Chairman Payne: They're Just Better Athletes

Sounds like someone has been spending too much time around Chief Inspector Dawson!

In an interview to Brett Ogle while Down Under for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Augusta National Chairman suggested that we've had it all wrong in thinking equipment has driven spikes in distance that has forced the home of the Masters to add 500 yards, mow fairways grown longer than they'd like toward tees to create ball-roll slowing grain, buy neighboring property for new tees, and plant absurd looking pine trees at the course where Bobby Jones made it evident trees were not to be used as a hazard.

Nope, apparently it's all in the genes and workout programs of today's golfers, who unlike schlubby types from the past like Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player, are much stronger today.

Thanks to the Aussie Golfer for transcribing a Fox Sports interview:

“You know the kids keep getting longer. I really think for a four or five-year period we blamed it on the equipment,” Payne said. “I really think it’s the conditioning of these young kids.”

“You know they come to the game now much more athletic than they were in the past.”

Apparently the Chairman hasn't seen PGA Tour rookie of 2014 Chesson Hadley and his skin and bones averaging 291.8 off the tee! Or...oh why bother. It doesn't matter.

What matters is that Augusta National has to resort to measures it should not have to all to allow manufacturers to claim they are selling you something longer and straighter than ever. Is it really working for anyone at this point?

GCSAA: Dan Jenkins To Receive The Old Tom Morris Award

Naturally, the Ancient Twitterer had a witty line ready to go for the press release acceptance:

"I'm honored to win this award, especially named for a guy who I'm almost as old as," Jenkins quipped in reference to Old Tom Morris. "It's terrific. I didn't know a lot about grass, but I knew a lot of superintendents all around town. The profession has made a lot of progress. Courses nowadays are so consistently wonderful with all the things they can do with them."

State Of The Game Podcast 47: Dan Washburn & China

After an exclusive three week tour of Europe, Scandinavia and the sub continent, State of the Game is back!

We're going to try and record a news-driven episode later in the week but with big men's events heading to China the next few weeks and his stellar new book to talk about, we welcomed Dan Washburn. Dan is a recovering journalist now working for the Asia Society out of Brooklyn. However his embedded account of life in China focusing on three men whose lives are tied to the golf industry is not only a fascinating look into the strange golf explosion, but a breezy, enlightening way to learn about life in China.

I recently got to hear Dan speak at USC when he was in town promoting the book and was thrilled to get him on State of the Game. You can check out Dan's book and website here, and buy it here at Amazon,

As for the show, you can listen to the MP3 here, listen here, subscribe to the show via iTunes here and listen to episode 47 here on iTunes.

Clarifying The Terms Of Ted Bishop's PGA Death Sentence

(Expedited) outgoing PGA President Ted Bishop's term ends a month or so early and with the PGA of America's decision to remove the president over social media playground talk gone awry, Bishop suggested that he will be essentially expunged from the record books.

Clarification requested by yours truly from the PGA of America spokesman Julius Mason:

Ted will enjoy the same rights and privileges of all PGA members, including the ability to attend PGA of America events. He will continue to be recognized as the 38th President of the PGA, and his record of service during the time period which he served will remain intact. Due to his removal from office, he will not serve on the Board of Directors in the role of Honorary President, nor will he be granted the rights and privileges of a Past President in our governance structure.

Life without the possibility of parole.

Technically Ted is not expunged from the record books.

And Ted can use his PGA card for free admittance to the PGA Championship, though discounts at Dick's Sporting Goods likely aren't on the radar. But he will not be the immediate past president and board member, nor will he be invited as part of those PGA of America entourages so beloved by Phil Mickelson that the former PGA champ flies separately to overseas Ryder Cups.

Bishop will have his name on the various listings in PGA programs or at headquarters, but he is persona non-grata going forward.

I'm sticking with overkill.

Meanwhile a few of you have asked who the PGA Board of Directors were that made this decision.

The group (click to enlarge):