Haney Eliminates At Least Three Of Barkley's Backswing Belches

USGA Notice: We're Looking At High Lofted Wedges

Bout and Gas are reporting over at their GolfDigest.com blog that the USGA has issued a notice suggesting...

...the USGA will be conducting "research on high-lofted wedges. This research is being conducted to determine if high-lofted wedges (for example, 60 degrees of loft and higher) can reduce the challenge of the game for shots near the green." I have heard recently that players at this year's U.S. Amateur attacked the bowl-shaped greens at Pinehurst No. 2 with a fleet of high-lofted wedges. Not exactly what Donald Ross had envisioned, I believe. Let's get rid of those wedges. The only people who really know how to use them are good players anyway. Allowing a club to further help a good player more than an average player is unnecessary at this stage, moreover letting a good player not have to develop the skill of manipulating a lower-lofted wedge to hit a particular shot is encouraging a leveling of the playing field that strikes at the heart of what golf competition should be.

You could also make that case for most modern equipment: it helps the elite player more than it helps the average man (Tom Wishon has discussed this at length).

After Gas' comments above, Bout agrees and argues that the limit should be 58 degrees.

Back in 2002, Charles Howell III carried a Cleveland 588 64-degree wedge, saying that although the club was effective, it didn't get much call. "I rarely use the 64-degree club--maybe two times a tournament," he said. "But it's perfect when I short-side a green or if there's long rough and hard, fast greens. Then it's almost like cheating--the ball stops wherever it lands."

Whenever you hear a player say, "it's almost like cheating," then it's time to look into things.

Fair point. However, here's why this is a mistake for the USGA to pursue:

- It takes great skill to pull off a high-lofted wedge shot. The more loft a club has, the more difficult it is to hit shots with any consistency. Yet restoration of "skill" is the primary motivation on the groove rule change, albeit a shallow definition of it (rewarding the striking of drives down a narrow center line).

- The recovery shot has taken a beating in the era of high rough and slick greens. Do we really want to eliminate one more recovery shot? One that takes skill to pull off? I don't think so. Unfortunately, too many governing body leaders are penal school aficionados and the recovery shot is forbidden in that cynical approach to golf.

- Serious pursuit of loft will negate the positive reaction to the groove rule change by only reinforcing the notion that the governing bodies are looking to do anything but even discuss something like the golf ball. (BTW, we're entering year seven since the first time the words "ball study" were uttered.)

- High lofted wedges require soft conditions. You need lush turf to pull off the "cheating" shots that they speak of. It also helps to have a receptive target to land your ball on. In other words, firm conditions generally negate the impact of the high-lofted wedge. Perhaps the real issue here is widespread overwatering and lush, green-at-all-costs turf?

Please, your thoughts?

"The caricature of Tiger Woods eating Rocco Mediate as a snack is unfair and an inaccurate characterization of the facts."

I'm always reluctant to check into Bob Carney's Editor's Blog for fear of reading something that gives me little faith in the people reading golf magazines. Today was one of those items.

Reader Alan Archer writes to complain about the Tiger-Rocco drawing from the recent Golf World newsmaker's issue.

Archer opens his letter with this line:

"The caricature of Tiger Woods eating Rocco Mediate as a snack is unfair and an inaccurate characterization of the facts."

Now, last I heard, a caricature is an unfair, inaccurate and totally not-factual representation. That's why they are fun.

Carney handled the response much more diplomatically than I would have.

Padraig Makes It Official: No Xmas Card For Sergio Anytime Soon

Lawrence Donegan gets 2008's two-time major winner Padraig Harrington to admit that he and Sergio Garcia will likely not be featured in a future Golf Digest "Buddies" issue. Thanks to reader Lee for this:

"We have zero in common, bar the fact that we both play golf. He is the antithesis of me, and I am the antithesis of him," said Harrington, who was yesterday named the European Tour's player of the year in recognition of his two major victories in 2008, at the Open Championship at Birkdale and the PGA Championship in Detroit. The Irishman edged out García on the final green of the PGA and had also defeated the Spaniard in a play-off to win last year's Open at Carnoustie — an occasion remembered as much for the frostiness of their interaction as it was for the excellence of their golf.

At the time many observers believed their evident lack of personal warmth was a by-product of what was a fiercely contested tournament but Harrington conceded their antipathy was more deep-rooted.

"We play the game in exactly the opposite way. He is destined to find the long game easy and the short game hard, and I am the opposite," he said. "We're also competitors who for the last few years have been vying over who is the No1 golfer in Europe. I think in the hearts and minds of a lot of people García would have been No1, while I have been ranked No1. As you can imagine, no quarter is given. It is not as if we have ever had a row or a run-in. I have had plenty of run-ins with people and we would be friends but [with Garcia] it is just, well, we are just so much the opposite of each other."

"I throw this stuff out there to get Tim Finchem a little bit worried."

Mark Soltau chats with Fred Couples about the President's Cup and other matters. Here's something you don't hear everyday:

Golf Digest: You won a million dollars this year and cracked the Top 125 on the money list, all before your recent 49th birthday. You have to feel pretty good about that?

Couples: I do. I have one goal for next year -- I've got to get into the Top 50 in the world rankings. That's the only way I can get into the Chevron World Challenge. It would take an unbelievable year.

And...

GD: Do you have a backup for Robin Williams?

Couples: Apparently, he lives five minutes from Harding Park, which I had no idea. What we're hoping he will do is come into the player's lounge one night. I didn't know he does a golf skit, which I hear is unbelievable. He's my favorite comedian. I throw this stuff out there to get Tim Finchem a little bit worried. I like to keep the PGA Tour on their toes. Hopefully, Robin will come and give us a little skit one night.

Grading The Golf News Sites Week: Golfweek.com

Thanks so far for the stellar comments on favorite golf sites, golf.com and golfdigest.com/golfworld.com. If you haven't weighed in, please do.

Now onto our next subject. Golfweek.com is probably the most vital of all the golf sites for the serious golfer and fan of tournament golf. However, more than the other sites poses one of those love-hate situations for me:

• Love the exclusive online content and guaranteed daily wrap up of important tournaments in easy to digest ways.
• Hate the slideshow music and other lame cutesy stuff prone to pop up on GolfweekTV (though I notice much less since a certain editor with lousy taste in cover art has moved on).
• Love the content of the blogs. Short, snappy, fun little items that probably wouldn't mean much by the time Golfweek hits the presses, but which work perfectly online.
• Hate the complete and totally inexplicable lack of real blog features: reader comments and permalink or emailable options for posts. If I can set up a real blog, so can you Golfweek.
• Love the simple design and ease of use when I get home and just want to get a quick hit of news.
  Columns are easy to find, as are many other things like the top 100 lists and the player rankings.
• Hate the difficulty of finding news stories that appeared more than a week ago.

Overall I think they do a great job making their print publication still valuable while also delivering as much original online content as any site. It would be nice to see some more print items appear a month after appearing in Golfweek in order to build up a nice archive (and hits!).

That said, many of the columnists are particularly strong and seem to offer up offbeat stuff online, which I love and feel is lacking at times elsewhere.

What do you all think?

Daly Pays Homage To Stevie Down Under: Smashes Spectator's Camera

However, unlike Stevie "I gladly chuck Nikon or Canon" Williams, Australian Open contestant John Daly offered to pay for the trashed camera. Sort of like when John Belushi bashes that folk singer's guitar in Animal House, and then shrugs and says sorry. Hey, that's at least two things Daly has in common with Bluto. Well and the drinking part too, so make it three.

After pushing his tee shot wide on the ninth hole -- his last -- Daly walked into a clump of trees, where spectator Brad Clegg tried to take a picture at close range.

Daly reportedly snatched the camera and smashed it against the nearest tree, telling the man, "You want it back, I'll buy you a new one."

Asked if he would seek compensation, Clegg told the Australian Associated Press: "I don't think I'll be chasing him for the money. He's a big bloke!"

Update on 2008-12-11 07:08 by Geoff

The Times features this story and a photo of the cameraman with his wounded weapon.

Ryders Brace For Pavin Captaincy By Ordering Up Heavy On The Azinger Nostalgia, Well Done

You can already sense that they're clamoring for those earth-shattering one-on-ones with about-to-be-announced Captain Pavin.

John Hopkins in the Times:

There is some surprise in the selection of Pavin, 49, to be the man to lead his team at Celtic Manor Resort, near Newport. The PGA of America is believed to have wanted Azinger to repeat his role, but the man who masterminded the first US victory since 1999 decided against it. “All I can say, boys, is it’s not going to be me,” Azinger said on Monday.

Did anyone else read Azinger's comments that way? I thought it was more resignation at being passed up?

Rex Hoggard at GolfChannel.com:

The PGA may have pulled the plug on Azinger, but it was a surgeon’s scalpel that cost him his ultimate Ryder Cup experience. When Tiger Woods’ season ended shortly after his historic U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines it robbed Azinger of his chance to captain a team that included the world No. 1.

“It’s one of those things I’m going to miss the most. Not being able to spend time with the likes of Tiger Woods . . . it’s unfortunate,” Azinger said before the matches.
For the man who didn’t leave a blade of Kentucky bluegrass undisturbed in his quest for Ryder Cup gold, the PGA’s decision and Woods’ season-ending injury are particularly painful rubs on an otherwise agreeable green.

Mark Reason in the Daily Telegraph:

If they do overlook cap'n Azinger, the PGA of America will prove that they are serious rivals for "the 57 old farts" of the RFU once lampooned by Will Carling.

Four years ago Tiger Woods and many others wanted the smarts of Mark O'Meara, but the PGA of America wouldn't have him because O'Meara had once suggested that some of their Ryder Cup profits should go to player-nominated charities.

Now, if Azinger has it right, the officers of the PGA are set to refuse to reappoint their first decent captain since Tom Watson in 1993. The hot favourite to replace Azinger is the 49-year-old Pavin. 

Update on 2008-12-11 16:24 by Geoff

Not everyone is infatuated with Azinger at the moment. Jim McCabe in the Boston Globe:

In an effort to market himself and profit from the success of his captaincy with the US Ryder Cup team, Paul Azinger fired his longtime agent and went with superpower IMG. Apparently, the Ryder Cup isn't about the money, at least until it's over, at which time it's all about the money.

"A difficult-to-navigate Jack Nicklaus-designed course"

I can't say this is the most flattering golf course adjective I've ever read, especially since it arrives in a press release from Tiger's crew plugging next week's Chevron World Challenge.

The scene is a classic, the 7,027-yard Sherwood Country Club, a difficult-to-navigate Jack Nicklaus-designed course that will test 16 of the world’s greatest players in a 72-hole stroke play format, Dec. 17-21. 

Classic Club Returned To Its Rightful Owners

The final chapter in the boondoggle that should never have been allowed to happen had anyone involved thought this one through...

CLASSIC CLUB RETURNS TO H.N. & FRANCES C. BERGER FOUNDATION

Bob Hope Classic Charities/Desert Classic Charities and The Berger Foundation Working Together Toward Shared Charitable Goals

La Quinta, Calif. (December 10, 2008) - Due to the current slowing economy, the Bob Hope Classic Charities/Desert Classic Charities and the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation have decided the responsibility of the Classic Club operations and ownership shall be returned to the Berger Foundation.

“The Classic Club golf facility has always been dedicated to charitable endeavors in and for the Coachella Valley,” said John Foster, president of The Bob Hope Classic Charities, Inc. and Desert Classic Charities, Inc. “We believe that goal can best be accomplished by the Berger Foundation in this economic climate.”

The Classic Club was formally gifted by the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation to the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in January 2005. The Bob Hope Classic Charities/Desert Classic Charities recognize ownership and management of the Classic Club operations by the Berger Foundation at this time will enable better charitable options for the course and facility. The Classic Charities and the Berger Foundation are committed to the success of the Classic Club and the charitable benefits it can bring to the Coachella Valley.

“Our commitment and association with the Bob Hope Classic Charities and the Desert Classic Charities has been a gratifying experience for all involved through the years and will continue,” said Ronald M. Auen, president and chief executive officer, H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation. “As we move forward into the next phase for the Classic Club, we will strive to achieve even greater charitable success and long term benefits for the entire community.”

"So why is it Americans can't wean our golf courses off most chemicals..."

I was thrilled to see GolfDigest.com added Ron Whitten's December issue story on two organic golf courses and the issues they face (none really!). I think it's the most important story I've read this year, assuming you think it's time to see more courses lean on sustainable practices.

A couple of highlights:

Like Applewood, Granby River has bluegrass fairways and bent-grass greens. Tees and greens are cut a little higher than at Applewood, but the turf is lush and sparkling green, juxtaposed against large areas of tall, tan native grasses, conditions certainly suitable to its green fee ($40 Canadian). Again, it's hard to believe a golf course can look and play this good using homemade remedies and witches' brews. But it's true.

"We haven't used an ounce of any pesticide, herbicide or fungicide," Thevenaz says. "We fertilize fairways using composted turkey manure. We fertilize our greens with a compost tea that's a blend of bone meal, blood meal, kelp and humate, a refined carbon to encourage root growth. We brew the tea, supplied from a firm in New Brunswick, for 24 hours, then mix in the organics and apply it in liquid form.

"To fight disease on the greens, we apply a solution of garlic extract. It's not that expensive, about the same price per gallon as a pesticide. To fight grub worms, we apply rock glacial dust. It's abrasive; the worms choke on it."

And...

So what do they do if a problem does break out? Isn't there a strong temptation to spray a quick application to nip the problem? No, they say, mainly because they have no chemicals on hand.

"If a disease hits one of my greens," Rusch says, "I'll mow it with one of my walk mowers, to keep the disease from spreading to other greens, I'll apply a little ammonium sulfate to get the grass growing aggressively, and I'll either add water or back off the water, depending upon the disease."

"Weed control is the one thing that organic management hasn't conquered," Carlson says. "If we do anything, we hand-pick them, even in the rough. Golfers just don't like weeds anywhere in their line of vision."

So that's the big trade-off with organic golf? It's much more labor-intensive. It'll drive up the cost of the game.

Not really. Rusch's maintenance budget at Applewood, including payroll, is just $350,000 (considerably less than comparable 18-hole public courses). Granby River's is even less, $247,000 Canadian, including equipment leases. Carlson says his Vineyard budget is in the mid-range for New England private courses, spending a little more on labor costs.

So why is it Americans can't wean our golf courses off most chemicals, particularly when it could have a positive impact on the water we drink, the air we breathe and the wallets we carry?

You go Ron!