Webb: Long Putters Not Nearly As Skill-Changing As Modern Driver Heads

Just when I was feeling so good about the trajectory of banning anchoring, Webb Simpson had to go and inject these thoughts into the skill/rulemaking debate.

First though, Hank Gola shares Graeme McDowell's discussions with the USGA's Mike Davis and his counter position on anchoring a long putter.

"They feel like their research has shown that putting under pressure down the stretch on the back nine on Sunday, when you can anchor the putter to a part of your body . . . that just takes one extraneous movement out of the putting stroke," he said. "It's just kind of a physical fact that if you can just take one element of movement and motion out of the stroke that holing putts will become easier.

And here's Simpson's comment that certainly makes sense.

"Do I think they should be banned? No, and here's why," he said. "You take a wooden driver compared to a 460 cc's titanium, and to me that's a lot bigger difference than a 35 inch putter to a 45 inch putter. Also last year, the strokes game putting, nobody in the top 20 used a belly putter or a long putter. If anybody says it's an advantage, I think you've got to look at the stats and the facts."

There goes any potential run as a USGA poster child!

The story also includes comments from Keegan Bradley, who is concerned that taking away long putters could cost the manufacturers "millions" of dollars.

 "To me, to change something that big and to cost manufacturers millions of dollars, you've got to have some pretty good facts," he said. "I think just because some of us are winning majors or winning tournaments with the belly putter, I don't think that's a good reason to say, 'hey, we're going to take them away. That's my real take."

Depressed Media Turns To Its Creativity To Survive Glory's Last Visit To Kiawah Island For At Least A Century

Wow, the PGA at Kiawah is finally here and looking at that weather forecast, may be here for a while!

I'd preview who might win, how the course is playing and what to look for but after six inches of rain turned the place into a slog and making the superintendent's life miserable, it's time to just sit back and wait for the first thunderstorm delay.

But I will say that as dark as the dispatches were Tuesday, the scribes turned to humor and their inner creativity to get through Wednesday, with Gary Van Sickle (@GaryVanSickle) earning some sort of GWAA award (in a just world) for his tweets (here, here, here) and Scott Michaux (@scottmichaux) for his video documenting the lengthy ride from the media hotel to Kiawah.

Rory: "The technology lets maybe some of the lesser players catch up with the better players."

Ewan Murray reports Rory McIlroy's comments on the eve of Glory's Visit To Kiawah:

McIlroy, whose honesty in public is one of his most endearing qualities, said: "I'm just happy to be part of that group of 16. I think the reason it is like this, fields are much deeper. Partly because the guys have just got better and have worked hard; they are putting more into the game physically, mentally, practice, technical, everything.

"But I think one of the big things is the technology. I think 25 years ago you had the really good players that could play with basically anything and nowadays the technology lets maybe some of the lesser players catch up with the better players. And I think that's why you see so many more guys winning these days."

The comments pick up where Ernie Els left off a few weeks ago.  It might also be a nice time to read the Joint Statement of Principles, where the skill component is key to action by the governing bodies. At least, according to the Statement:

While generally welcoming this progress, the R&A and the USGA will remain vigilant when considering equipment Rules. The purpose of the Rules is to protect golf's best traditions, to prevent an over-reliance on technological advances rather than skill, and to ensure that skill is the dominant element of success throughout the game.

Brandel: Originality Is Dead

Interesting take from the always provocative Brandel Chamblee on parity in today's game.

Firestone Field Averaged 313.8 Yards!

We finally see a firm golf course on the PGA Tour with the ball running, drivers not taken away from the players, and the average...was 313.8 yards.

Of course, Mike Stachura, as he can always be counted on, tells us why this is nothing to worry about, it's too soon to say, it's...ah you know the usual denial tactics!

Technically he's right, the damage was done long ago when the governing bodies were outsmarted and now we're stuck with hundreds of 7,000-yard plus courses no one wants to play, own or maintain.

Foley Says Kostis Mangled Tiger Swing Analysis

Pete McDaniel talks to instructor Sean Foley, who explains how CBS on-course reporter Peter Kostis got it wrong in breaking down Tiger's swing last weekend when he described Tiger's clubface as being "toed-in'' when it really was the opposite.

Foley went on to explain that the shot was actually executed with an open clubface. Through body rotation Tiger imparted right-to-left spin on the ball and that's what made it curve.

"His clubface was open say three degrees and his body rotation amounted to four degrees. That's what produced the draw.''

Flashback: Will The PGA Move Up Tee Times To Prevent A Repeat Of Baltusrol in 2005?

You have to go back seven years in the GeoffShackelford.com archives to relive the boondoggle that was the 2005 PGA Championship and the PGA of America's decision to not budge on Sunday tee times despite an expected afternoon thunderstorm.

And since I just read Richard Sandomir's review of the dismal Sunday situation and the even worse Monday CBS coverage--noting the (then) disjointed telecast caused by too many commercials, which has gotten worse since then--one wonders if tee time stance will be the same if the forecast holds.

Here's the part about the decision not to move up tee times, which CBS said was all on the PGA of America:

As for the notion that CBS was somehow at fault for the fourth round not being completed on Sunday, Correa said the network did not demand a 3 p.m. tee time for the final pairing or stand in the way of starting the round an hour earlier.

"The P.G.A. of America is responsible for the scheduling of the tournament," he said. "It's up to them."

He said CBS would not have objected to an earlier start "if the weather reports were that severe."

The delay was long enough to cause a major to spill into Monday, but 60 Minutes did get that all-important strong lead-in.

Will the PGA hold their ground again in 2012 if a similar situation arises? Let's hope we don't have to find out.

Scotland Upping Size Of Wind Turbines Off Donald's Coast!

Frank Urquhart reports that Swedish electricity giant Vattenfall, has submitted proposals to raise the maximum height of the turbines and the radius of the blades of the wind turbines off the coast from Trump International Golf Links.

Needless to say, The Donald is not pleased.

He said: “My project is a far greater development in terms of jobs, pounds spent and potential revenues to the area than the ugly, inefficient turbines contemplated in the Vattenfall proposal.

“Alex Salmond must have a death wish. Other countries throughout the world are abandoning wind turbine projects and not building previously approved structures because the economics just don’t work. Without subsidies from England, Scotland would not be able to sustain his folly.”

Hank On Tiger Catching Jack: Odds "Probably" Not Favoring Woods

Robert Lusetich on Tiger's presser today and his former coach's assessment of catching or surpassing Jack Nicklaus' 18 major wins.

“Remember, Jack won only four majors after the age of 36,” Haney says.

“The last one at 46 — the 1986 Masters — was a miracle even to Jack, so it seems like giving Tiger 40 more chances is generous.

“You also have to assume that Tiger is able to stay healthy and avoid any other kind of personal turmoil that could derail his pursuit of Jack's record.”

Ryan Lavner with the highlights from Tiger's press conference Tuesday at Kiawah, including compliments for Pete Dye and this about joining Phil Mickelson as a pro sports team owner:

• On whether he would consider becoming a co-owner of his favorite sports team in the future: “Absolutely. I just need a lot more money. My teams are the Lakers, Dodgers and Raiders, so I’ve got to play really well.”

The video:

PGA Contestants Share Favorite Shots Of Tuesday Deluge

What else to do if you are at Kiawah and waiting out today's downpour at the PGA Championship? Tweet photos!

Aaron Baddeley:

Bubba Watson:

Lee Westwood: