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.
Next to an L.A. Times jump headline saying "Length Wasn't a Factor," was this Ben Crenshaw quote:
"The course gets longer and longer, but I had a great time," he said. "I had a ball."
Crenshaw said the 7,445-yard Augusta National course played even longer because of Saturday's rain.
"It's a huge, huge, huge advantage to hit it so far," he said. "Length is a major, major, major factor."
That's headline to this Joe Logan story that came from reader Stan. Logan says Merion's chances "seem better all the time" and that an announcement on the 2013 U.S. Open site is expected at Winged Foot this June.That certainly was the impression left this week by Mike Davis, the U.S. Golf Association's senior director of rules and competitions, who was attending the Masters.I would also take this as an encouraging sign that they are prepared to do something about distance, but the "Distance Myths" memo is another reminder that Logan was being kind with that last line.
"We haven't run into one roadblock looking at Merion," said Davis, adding that only a few remaining logistical issues at the Ardmore club, not the strength of the golf course, present any potential problems.
While Merion, host of four previous U.S. Opens, has been on a short list of potential sites for the '13 Open for a couple of years, its chances have improved as the prospects of another potential site, the Country Club in Brookline, Mass., have dimmed.
The Country Club, regarded by some as a favorite for the '13 Open because it would mark the 100th anniversary since Francis Ouimet won the Open there, has more logistical and township issues than Merion.
Davis, who spent the week of the U.S. Amateur at Merion last summer, arrived as a fan of the course and left an ever bigger one. Not even the fact that Edoardo Molinari, the eventual winner of the Amateur, was 7 under par through 15 holes in the afternoon round of his final match against Dillon Dougherty took away from Davis' respect for the course.
"Out of 312, how many did Merion stand up to?" said Davis, referring to the fact that relatively few players broke par in the qualifying rounds. "There are a few of us who want it to happen, and you can put me at the top of that list."
Still, Davis conceded, no matter how much he and a few others at the USGA might push for Merion, the decision belongs to the 15-member Executive Committee, a body every bit as political as the U.S. Senate.
The PGA Tour Driving Distance average rose dipped a bit from 288.66 after the BellSouth to 288.3 after the Masters.
There were 0 over-350 or longer drives, with the season total to 844, then again, it's not clear if they were actually measing on all holes.
ShotLink was supposedly coming to the Augusta National for the first time, but with not a mention anywhere and a few trusted spotters insisting they did not see the measuring devices, it would seem that only the measuring holes were used.
Damon Hack files a story and notes column (on Tiger, Crenshaw and Mediate). Doug Ferguson also files notes, looking at Rocco Mediate's back going out and Stewart Cink reconsidering some if his pre-tourament criticism. Cameron Morfit at Golfonline focuses on Mediate and his pals.
Leonard Shapiro leads with the Sunday morning camera click on 18, and how, thankfully, it did not affect the outcome. Based on the number of top-of-the-backswing shots we've seen there in recent years, it's a bit of a wonder that the shutterbugs are even allowed near the tee. And Frank Hannigan's favorite columnist looks at Phil's learning curve.
Lawrence Donegan's Guardian game story analyzes the European showing while John Huggan writes about Darren Clarke.
Ben Crenshaw had two weekend diary entries at masters.org, here and here.
If it's photos you are after, the Augusta Chronicle has pages and pages of thumbnails.
And Michael Hiestand does his best to channel his infamous predecessor, Rudy Martzke:
It's pointless to quibble about coverage that inevitably will be glowing since, as CBS' Dick Enberg put it Sunday, it's set amid "spectacular and overpowering beauty" in "this glorious arena." The effect was contagious: Mickelson's upbeat TV ads for ExxonMobil during CBS' coverage made you wonder if you shouldn't be a bit more appreciative of the conglomerate.
I knew those ads worked on someone!
Jim Litke on Mickelson's two-driver approach:
"I needed it to combat the added length at Augusta, but this is probably the only course that I'll do it," Mickelson said afterward. "I don't know where else I'll end up needing to do it."And this from Billy Mayfair:
But Mickelson might want to rethink that, based on what he did at the beefed-up Augusta layout. Mickelson won the long-drive contest, averaging 297.5 yards per drive, nearly four yards farther than his closest pursuer and Sunday playing partner Freddie Couples.
His accuracy wasn't nearly as impressive - he hit 35 of 56 fairways, or 62.5 percent, a number that tied him for 36th. Even so, he launched even wayward drives far enough to take the heat off his approach shots. He tied for fourth in reaching the greens in regulation - Mickelson hit 50 of 72, or 69.4 percent - and tied for 16th in fewest putts needed.
What all that added up to was another sterling silver trophy and the wide-eyed respect of his peers.
"You can kid about Phil, but he's one of the most intelligent persons I've ever met," said Billy Mayfair, who finished at even-par, seven strokes behind Mickelson's winning 281 total.
Highlights from the Phil Mickelson and Tim Clark media sessions:
Q. Would you now advocate everyone going out and putting two drivers in the bag?
PHIL MICKELSON: Well, if they are the proper brand. (Laughter).
Q. And in all seriousness, how much did that actually help you?
PHIL MICKELSON: Oh, it was huge. It was a huge help. Because I worked with the technicians over at Callaway and I've got 20, 25 more yards with this driver that draws. I call it a draw and a fade, but the fact is, the draw is like an additional driver; it makes my normal driver a 3 wood, because it goes so much farther. And I needed it to combat the added length here at Augusta. This is the only course that I can think of that I will probably do it, and I did it last week at BellSouth to get accustomed to it. I don't know where else I'll end up needing to do that, but it was a huge help here, and I started going to that driver exclusively, only on holes that I thought I would play cuts. Like on 14 and 17, I ended up hitting that draw driver because I needed the extra length.
And Clark:
Q. Did you feel like the changes that were made were good throughout the field at all lengths of hitter as long as it's hard and fast?
TIM CLARK: If it's hard and fast, I think the changes are great. I noticed today Tiger hitting a lot of 3 woods. So they have taken driver out of his hand here and there. If it is firm and fast, it's fair for all. If it's wet, then it's going to be tough.
Peter McCleery weighs in with another fine (and quick!) review of CBS's effort. Speaking of light, the delays and slow play in the final group almost put the Masters in a tight spot had there been a need for a playoff, there wasn't much daylight left at nearly 7:30 pm. Eastern time when the Mickelson-Couples pair finished its 4 1/2 hour round (apparently, the lengthened Augusta course takes even longer to play).I wondered when someone was going to note this. Obviously, something for the tournament committee to study. No joke. (What do you think, another 10 minutes to the round with the walks back to #7, 11 and 15 tees?)
Jim Nantz tweaked the press pundits who had suggested only 10 players would have a chance to win the title on the revamped course. "I wonder if all those experts had Tim Clark in their list of 10?" asked Nantz on Saturday.I knew I missed something when I fell asleep!
Should be fun to see how many writers/players declare the course changes:
A) to have been validated by a Phil Mickelson win/Tim Clark 2nd place finish
B) confirmation that only bombers can win
C) that it rained and therefore it was still too wet to judge
D) that the winning score was 7-under-par, therefore it was a success (always such a nuanced take on things!)
The lengthening of the course has been "validated" because Augusta National would have been terribly outdated had they not responded in some way to the recent optimization boom.
As far as restoring club's that Bobby Jones intended players to hit, there are serious problems with that logic. Not only are lofts different today than when Jones wrote about what players hit into holes, anyone who has read his descriptions knows he was not trying to lay down the law on proper approach clubs. It just wasn't his style.
(click to enlarge, though I don't know why you would want to)The narrowness and tree planting designed to force players into less bold tee-shot play (as Hootie Johnson described earlier in the week), has severely impacted that old sense that it was only the players, the design and the Golf Gods dictating the outcome.
Now it feels like a battle between committee and player, with the potential for excitement at the mercy of the committee. That may provide an ego boost for them, but the desire to keep winning scores in check makes it boring for fans.
If they had just added length over the last 8 years but did not add the second cut and trees that eliminate options, would there be any criticism of the changes?
I say no.
Well, I don't know about you, but after those Exxon-Mobil ads, I'm ready to forgive the Valdez, the various shenanigans and the $40 I gave them for 13 gallons of gas this morning.
Any company that loves children that much, must be special.
By the way, if you need to induce a migraine, you can relive those ads here. And if you want to read about some shareholders who filed a resolution accusing the company of discrimination for sponsoring the Masters, you can go here (and even read a quote from the long, lost Martha Burke).
Oh, the golf...
Good thing there was no playoff: Leaders Start Time: 2:52 EST, Finish Time: 7:26, Sunset: 7:55
Angles: Loved the Clampett-Wadkins debate about the talk of angles on No. 11 when Couples and Mickelson had different views of the hole. Imagine if the players could actually pick a side instead of trying to keep it in a 25-yard wide fairway.
"With all due respect, those hugs mean more than the green jacket.": Wow, Phil and Rick Smith are close, but come on Jim Nantz? Oh, you mean the kids...love Lord Fauntleroy suit on Evan. Who's doing his highlights?
Options: Impressed by Peter Kostis's Orwellian take on No. 7, explaining how the new length "gives the players options." A new 12th tee at 275 yards out would install some options there too.
Bored: Did you catch the reclining rules official on No. 13 with his legs stretched out, as if he was sitting on the beach? Classy touch.
Clampett: Minimal nonsense today, only a couple of Hogan's Bridge remarks, and only one head scratcher that came when talking about No. 11: "nobody has figured out a way to make birdie here...except Larry Mize." Hey, there were 6 birdies just this week! Sorry...
No. 11 Final Tally: Average 4.4745, Rank 1, Eagles 1, Birdies 6, Pars 158, Bogies 86, Doubles 19, Others 4
Driving Distance: The average of all drives recorded was 282.9 yards. The top 5 for those playing all four rounds? Mickelson, Couples , Singh, Pampling, Beem. That didn't stop Kostis from trying to paint Tim Clark as the new poster boy for Hootie Johnson's course changes. Still, Feherty did a much better job Peter and he should win this year's award from the Total Information Awareness Committee.
Your thoughts?
Burning: You would expect that Masters caps would be the best sellers in the merchandise store here. But Masters scented candles? Apparently, they fly off the shelves. Perhaps nothing sets a romantic mood better than an Augusta candle.
The candles supposedly a have floral scent. But if the club really wanted to get authentic, it would devise a candle that smells like a used towel from one of the caddies.
High-ranking assistance: Augusta's membership roll features the high and mighty, and many are put to work during the tournament. Still, it's surprising to see former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia listed on the media committee.
Nunn hasn't been seen in the press room this year, but he did find his way there last year. It would be a sportswriter's dream to say, "Hey, Senator, can you get me the quote sheet from Rory Sabbatini?"
...in this debate over what Bobby Jones or Clifford Roberts would think of what's going on at Augusta today?
I think we can safely agree that Cliff would not tolerate Miguel Angel Jimenez's pony tail. He'd re-open the barber shop, or enlist security to drag Miguel into a broom closet so he could chop that mess off.
So, do you think he would let the hair down for the green jacket ceremony?
There's always hope.
The decision to start at 10:40 yesterday earned some tough love from the Jeff Schultz Atlanta Journal Constitution and Scott Michaux in the Augusta Chronicle.
Schultz writes:
But some of Saturday's scramble and today's cram session easily could have been avoided. Rain had been forecast for days. By the time the second round ended Friday, it was a foregone conclusion that the next 18 holes were going to be wet, with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms all day. (The AJC even put this tidbit in the sports section, and normally spring football takes up the entire news hole.)
But Masters officials didn't adjust. They didn't start the field early. They didn't split the field and start half on the back nine. They looked at the same weather map as everybody else, and did nothing.
And from Michaux:
With just a little bit of foresight and a little common sense, the third round of the Masters would have been nearly completed as scheduled Saturday.
Neither element was executed.
Augusta National clearly can't control the weather, but it can do just about anything else it wants. With the preponderance of evidence suggesting that Saturday would be marred by foul weather, there should have been no reason for Masters officials not to have decided Friday night to tee off earlier and send players off both sides to work in as much golf as possible Saturday.
"They don't mess around and make a lot of bad decisions here," Mediate, who faces 32 holes today, said during the 4-hour, 18-minute rain delay.
They made a bad decision this time, and it was an unforced error despite a wealth of recent experience with poor weather.
There is no other sports property in the world that is less beholden to TV than the Masters. That's why, twice in the past five years, the Masters went off an hour earlier on Sundays because of potential bad weather that never materialized. That is one of the things that distinguishes the Masters from the other majors.
Ratings might matter to the network, but they don't matter to the golf club. If the final round coverage draws a 4.2 or a 14.2 share, CBS still will broadcast next year and the limited advertising still will include the same sponsors at the same rates.
Why, then, couldn't Augusta National have decided to start earlier Saturday and show whatever happened on a mix of tape delay and live coverage? If they had, most of the field would have finished and only a few players would have a few holes left this morning.
That would have leveled the playing field instead of the leaders facing anywhere from 27 to 32 holes today.
Every decision should be made in the best interests of the tournament and not television. We've always thought the Masters was better than that.
A second letter to the NY Times questioned Selena Roberts' column on Carolyn Bivens:
L.P.G.A. Shows Balance
To the Sports Editor:
Regarding the column about the L.P.G.A.'s marketing efforts ("The Loss of Innocence: Making Wie a Brand Name," April 2), it's important to recognize that any strong brand needs the right balance of substance and excitement.
L.P.G.A. players happen to have both. These talented, multidimensional athletes play at a skill level never seen before, and the L.P.G.A. is celebrating their successes on and off the golf course. This helps grow revenues for today's players and for generations to come, while in turn, building the L.P.G.A. brand.
Today's sports fans respond not only to phenomenal athletic prowess, but also to rivalries and personalities. Judging by the 1.8 overnight rating for the final round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship — an increase of 61 percent over last year — they're warming up to women's golf.
Dawn Hudson
Purchase, N.Y.
The writer is president and chief executive of Pepsi-Cola North America and a member of the L.P.G.A. board.
This writer now know how Bivens keeps her job.
Seems "Fist Bump" Bradley wasn't a big fan of Richard Sandomir's critical take on the 60 Minutes-Tiger Woods interview.
A Different Standard for TV?
To the Sports Editor:
I was surprised by the Tiger Woods article by Damon Hack ("Raising a Child First, Then a Champion," April 3).
It wasn't tough on Woods, and it seemed as if there was nothing new to report. It conveniently omitted the glares Woods gives fans who speak or click cameras when he swings, and the confrontations his caddie, Steve Williams, has had with those in the gallery who interrupt Woods at his work. Lest we forget — because Hack, a New York Times reporter, did — the times when Woods has punctuated bad shots with expletives or whacks at the tee box.
Those are criticisms leveled at me and "60 Minutes" by Richard Sandomir ("On '60 Minutes,' No News Is Woods's News," March 31). He was appalled that '60 Minutes' could run such a "puffy profile" without, for example, "pressing Woods on what he paid" for his house and boat.
Can we expect a column in The New York Times critical of Monday's Tiger Woods article? And if not, why not? Do you hold us at "60 Minutes" to a different standard than you hold your own newspaper?
Ed Bradley
New York
From Mike McAllister's live blog over at SI.com:
Stephen Ames, who finished at 2-under, said Augusta National is playing longer than earlier in the week. "It's exceptionally difficult out there," he said a few minutes ago. "It's back to the bangers again. The game is back into their hands."
And Tim Clark just told Bill Macatee that even with good drives, he's not sure he could have reached 17 or 18 in two.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
