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Wind Fairness

• PTrenter 437 Posts

  Mon, Jun 9 2014 8:25 AM

  Now I'm not going to moan about unrealistic wind directions not replicating RL hole by hole, in fact I think that that randomness is a must to stop people restarting rounds until they get the best direction and speed.

  What I would like to see, and what would make the things fairer, is the same 'random' wind speeds/directions throughout the course for all players in the same competition.  

  Having the right wind can make or break some holes.  At the moment the playing field isn't as level as perhaps it should be.

• JimbeauC 5,835 Posts

  Thu, Jun 12 2014 1:42 PM

  PTrenter:

  the same 'random' wind speeds/directions throughout the course for all players

  Of course, you are absolutely correct. 

  Takes me back. I made a very similar post years ago. I was told that it was actually more fair, because what's to keep people from telling their friends the wind conditions. 

  I didn't even respond to that at the time. 

  Sheesh. When I arrive at the course, I can generally figure out which way the wind is blowing and am reasonably sure that everyone else will experience very nearly the same conditions. 

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Thu, Jun 12 2014 1:55 PM

  JimbeauC:

  I can generally figure out which way the wind is blowing and am reasonably sure that everyone else will experience very nearly the same conditions. 

  But they don't and that's his point.

• chrisironsbones 3,524 Posts

  Thu, Jun 12 2014 2:07 PM

  The 3 of us play a St Andrews front 9 ready go, i have tailwind on #5 and #9 whilst the 2 of you get strong headwind.  Although supposedly random winds but these conditions have given me a better chance to score eagles than you 2, There is no chance you can eagle 5 or 9 with headwind.  I know its meant to even things out, so you 2 will get "favorable" winds compared to my tougher winds next time we enter perhaps, but although random for all, the wind will ALWAYS give certain players who enter a better chance of scoring well.  I might get a straight 20 tailwind which is easier to judge compared to your diagonal 20 mph wind which is tougher.  This is what makes some one score 55 and some one else scoring 60.  if winds were constant scores would be pretty even.  Its not really fair though for example say we were playing the US open, i get 12 o'clock tailwind on EVERY hole compared to some one else getting diagonal winds, i would have a better chance to win the big prize, so WGT's winds can play a major part in a tournament whether it be big prize or normal ready go.  (ready go's do tend to even things out, but US Open would be won by player who gets "favorable winds", so its basically who gets the "lucky ticket")

• CerinoDevoti 3,232 Posts

  Thu, Jun 12 2014 6:16 PM

  PTrenter:

  Now I'm not going to moan about unrealistic wind directions not replicating RL hole by hole, in fact I think that that randomness is a must to stop people restarting rounds until they get the best direction and speed.

  What I would like to see, and what would make the things fairer, is the same 'random' wind speeds/directions throughout the course for all players in the same competition.  

  Having the right wind can make or break some holes.  At the moment the playing field isn't as level as perhaps it should be.

  But wouldn't that lead back to being able to tell other players the wind direction by hole?

• PTrenter 437 Posts

  Fri, Jun 13 2014 1:42 AM

  CerinoDevoti:

  But wouldn't that lead back to being able to tell other players the wind direction by hole?

  Yes, if they were so inclined to do so.  It would still make things more equitable than they are in the current setup.  

  You could even argue that we shouldn't head towards each tee 'blinded' from the wind direction but I guess at the moment the randomness takes effect hole by hole.

   

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Fri, Jun 13 2014 5:56 AM

  PTrenter:

  Yes, if they were so inclined to do so.  It would still make things more equitable than they are in the current setup.

  Compare this to what's going on right now at the real Open at PH. Much discussion about the difference in playing in the morning vs playing in the afternoon after the course has dried out from whatever watering they did overnight. The conditions change so they're not really the same for all. No difference in the wind scenario, sometimes the luck of the draw plays.  :-)

• hpurey 11,505 Posts

  Fri, Jun 13 2014 10:30 AM

  YankeeJim:

  Compare this to what's going on right now at the real Open at PH. Much discussion about the difference in playing in the morning vs playing in the afternoon after the course has dried out from whatever watering they did overnight. The conditions change so they're not really the same for all. No difference in the wind scenario, sometimes the luck of the draw plays.  :-)

   

  I seem to let this thought slip my mind after a while.  But it really does help justify the randomness of the winds here at WGT,  well for me anyways.

• Jimbog1964 8,378 Posts

  Fri, Jun 13 2014 10:38 AM

  hpurey:

  But it really does help justify the randomness of the winds here at WGT,  well for me anyways.

  Disagree with that personally,  Not the justification for me.

  Qualify say at PH, and go out in your group.

  Now imaging that first par 5.  First leader plays it with a 6MPH wind TW, but the second leader 3 seconds later tees off into an 8MPH HW.  Huge difference just there.  

  Play a high wind Par 5 RG here, and the winds swap all over the show making a mockery of it IMO.  Shame as I like Par 5s, but that way I stay well clear of those usually.

  WGT wind randomness is way short of where it should be at, for me:)

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Fri, Jun 13 2014 12:23 PM

  Jimbog1964:

  Now imaging that first par 5.  First leader plays it with a 6MPH wind TW, but the second leader 3 seconds later tees off into an 8MPH HW.  Huge difference just there.

  Analogy fails, Jim. For starters, they're all playing at the same time in the same group. Same way here-all play the same wind. Whether or not it gusts fairly is another thought.

  RGs are tough to use as examples IMO because they're a different animal. There's money on the line there and I suspect a whole different set of parameters to keep it under control. CIB will attest to that.