"Admire the monster-vexing skills of professional golfers with today's Groupon"

I haven't found Groupon to be the next Twitter, but people swear by the daily deal that arrives in their email box. Google is trying to copy the concept and I have to say, I'm encouraged to see the folks running the fan-starved Northern Trust Open for using such a hip method to get more warm bodies out to the tournament.
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2011 USGA Annual Meeting Report

The dandruff encrusted bluecoat and grey slacks crowd gathered at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort for their annual meeting just miles and seemingly world's away from the roudy Waste Management Open in Scottsdale. The recent scorecard DQ's spiced up the cocktail reception banter, and based on the guarded remarks from the the rules experts, on a practical level it's going to be incredibly fun watching the USGA, R&A and pro tours try to come to a resolution in time for the looming 2012 rule book finalization.
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"Phoenix Open will have odd Monday finish"

Jim Moriarty explains why the Waste Management Open will play during the Super Bowl and finish with just a few holes left for the leaders on Monday morning. Because the forecast for Monday is good, tour regulations stipulate that shortening to 54 holes, with a traditional Sunday ending prior to the big game, is not an option..

"In a perfect world, we'll probably finish Monday, four or five holes," said Slugger White, the Tour's vice-president of Rules and Competitions and the on-site tournament director. "It's unbelievable how frozen these greens get and they just don't thaw out."

When asked why they wouldn't just conclude the third round Sunday and then play the entire fourth round Monday, White said, "I think everybody would kind of like to get out of here. That's what we're trying to do. Guys trying to get to Pebble or trying to get everywhere. I wouldn't want to burn two hours of daylight or whatever."

You can read all of Slugger's comments here. Note that he mentions having put the 54-hole option on the table before having to obey tour regulations.

Paul Mahoney notes the irony of Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey taking the lead.

I won't go on again as I did last year when I covered this event, but walking around today was just another reminder of what an incredible operation and tournament the Waste Management Open is. Massive crowds despite the cold, and all having so much fun. Sure there are a few drunks, but for the most part the loud-types are out enjoying the golf, placing some fun $1 side wagers and there to be part of what is ultimately a social event. The Waste Management Open really should be the model for all PGA Tour events in terms of energy, volunteer efficiency and fan experience.

"Such heightened sensitivity naturally shows up in the elite player’s toolbox."

For all of the talk about the average golfer aspirational golfer wanting to play the same equipment as the professional, we always assume the pros are getting stuff that's fine tuned compared to what's on the shelves of Roger Dunn. As Michael Bamberger demonstrates in this look at feel players, with a focus on Bubba Watson, it's not just the manufacturers who can refine equipment to the tightest specs. Elite players demand differently than most of us. 
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Flogton And Saving Golf Through Non-Conforming Equipment

t's a Friday, there's little news and I'm headed to the USGA Annual Meeting to hear how the bluecoats are progressing on year eight of the ball study. Since I couldn't find any interesting news to post, my time was spent giving the Flogton website a look. These are the Northern California dudes who have enlisted former Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy to promote their concept to make golf more accessible, more fun and younger.
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