"Committing to events like everybody else a few weeks in advance just highlights how ridiculous and imperialist he has been for most of his career."

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After some early goodwill over his early commitments to Quail Hollow, The Playas, the AT&T National and not the Memorial, the scribblers are sounding less and less enthralled. John Hawkins at GolfChannel.com:
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"Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based."

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The online story announcing Smith and Nephew as the sponsor in Memphis (I know, I know, you're thinking how did I not see them coming as a PGA Tour sponsor, what a fit!) did not include this hilarious press release footnote regarding the company and "Forward-Looking Statements." I'm sure it's boilerplate stuff for the $500 an hour set, but it's still entertaining!
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How To Spice Up Golf's On-Air Product

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Rex Hoggard noted that "Players, officials and television executives met last week in Harbour Town to brainstorm ways to punch up the on-air product, a productive meeting by all accounts."

Oh to have heard the ideas bandied about in that room!

I say, if television wants to flesh out a controversy a bit, they shouldn't be worried about upsetting PGA Tour brass, agents or friends and family.  And if television wants to mike caddies and players (which they resisted...like they were trading nuclear codes mid-round), let them!

Shoot, wouldn't we all be fascinated by a once-a-year, announcer-sparse (maybe two, tops?) telecast where we let player-caddy conversations do most of the storytelling?

While many potential innovations have been brought up in the past, most are branded "gimmicks" and forgotten about because golf thinks it's above such things. But with big money on the line and ratings flat, we may see some compromises.

What would you like to see?

"Sometimes I question the teaching of the game."

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John Huggan looks at Lee Westwood's claim of being the best player in the world despite not having the trophy case to quite back that up, and then looks at the notion of golf producing fewer "winners." Lots of interesting stuff here, but in particular was this from Ben Crenshaw on instruction and where Americans chose to play.
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