it give? Is it established there? Clark saw everything up close. He played in three of those events (the 2023 Ryder Cup and the past two Presidents’ Cups) – and is 0-3 in foursomes.
But not without some thought. On a recent episode of Siri XM’s Gravy & Sleeze show, this year’s US Open winner said one solution may lie in what the players share.
“I think sometimes I pass the ball,” he said.
How?
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“We didn’t have any guys playing because their golf ball speed difference was about 800 to 1,000 RPMs,” Clark said on the show. “And when you get a firm course. I mean, some guys were struggling to hold the green because they’re playing a lower ball spin or vice versa.”
Who did that happen, though?
“I think we feel like we’ve probably taken the approach of what Europeans are doing together as friends,” Clark said on the show. “And you think it’s going to be the best. I mean, we’ve been there and we don’t need it.
“That’s how someone talks to JT. [Justin Thomas] or any of the other guys, maybe we need to match the golf ball better. Take Colin [Morikawa] and I have a very similar golf ball and he wants my golf ball. So that’s a good matchup. For us, I know that we lost certain parts, but we played really good golf. And then [Patrick] Cantlay and I play the same golf ball. There are maybe two guys to play with and maybe you haven’t traditionally played with these guys. And then Scottie [Scheffler] He has a lower spinning ball, so Scottie must play with a lower golf ball. So it’s a small thing.”
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On the show, Clark also said Americans should practice shooting more.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I would love it if we just went out in practice and just alternated shots and didn’t even hit other shots,” he said. “I think there’s something to not hitting the shots, the rhythm of it. Say, feeling like you’re not going to hit four holes, and then hit a 15-footer, or not hit the 10th hole. But I think there’s something to that.
“So I think the combination of training and soccer is probably the most important thing that if we combine, I think we will have success.”
The US plays in the next team event next September at the Ryder Cup.
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Editor’s note: To listen to Clark’s entire story, which requires a subscription, click here here.
After the Americans shot alternate fights? Wyndham Clark first appeared in Golf.