State Of The Game 75: The Ball Debate
/State of the Game is back and wherever find podcasts are available. You guessed it, Rod Morri, Mike Clayton and myself are responding to the ball issue in an extra cranky version of the show!
In golf construction art and utility meet; both are absolutely vital; one is utterly ruined without the other. GEORGE THOMAS
It’s back!
Twenty years later Tatra Press has kindly allowed me to bring back Grounds For Golf now that golf architecture is of more interest to the masses. A new Introduction looks at what’s driven the interest growth and two new chapters I had a blast adding (plus a few edits to keep things up-to-date).
The Amazon purchase page for the book arriving June 15, 2026.
Here Is The PGA Of America Member Survey On Distance
/The PGA of America Board has already tipped off where they stand according to CEO Pete Bevacqua: distance grows the game and therefore they are opposed to a golf ball rollback that has not been proposed. (For some perspective, the board did not take a stance on anchoring before surveying their membership.)
Anyway, the organization is polling their 29,000 members, of which about 28,000 send me today's email (thanks all!).
As several of you pointed out, unless a PGA Professional is a course operator or club member paying dues (and potentially for course changes), the opinion of the golf professional is less significant than the views of golfers.
The current PGA of America president, Paul Levy, is not attached to a golf facility of any kind, which will make it hard for him to say he's representing the views of golfers or his property when discussing this matter with the other golf families.
Nonetheless, Paul Levy contacted the members and after his email is the poorly-constructed survey that appears more about forcing a result than legitimately hearing from those on the ground:
Alternate Shot: Will Mickelson Get 50 Wins?
/Jaime Diaz and I discuss whether Phil Mickelson will win fifty tour events following his 43rd title at the WGC Mexico City. Jaime says no, I saw Phil has a chance to go the Sam Snead route and compete into his fifties thanks to his flexibility, power, confidence and apparent enjoyment playing the game. Plus, he's a better putter and has a private jet.
The Barry Burn At Carnoustie Looks More Like A Lake
/When snow melts at The Open championship site in 2018...
R.I.P.: Presidential Seal Tee Plates
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Katherine Sullivan of ProPublica follows up on an initial report of presidential seal tee markers ordered by "Trump International" in likely violation of federal law, with the club now saying the markers have been removed from the ground where they were installed.
The Palm Beach club said they were a gift from members.
In a statement Tuesday morning, a spokesman for the company said, “The plaques were presented to the club by a small group of members, who are incredible fans of the President, in honor of Presidents day [sic] weekend. They were temporary and have since been removed.”
As our story noted, an order form for the markers lists them as being bought by “Trump International.”
A post on Sunday, since removed, showed how the Presidents Day weekend commemorative appeared.
Titleist Rebuttal To The Governing Bodies: Distance Is Flat
/It's always a fascinating thing to watch a company advertising more distance and then arguing against distance gains taking place. But I digress...
Noteworthy here is the CEO of Titleist making a more restrained argument than the PGA Tour Commissioner, and even a less misleading case than the PGA of America CEO in communicating his organization's likely stance on something not even proposed by the USGA and R&A.
Wacky days!
For Immediate Release...and again, revel in the even-keeled tone used by Acushnet CEO David Maher, a nice change from Wally Uihlein's alarmest rhetoric. I don't agree with his points but Maher presents his rebuttal in a way suggesting he would be a productive voice at any distance discussions.
Distance Study 2017: Equipment Regulations Remain Effective
FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (March 5, 2018) – As a proud stakeholder in the game, Acushnet Company is deeply committed to golf’s future health. Following today's publication of the 2017 Distance Report by the USGA and The R&A, it is important to ensure this topic is considered with balance and through a wide lens.
"As a leader in the golf equipment industry, our team is conditioned to evaluate data to best understand contributing factors and root causes," said David Maher, CEO and President of Acushnet Company. "It is with this intent that we analyzed the 2017 Distance Report, and our findings continue to support the fact that equipment regulations have been effective.
“A closer look into the numbers in the Report underscores the complexity of making any meaningful year-to-year comparisons,” continued Maher. “There were several contributing variables in 2017, including course selection and set-up, agronomical conditions and weather, which need to be considered when assessing the data."
It's only been sixteen years since the Joint Statement. Twenty years before jumping to conclusions?
Below is a sampling of key findings from our research that impacted distance results in 2017:
• At the 33 PGA Tour events conducted at the same venue in 2016 and 2017, where data was collected, the average driving distance increased +0.5 yards. At the eight events held at new venues in 2017, the average distance increased +8.0 yards.
Imagine if there had not been a new Pro V1 flying new distances (as advertised) in 2017, there might have even been a dip in distance!
Oh, and about those major courses where the driving distances were longer: the driver was freely and regularly used at Erin Hills and Quail Hollow. Not much lay-up in those two courses. Last I heard, the golf ball, when hit with driver, goes longer than with a three-wood or iron.
• Of these 33 PGA Tour events conducted at the same venue, 15 tournaments had a decline in average driving distance with one event flat to prior year. This highlights the year to year variability in distance.
Don't make anything of those charts over many years where the lines start low on the left and rise to a higher spot on the right.
• The major championships conducted at new venues represented one-third of the total average driving distance gained in 2017: U.S. Open (Erin Hills vs. Oakmont +20.4 yards), Open Championship (Royal Birkdale vs. Royal Troon +8.1 yards) and PGA Championship (Quail Hollow vs. Baltusrol +7.0 yards).
It's amazing what happens when a field of top players are free to hit driver off the tee instead of finding their play restricted by pinched landing areas.
• The 2017 Masters average driving distance declined -0.4 yards.
Take away the grainy fairway cut pushed down toward the tee and we'd actually get to see agronomy play a roll in distance averages.
• Of the 25 Web.com graduates in 2016, 24 had shorter average driving distance on the 2017 PGA Tour, with an average decrease of -6.6 yards. For the years 2015 to 2017, 74 of the 75 graduates had shorter average driving distance on the PGA Tour the following year. This can be attributed to course set-up.
Yes, course setup may certainly play a roll in reducing the number of times players hit driver.
“In any given year there are variables that impact distance, and any movement as in 2017 is not suddenly indicative of a harmful trend,” said Maher.
He's not wrong about 2017. It started long ago.
“We continue to believe equipment innovation has benefitted golfers at all levels, and our analysis of the 2017 Distance Report affirms that the USGA and The R&A have effective regulations in place to ensure the game’s health and sustainability. We look forward to continued dialogue with the governing bodies and stakeholders as we seek to position the great game of golf for future success.”
Wally, Wally, Wally...not even a technophobic media reference! You sure you picked the right guy?
Masters Extends Invitation To Shubhankar Sharma
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A smart move by Augusta National to invite this year's two-time European Tour winner and contender at the WGC Mexico City.
Besides quickly moving up the world rankings to 66th, Shubhankar Sharma is now an honorary member of the media, so we'll welcome him to the press center with open arms!
For Immediate Release:
Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today that Shubhankar Sharma has accepted an invitation to compete in the 2018 Masters. A 21-year-old from India, Sharma will be making his first appearance in the Tournament.
“Golf is a global game, and throughout our history we have extended invitations to deserving international players not otherwise qualified,” Ridley said. “As his results have proven, Shubhankar Sharma is a remarkable young player, and we look forward to welcoming him to Augusta National in April.”
Sharma has won twice in the past four months, at the Joburg Open in December and the Maybank Championship in February. He recently finished T-9 at the WGC-Mexico Championship, holding the lead after 36 and 54 holes. Now ranked No. 66 on the Official World Golf Ranking, the Masters will be the first major championship appearance of his career.
Sharma will become the fourth Indian player to compete in the Masters, following Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Anirban Lahiri.
Two qualification criteria remain active for this year’s Tournament: winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship and the 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the Masters.
The 2018 Tournament will mark the 82nd playing of the Masters and is scheduled for April 2 – 8. For a complete list of invitees, please visit masters.com.
ShackHouse 55: Phil Wins, Tiger In The Valspar And Distance Report Reaction
/On the latest ShackHouse, House and I discuss Phil Mickelson’s breakthrough win at the WGC-Mexico Championship (2:13), USGA’s new report on driving distances (17:21), and the news that Tiger Woods will play the Valspar Championship (28:20). And please don't bet my Patrick Cantlay pick, rescinded before the show taping ended, when I realized last year's second place finisher in the Valspar is not playing this week.
As always our show is brought to you by Callaway coming off an extra special week with Rogue wins by geezers Phil Mickelson and Michelle Wie.
Here is the embed, here is the iTunes page and of course, the show is available wherever you listen to fine podcasts.
The Two PGA's: Clemenza's Five Families Rule Sadly Coming To Fruition With Distance Report Reaction
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Monday March 5th, 2018 may end up being the day that the PGA Tour, PGA of America and various shills boxed the governing bodies and Masters into a distance solution that they'll hate. Only time will tell who wins a war as brazen as shooting The Don while he's patronizing a fruit stand.
But as Clemenza explained to Michael in The Godfather, apparently these silly wars are necessary ever ten years.
I explain for Golfweek.com why the odd reactions by Pete Bevacqua and Jay Monahan were unproductive for golf governing peace.
Pros Howl And Remind Us Why They Should Stick To Golfing Their Ball
/Bobby Jones reincarnated, they are not.
I warned you this authentic frontier gibberish was coming. Of course, if all golf course changes made to accommodate changes in the sport were paid for out of their precious retirement stash, this howling would flip to wondering why nothing was done.
Pat Perez...affirming that SiriusXM will give just about anyone a show.
Jimmy Walker is very fired up, citing Jack Nicklaus's regrettable 20% number and wants to take a pole.
Lucas Glover seems to acknowledge a problem but since the cat's out of the barn, no need to go look for it. Just let the coyotes do that thing.
Tom Watson: "Ball Goes Too Far"
/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.
Video: Golf Central Distance Report Debate With Jaime Diaz & Matt Adams
/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:
Bill Haas Returns To Tour Golf With Heavy Heart
/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."
Phil! WGC Mexico City Ratings Up 21%
/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.
