"I don't get much roll anyway"

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The Times-Picayune's Fred Robinson offered a few interesting bits related to the myth of distance in the game today, starting with this from Bubba Watson.

And when Watson, the longest driver on the PGA Tour, tees it up today in the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, he knows long drives on the rain-soaked English Turn golf course could lead to low scores.

"It'll help me because it's wet and you're not going to get much roll," said Watson, who is averaging 318.5 yards on drives, nearly eight yards more than J.B. Holmes, the second-longest driver on tour. "I fly the ball, and I don't get much roll anyway."
Huh, and here I thought it was all athleticism and roll.

And this....
David Toms, whose 22-under-par 266 score won at English Turn in 2001, said distance is a factor, but so is experience.

"Certainly, I'd like to have 20 more yards," Toms said. "I don't know if it would be good to have 60 or 70 more yards."

When Toms turned pro in 1989, he said he was driving the ball about 269 yards. Today, his average is up to 285.5 yards and is tied for 102nd in driving distance. Much of it, he said, is due to ball and club technology.

"It's more of a power game today," Toms said Wednesday. "Most of the guys who do well on the tour are pretty powerful players. They don't have to be tops in driving distance, but I think that they have the ability to overpower golf courses."
Get this man a copy of the Distance Myths memo. Oh, we better get one to Robinson too...
In 11 of the 17 tour events this season, the winners averaged at least 290 yards off the tee. Five times the winner's average drive was more than 300 yards.

 

"My, my, go back in the kitchen"

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I just stumbled upon Steve Elling's profile of LPGA Commish and world branding authority, Carolyn Bivens. As usual, she opened her mouth, and dumb things came out!

As the tour rolls into Orlando this week for the $2.5 million Ginn Open, the self-assured 53-year-old has been chastised over her first seven months for precipitating a media boycott, running off key employees and for unabashedly showcasing her most commercially palatable players. Like some fearless freshmen, she seems all but impervious to the criticism -- heck, she's even firing back.

"Isn't that heresy?" Bivens said, laughing and dripping sarcasm. "We're trying to open endorsement opportunities to women. We're trying to raise purses. Isn't that appalling? My, my, go back in the kitchen."

Thatta way Carolyn! You visionary you.  

China Unveils Its Evidence

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That whole China invented golf story? Well the plot thickens, at least according to Reuters:

An exhibition of three replica paintings depicting nobility playing a golf-like game unveiled at Beijing's Great Hall of the People this week backs the claim that modern golf is derived from an ancient sport called Chuiwan.

The paintings are said to have been stored at Beijing's Imperial Palace Museum and date back to the Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties.

"China's ancient Chuiwan, whether in the equipment, the course and the rules -- even in the etiquette -- is very similar to modern golf," Li Yong, deputy secretary of China Golf Association (CGA), told reporters.

"Not only was it played much earlier than (Scotland's) 15th century golf, it's also earlier than other countries' similar ancient golf games. Thus, we can absolutely say that China's ancient Chuiwan is the mother of modern golf."

The replica paintings depict scenes of imperial nobility standing near small, round balls and holding sticks reminiscent of golf clubs.

The other item of evidence offered was a copy of Wan Jing -- a book published in 1282 and reading like a beginner's textbook on golf, according to experts.

Where They Stand On Distance Devices

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Brad Klein looks at differing views on distance measuring devices. More impressively, he lists where each state and regional golf association stands on their use in tournament play.

A few interesting graphs:

The Ohio Golf Association, normally a maverick (as evidenced by its recent decision to require use of a single tournament ball in its Ohio Champions Tournament), has sided with those who view distance devices as a boon to play, and is allowing them in all competitions this year. Jim Popa, executive director of the OGA, said the rangefinder decision had "nothing to do with the ball issue; it's based on personal experience by those who have used some of these in play."

Popa was quick to add that the OGA decision had "no commercial links involved and no sponsorship money" and that use of the devices is "up to individual competitors. If there's a downside, not everyone can afford it."

And...

Buford McCarty, executive director of the Alabama Golf Association and executive secretary of the Southern Golf Association, said he's "not convinced the (devices) will speed up play" and is comfortable with the decision of his two groups not to allow their use.

McCarty recently attended a college event that allowed the devices and that helped reinforce his associations' decision.
"We witnessed on more than one occasion players sighting distance and then walking off yardage from a fixed marker. On a couple of instances, after all this, we saw players then walk the distance from where their ball was to the green and back."

I've heard from some college coaches who said the devices actually made rounds slower, especially in the rain when players would fumble around with their device while trying to keep it dry and in its case!  No one ever said progress was waterproof.

Randy Reed is director of rules and competitions for the Maryland State Golf Association, secretary of the Middle Atlantic Golf Association and executive director of the Washington (D.C.) Metropolitan Golf Association – none of which are allowing rangefinders.

"In my 20 years of involvement in the golf association business," said Reed, "not one person has ever asked me: 'When are the golf associations going to legalize rangefinders?' " The pressure, he concludes, is coming from industry leaders, not golfers.

U.S. Open Exempt Field

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The current U.S. Open field with the exemption explanation below. 

Steven Ames 6
Stuart Appleby 9
Rich Beem 5
Thomas Bjorn 10
Olin Browne 9
Bart Bryant 9
Angel Cabrera 10
Mark Calcavecchia 9
Chad Campbell 9
Michael Campbell 1,8,10
K.J. Choi 8
Stewart Cink 8
Tim Clark 8,9
John Cook 8
Fred Couples 8
Ben Crane 9
Ben Curtis 4
Chris DiMarco 9
Luke Donald 9,10
Dillon Dougherty 2
Nick Dougherty 10
Allen Doyle 7
David Duval 4
Ernie Els 1,4,8
Bob Estes 8
Niclas Fasth 10
Kenneth Ferrie 10
Fred Funk 9
Jim Furyk 1,9
Sergio Garcia 8,9,10
Lucas Glover 9
Retief Goosen 1,8,9,10
Todd Hamilton 4
Padraig Harrington 9
Peter Hedblom 8
Mark Hensby 8
Tim Herron 9
Charles Howell III 9
David Howell 10
Ryuji Imada 8
Peter Jacobsen 8
Lee Janzen 1
Miguel Angel Jimenez 10
Brandt Jobe 9
Steve Jones 1
Shingo Katayama 14
Justin Leonard 9
Davis Love III 8,9
Paul McGinley 10
Billy Mayfair 9
Rocco Mediate 8
Shaun Micheel 5
Phil Mickelson 3,5,9,12
Edorado Molinari 2
Colin Montgomerie 10
Aaron Oberholser 8
Sean O’Hair 9
Nick O’Hern 15
Jose Maria Olazabal 10
Corey Pavin 8
Kenny Perry 9
Nick Price 8
Ted Purdy 9
Adam Scott 9,15
Vijay Singh 5,8,9
Henrik Stenson 10
David Toms 5,8,9
Scott Verplank 9
Mike Weir 3
Tiger Woods 1,3,4,8,9,12

Key to Player Exemptions –

1) Winners of the U.S. Open Championship for the last 10 years.

2) Winner and runner-up of the 2005 U.S. Amateur Championship.

3) Winners of the Masters Tournament the last five years.

4) Winners of the British Open Championship the last five years.

5) Winners of the PGA of America Championship the last five years.

6) Winner of the 2006 Players Championship.

7) Winner of the 2005 U.S. Senior Open Championship.

8) From the 2005 U.S. Open Championship, the 15 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 15th place.

9) From the 2005 final official PGA Tour money list, the top 30 money leaders.

10) From the 2005 final official PGA European Tour, the top 15 money leaders.

11) From the 2006 official PGA Tour money list, the top 10 money leaders through May 29.

12) Any multiple winner of PGA Tour co–sponsored events whose victories are considered official from April 23, 2005 through June 6, 2006

13) From the 2006 PGA European Tour, the top two money leaders through May 30.

14) From the 2005 final Japan Golf Tour money list, the top two leaders provided they are within the top 75 point leaders of the World Rankings at that time.

15) From the 2005 final PGA Tour of Australasia money list, the top two leaders provided they are within the top 75 point leaders of the World Rankings at that time.

16) From the World Rankings list, the top 50 point leaders as of May 30, 2006.

17) Special exemptions selected by the USGA Executive Committee International players not otherwise exempt as selected by the USGA Executive Committee.

USGA Distance Myths, Vol. 9

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Myth #8:

 8.      You get more distance when you put topspin on a drive.

False.  Every normally struck drive has backspin. Backspin generates lift and keeps the ball in the air.  You can put topspin on a ball – but only when you “top” the ball.  It will go a very short distance and dive into the ground.
Boy, glad we got that cleared up. Of all the topics in golf, I know 19th holes are just brimming with arguments over topspin!

And mercifully, the final myth, #9: 

 9.      Accuracy off the tee isn’t as important as it used to be on the PGA Tour.

That’s no myth, it’s true.  During the ‘80s driving accuracy was almost as strong a predictor of money-winning as putting.  Today it has fallen to the lowest level ever.

It would interesting to know what author Dick Rugge thinks about this final point. Does he attribute it to the players, equipment or course setup?

Either way, I'm just so glad we got these myths cleared up. You really get a feel for just how in tune the USGA is with the perceptions of golfers and fans across the globe. 

Testing Their Sense of Humor

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Nothing like some good ole blue blazer, what-we-do-to-protect-par humor (from Leonard Shapiro's Washington Post story):

But beyond about seven yards from the first cut, all the way to the spectator ropes, the USGA wants the grass to be between five and six inches, maybe longer. In that sort of spinach, players likely will only be able to hack the ball out into the fairway with a wedge.

"The idea of adjusting the rough is to make it appropriate for the shot they hit," said Walter Driver, the new president of the USGA. "A player who hits it 15 yards out of the fairway, well, let's just say their sense of humor is going to be tested."

 

I Don't Know About You...

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...but after reading this Gerry Dulac story on the 84 Lumber Classic's demise, I could take a big rain check on meeting  Joe Hardy's daughter:

"My dad, he can spend money," said Maggie Hardy Magerko, Joe's daughter and president/owner of 84 Lumber Co.

It was that spending, apparently, that helped lead to the demise of the tournament, which will be discontinued after this year as part of a growth plan by 84 Lumber to expand the nation's largest privately owned lumber and building supply retailer into a $10 billion company.

And that decision was made by Hardy Magerko, not her father, whom she says did not want to cancel the tournament.

"It was my decision," said Hardy Magerko. "I'm 40 and my dad is 83. We don't always agree on things. He has different motivation. I want to pass 84 Lumber to my sons. He likes legacies.

"That's our biggest dilemma. He spends too much money. I want to make money."

The 84 Lumber Classic agreed to a six-year sponsorship extension with the PGA Tour that would allow the tournament to move to June, beginning in 2007. Four months later, Hardy Magerko changed her mind because she said the cost of running the tournament for the next six years would have been $100 million.

Among the reasons: Hardy Magerko said her company will be spending "lots of money" to aggressively purchase smaller lumber and framing companies to eliminate competition.

So good to know the money is going to such a worthy cause. What a legacy!

Big Easy Blues

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Ron Kroichick is already tired of the PGA Tour back-patting for returning normalcy to New Orleans. Wait until he hears CBS debut Yanni's new Fats Domino-inspired "Katrina Theme," backed by a 400-member violin section. Just kidding.

It's obviously a sign of progress for normal business to resume. But golf as therapy for one of the worst natural disasters in United States history? Easy now.

Make no mistake, the PGA Tour has been generous in its response to Katrina. The Tour's hurricane-relief fund has raised more than $5 million. Louisiana native David Toms has contributed time and money. Phil Mickelson, playing in New Orleans for the first time, announced Wednesday he would donate his prize money to hurricane-related charities.

Still, the tone emanating from New Orleans this week has bordered on excessive. The presence of professional golfers will not magically clean up the destruction, nor will it abruptly revitalize the region. And though the PGA Tour is skilled in the art of self-congratulation, it's not as if all the top players flocked into town to support recovery efforts.

Carts On The Champions Tour

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championstour.gifJay Haas doesn't like carts returning to the Valiant Competitors  Senior  Champions Tour:

"I'd like it to go back to no carts," said Jay Haas, at 52 a relative youth on the Champions Tour. "It just seems right. It seems like if spectators can go out and walk, we can, too. It's part of the competition."

I'd make a joke about needing spectators to actually make it an issue, but that would be way too easy.

Rearranging the Furniture

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Mike Aitken on the reshuffling of holes at Royal Liverpool Hoylake:
Donald Steel, the architect who oversaw the latest round of changes, modestly insists he has just "rearranged the furniture".

Nevertheless, even Steel concedes the decision to open the batting with what was previously the 17th, means Hoylake will now confront the game's best players with "as stout an opening hole as any on the Open rota".

The old first, now the third, with out of bounds on the right, is as fierce as ever. After once sending five balls out of play there, Jamie Anderson, the winner of three Opens, rued: "My God, it's like playing up a spout."

Change has been gradual at Hoylake rather than violent with the links showing a modest increase in length of 122 yards, to 7,258 yards, compared to the Amateur Championship in 2000. More telling was the rearranging of certain holes so that the par-5 16th, where de Vicenzo struck that famous 3-wood, has become the new 18th.

"We have slightly rearranged the way the holes are played to set competitors a more challenging finish," explained Dawson.

"The last three holes add up to nearly 1,600 yards and the 18th in particular has enough room around it to meet the [spectator] demands of a modern 72nd hole. Measuring 560 yards, the last will present a birdie opportunity, but as a left to right dog-leg with out of bounds ever present on the right, it will also be a hole for potential disaster. A lot will happen over those holes and anyone in the lead with three left to play may not be in the lead at the end."