Callaway Live At 6 PM Pacific Time Monday: You've Been Warned

Callaway's new Live show hosted by Harry Arnett kicked off with a wonderful half-hour chat involving broadcasting legend Dick Enberg, who sounds as good as ever.

Episode 2 at a TopGolf featured some great visuals but audio problems that turned several people into Marcel Marceau impersonators, an issue I know won't be replicated Monday from Callaway's Carlsbad headquarters when yours truly steps into the Lion's Den.

And yes, technology questions are on the table, which should make this awkward...in a fun way!

Tune in at 6 PM Pacific Time, that's 9 Eastern for those of you East Coast elite who aren't used to doing the math.

Here's the link. And it should be viewable on all devices.

“On a 7500 yard golf course Rory McIlroy hit 9-iron or less into 15 of 18 holes”

Rory McIlroy posted a spectacular 61 at Quail Hollow to erase his previous course record. It's hard to take such a moment and highlight the absurdity of the ball going too far, but it has to be done! This is in no way a disparagement of McIlroy's accomplishment, merely a consideration of whether this is good for the professional game when 7,500 yard courses appear too short to defend themselves without resorting to absurd measures?

A deeper look at the numbers should be wake-up call No. 20,391 for the authorities that the "test" for elite players just isn't what it used to be and that nothing positive is gained from stretching the "championship" distance serves the long term interests of the sport.

Thanks to J Held for posting this chart of all the short irons McIlroy had into what was once thought of as a strong test. Maybe more shocking than hitting 9-iron or less into 15 of the 18 holes? Look at the long par-3 clubs.

Quail Hollow hosts the 2017 PGA Championship when the ball will (theoretically) fly longer and the course could have more roll.

The McIlroy highlights...

Great Places In The Game Files: Hyde Park Edition

For years I've heard from Jaxians Doug Ferguson and Cody Carroll about the merits of Hyde Park, a public gem not too far from downtown Jacksonville, Florida. But like too many visitors, I've headed straight to Ponte Vedra Beach. Finally, young Cody got me out to play this gem. What a place.

Most of you might remember this as the course that has been at the heart of a design credit battle. Donald Ross has his name on the course but all signs point to Stanley Thompson at least carrying out the construction. Garry Smits did a nice job covering the debate a few years back and there was this Thompson ad too.

And guess what? It doesn't matter one bit. Though at the risk of entering a pointless debate, I'd have to say it's a Ross design (on paper) with Thompson's strong influence in the construction. After playing Ross's Palatka just a few days prior where one of his trusted associates clearly carried out Ross's plans and the character-rich green complexes remain very much intact, Hyde Park feels a bit different.

This could be related to the size of the property, which in Ross' day was twice the size of Palatka's. Hyde Park feels like it was designed as a grand scale golf course capable of hosting tournaments (as it did, hosting the Jacksonville Open in 1947 and again from 1950-53. The winners were Clayton Heafner, Cary Middlecoff, Jim Ferrier (who won by 11), Doug Ford & Lew Worsham, according to historian Daniel Wexler.).

However, my heart says Thompson put his touch into the Ross vision and maybe built a set of quieter inverted bowl greens. Or someone has shaved a few contours down over the years. That said, there are moments which feel like Ross, including the 11th green at Hyde Park that is eerily reminscent of the 11th at Pinehurst No. 2.

Again, it doesn't matter. Hyde Park is so full of character despite losing a few too many bunkers over the years that it holds up just fine today. And as I said with Palatka, if every town had an affordable, comfortable and architecturally compelling course like this, the game would be much stronger for it. There's a reason someone like Mark McCumber learned the game here, grew into an elite player and loves this place to this day.

I won't go hole-by-hole but here's how I know Hyde Park is special: a week later I can easily remember every hole and I remain sure that I could never grow bored playing it. Yes, restoring some lost bunkers would be nice, as would a little extra love in the maintenance department. But a few of the extraordinary closing holes actually play better without some of the bunkering seen in old photos, and young Carroll, a regular there, concurs. The short par-5 14th and par-4 15th, both included in the slideshow below, actually benefit from more restrained bunkering compared to the historic aerials.

Also worth noting is the extraordinary clubhouse area. It's spacious and seemingly designed for staging a tournament. While the modern ball would preclude top men's events from going to a restored Hyde Park, the women did play the LPGA's Jacksonville Open in 1955, 1957, 1958 & 1959, won twice by Mickey Wright. The combination of space for infrastructure and a design rich in character would make it a perfect place to play a tournament again. But it's also just fine for a friendly late afternoon game at the kind of place America needs to start better appreciating.

A few photos. In order: #1 is the graceful first hole, #2 the reachable par-5 fifth, #3 the well-bunkered par-5 9th, #4 the glorious short par-5 14th, #5 the par-4 15th, #6 the par-3 16th, #7 the stately clubhouse, #8 remnants of Ben Hogan's presence, #9 the sandy transitions emerging as spring turns to summer.

Some More Topgolf Numbers: Links At El Segundo Edition

The Daily Breeze's Carley Dryden reports the city of El Segundo is returning to a plan to bring a TopGolf facility to their city after flirting with the red-hot range and bar chain three years ago.

The story offers some fun details into the projected financials.

Last week, the consultant hired to conduct a third-party analysis of the proposal told the council the Topgolf concept will bring the city nearly $210,000 in annual revenue, compared to the $5,600 it receives currently from The Lakes. The concept would produce more than 400 jobs and nearly $40 million in regional gross product, said Gene Krekorian of Pro Forma Advisors LLC.

What’s more is the sub-lessee, CenterCal, will cover the cost of much-needed improvements to the city-owned course, as the city continues to battle budget woes.

As part of the newest terms proposed by Topgolf, the Dallas-based company also will pay a $525,000 ground lease rent, escalating by 2 percent each year until the fifth year and 10 percent every five years after, will provide $400,000 in cash toward lighting on the golf course, will waive the business license sales tax credit it’s entitled to, will offer a revenue share on beverage sales, and more.

“Right here is a pot of gold for our city and all the people who live and work here,” Councilman Dave Atkinson said. “We have things that need to be repaired, and the city doesn’t have (the money for them).”