Tracking Johnny's Flip Flop(s) On Anchoring

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Masterful breakdown from Jaime Diaz in Golf World Monday on Johnny Miller's almost-daily position switches on the anchoring ban, with some of the switches depending on who is visiting the booth.

Look, many have waivered because it's a complex issue. But multiple positions in a week?

Can't wait for the U.S. Open when Johnny pats Mike Davis on the back for a job well done! Too bad NBC doesn't have the PGA so that Ted Bishop could get the same pat.

While Tim Finchem Was Distracting Us Sunday...

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NBC used this new graphic to show where various driving distances finished on the 7th hole at Dove Mountain. I only saw it by watching the re-broadcast after reader Steve asked if I had seen it. Not coincidentally, this aired at the time Tim Finchem was live on Golf Channel talking about the tour's opposition to the anchoring ban.

It's not often we get good visual innovations in golf broadcasting that help put architectural features into context, but this one certainly does.

Also kind of amazing that Ian Poulter had the long drive.

Living In Johnny's World Files: My Generation Was Better Vol. 399

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I often agree with Johnny Miller when he talks about the number of all-time great players that Jack Nicklaus had to beat in his prime and I'm certainly no subscriber to the "fields are deeper than ever" mentality espoused quite regularly. (Put me down for "technology has made some really good golfers better than they are" league.)
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Reminder: Morning Drive Re-Launch Monday

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In case you missed the Waste Management Open, the Golf Channel's morning show re-launches Monday morning with a new cast, new set and new vibe.

My hotel doesn't have Golf Channel so I won't get to see the re-launch of Morning Drive to a seven-day-a-week show, but I know your feedback will be appreciated in Orlando.

Gary Williams posts a short item on the show's new "AP" studio, named after Golf Channel co-founder Arnold Palmer.

And for Immediate Release:

ALL-STAR LINE-UP OF GUESTS FOR RE-LAUNCH OF MORNING DRIVE, STARTING MONDAY, FEB. 4
 
Bradley, McDowell, Norman, Poulter, Lewis, Pettersen, Creamer, Gal and Munoz Headline Next Week’s Guests

State-of-the-Art "Studio AP" Brings the Outside in with Four New Sets

Morning Drive Debuts a New Seven-Day Format

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2013) – Morning Drive welcomes an A-List roster of guests next week when the show re-launches on Monday, Feb. 4 at 7 a.m. ET with a new format, a new set, an expanded cast and a new, seven-days-a-week schedule. Headlining the roster of guests in-studio on Monday are 2011 PGA Champion Keegan Bradley, who is making his first appearance in-studio, and 2010 U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell.　

In addition, Monday’s show will feature the first official interview conducted in the new Morning Drive studio: a sit-down with co-founder Arnold Palmer. The interview was taped earlier this week after he cut the ribbon on the new Morning Drive set, "Studio AP," which was named in his honor. In addition to the ribbon cutting, Palmer also introduced a new autograph board that will be signed by every guest who visits Morning Drive.

Additional studio guests throughout the week include (subject to change):

Tuesday, Feb 5: Hall-of-Famer Greg Norman, including his arrival via helicopter; 10-time LPGA Tour winner Suzann Pettersen; and 2011 Kia Classic champion Sandra Gal

Take that Tavistock Cup!

Wednesday, Feb 6: Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam, for her first regular weekly appearance; 2012 Sybase Match Play champion Azahara Munoz

Thursday, Feb 7: European Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter; 2012 LPGA Rolex Player of the Year Stacy Lewis

Friday, Feb 8: Nine-time LPGA Tour winner Paula Creamer　

Joining Morning Drive regulars Gary Williams, Damon Hack and Holly Sonders as co-hosts starting next week when Morning Drive expands to seven days include Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer, longtime Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman, Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, Ahmad Rashad, 11-time PGA TOUR winner John Cook, Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam, former Golf Digest travel editor Matt Ginella, and host of Top 10 and GolfNow Lauren Thompson. Golf Channel contributors Tim Rosaforte, Brandel Chamblee and Win McMurry also are scheduled to join the show next week.　

Morning Drive’s new studio features four dedicated sets: a main anchor desk, an interview area, a product demonstration area and a news update desk. The new home is nearly four times larger than the show’s original studio. Panoramic, high-definition video backdrops throughout the studio will make viewers feel like the cast is broadcasting from just inside the picture windows of their local clubhouse. This signature look is accomplished by linking 20, 90-inch and 10, 52-inch monitors to create golf course morning vistas.