Spieth on St. Andrews simulation: Nothing beats the real thing
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Technology is an incredible thing, but reality is the real deal. Or so says Jordan Spieth, sort of.
You probably have read or heard about the full golf simulator Spieth has in his Dallas home. So, knowing where the 144th British Open would be played, it made sense, right? "Why not play the Old Course?" he said.
But to those who have suggested that Spieth chose to prep for this major championship via the simulator rather than come over early, he laughs.
"I'm in no way saying that that's what I did to prepare for this Open," Spieth said, chuckling. "The course was a lot easier with 68 degrees and no breeze coming out of the air conditioner in that room."
What Spieth got out of it was a sense of what the tee shots might look like, because "it's so realistic, you can see kind of the start lines where you need to hit it."
But his decision to play the John Deere Classic and come over on the charter was based on a desire to feel the heat of competition. He's not suggesting he was right and his critics are wrong, but Spieth stayed faithful to his blueprint and is glad that he did get into contention at the Deere, ultimately winning in a playoff. Again, though, he knows there is a legitimate flip side.
"I think coming over earlier certaily could have helped," he said. "Certainly, more time on this golf course couldn't ever hurt anybody."
As for the simulator, as real as it might seen, "it's still not the same as being here and preparing," Spieth said.
More from Golfweek:
R&A's Dawson defends inclusion of Old Course
At 57, Langer looks to crash Open party
Spieth rejects Tiger talk, embraces Grand Slam chase
