"Only Seve Ballesteros ever showed as much emotion or brought as much charisma to the Ryder Cup as Monty."
/Apparently they've already played the 2010 Ryder Cup and I must have missed it. So Europe won?
Read MoreWhen you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
"None of the greats go a career without having a futile moment with the putter."
/There are a couple of worthwhile looks at Tiger's recent putting "woes" of late (wouldn't we all love to putt so poorly). Thanks to reader Joey for Thomas Boswell's take in the Washington Post. Boswell says Tiger has "learned how to lose" and makes an interesting but ultimately hard-to-buy comparison with Jack Nicklaus's career arch.
Read More"It's sort of confusing, but let's try."
/Thomas Bonk files an update from San Francisco on the state of Harding Park's singed greens and also tries to explain the confusing rerouting for Presidents Cup play.
Read More"It's just way too much."
/From John Hawkins' Barclays game story in Golf World:
Read MoreThe PGA Tour Gets It? Volume...
/...uh, I'll have to go back in the archives, but we do have a growing list of examples that the PGA Tour continues to move in the direction of downplaying rough, emphasizing the recovery shot, setting a proper example for the game and preparing us for a return to more flyer lie-golf in 2010 when groove rules are changed.
Thanks to reader Al for this Ed Sherman item about Cog Hill, site of next week's BMW Championship:
Received a call from Frank Jemsek the other day. He said he heard us speculating on our radio show ("Chicagoland Golf," WSCR-AM 670, 6-8 a.m. Saturday) about the rough the pros will encounter next week for the BMW Championship.
It turns out the rough might be as rough. Mr. Jemsek, the owner and operator of Cog Hill, said the PGA Tour has asked him to leave the rough at No. 4 at the same level of the facility's other three courses.
"That would be about 2 1/2 inches," Mr. Jemsek said.
"Playoff Perks"
/Not that this is a new issue, but there was this item from Doug Ferguson's weekly notes column that is sure to generate some discussion in Augusta, Far Hills, St. Andrews and Palm Beach.
Read More"I'm disappointed but not surprised"
/Good to see The Donald doing everything on the up and up over in Scotland.
Read More"Guys, I really don't want to talk about that."
/Hard to imagine Kenny Perry would drop
Read More"Apart from the general collapse of course development due to economic reasons it may well be time for potential golf developers to reflect on future builds."
/It's not a particularly new or timely topic, but caddy Colin Byrne takes on the European Tour's dreadful Ryder Cup venue selection and says "for the good of the suave and sophisticated Gleneagles complex and the integrity of the game" he hopes "2014 marks the end of the modern era of the Ryder Cup location policy in Europe and integrity takes precedence once again over money."
Read More"How good would it be to watch Palmer and Nicklaus play a few holes again on the big course during the Masters?"
/Not content with getting Jack Nicklaus to the first tee Thursday morning, Scott Michaux is pleading for more:
Read MoreKostis Tweets!
/Who knew, right? And after reviewing them, including a buddy bromance with Paul Casey and complaints about having to do four hours of a cable telecast, I think we're finally going to get to know more about the infomercial host and friend of all things Titleist.
Read More"High-profile abuse like this is nothing but a positive for golf."
/Thanks to reader John for John Paul Newport's WSJ analysis of the hatred towards golf:
Read More"Thoughtful setup equals more fun"
/Lance Rigler documents a small but nice example of shifting tees around and how some college golfers are finding it both fun and challenging.
The best examples might have been Nos. 16 and 17. Playing from the tips, the par-5 16th hole featured a back right hole location and gave players all they wanted today. It stretched over 680 yards and played to a 5.13 scoring average.
However, players were immediately rewarded with the par-4 17th, where a good drive could find the putting surface. What a swing of emotions that were produced in that two-hole stretch.
“The kids are saying this is a lot of fun,” said Vanderbilt coach Tom Shaw. “The setup today with some of the tees up and some of the tees back, it really makes them think.”
