Lupica On Presidents Cup

Mike Lupica says the Presidents Cup is better than the Ryder Cup.

I know, I know, even the suggestion that what was invented as another made-for-TV special event is better than the event it blatantly ripped off is something that is supposed to make old Ryder spin in his grave—though probably not the kind of spin you'd get with modern technology.

But I'm right about this.

Ah, the humility.

He goes on to present two utterly ridiculous reasons: the star power of the International team, starting with Ernie Els (oops). And the star power of captains Nicklaus and Player.

It's The Only Way You Lear

Thanks to reader Josh for this from the Telegraph. Writing about Colin Montgomerie:

Design is something the Scot has become more interested in. He said: "This is the first course in the UK which has my signature and for it to be in Ayrshire, just 10 miles up the road from where I first played golf, is really special.

"This is something I very much enjoy. To see this project from the start to completion in two years will be remarkable.

"I've been involved in dozens of courses all over the world now and we are ever expanding. I've played enough bad courses and enough bad holes in my time to know what is good and what I want.

"I've spoken to players past and present about golf course design. It's the only way you learn."

Kelly Gibson

Melanie Hauser talks to New Orleans resident and Tour player Kelly Gibson.

West Coast Swing Impact?

Larry Bohannon says the Tour's possible move to an emphasized fall finish will make it tougher for the West Coast Swing to attract star players.

Rational Exuberance

Lorne Rubenstein looks at some of the recent reactions to heroic shots and feels they're great for a game that has recently seen less emotion from players. Or perhaps, where we've seen more hostility from players when their fellow players (over?)react to shots. 

Benchmarking To The Rescue

Golf Business writes about the golf industry leadership convening in Monterey to discuss the state of the industry. Lots of talk of actionable data, benchmarking, models and metrics.

Herrington on Merion

Golf World's Ryan Herrington has an excellent game story on the U.S. Amateur at Merion, with a surprising insight into Edoardo Molinari's daily ritual (packing) before his matches.

There is also a sidebar at the end of the piece on Merion's U.S. Open chances. The Executive Director is quotes. Not only does Mr. Fay call on yet another baseball analogy, he offers this on the USGA having to take a financial hit by going to Merion.

"I understand also full well that the U.S. Open is the engine that drives the entire organization. But you konw I've got two daughters. Maybe some year I have to budget for a wedding. So what will I do? Scale back somewhere else for the year." 

I guess that $530,000 salary (and $62,000 in expenses) just doesn't go as far as it used to.

The Fiction Issue!?

The latest Golf World is dubbed "The Fiction Issue." Now, I was excited when I first saw the cover. (Online of course. My print copy won't arrive for at least two weeks if the issue is at all heavy! Oh wait, it's my postman reading, I forgot.)

Anyway, seeing that at least half of the fiction pieces are reprinted short stories, well, I could point out about six or seven "packages" Golf World might want to try before regurgitating stuff that has appeared in several books and reprints. But what's the point?

It's A Spat About Nothing

Golf World's Stu Schneider looks at the Tiger Woods-Peter Kostis/CBS on-course announcer feud, or whatever it is. And though Schneider says it's all about nothing, he adeptly points out that the timing could not be worse for Tim Finchem.

DVR's Impacting Golf Advertising?

Will TiVo and other digital video recording (DVR) technology impact golf advertising? From Steve Pike in his PGA.com "Business Insider" column:

It's too early to provide a specific answer, but there's no doubt the technology's ability to provide commercial-free TV has caught the attention of golf industry marketing execs, whose companies spend millions to get on the tube.

"We're evaluating it on an ongoing basis," Andy Jones, vice president of marketing for golf shoe giant FootJoy, told PGA.com. "Our research tell us that golfers want to see the commercials -- particularly equipment. So we're watching it closely."

Oh I'm not so sure about that.

Either way, you can expect new forms of commercialization thanks to DVR's.

But Dan Murphy, director of marketing for Bridgestone Golf, sees the technology as a more immediate threat to commercials.

"We haven't given up on the 30-second spot yet -- we still are there. But there are two ways, we think, to deal with it," Murphy said. "One is, we think the Internet is more important than ever; so one way to distribute your TV spot, particularly if it's entertaining, is through email and clip attachments.

"The other way is to stay on TV to be work more toward the product placement strategy. In other words, insert your brand into a particular show."

Uh, don't they already insert their brand via player visors?

U.S. Senior Amateur Presented by Cialis?

Multiple sources say the USGA is actively seeking "Presented by" sponsorships for some of its championships. 

This is not a huge surprise since the March hiring of USGA "Chief Marketing Officer" Barry Hyde, who according to the press release announcing his arrival "has spent the last 15 years in golf marketing, including the last four years as vice president of global sponsorships and events for MasterCard International."

So... 

Is the USGA having financial problems? 

Are they looking for more ways to add to its war chest for an equipment battle (right!)? 

Is this to appease NBC and deliver a significant buyer of ad time? 

Or are those in the executive ranks simply so enamored with the bottom line that they're willing to sell the soul of the organization? 

In Living Color

My latest Golfobserver.com column on "color" in architecture is now posted.

You'll notice that the latest Michael Miller masterwork is included with the column. It's titled "Approaching Weather at Bandon Trails, #17."

For you Bandon Trails fans, Mike can produce beautiful Giclee prints of the painting, with the cost ranging from $100 to $350 in price depending on size. Or he can do prints of his other works, which can be seen here. You can email him at MichaelMiller861@msn.com.

MOI?

E. Michael Johnson at Golf World breaks the news that the USGA is getting serious about driver moment of inertia (MOI).

"Research conducted by the USGA has shown that the clubhead size limitations already in place will not effectively prevent increases in clubhead MOI beyond the levels achieved by clubs which were submitted to the USGA prior to March 2005," the notice said. "The USGA has allowed substantial increases in MOI, but it now believes that a limit is appropriate."

In March the USGA said it was "concerned that any further increases in clubhead moment of inertia may reduce the challenge of the game." The primary concern is the potential development of a strong, lightweight material that would allow for 460cc drivers with an incredible amount of free weight to move around, providing a super-high MOI.

"We had thought maybe clubs had reached a natural limit on MOI with the head size of 460cc, but with further research and analysis we came to a different conclusion," said USGA senior technical director Dick Rugge.

And I wouldn't want you to miss this quote in the Johnson article from John Solheim of Ping. 

"They are eliminating the things we can do and I'm worried about the long-term effect on the game and the industry," said Solheim. "It scares me. It could have a huge effect on the health of the game. Our kids are not going to be able to get significantly better clubs a few years from now."

Ah, the poor children. What will we deprive them of next? 

Let's have a moment silence for this sad moment in the history of the future of the game.

If PGA Tour Players Could Rewrite The Rule Book

Jim McCabe talks to Tour players about what rules in golf they'd change. Naturally, intense self-interest come roaring to the top of their lists. Shorts, sand filled divots, etc...

They're Better Athletes...

How do you hurt youself playing Ping Pong? Vijay did.