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PEDs & Tour Golf

chattab0x said:
I'm sure its used on tour, PEDs aren't just steroids.

I'm always conflicted over this question in sports. I think PEDs should be banned when everyone HAS to use them to be able to compete and choice is taken out of the equation due to lack of competitivness without them.

Specifically for golf and, more specifically, steroids I think the game is so technical that unless courses start to make the courses longer because people are hitting the ball to far (hence everyone needs to juice up to compete) it doesn't REALLY put peolpe at to much of a disadvantage. You still need to be able to execute your short game to be successful. There are big hitters everywhere in the world that are crap at golf because of the techincal aspect of golf. Now in regards to other PEDs,like stimulants, if they are effecting health they need to be banned.
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Agree here. I don't think it's the PEDs we've had to hear about constantly the last decade. With that said, I think the percentage is small <5%
 
for the money they are making or potential to make I have zero doubt there is.

I would guess the PEDs used are recovery and stamina driven not strength/size based.

The rigors of practicing hrs a day and playing multiple times a week plus working out takes it toll on the body. Being able to recover faster or practice longer is a huge advantage.
 
I have no doubt there are players using illegal substances, though I have my doubts as to whether or not they are really "performance enhancing".


JB said:
I dont disagree, but go back to what I said earlier. As fans we view the core of the game. As a profession and with literally life changing money at stake, its hard to view it the same as a purest.

I personally think its naive to think that players are not using it. In fact on all the tours, my opinion is that while it might not be a larger number than people would suspect, I have a feeling names would surprise people.
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I'd be shocked if there weren't some golfers using PED's. I'm not going to speculate on the number or who I think is using them, but there is no doubt in my mind that there is usage.
 
Gotta believe that there are a few guys at least that are taking PEDs.
 
I don't think it's as much preformance based in Golf. You don't have to be huge to pound a drive...and you don't always have to pound drives to win. The tour pros using it are doing it to recover from injury faster. A LOT faster, big injuries, small ones... If you don't have to play hurt, you play a lot better...and a lot more.
 
JB said:
I personally think its naive to think that players are not using it. In fact on all the tours, my opinion is that while it might not be a larger number than people would suspect, I have a feeling names would surprise people.
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I agree with you here 100%. I think when people hear PEDs they immediately think of steroids. Golf is such a mentally exhausting game, and to have to perform every single week with that type of pressure would wear on anyone. Did one guy maybe drink too much caffeine to be alert for his morning tee time after having a late tee time the day before? Did someone else take some ADHD medicine to hone in his focus because his head just wasn't in it on the first day?

Obviously these are wild hypotheticals with no substance behind them but things happen. It also doesn't mean these things happen regularly, but does just doing it a few times make it more right?
 
I sincerely question the value of PED's to a golf on the course. Yes, you might end up driving the ball a bit further...but if I know anything, technique has so much more influence over distance than size or strength. Not to mention the need for precision and putting...which i can't see any value gained from PED's. Where it's probably used mostly is in the rehabilitation of injury. And frank, from that standpoint in any sport, i have zero issue with it. If an athlete want to make that choice, and possibly risk their future health for the present...i respect the decision. So to answer the original question...i would hazard that they're using them as much as any athlete in any sport that rewards money for performance...though i personally think the impact to the actual on course product is virtually nil.
 
Martsy said:
I sincerely question the value of PED's to a golf on the course. Yes, you might end up driving the ball a bit further...but if I know anything, technique has so much more influence over distance than size or strength. Not to mention the need for precision and putting...which i can't see any value gained from PED's.
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I obviously agree with you in my past posts but I do think taking stimulants that gives you enhanced focus, energy, etc. is more of the problem. This WOULD aid in the technical aspects of the game.
 
Erky said:
I have no doubt there are players using illegal substances, though I have my doubts as to whether or not they are really "performance enhancing".
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Martsy said:
I sincerely question the value of PED's to a golf on the course. Yes, you might end up driving the ball a bit further...but if I know anything, technique has so much more influence over distance than size or strength. Not to mention the need for precision and putting...which i can't see any value gained from PED's. Where it's probably used mostly is in the rehabilitation of injury. And frank, from that standpoint in any sport, i have zero issue with it. If an athlete want to make that choice, and possibly risk their future health for the present...i respect the decision. So to answer the original question...i would hazard that they're using them as much as any athlete in any sport that rewards money for performance...though i personally think the impact to the actual on course product is virtually nil.
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I think people underestimate the grind of playing professionally and the recovery that could be aided. Whether or not the risk is worth it, is not for me to say, but I am not naive to think some of these players would not go to any length to shorten recovery time.

I mean top athletes have gone through procedures such as blood spinning (legal) for a chance at aid.
 
JB said:
I think people underestimate the grind of playing professionally and the recovery that could be aided. Whether or not the risk is worth it, is not for me to say, but I am not naive to think some of these players would not go to any length to shorten recovery time.

I mean top athletes have gone through procedures such as blood spinning (legal) for a chance at aid.
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If I wasn't clear...i think that's the #1 reason to use it. I said to recover from injury, but really from any grind, fatigue, etc. I have no doubt it's rampant in any sport that pays for performance.
 
I would have to say yes, and maybe more so on the web.com tour. For the extra edge to make it. I could be wrong but my view.


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Miller Time said:
I thought this was interesting as well. And yes, I'm pretty sure it's out there.
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IOC testing is very strigint so they will find any issues if any of the top golfers are using but will not stop fringe players
 
It's pro sports someone will be looking for an edge. I don't think it's a large amount of golfers using but I'm sure there is a small pocket using.
 
JB said:
I think people underestimate the grind of playing professionally and the recovery that could be aided. Whether or not the risk is worth it, is not for me to say, but I am not naive to think some of these players would not go to any length to shorten recovery time.

I mean top athletes have gone through procedures such as blood spinning (legal) for a chance at aid.
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This is where things like HGH come in help recover quicker from injury
 
PED's being used, yes...being Abused, No.

not to open a can of worms but I have heard some "older" people say, even the use of these energy drinks such as Red Bull, 5 hour energy, Monster, etc. should be considered Performance enhancing, because it gives you energy or stamina that you would not normally have.
 
Having played college golf and knowing just how much the toll of everyday practice takes on you and knowing that these guys put in even more effort than that I can not think of a reason why some wouldnt try it.

When it is your profession then many might think the benefits far outweigh the possible sanctions. I think technology has gotten to the point where PED's wont help as much from a performance stand point but to enable quicker healing and recovery times I can see why they might consider
 
My guess would be that some are using HGH, but as far as Anabolic use it is pretty small unless use consider legitimate (Dr prescribed for low T) TRT as a PED
 
All sports have cheaters that will take banned substances to get back from injury sooner, pretty sure golf is no exception. As for performance, there has to be a few. Not to say for sure but I've heard from several sources that Tiger is too big for his body type. Don't know anyone for sure, but the same as other sports, if you are cheating you're taking up someones spot who isn't there on just hard work. Scum!
Just cuse someones a superstar in their sport doesn't mean that later in their career they won't take them ala Barry Bonds (also scum).
 
I think performance enhancers like Viagra and Cialis are more prevalent on the champions tour.

But I would be blind to say that HGH or some other steroid isn't on the PGA tour. But until I hear proof of such, I will continue to skip watching tournaments because of the pace of play.
 
i guess Chesson Hadley gets a pass on PED testing
 
I think we would all be stupid to assume it's not there at all, but wouldn't call it a problem to the extent we see in other major sports.
 
blugold said:
I think performance enhancers like Viagra and Cialis are more prevalent on the champions tour.

But I would be blind to say that HGH or some other steroid isn't on the PGA tour. But until I hear proof of such, I will continue to skip watching tournaments because of the pace of play.
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You read my mind, PGA should focus on SLOW PLAY!!!!
 
SHIFTY said:
All sports have cheaters that will take banned substances to get back from injury sooner, pretty sure golf is no exception. As for performance, there has to be a few. Not to say for sure but I've heard from several sources that Tiger is too big for his body type. Don't know anyone for sure, but the same as other sports, if you are cheating you're taking up someones spot who isn't there on just hard work. Scum!
Just cuse someones a superstar in their sport doesn't mean that later in their career they won't take them ala Barry Bonds (also scum).
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You could make a pretty good argument that Tiger was a better player when he was lean and lanky.
 
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