by Chris
I am an English fan who was at Valhalla and couldn't disagree more.
The vast majority of fans at the tournament both European and American behaved with huge respect for the golfers. Any incidents that did occur were very small and heavily frowned upon.
It is interesting to note that Westwood semi-retracted his comments a week later.
The only un-savoury incident during the whole week was Azinger at the pep rally where he incited the fans to cheer when the Europeans missed a putt - poor show by Azinger.
Overall the Ryder Cup had a feel of a celebration of golf where the better team who played the better golf one (although that hurts me to say!)

by chris haas
This does not happen at the Masters because the people running the tournament do not allow it. The same could be true if PGA/USGA clamped down on the "yahoo" factor. Isn't it the par 3 16 at Phoenix that each year has the drunken crowd yelling at the players? The commentary in the main from the TV crew is one of benign approval. There was approval from Azinger concerning the conduct of Anthony Kim who to my mind should have been slapped down. Manners and civility should be taught by parents and endorsed in school but here again in both instances one has a considerable lack of restraint. Society in general reflects the mores of the times and the popularity of such garbage like world wrestling,ultimate fighting & rap "music" shows that mind set. There was a movie, whose title escapes me but one of the lines was "follow the money". That is why this type of behaviour is allowed in that it makes MONEY.

by Tom B
I love golf because it is a game where the professionals still self administer penalties. It is a game of integrity where skill in shot making is the determining factor, not whether the fans goad the opponent into missing a putt by waiving large noodles in distraction. The circus the NBA has become has made it unwatchable in my opinion. It is my hope that golf refrains from stooping to the lowest common denominator. I love watching good golf, regardless of where that golfer comes from.

by David Smith
Sadly, this ship has sailed, and it is as much the fault of the custodians of the game as it is the spectators/media at a tournament like the ryder Cup.
Golf used to be played by gentlemen (& ladies) in private clubs and players were taught golf etiquette by their pro and/or peers. Now golf is played by many people who have not had the opportunity to have that guidance, or simply reject it. The result - yelling on greens and tees even when close to others who are playing. Not raking sandtraps or replacing divots. Throwing clubs and taking 5 hours to play (which usually includes drinking lots of beer). It is no longer a gentlemans sport, lets hope it can be saved from becoming an outdoor version of WWF.

by Graham Taylor
It would be lamentable if, as Lee Westwood believes, the sporting nature of golf (as a player or as a spectator) has gone. But I'm not sure it has. Nevertheless, it is at risk and we should do all we can to ensure that standards are maintained. I will be in Wales for Ryder Cup 2010 and for one will ensure that the US team is treated with respect - their good shots applauded and their bad shots greeted in respectful silence. The best team won at Valhalla - you play better and you win. That's the game. So well done USA and roll on 2010.