It’s back!
Twenty years later Tatra Press has kindly allowed me to bring back Grounds For Golf now that golf architecture is of more interest to the masses. A new Introduction looks at what’s driven the interest growth and two new chapters I had a blast adding (plus a few edits to keep things up-to-date).
The Amazon purchase page for the book arriving June 15, 2026.
Another week, another flogger is born (and wins!). J.B. Holmes at the 2006 FBR Open:
Driving Distance 308.0 yards (13)
Driving Accuracy 31 of 56 (55%, T62)
GIR 50 of 72 (69%, T33)
Putts Per Round 27.0 (T1)
Putting Average (GIR): 1.660 (T8)
Oh, and he leads the Tour with 72% (128/168) of his drives finishing over 300 yards.
AP's Bob Baum has the story on Sunday's FBR Open, including the story of winner J.B. Holmes' father arriving just in time to see his son capture his first win.
And I had to do a double take on this line: "On the 15th, Holmes reached the green easily in two with a 263-yard 4-iron shot over the water, then sank the 14-footer to go to 20 under."
Now I know this is a no win situation for David Shefter of the USGA. Ask a remotely difficult question and find yourself covering swap meets for the New Jersey Pennysaver.
So in that light, this softball session with new USGA president Walter Driver has its moments. Compared to say, his inaugural address, which we'll get to later.
Driver: There are three main things. I want us to continue to conduct the very best championships in golf (U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Amateur, etc.). I want to communicate better with all of our constituencies where every golfer will become a true advocate for golf. And finally, we need to continue to monitor the technology and equipment issues in accordance with the 2002 Statement of Principles.
Hey, so far so good. In fact, darn good. Better setups. Better communication. And they remember the Statement of Principles!
Question: The 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills brought plenty of criticism to the USGA about course setup because of the conditions on the weekend, but the Association seemed to learn a lot from that adversity if you consider that the 2005 Open at Pinehurst was a huge success. As the chairman of the Championship Committee, what things did you personally learn from those two events?
Driver: Everybody learned a lot. The staff and all the volunteers had a renewed dedication at Pinehurst to have a flawless Open. And I think it was flawless.
Well, let's not forget that guys disregarded the fairway setups and flogged their way down the holes as far as they could because there was no clear benefit for positioning yourself in the fairways. And why was that? Perhaps because the landing areas were only 21-24 yards wide. Oh, and don't forget you had to water greens during play extensively. Flawless?
Question: I understand there’s an interesting icon that sits in the chief executive’s office at King and Spalding?
Driver: It’s an actual fire hydrant and it weighs about 200 pounds. There’s a plaque that says, “Being chairman of King and Spalding is like being the only hydrant on a block full of dogs.” You are running a large business with a lot of individual egos and it takes a lot of work to build a consensus.
Southern lawyer humor, I guess.
Question: It sounds like you are a golf history buff. Did you have a good grasp of the game’s traditions when you started playing?
Driver: Not really. The real exposure to the history of the game was significantly enhanced by living in Atlanta where the Bobby Jones legend began. I would say I am an interested historian. My [three] children learned years ago that whenever they couldn’t figure out what to get me for a gift, they could always get me a golf book. I now have a very nice collection of golf books in my library at home, and I have read all of them.Question: How big a collection are we talking about?
Driver: I would say I have over 100. It’s tough to find enough shelf space. My wife may quarantine it at some point.
Wow, a whole 100 books and you've read all of them?
At this point there's a bunch of frat house type talk about who has a bigger who has a better golf game, etc...
Question: Obviously your relationship with Fred Ridley has evolved quite nicely since the 1989 Walker Cup.
Driver: Fred and I are very good friends and we talk all the time. Our wives are close friends. We agree on virtually every issue [facing the USGA].
And we have talked a lot about these issues flying together on the Citation.
John Huggan profiles Ian Woosnam in the Sunday Scotsman (or whatever they call it).
Apparently it's not too early to hear what the Euros are doing to make the K Club favor their games (they wouldn't have to do anything if they $elected a link$).
"There are a lot of hollows and bumps around the greens, and I want to get them more into play by cutting the grass short," he reveals. "So there will be some run-offs around the putting surfaces. I'm hopeful the weather is dry in the weeks before, so that we get the full benefit of that. I've also put a few more trees in.
"Because of the distances the top guys hit the ball these days, it is too easy for them to cut corners on too many holes and make them look stupid. So I've tried to stop some of that. If they do take a chance and go across the corner, they are going to have to hit perfect shots. If they don't, they'll be in trouble."
I bet those new trees look splendid.
Woosnam on the state of the game:
"When I watch the game on television I don't see the variety of shots I used to maybe 30 years ago," he sighs. "The modern swings are a lot more similar than they used to be. Which is a consequence of the equipment and the desire to hit the ball high. They don't seem to bother about the wind any more.
"In defence of the players today, I don't think they can't play shots, it's just that they don't have to. The equipment has brought everyone closer together, too. It's harder to separate yourself from the others. Almost anyone on tour can win now."
Carl Spackler: He's the Cinderella boy...he's got about 195 yards left, he's got about a - it looks like he's got about an 8-iron. This crowd has gone deathly silent. The Cinderella story, outta no where, a former greenskeeper now - about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac - It's in the Hole!
J.B. Holmes, FBR Open, 13th hole Saturday: 8 iron from 198 yards.
John Huggan kicked off the week by chatting with R&A secretary Peter Dawson, who elaborated on the R&A's interest in square grooves, prompting reader Smolmania to write: "Do they really think that my 64 degree Dave Pelz wedge is a danger to the game? Or, is it the fact that at age 48 I can now hit my driver 30 yards further in the air than I could at age 35? It's the balls you dopes!"The next two years figure to be entertaining, what with Walter "it's 75% athleticism" Driver officially taking the helms of the USGA today, Feb. 4. (Well, he really really took over this summer as evidenced by this U.S. Open press conference and the early announcement of his presidency.).
A retired lawyer from Atlanta now working for Goldman Sachs, Driver is an Augusta National member who has written extensively on the need to diversify...his law firm. Thanks to reader Mike for this absolutely hilarious exercise in politically correct memo writing.
But it's Driver's press conferences that give us so hope here at GS.com.
Flashback to Saturday at Shinnecock Hills, 2004, where we had Driver's infamous lecture on the "Rodean" hole at Shinnecock. And following 3rd round play, his defense of the 7th green freakishness that would require a stoppage of play the next day.
Q. In the next to last group, I believe it's Maggert played into the front trap and blasted up. Are we reaching the point where that may be the preferred line on that hole?
WALTER DRIVER: I didn't see Maggert so I don't know. You do want to keep the ball under the hole one way or the other. Maruyama in the last group hit the ball to the right of the hole and it stopped nicely in the middle of the green. Mickelson's ball was going right at the hole, maybe even a shade left of it, and then the wind knocked it down and kept it going left. As with all rodean holes, you cannot hit the ball at the hole, you have to hit it out to the side and let the slope take the ball down.
So on a Redan you want to play it out right and let it feed down to the hole.
On a Rodean, you play to the front bunker and wedge onto the green...and hope it stays!
And how does this sound nearly 2 years later and in light of ugly things got Sunday at Shinnecock:
Q. Are you concerned personally that this might be embarrassing for the USGA or for golf, or are you concerned that the public may perceive the U.S. Open as having something of a goofy shot element to it?
WALTER DRIVER: Absolutely not, and I think if they get that impression, that's a gross misdeed on what is one of the best golf courses in the United States. The players have been very positive the whole way. It's just a great experience. They like the golf course, they like everything about it, and one hole -- the wind changed on the field, and at the end of the day it was a very difficult hole. But I think you've got to take into consideration they've played 54 holes, and we've rotten rave comments on 53 of the 54 holes, so I think you need to put that into perspective.
Hey, one unplayable hole out of 54 is no big deal. Get a grip, will you guys?! It's only about to get like, 100 times worse.
Ah Sunday's post round press conference, the day of the alleged "middle of the night" green rolling.
Q. If I change the question, would disappointed also be in there along with surprised in terms of the way the course played?
WALTER DRIVER: I would rather not have had the controversy, but we couldn't do anything about it. You know, you can't be disappointed in something that you can't completely control.
That's right, it was all the weather's fault. Those Southampton breezes are difficult to counteract.
Q. But if you would have watered all the greens last night, that would have eliminated the problem?
WALTER DRIVER: Actually I'm not sure that's true.
He's right you know. All it took was a light watering after a couple of groups went through.
You need to talk to an agronomist. But I was told that there is a difference in the absorption rate on the greens that in order to have changed the greens last night, we would have had to water for about three or four hours and it would change dramatically the character of the entire golf course in a way that we didn't anticipate that we would need to do that. We're not going to start watering at 11:00 o'clock at night based on how much Andy North's hair is blowing, frankly.
And that's why you're the USGA Championship Committee we love and know.
Q. Does the fact that Goosen and Mickelson were able to play really splendidly at times and shoot decent scores and come in under par suffice, or can this be a bad experience for you guys despite that?
WALTER DRIVER: Well, there's a great quote from Sandy Tatum, one of our predecessors, as the president of the USGA.
Yes, who we don't listen to anymore even though he is widely respected throughout the rest of the golf world. Sorry, continue.
We weren't trying to humiliate the best players in the world, we were trying to identify them. What you identified today is that Goosen and Mickelson particularly played wonderful golf under very adverse conditions. You know, I was walking in the Goosen and Els group, the last group, and when Ernie left a chip shot short of the green on the first hole and double bogeyed the hole, Goosen knocked his in. Who would have ever predicted that they would start off and have a three-shot swing on the first hole? That sets a tenor for the entire game, and frankly, the course conditions didn't have much to do with that particular relationship.
Yep, Tiger "they lost control of the golf course" Woods was exaggerating.
And there was this year's priceless rationale printed in the USA Today:
"In the years when we've had problems," said Driver, noting 1992 when the wind made Pebble Beach unfair and last year at Shinnecock, "the championships have been on the coast."
Maybe he was filming the season finale of The Daly Planet?
Nice rally killer try here.
Tiger is not saying much after a 66, and the assembled inkslingers were trying to get something out of him.
GORDON SIMPSON: That was a 66 today, but after about eight holes it could be 56. Talk about the day for us.
TIGER WOODS: Turned a great round into a round. Frustrating.
GORDON SIMPSON: Did you have that same feeling yourself after playing eight holes today?
TIGER WOODS: I played eight holes really well, and then hit just a wonderful tee shot off of 18. I thought if anything, it would be in the left rough, and so there it goes.
GORDON SIMPSON: But overall, your assessment at halfway?
TIGER WOODS: Well, I'm in position. I'll probably be behind, but again, a little bit frustrated right now.
Q. Do you remember being this downbeat after a 66 before?
TIGER WOODS: Yeah.
Q. Can you tell us when?
TIGER WOODS: Firestone.
Q. Which round?
TIGER WOODS: Last year.
Q. We have been very impressed with the Tiger Woods Foundation in America. I was wondering, eventually are you planning on extending it to our side?
TIGER WOODS: Yes, we plan probably the next two years to venture outside of the United States. We're trying to get our start Something Program developed now. As said earlier, we have 3.2 million kids involved in the program around the country and we'd like to raise that number well over 5 and then eventually broaden it to Asia and then Africa and then throughout Europe.
Q. Will you be doing it in the United States or only in certain areas?
TIGER WOODS: It's all around the country.
Q. After eight holes, what would you have satisfied with, what final number would you have been satisfied?
TIGER WOODS: No bogeys.
Q. But low 60s?
TIGER WOODS: If I would have made par, that's fine. I don't have like making bogeys.
Jim Achenbach writes in the Feb. 2 Golfweek (no link) that "golf needs two sets of equipment rules" or "simply needs to accept lower scores in pro events."
He says there was a "stupor" at the PGA Merchandise Show because there "was more talk about regulation than innovation."
Achenbach writes that Callaway has long "advocated two sets of equipment rules" while Acushnet head man Wally Uihlein "has argued forcefully for the acceptance of lower scores in professional events." Actually, if you read here and here and here and here and here, Uihlein has argued forcefully that scores have not changed enough to warrant any discussion of technology regulation.
But here's where I get confused. Achenbach writes:
...the gulf between touring pros and the rest of us has widened considerably in recent years. Touring pros are able to exploit equipment regulations because of their high swing speeds. They can do things with today's golf equipment that the rest of us can't.
So it would seem that changes in the rules to address this last point--this loophole--would be ideal because they would not impact the average golfer. No?
If golf continues to be governed by one set of rules, it will either make the game more difficult for one group (amateur golfers) or make it more easier for the other group (touring pros).
Today's golf equipment is so far superior and easier to use for the average golfer than it was even ten years ago. So how will changes, if properly carried out by the governing bodies, only impact the hack and continue to let the elite player circumvent the rules?
This would be one of those opportunities for a communications friendly USGA to let Dick Rugge write a letter to the editor. Anyway...
Do we really want the game to grow? Or do we want to preserve the integrity of par in an era of more gifted, more dedicated athletes?
You see, I knew that Hogan was a slacker! Nelson and Snead too. Gary Player...made up all that stuff about working out.
These guys today are just more dedicated and gifted. Why, they fly private jets to the tournament whereas Hogan and the boys took their time, driving in cars, taking in the scenery and you know, lollygagging.
Granted, most of today's gifted and dedicated probably couldn't break 80 with the clubs Hogan used, but hey, they're more gifted and dedicated.
The point of Achenbach's piece is that golf is not growing because of limited consumption possibilities for golfers.
So I ask, is this why people play golf? To shop?
Are people playing less because the shopping options just aren't what they used to be?
For those attending this weekend's USGA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, we can only imagine the excitement you'll feel when history takes place: Fred Ridley officially hands over access to the Citation Vector Card the presidency to Walter Driver.
Though media access to the officers will probably be limited, I thought I'd suggest a few questions should any intrepid reporters get a moment on-the-record with an Executive Committee member or past president. Well, the ones cleared to speak. A few questions to consider:
Regular readers of this site may know of my personal struggle to receive golf publications in a reasonable amount of time. Or at all.
Over the years customer service reps have insisted that the late service is caused by my choosing to live in the far west, or because of nearby postal delivery personnel mysteriously choosing my Golf World or Golfweek to read.
Even Golfdom usually arrives at the end of the month it was intended to arrive. That's a solid 2-3 weeks after east coast readers have sent me their hate email. Frustrating, you know. By then I can't even remember what I wrote that upset them so.
But imagine the shock when I opened my mailbox to find the February 4 issue of Golfweek...on February 2! Lately, the trade publication has been a real favorite of the gang manning the 90403 mail distribution center. Not this week. Maybe it's Tiger fatigue. He's on the cover. (And it's a great issue too).
Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for my first SI Golf Plus of the new year. After three calls so far, no luck. However, Jamiqua (sp?) dared to go where other customer service reps would not. She has written a note to the distribution plant to find out why they can't get me my beloved Golf Plus. She says I may see a Golf Plus in a couple of weeks.
Golf World, meanwhile has been unusually timely since the new year. As in, arriving the week of its publication date.
I know you all feel so much better knowing all of this.
But I'm curious how many others have trouble getting their magazines in the mail? And if so, does it send you to the internet for more information? I've set up a thread under the Technology section if you should feel compelled to post on this absolutely vital topic.
Crack questions from a scribbler at the FBR Wednesday after Bill Murray (God only knows why) stopped by the press room after his pro-am round.
Q. With Caddyshack and what it's meant to people, people rate it as the Top 5 sports movies of all time, is there a thought of maybe coming back, let's do it again, let's maybe do a Star Wars theme type of deal?
BILL MURRAY: Do Caddyshack again?
Q. Do a Caddyshack II?
BILL MURRAY: They did a Caddyshack II. It's guys like you that made Caddyshack II.
Q. Revise it one more time with all the technology that's out there.
BILL MURRAY: You know, I'm under a doctor's care (laughter). You know, Caddyshack was a great thing. There were some extraordinary people in it, Ted Knight, Rodney Dangerfield, the guy who played the bishop, these are people who have passed away. They were great people, great actors and lots of fun, and it was an unusual thing. Can't you be happy with having seen it and watched it? You want it again? You're one of those guys that wants to make love twice a week. Once is plenty (laughter).
The R&A announces major changes to restore luster to the British Amateur, including a new date and 55 tournament winner exemptions.
From the Front Nine of Golf World's current "Bunker":
3. Report: USGA authorized use of private jet for senior personnel to reduce travel time.
Now there is an organization that understands the importance of speed and distance.
Also in the Bunker, Stu Schneider's TV Rewind, John Strege's Local Knowledge and lots of other fun stuff.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
