When 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
The golf ball defenders won't be happy with Tom Watson siding with Jack Nicklaus (again) and the ball issue, citing 2001 to 2003 as the time when the ball started flying "farther and straighter."
From Morning Drive, where Matt Ginella asked the golf great his views in light of the latest USGA/R&A distance report.
I was one of three panelists discussing the USGA/R&A distance report for Monday's Golf Central.
Ryan Burr hosted Jaime Diaz, Matt Adams and yours truly in what I think is a pretty engaging discussion worth nine or so minutes of your time:
Bridgestone and Tiger taking a shot at the Pro-V1.
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Matt Ginella with a sneak peak of Tiger’s under-construction design for Big Cedar Lodge.
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Johnny Hughes is just amazing...
Weather gone, back at it#golf #kidgolfer#getinthehole#uskidsgolf#fouryearold
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Doug Ferguson talks to Bill Haas about the tragic events of his Los Angeles stay last month that ended abruptly after a car crash. The accident claimed the life of Haas's Genesis Open host for the week and the car's driver, retired businessman and golfer Mark Gibello.
Haas returns to this week's Valspar Championship with a heavy heart.
Along with leaning on his wife and his family, he has spent time with a therapist to cope with the wide range of emotions and the lingering questions.
"I don't know that I won't have recurring images and thoughts and feelings about that night," he said. "Why was he taken and I wasn't? I ask, `Why?' all the time. From the people who have reached out to me and the advice I've been given, you can't ask, `Why?' in life. Life happens in ways you can't explain. There's no point in asking. It won't solve anything, and it only brings more questions."
A stacked leaderboard, dreadful weather in most parts of the U.S. and the Phil Mickelson factor helped the 2018 WGC Mexico City climb 21% Sunday.
VIEWERSHIP: Final RD coverage of the @WGCMexico on @NBCSports earned a 2.89 Overnight rating (2-630p ET), +21% vs 2017. Coverage peaked (4.51) from 6-6:30p ET during the playoff won by Phil Mickelson over Justin Thomas. pic.twitter.com/y11cN3gZj4
— Golf Channel PR (@GolfChannelPR) March 5, 2018
The absurdity here is both evident and profoundly pathetic: PGA of America CEO issues a statement opposed to any kind of golf ball rollback when no such thing has yet been proposed in the latest distance report, and then declares his membership of 29,000 professionals will be polled with what sounds like a misleading question to validate the PGA of America's opposition to the rulemakers even considering any action.
I know these wars have to happen every ten years, but boy does this signal a conclusion before a solution was even suggested:
"Having just received the full report last evening, it is difficult for us at the PGA of America to provide meaningful comments on its content at this time. However, given the recent industry discussions and media reports regarding a potential roll back of the golf ball for all players and/or a segment of elite players, our Board of Directors has discussed this topic at length. Based on the information we have seen, we are highly skeptical that rolling back the golf ball in whole or part will be in the best interests of the sport and our collective efforts to grow the game. Our nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals would be at the forefront of implementing this potential roll back, so we will be polling them this week to fully understand their perspective, especially on what it would mean for the vast majority of the golfers they serve. We look forward to offering our candid feedback to the USGA and R&A once we have collected that data and reviewed the full report."-Pete Bevacqua, CEO, PGA of America
Can't wait to see those poll questions.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan's email to all PGA Tour players assuring them that they just had a better than usual year. And hey, you're younger and taller too!
Subject: USGA Distance Report
Dear TOUR Member,Later this morning, the USGA and The R&A will be releasing an annual report on driving distance that reviews data from professional tours from the 2017 season. Since 2003, we have been closely monitoring trends in driving distance, working with the USGA and The R&A; all involved wanted to ensure the broader PGA TOUR membership was made aware of the report and its findings in advance.Among other things, the report shows the following:- From 2003 to 2017, average driving distance on the PGA TOUR has increased by 2.3%, or a total of 6.6 yards.- From 2016 to 2017, there was an increase of 2.5 yards in average driving distance. While this may seem significant when taken in isolation, it has not been uncommon over the past 15 years to see significant gains or losses. Since 2003, there have been three instances where a significant gain was recorded between years, and five instances where the average decreased.- Since 2007, when we started monitoring launch conditions each week on TOUR, average club head speed has increased by 1.5 mph. There is a strong correlation between club head speed and the total distance gains seen since 2003. We believe this increase in club head speed is mostly attributable to a combination of factors, such as increased player athleticism and fitness, physical build of the player, enhancements in equipment fitting and the proliferation of launch-monitoring capabilities.
Back to back redundancies. Impressive.
It is interesting to note that since 2003, the average age of a TOUR member has gone down, and the average height has gone up.
No, that's not very interesting, Jay.
Having carefully reviewed the data, we do not believe the trends indicate a significant or abnormal increase in distance since 2003 or from 2016 to 2017. Rest assured, we will continue to collaborate and share data with the USGA and The R&A – along with other industry stakeholders – in monitoring these trends, as we have since 2003, and are hopeful our perspectives will align.
So to recap: the leadership of the organization providing the data is taking a stance and hopes that "perspectives align" with the view that nothing has taken place to warrant action.
Kind of hard to trust the data when the boss makes it clear he wants it to skew one way, no? Almost makes you want to go back and look at the numbers since so many speak to major changes, just not the ones he refers to.
On this point, I have asked the USGA to attend our next PGA TOUR Player Advisory Council meeting during the week of the Wells Fargo Championship to share their perspective.Sincerely,Jay Monahan
Here is the distance report PDF from the USGA and R&A, followed below by the press release where two things stand out: they "remain committed to the spirit" of the Joint Statement of Principles (aka the 2002 line in the sand), which very bluntly stated any further significant increases would warrant action. "Significant" sailed long ago.
The governing bodies also did their best Ray Guy impersonation on any immediate action, declaring another year of study because, you know, last year might have been an anomaly, we just aren't quite sure!
The average distance gain across the seven worldwide tours was more than 3 yards since 2016.
As noted in previous annual reports, variability in driving distance of 4 or more yards from season to season on any one tour is not uncommon.
Funny how we found that four or more number. Mitzvah!
The full press release:
USGA and The R&A Release 2017 Distance Report
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. AND ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND
(March 5, 2018)
The R&A and the USGA have completed the annual review of driving distance in golf, producing a research report that documents and evaluates important findings from the 2017 season.
Introduced in 2015, the annual report examines driving distance data from seven of the major worldwide professional golf tours, based on nearly 300,000 drives per year. The data from studies of male and female amateur golfers is also included.
The 2015 and 2016 editions of the distance report presented the increases in driving distance since 2003 as a slow creep of around 0.2 yards per year. The 2017 data shows a deviation from this trend. The average distance gain across the seven worldwide tours was more than 3 yards since 2016.
As noted in previous annual reports, variability in driving distance of 4 or more yards from season to season on any one tour is not uncommon. However, this level of increase across so many tours in a single season is unusual and concerning and requires closer inspection and monitoring to fully understand the causes and effects.
As the review of this issue progresses, the USGA and The R&A remain committed to the spirit of the 2002 Joint Statement of Principles which recognize that distance impacts many aspects of golf and that any further significant increases in hitting distances at the highest level are undesirable.
Increases in distance can contribute to demands for longer, tougher and more resource-intensive golf courses at all levels of the game. These trends can impact the costs to operate golf courses and put additional pressures on golf courses in their local environmental landscape. The effect of increasing distance on the balance between skill and technology is also a key consideration. Maintaining this balance is paramount to preserving the integrity of golf.
Building on the extensive research we have undertaken in recent years, we will conduct a thoughtful conversation about the effects of distance prior to making any specific proposals. We remain open-minded and our absolute priority is to ensure that all key stakeholders are involved in an open and inclusive process, and that we move forward together in the best interests of golf at all levels. There is no fixed timetable, but we will commence this process immediately and endeavor to reach a conclusion as promptly as possible.
In conjunction with the publication of the 2017 distance research report, The R&A and USGA are carrying out a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of increased distance on both the playing and overall health of golf.
The USGA and The R&A intend to consolidate previous work conducted by the two organizations, as well as others in the golf industry, regarding the effect of distance on the footprint and playing of the game, conduct new research on these same topics to augment the current state of knowledge of the issues, and, most importantly, in the coming months, engage with stakeholders throughout the golf industry to develop a comprehensive understanding of perspectives on distance. Additional information on this stakeholder engagement will be made available in due course.
Ultimately, The R&A and the USGA remain steadfastly committed to ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable future for golf.
The already compelling Masters picture got more interesting with Phil Mickelson breaking a stubborn winless drought at the WGC Mexico City.
According to Doug Ferguson's game story, Phil Mickelson's win over Justin Thomas in sudden death means more to Phil than we'll ever know.
Phil feels he has a little less work to do to make the Ryder Cup team, writes Rex Hoggard.
After win No. 43, the 47-year-old is still hoping to get to 50 PGA Tour wins, writes Brentley Romine.
Nick Menta with some of the key social and video highlights from a topsy-turvy final round.
The winner's bag, which included a new fairway wood at Mexico City.
For a roundup of all the week's action, check out the March 5 Golfweek digital edition.
SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh In the final round of the 2018 World Golf Championships - Mexico Championship 8, players kept things exciting as Phil Mickelson marched to the top of the leaderboard for the win. The WGC - Mexico Championship returns to Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City, Mexico.
Thomas’s approach shot hole-out at 18:
SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh In the final round of the 2018 World Golf Championships - Mexico Championship 2018, Justin Thomas holes a 119-yard approach shot for eagle on the par-4 18th hole. The WGC - Mexico Championship returns to Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City, Mexico.
A stellar reaction from Michelle Wie returning to the winner's for the first time since 2014, reports Beth Ann Baldry for Golfweek.
A fantastic hole in one, with less-than-fantastic swearing (cover your ears children!).
No hands and a hole in one🤯🤯 #wtf #insanity #CGBgolf #wow @hole__high
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An epic hole in one call...
Ross Fisher’s INCREDIBLE ace with a touch of native flair 🇲🇽 (Sound 🆙)
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A great scene from The Open archives...
Fans at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake following Henry Cotton at The Open in 1947 #TBT
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As we wait on the governing bodies to tell us how distances have spiked on pro tours and therefore require even more extensive study, the common response on social media usually obsesses with cause, not effect.
So while we wait on the reports, I've taken Alan Shipnuck up on a fun exercise he suggested in this week's Golf.com mailbag: break down the forces you most attribute to the distance spikes that we've been told have not happened.
Here's the question and answer from Alan:
Regarding bifurcation, what general weightings would you give the following factors for increased distance off the tee: agronomy, athleticism, technique, ball, club (head and shaft as one), other. -Ryan (@RW_Mountain)
This is an interesting thought exercise. My highly unscientific answer:
Agronomy: 5%
Technique/Trackman: 20%
Athleticism/Training: 20%
Club: 25%
Ball: 30%
My highly unscientific answer:
Agronomy: 0%
Technique/Trackman: 35%
Athleticism/Training: 10%
Clubs: 35%
Ball: 20%
As wonderful as modern agronomy is--really amazing these days and not appreciated enough--it has little impact on elite-playerdistance gains compared to what has made carry distances explode. Healthy, denser turf offsets modern lower mowing heights. Distance has spiked with tee shots and iron play equally. Iron shots to greens are not running long distances off the tee.
Technique/Trackman: This gets 30% thanks to a combination of more informed instruction, common sense use of launch monitors, and the ball-striking confidence resulting from these forces. More players are learning speed first, fundamentals second and visual appeal a distant third as video is replaced by Trackman.
Athleticism/training: I can't go higher than 10% when I see guys on the PGA Tour Champions averaging longer distances in their 50s than their 30s.
Clubs: The consistency of manufacturing quality, super-lightweight materials, driver head size, the relentless innovation on many fronts and a generation of players reared on better clubs has led to incredible clubhead speeds.
Ball: Shifting from balatas to today's longer, lower-spin ball has made a profound difference. The improved quality of manufacturing also has further reduced inconsistencies and increased player confidence in the ball. But this number has also lost percentage to Technique/Trackman and club fitting/technology the last few years.
Your percentages?
The WGC Mexico City final round is the rare limited field event with a deep leaderboard and a wide range of final round storylines. While the list of top players two back of 21-year-old Shubhankar Sharma would be enough to keep things fun, many more lurk should the leader falter.
As for Sharma, Rex Hoggard writes that most of his peers know little about the two-time European Tour winner and current Race To Dubai leader, who holds a two-stroke lead.
Who is Shubhankar Sharma?
For those who will find themselves asking the question on Sunday, take heart that the soft-spoken player from India is obscure even among the game’s play-for-pay set.
“I don't know, other than he's young. He's like 21, right?" laughed 24-year-old Justin Thomas. "Man, kids,”
Even those who may have crossed paths with Sharma on the European Tour, which he qualified for with his victory in December at the Joburg Open, had only a passing knowledge.
Sharma only introduced himself to one player this week: Phil Mickelson. And Lefty tried to shoo the non-scribbler away. Hoggard writes in a GolfChannel.com item devoted to this gem:
Me and my caddie went up to [Mickelson]. He thought we were media and he said, ‘Not right now, after the round,’” Sharma laughed. “Then he just realized and said, ‘So sorry, I thought you were media.’ He said ‘hi.’ I said ‘hi.’ Then he made a few putts and he came back to me and said, ‘Have a good day.’ It was nice.”
Poor Phil, it's been so long since a media member even wanted to chat that he forgot what we look like!
Earlier in the week, AP's Doug Ferguson profiled Sharma and how he found the game through his families ties to Anirban Lahiri.
Sharma and Anirban Lahiri -- the player he replaced as India's No. 1 -- are both Army brats. Retired Col. Mohan Sharma was stationed at the same post as Lahiri's father, a gynecologist, when Sharma's younger sister was born.
Final round tee times and TV Times courtesy of Golfweek.
Round three highlights from PGA Tour Entertainment:
At least, this is the first view I've seen...you can swipe between images using the arrow that will appear on the right.
While looking for a photo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson's planned round at Augusta National Saturday, I stumbled on these shots. Note the new structures that include an expanded shop and other elements all put under one massive roof, as well as an expansion west of Old Berckmans Road that I'm less sure of identifying the exact purpose. We'll know in a few weeks.
Bryan's flight home this morning. ⛳️👌🏼🌺🍑🏌🏼🏆
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Many are pushing back on the notion of a 2017-18 driving distance bump on the PGA Tour. The pushback ranges from "it's too early" to "there has been too much roll due" to "who cares."
A longtime reader "From Berckman's Road" saw today's post and the FiveThirtyEight.com coverage on distance and offered some numbers that would suggest we are seeing something different in the 2017-18 wraparound schedule.
Here are the numbers for players averaging over 295 yards on the measuring holes after the Honda Classic and at season's end.
2013-14
Honda: 45 players averaging 295 or higher
End of season: 49 averaging 295 or higher
2014-15
Honda: 50 players averaging 295 or higher
End of season: 53 averaging 295 or higher
2015-16
Honda: 65 players averaging 295 or higher
End of season: 55 averaging 295 or higher
2016-17
Honda: 63 players averaging 295 or higher
End of season: 77 averaging 295 or higher
2017-18
Honda: 111 players averaging 295 or higher
End of season: __ averaging 295 or higher
So to review, 48 more players are averaging over 295 yards at this point compared to last year which was, admittedly, wetter than normal on the West Coast. However, the drought years prior to last year featured conditions more like this year give or take temperature swings and the 111 number still suggests a spike.
History also tells us that as the temperatures rise during the season the final number is likely to finish higher than 111, not subside due to the West Coast Swing's running fairways.
I point this out because the governing bodies drew a line in the sand fifteen years ago and the numbers this year suggest the line has been crossed.
**One last number: the 295-and-up numbers for 2013 had 35 players averaging that or more through the Honda, and 36 by season's end.
With news that Tiger Woods has added the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook, G.R. Team at GolfChannel.com shares a spectacular photo from Tiger's fall, 1996 appearance there.
You must go to the link to enjoy the outfits in all of their splendor, especially tournament partner Kelli Kuehne's Sunday red shirt and black pants.
It's also a reminder of what we are missing now having a mixed team event annually and/or every four years at the Olympics.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
