Is the Tour on Board?

After enduring the expected moaning from Blue Blazer over my characterization of the Jim Vernon speech, Blazer and another USGA observer wondered why more attention was not paid to the potential political significance (or lack of) with this graph:

I also want to acknowledge the support shown by Tim Finchem and the PGA Tour.  They repeatedly have acknowledged that the USGA and the R&A are the appropriate rule-making bodies for regulating golf equipment.  They have publicly supported our research efforts, particularly our ball project—and have recognized that it is only through that research that we can define what options are available to regulate club and ball performance and can make educated assessments of the effects of those options. And they have given us full access to the data generated by their new ShotLink System for every shot at every tour event. As a result, we have a far clearer picture of how the game is being played by the best players.  Actual data has replaced speculation and opinion because of ShotLink.

I will use this moment to register my usual complaint about the USGA touting ShotLink but not using it at the U.S. Open. Okay, moving right along...

Blue Blazer pointed out that the USGA in all likelihood went public on this new and somewhat bold stance  with the PGA Tour's blessing.

After all, the two organizations may have no choice but to join at the hip should a manufacturer decide to file a lawsuit over equipment regulation.

So if a manufacturer decides to sue, here's how the Tour may become a co-defendant: if there is a rule change and the Tour just says "we play by USGA rules," the suing plaintiff may point out the Tour once banned U grooves on its own and suggest that the Tour could do whatever they want.

Keeping in mind the recent mention of PGA Tour-USGA meetings by David Fay (while being asked about private jet travel), there appears to be a coordinated defense of some kind. If they could include the Hootie and the hapless R&A, their position could be very strong.

Something else that the the Vernon speech may signal: the Executive Committee contingent clinging to the hope that the problems would go away, may now be in the minority.  

Pebble Here We Come!

Thanks to everyone for the email alerts about Walter Driver and Fred Ridley joining the same old has-beens in the AT&T Pro-Am field. (Who is Thomas Gibson anyway!?)

For those thinking that the new president of North America's governing golf body might have cashed in a few USGA hours on the Citation, I must say I'm shocked that you would assume that playing 6 hour rounds with some of America's most needy important people is somehow not USGA business?

If that kind of bonding wasn't enough for you, do remember that Pebble Beach is the 2010 U.S. Open site. It is a largely unproven venue that surely requires architectural upgrading. And who better to have there than experienced meddlers like Driver and Ridley?

And don't forget that they need to inspect Cypress Point for the "Closed Open" golf event that the Executive Committee will host for itself during 2010 U.S. Open week.

So I'd say such a trip to the AT&T qualifies under the line in the USGA's jet use policy: "Private aircraft may be used only in connection with travel reasonable and necessary for the furtherance of the business or affairs of the USGA."

That said, Driver is now a man of the people after risking bodily harm upon stepping down from the Grand Hyatt to talk to the octogenarians and assorted worshippers assembled for his initial speech. So I'm sure he'll be flying commercial the next year to mingle with his constituents.

But just to put all of you cynics at ease, I'll contact the USGA's Marty Parkes, who I'm sure will be happy to confirm that everything is on the...oh wait, that's right, the jet trips are privileged...information.

Nugent: Tiger Could Play In the NFL

If you are a Golfweek subscriber, you may have noticed that publisher Jim Nugent has written several columns on the distance issue. Perhaps none of his writers will take his anti-USGA/anti-common sense regulation stance, or times are tough and his staff is spread thin. 

Either way, he has made the unusual move of stepping away from his role as Publisher to write a series of op-ed pieces. And the resulting work would be funny if it weren't actually damaging the credibility of his otherwise fine publication. He writes in an online exclusive:

There is little debate that the ball travels farther today on Tour than it did when Nicklaus and Palmer ruled the fairways. But myriad factors have caused this to occur.

Jack and Arnie were never mistaken for NFL linebackers; Tiger Woods and some of his contemporaries could start for a lot of pro football teams, such is their athletic prowess.

What, as place-kickers? On semi-pro teams?

Yes, this is definitely the better athletes argument gone farther awry then ever before! 

The rest of the piece goes on to talk about how there is no evidence that the game has suffered, the golfers will never stand for it, etc., etc., etc...

Distance Astounds Couples

From The Australian:

"It's amazing to me," said Couples, who is in Australia for the first time since 1997 to compete in this week's Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth. "I played with Adam Scott in Florida in the off-season and we were talking about a couple of things. He's got another gear when he drives it a long way and a couple of times I got it up with him or past him and we were laughing about it because I'm twice his age.

"But I saw this kid (Holmes) at Tour school and I physically saw him hitting some balls in Phoenix and it's hard to believe.       

"You know, to sit here and try to explain it - well, how far does he outdrive you? Fifty yards. Fifty yards. I don't know if I've even ever semi-missed a drive and then been outdriven by 50 yards. And this guy is going to do it most of the day.

"And there's another guy Bubba Watson, who hits it further than him. I can't quite figure out how to hit it that far. To me it's just goofy. He hits a three-wood 280-290 yards and a seven-iron 210. I have no idea. It just doesn't make sense. I hit a seven-iron maybe 155 and sometimes up to 170."

19th Hole Golf Show

Yours truly appeared on The 19th Hole Golf Show with Ryan Ballengee yesterday. Here's a link.

Whitten On Poppy Hills

Ron Whitten defends Poppy Hills, and explains many of the changes that the quirky touches out of RTJ Jr.'s original design.

USGA: There's Life in the Old Bear Yet

I can already hear the moaning from reader Blue Blazer for that headine. Yes, one of my favorite USGA insiders wasn't wild about the USGA annual meeting address by Jim Vernon.

Chair of the Equipment Standards Committee, Vernon's address is now online for all to read. And it is a must.

If you have any interest in the equipment issue or the way the game is played, it's a landmark moment for the current USGA regime.

Blue Blazer doesn't understand my enthusiam and wonders why the USGA is now stating that there have been drastic changes since the issuing of the Joint Statement of Principles, and yet, they need more study to address the issues. Fair point.

However I, being the never-jaded, always-positive blogger, will try to show him why this speech is significant. Vernon says...

The underlying philosophy is to set forth outlined in detail in the Joint Statement of Principles adopted by the USGA and the R&A in 2002.  In short, we are to remain vigilant to ensure that improvements in technology do not diminish the skill necessary to play the game.

I know you've heard this before. But there were concerns that they were going to be re-defining the Joint Statement at this meeting. Not so. 

Last April, we asked the ball manufacturers to participate in the project by developing and submitting to us reduced distance golf balls that would comply with an ODS of either 15 yards or 25 yards shorter than the current standard. All the major manufacturers agreed to participate.  Currently, we have received two sets of such balls.  We expect to receive at least seven more sets of balls within the next two months. We understand that creating new balls with playing characteristics that will be acceptable to today’s golfers takes time and we appreciate the thorough job ball manufacturers are doing in support of our research.

Okay, I agree with Blue Blazer that this was kind to the manufacturers, especially since one of them managed to produce a ball and distribute it with sarcastic stampings.

Distance And The de-skilling Of The Game

Yes, that was the title of the third and most important section of Vernon's address. Sure, he buried the lead, but the USGA is not in the business of publishing. Well, not really. 

We know that the way the way the game is being played by accomplished players has changed dramatically in recent years.

This is a major, major moment for the USGA.

Remember, until this point, there has not been such a clear and concise acknowledgement that the distance increases were anything but good old fashioned progress. In fact, the USGA has shrugged off nearly all criticism or observation that drastic changes have taken place.

All the research I have described has given us a much better idea what has made that change possible. It is not just that driving distances have increased among elite players. What I am suggesting is that we need to re-frame the discussion of how the game is being changed.  

Average driving distance on the PGA Tour continues to increase, but the increases have leveled off the last two years — 1.0 yard in 2004 and 1.6 yards in 2005.  At the same time, there has been a clear increase in the number of Tour pros who average more than 300 yards.

Blue Blazer was disappointed that Vernon ignored the "significant" distance increase since 2002 when the Joint Statement was issued (and the line was supposedly drawn). But the optimist in me didn't care because I was absolutely floored by the next statement.

We know from the ShotLink data provided by the PGA Tour that driving accuracy has ceased to be a factor in predicting success on the PGA Tour.

Ceased to be a factor. Shoot, even I haven't gone that far in even my most melodramatic rants on flogging.

We know from other data that Tour pros are swinging their drivers and faster, and that the larger, higher MOI drivers allow them to hit the ball farther even when they strike the ball well off the center of the clubface.

We know that the groove configurations and surface treatments on modern irons, when accomplished players hit their drives into the rough, they can generate more spin out of the rough, allowing them to hit more greens when they have missed the fairway.  The same spin generation features of today’s iron clubfaces increase accomplished players’ probability of recovering when they miss the green.

Again, major admissions, strong language. "We know."  Blue Blazer may be right to say, "if you know these compromises to skill have occurred, then do something about it."

But hey, this is a big step forward. No, it's a leap.

Our task this year is to continue to evaluate all these factors and to determine whether new regulations would be appropriate to require the elite players in particular to regain some of the skills that were more important in the past. The task is complicated, or course, by what I said at the beginning of my remarks -- we regulate equipment for all golfers of all skill levels, not just PGA Tour pros.

The Equipment Standards Committee has set an aggressive agenda for 2006, and we believe it accurately reflects the state of the industry and the game. Underlying all our efforts will be the philosophy set forth in the Statement of Principles: we will remain vigilant to assure that technology does not diminish the skill necessary to play the game.

 Let the skill debate begin!

Ridley Given PGA Distinguished Service Award

Fred Ridley, whose wallet is a shade lighter without the Citation Vector JetCard that helped him overcome the burdens of USGA presidential travel, follows Titleist CEO Wally Uihlein as winner of the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award.

Hey, hey hey hey...I hear you giggling. Stop that! This is a very, very important award.

Ridley's duties with the USGA include serving as chairman of the Championship Committee from 2000-2003, the group responsible for the conduct of all USGA competitions. He also has chaired the Amateur Status and Conduct, as well as the International Team Selection Committees.

"Fred Ridley's contributions to the administration of golf have had a direct impact on the millions of amateur players throughout this country that enjoy this game," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "His leadership also has enabled an even stronger bond to develop between the USGA and The PGA of America which has resulted in enhancing our respective programs that drive participation in golf. We are most proud to present Fred Ridley with the PGA Distinguished Service Award."

More WGC Talk

An AP story on the lack of world in World Golf Championships.

 "We're in the planning process," Finchem said. "We would like to play a full-fledged World Golf Championship in the fall in Asia. It's premature to say where, but our intent is to do something next year."

This might be the only avenue Finchem has to Asia, a market he covets.

Covets it so much that I understand from a reliable source that they've already signed on with a site in Asia.

So why are they waiting to announce it? 

Man of the People

Yes, Golfweek's Jim Achenbach says Walter Driver's speech in Atlanta demonstrates that the new USGA president may just be a man of the people after all. Despite memberships in ultra-private clubs that don't admit women while whizzing around in a private jet at the USGA's expense (where he's already logged plenty of hours as vice president), man of the people doesn't quite come to mind.

But I didn't get to see his acceptance speech.

Driver made an apparently heroic leap for mankind by stepping away from the podium to talk to the jury audience. I've already heard from two people present who found it to be a cheap ploy.

But not everyone felt that way...

ATLANTA – To gain an appreciation of how Walter Driver thinks, consider this: The U.S. Golf Association is 112 years old, and Driver is believed to be the first president in USGA history to deliver a formal acceptance speech from the middle of his audience and not from a podium above them.

And...

Driver, one of the most prominent attorneys in the United States, descended from the stage where the podium was located. He walked into the crowd of 500 and gave an emotional and thoughtful speech. It was easy for an observer to imagine Driver in a courtroom, displaying his skills. Driver, 60, is considered an expert in the field of international banking and finance.

For the record, Driver recently left his position as chairman of the law firm of King & Spalding to become Chairman-Southeast for financial conglomerate Goldman Sachs.

Once a chairman, always a chairman.

Oh, and it gets more maudlin.

Driver's message was one of appreciating the people who are mentors and friends in our lives. He focused on golf, of course, humanizing it by introducing his parents and a lineup of golf buddies who have enriched his life.

That was the point of this address: Golf and the people who play it are responsible for making our lives richer and more rewarding, and we should honor the game and all who play it.

And I'm sorry, what does this have to do with the job of the USGA Executive Committee at arguably its most critical junction?

Let's read between the lines in analyzing Driver.

If Driver takes golf to the people, he will counteract the widespread notion that the USGA is run by rich white men who are out of touch with ordinary golfers.

As the longtime chairman of King & Spalding, Driver established a stellar record of hiring minority lawyers. It is no coincidence that Bill Lewis, a high-powered investment banker and an African-American who is a golf fanatic, joined the USGA Executive Committee on the same day that Driver ascended to the presidency.

What this has to do with protecting the integrity of the sport, I have no idea. (And if you want read an alternative take on King & Spaulding's hiring record, head here.)

There is another reason that Driver's presidency is considered crucial by many people: The USGA is considering whether it should change golf ball rules and regulations. Some powerful USGA ex-presidents, among others, have lobbied diligently for a shorter golf ball to preserve the integrity of older, shorter golf courses and eliminate the need for newer mega-length layouts.

A decision on the golf ball is not expected this year but could come in 2007, which would be Driver's second and final year as president.

At the annual meeting, as Driver walked through the audience and talked about the joys of the sport, the world of golf seemed at peace.

But, with major challenges lying ahead, this was misleading. If Driver is to become golf's great communicator, if he is to deal effectively with golf equipment manufacturers, he may need divine, as well as human, accommodation.

"That's why we have presidents," someone said respectfully as the crowd bumped its way out of the Grand Hyatt ballroom.

And that's why they call it groupthink!

Ron Sirak at Golf World also found the speech "moving," but he wasn't as mesmerized as Achenbach. Sad to say, but ten years from now people will be writing the same columns about the USGA needing to diversify.

But more importantly, in ten years will we be wondering if that will be the year they actually address issues impacting the game?

"Just The Way It's Going Now"

J.B. Holmes in this USA Today story on the shift to power/flogging:

"It's better to have a wedge in the rough than a 7-iron in the middle of the fairway. That's just the way it's going now."

And this, which is hard to imagine since he seemed to have wedge into every par-4 at Scottsdale:

"I'm not overswinging or anything. That's just my normal swing to try to get it in the fairway. There's probably been times I've hit the driver better. When that happens, I can go low because I have so many wedges in my hand."

Huggan On WGC's

Well so much for wondering when writers would notice that the PGA Tour has anchored the "World Golf Championships" in the U.S.

John Huggan vents on Golfobserver. Make sure you read all of this one. The highlights:

There was, given the reaction of the other Federation members, not so much as a warning phone call from Ponte Vedra. Tim Finchem, commissioner of the PGA Tour, had simply done what was financially expedient for his organization and members. And everyone else? They could, as my granny used to say, take a running jump to themselves.

As an example of corporate arrogance, it was breathtaking. As an example of international cooperation and friendship, it was, to put it in crude Scottish parlance, piss-taking. 

It was also, of course, an example of blatant hypocrisy. While the PGA Tour wants the kudos that goes with being seen to metaphorically join hands with their 'friends' across the oceans, they also have no intention of listening to anything said in anything but an American accent. 

Make sure to check out the chart of WGC venue sites accompanying the column. 

Driver Coming Around?

Jerry Potter looks at Walter Driver taking over as USGA president.

"The main thing we have to do is remain vigilant," Driver said, "and make sure technology doesn't outweigh skill, especially among the elite players."

Lerner On Recent Events

Rich Lerner offers a bit of this and that looking at recent events in golf.

The Presidential Address

Consider the difference between the USGA presidential acceptance speeches of Fred Ridley and Walter Driver.

Ridley outlines "four clear goals," then goes to discuss them at length.

Driver outlines goals too:

1) The USGA continue to conduct the very best championships in golf;
2) Communicate better with all our constituencies so every golfer will be a true advocate for amateur golf and for the USGA; and
3) Continue to monitor technology in equipment developments to preserve the game and adhere to our charter -- "To promote and conserve the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf."

That ends the substance of tonight's speech. It's time to talk about himself.

"Instead of the ‘normal’ speech, I want to do that by recognizing some people who have meant a great deal to me in my life on and off the golf course."

Sure looks like it's not going to be a "normal" year with Driver. 

Oh, wait, apparently he believes he has been elected to a two year term!?

And my commitment to you tonight is that in my two years as president of the USGA, I will do everything I can to bring out that passion in all the members of our organization and to the members still to join.

Sounds a bit presumptuous if you go by the USGA press release.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Vol. 5

The PGA Tour driving distance average rose 2.3 yards in Scottsdale to 289.4 yards for the season.

In the 350-yard or longer drive category, the tally was boosted by 22 tee shots, pushing the season total to 481 for the season. (Sheesh, J.B. Holmes must have had at least half of those 22!?)

There were 2059 drives of 350 yards or more in 2005.

Ah but the two-week streak without a 400 yarder ended, with 2 hit, bringing the season total to 15 and just four behind last year's total of 19.

Sirak on Long John (Holmes)

Ron Sirak writes about the emerging youth in men's and women's golf, with J.B. Holmes as his prime example of the next generation inspired by Tiger Woods.

While there is no doubt that the occassional power player that comes out of no where and drives it insane distances proves fascinating (as Sirak says), there does not seem to be much consideration for the ramifications that this equipment-aided boom might be having on say, course design or setup.

Nor is there acknowledgement that this phenomenon is in large part the product of improved equipment, not necessarily improved skill.

It would seem the question of skill and what exactly it means is one worth debating. Because if nothing else, it would be an interesting debate. No?

Ballmark Study

Not the sexiest topic, but there are some interesting findings with photos in this Kansas State study on ballmarks.

I wonder if most golfers do it incorrectly because they see how PGA Tour pros fix ballmarks? 

True Bomber's Paradise

From an AP story on Justin Leonard and David Toms at Scottsdale:

One explanation for the two's demise on Sunday is that the TPC of Scottsdale course is a true bomber's paradise. The fairways were hard and fast and the rough thin, both caused by 109 consecutive rainless days.

Remember that last comment.

Consider the last six golfers who have won this event: Phil Mickelson, Jonathan Kaye, Vijay Singh, Chris DiMarco and Mark Calcavecchia. All but DiMarco are ahead of Leonard and Toms in driving distance average and are plenty capable of bombing it well past 300 yards.

"I think [length] is a huge advantage," Leonard said. "You can carry the bunkers and the water and avoid the trouble."

Can carry the bunkers and water. Not roll it through the bunkers and around the water. Carry it. Hmmmm...

Toms was resigned to his lack of length, but is concerned that it is starting to overrun the game.

"Some guys have to work between the bunkers like me," Toms said. "Other guys can blow it over. That's just the way it is."

Just blow it over? Wait, what about the roll? The agronomy?

This year's event provided more evidence that long drivers rule in the desert.

The final threesome of the day averaged more than 300 yards off the tee.

Holmes was first in driving distance average at 319.7 yards. His longest drive was 365 yards on No. 13 in round two. Henry was averaging 303.9 yards and was ranked 12th. His longest drive was 353 yards on the ninth hole in the first round. Palmer was the short hitter of the group, only ranking 16th and averaging 301.5. His longest drive was a paltry 340 yards on the 13th hole in the final round.

Conversely, Leonard averaged 284.1 yards off the tee, 67th out of 72 players. Toms was 47th, averaging 290.8 yards.

Holmes Post Round Talk

J.B. Holmes after his round: 

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah, 13 was in the fairway. I was in between clubs, picked the wrong one, hit a great shot and just landed in the middle of the green and went over. Then went over in about the worst spot it could be. I played an okay shot, really wasn't that great of a shot to 25, 30 feet.

Then hit a great putt and it went in. So that was all the way around.

Q. What was the club on that?

J.B. HOLMES: I hit a 6 iron.

Q. What was your number in, do you remember?

J.B. HOLMES: I think it was it might have been 216 to the pin or something.

JOAN v.T. ALEXANDER: 15, you had eagle?

J.B. HOLMES: I hit a good 3 wood. That was probably one of the bigger swings of the day, just getting it in that fairway. It's so firm and the ball can take off to the left there. Then just hit a great 4 iron right where I aimed it and just smoked it. It went up there, rolled right up there and then made a great putt.

Q. You had 257 to the flag and you hit 4 iron over water?

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah. It was only 230 to the front. It flew like 235 or something.

Q. Was that the second best shot of the day?

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah. The putt was probably the second best shot. The 4 iron was definitely huge. Ryan being in the water and then hitting it up there like that, that was a big change for me.

JOAN v.T. ALEXANDER: 17, you had a birdie.

J.B. HOLMES: 17, just aimed middle of the green, hit it out there pretty good, and it started turning a little bit towards the hole and bounced up. I thought I made my first one, just didn't hit it hard enough, and tapped in for birdie.

Q. 3 wood?

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah.

Uh, that's a par-4 he's talking about, in case you were unsure. 

Oh and nice 77-yard approach into 18! Wow.