The new World Handicap System with its own 46-page toolkit isn't rocket science - it's even harder!"

Derek Lawrenson explains the USGA and R&A’s new World Handicap in his weekly Daily Mail column and is not entirely sold, as well-intentioned as he found the new world order as of November 2.

For the amateurs who play a significant percentage of their golf outside their home course, the changes will be welcomed. It’s obviously simplistic to take an eight handicap at a straightforward inland course and think it translates to playing off the same mark at, say, Royal Birkdale. This more nuanced approach will make the necessary adjustments.

The reason I’ll get a couple of extra shots at my home course is that it has a high slope rating, meaning it is more difficult than your average track.

Why introduce this in the middle of a pandemic is a valid question. But when we’ve grown accustomed to the changes, it ought to make sense.

In the meantime, you can always take refuge in the cheerful conclusion reached by our handicap chairman: ‘Do not become overwhelmed by all the information, the calculations and the formulae: remember, the computer will do it all for you.’

Undercover Caddy Confirms That Players And Caddies Miss Fans Only So Much

I laughed out loud a few times during Golf Digest’s “Undercover Caddie” with Joel Beall tackling the tricky topic of PGA Tour events without fans.

While a few veteran stars maybe haven’t had their old home field advantage without fans giving them an extra adrenaline boost, it’s been apparent players have enjoyed not dealing with gallery inconveniences. The unnamed caddie acknowledges that the PGA Tour has “feels less like a professional sports league” and “more like a very serious member-guest that’s being televised.”

But says for caddies, life has been way easier and for players too, including Wednesdays.

OK, one thing is better: no pro-ams. Do you see brokers in the layup line at an NBA game? How about salesmen taking hacks in the batting cage at Fenway Park? Listen, the Wednesday events do a lot for charity. We meet some interesting people through them, and no, they’re not all chops. But if you’re asking if I’d rather my man prep for a tournament by (a) playing with fellow pros or (b) acting as a tour guide … I think you know my answer.

This reminds me: this week’s ZOZO Championship at Sherwood features a pro-am with players only obligated to play nine of the 18-hole round. And as odd as they are compared to other pro sports, they are integral to the PGA Tour’s business and most of all, the charities.

ZOZO: Tiger Woods On Bryson's Speed Chase, State Of The Distance Debate

Returning to Sherwood Country Club for the ZOZO Championship, Tiger Woods was asked about the speed chase by players.

TIGER WOODS: Well, distance has always been an advantage. Now that we have the tools, that being the launch monitor, the fitting of the golf clubs, the adjustability. I think all that plays into the fact that you're able to maximize the capabilities of a driver. There's no reason why you can't pick up more yardage and guys have done that. They've changed shafts, they've changed lofts, they've changed weights on their heads and length of clubs. Driving is such a huge part of the game and it's so advantageous if you're able to get the ball out there. It just makes the game so much easier.

And this on distance was nice. Someone else has lost patience.

Q. Just one last question, and on the back of an earlier question about driving distance of the ball. As you know, the administrators are a little worried about where the game's going. Should they be worried?

TIGER WOODS: They should have been worried a long time ago, but the genie's out of the bag now. It's about what do we do going forward and how soon can they do it. I don't know if they're going--you're not going to stop the guys who are there right now. You can carry--guys are figuring out how to carry the ball 320-plus yards, and it's not just a few of them. There's a lot of guys can do it. That's where the game's going. There's only going to be a small amount of property that we can do, we can alter golf courses. I just don't see how they can roll everything back. I would like to have--like to be able to see that, as far as our game, but then we go back down the road of what do you bifurcate, at what level? So that's a long discussion we've had for a number of years, for 20-plus years now, and I think it's only going to continue.

Tiger is correct, well, about everything here.

A) It’s about what we do and how soon. Since the genie’s out of the bag/bottle, this means that bifurcation is the only real solution.

B) At what level. Yep, a complicated, annoying discussion to have. But since equipment companies shower amateur golfers now with free stuff and college golfers are on the freebie circuit too, that line should not be tough to draw if we are talking balls, or more tightly regulated drivers. But all of this would require an actual discussion, one governing bodies have tabled for (another) year. At least.

Morikawa's Masters Plan: "I'm not going to just go out there at 8:00a.m. in the morning and leave at 6:00p.m. just because it's Augusta National."

As we begin the November Masters run-up, the player scouting trip narrative is likely to be different. Or non-existent.

In recent years, players have increasingly seemed more willing to turn up the weekend prior and go. (As opposed to the 2-3 day trip months out when course conditions are radically different.)

Perhaps it’s familiarity with the course through television. Or maybe a change in how players view local knowledge. Plenty have been burned by not seeing the course in tournament week conditions, which get pushed Wednesday evening after the practice round. So it was not a huge shock to see Collin Morikawa plan to take a modest approach to his first Masters.

From today’s ZOZO Championship press conference, the first event for Morikawa in his native southern California since winning the PGA Championship in August:

I don't want to put any of these things in my head where I'm going to have to show up and, man, this is going to be so much harder to prep for than another event. I think I've done a really good job every course I've gone to for the first time in figuring it out and I feel like I'm very prepared. I never feel on a Thursday like, oh, man, I wish I had one more practice round. I don't think that's going to be the case at Augusta. Yes, I'm going to want to be out there a little more just to figure out some greens, figure out the slopes, but I'm not going to just go out there at 8:00a.m. in the morning and leave at 6:00p.m. just because it's Augusta National. I'm going to spend my time-wisely and really get my rest because at the end of the day you want to feel as prepped and pressure fresh by Thursday.

You Too Can Own Sand AND Dirt From TPC Sawgrass, While Supplies Last!

Opportunities don’t come around like this often, but given the multiple TPC Sawgrass renovations, it actually might be a stretch to say while supplies last.

From Rich Mueller on Upper Deck’s return to golf cards, with a very special gift included.

Upper Deck announced Monday it would be launching three golf releases in 2021, including Artifacts, which will launch the series at an as yet undetermined date in the spring.

Artifacts Golf will have a 50-card base set, a 30-card rookie set, a Multi-Majors Winners Memorabilia subset, signed memorabilia cards and Diamond Relic insert cards that can include up to four “lab created” diamonds per subject. 

All three golf releases will include Legendary PGA Tour Course Relic cards featuring sand and dirt from the famed TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home of The Players Championship.  

Ok the sand I can see. But dirt?

Those Easy Hero World Challenge Points Will Have To Wait Another Year

The December event hosted by Tiger Woods and his TGR Foundation will sit 2020 out due to pandemic travel restrictions. Certainly this is an understandable outcome for an event hosted by an international sponsor and played in the Bahamas.

According to ESPN.com’s Bob Harig, consideration was given to a Florida playing.

Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, said there were some discussions about playing the tournament in Florida but that a bigger issue was the contingent of Hero MotoCorp executives and guests traveling from the company's base in India.

While it seems like four years ago, the 2019 edition of the Hero was memorably marred by Patrick Reed’s practice swing exploration of waste bunker sands.

The PGA Tour is already scheduled to play the Mayakoba Classic the same week as the Hero was planned, suggesting this move should come as little surprise.

“Having the Test Center in Pinehurst will focus the attention of the entire golf industry on North Carolina"

Lauren Ohnesorge’s of the Triangle Business Journal takes a look at the USGA’s testing center move to Pinehurst and it’s certainly exciting to see the potential development of talent, turfgrass and museum exposure to more eyeballs.

But the notion of a manufacturing center remains very odd in Ohnesorge’s characterization.

As N.C. Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland outlined in an August letter supporting the project, made available through a public records request, officials envisioned a golf cluster in North Carolina.

“Having the Test Center in Pinehurst will focus the attention of the entire golf industry on North Carolina and will very likely attract many golf equipment manufacturers and suppliers to not only Moore County but also the region so they can be in close proximity to the Test Center,” Copeland wrote.

You know UPS, DHL and FedEx are all good shipping options for clubs to be tested.

That said, if the golf manufacturers picked up and moved offices to the area I’m at a loss how that benefits the sport in the way of less expensive clubs or more manufacturing jobs in the United States. But it does not take a wild imagination to see such a move—as unlikely as it is to everyone by the state commerce secretary—helping the USGA enact effective equipment regulation.

You Didn't Earn It: The $10 Million Wyndham Rewards Is Over

A $10 million bonus pool designed to encourage players to show up at the Wyndham Championship will be ending after two years. This, after top players didn’t show up to collect their rewards and the entire thing was poorly conceived from the beginning.

Sympathies to all Wyndham employees who were affected by this awful idea and to the happy faces when this was announced in September, 2018.

John Lombardo at Sports Business Journal confirms what GolfNewsNet’s Ryan Ballengee had first hinted was looming.

The company will continue to keep its title sponsorship of the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro. Its current title sponsorship deal runs through '26. The Tour in a statement said it fully supports Wyndham's "decision to focus solely on this long-standing event that has made such an impact in central North Carolina. We look forward to the continued growth and success of the Tour Top 10 program and expect to have further information in the coming months."

Two years ago it all sounded so brilliant, if you were an executive whose bonus depended on this silly idea.

The top-10 Regular Season finishers in FedExCup points through the Wyndham Championship – also sponsored by Wyndham Rewards – will reap the benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Top 10. The leader will earn $2 million, followed by $1.5 million for the runner-up with the 10th-place finisher earning $500,000.  Additionally, each player in the top 10 will be invited into Wyndham Rewards at its most exclusive Diamond level, unlocking all the travel perks and unique Wyndham benefits that go along with it.

In spite of the “You’ve Earned It” slogan, the ultimate flaw was obvious: players did not have to show up at the Wyndham to earn the check or their Diamond level status. Still, thrills were guaranteed two years ago:

And while the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 will be recognized at the conclusion of the Wyndham Championship, the impact of the program will be felt throughout the season; a player’s performance every week becomes more critical than ever before, elevating the significance of each tournament on the schedule and producing drama for PGA TOUR fans at every turn.

Drama. At. Every. Turn.

Home Security Company To Sponsor Tournament Benefiting Astros* Foundation

Not long ago the Astros* enjoyed a secure home field. And now the Houston Open benefiting the Astros* Foundation has taken on Vivint Smart Home to sponsor the fall PGA Tour event.

Everyone needs some home security in their lives. Especially the Astros.

PGA TOUR, Astros Golf Foundation partner with Vivint to sponsor the Vivint Houston Open in 2020

Astros Golf Foundation returns event to Memorial Park Golf Course for first time since 1963

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR announced that Vivint Smart Home, Inc. (NYSE: VVNT), a leading smart home company in North America, will become title sponsor of the Houston Open for 2020 in support of tournament host and beneficiary, the Astros Golf Foundation. The Vivint Houston Open will be played November 5-8 and returns to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston for the first time since 1963.

The Astros Golf Foundation, led by Houston Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane, operates and serves as the host organization for the event. The commitment to the Houston Open from the Astros Golf Foundation, with the support of a number of community partners, is in place through 2023. The Astros Golf Foundation recently completed a $34 million renovation to Memorial Park Golf Course over a two-year period in order to bring the tournament back to the heart of the city.

“The Houston Open has been a staple on the PGA TOUR calendar since 1946 and this year marks its celebrated return to Memorial Park Golf Course, thanks to the Astros Golf Foundation whose dedication to community is unmatched in Houston,” said Brian Oliver, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. “We are thrilled to partner with Vivint whose enthusiasm and innovative thinking allowed us to finalize this partnership just a month before the tournament.”

All four rounds of the Vivint Houston Open will be televised on the Golf Channel, featuring a 132-player field, 500 FedExCup points and a $7 million purse.

“We are excited to bring the Houston Open back to the City of Houston’s Memorial Park Golf Course,” says Giles Kibbe, President Astros Golf Foundation. “We recognize this is a unique year and are appreciative of Vivint for their support in Houston in 2020 and their commitment to helping us serve our community through the game of golf.”

“We’re proud to partner with the PGA TOUR and the Astros Golf Foundation for this incredible event,” said Todd Pedersen, CEO of Vivint Smart Home. “Giving back is a core company value for Vivint so we’re delighted to participate in a charitable effort that will benefit one of our flagship markets.”

Plans start at just a dollar a day to outfit the Astros dugout! And definitely cover the the tunnel.

*Synergy.

PGA Tour: Mixed Results As First Broadcast Incorporates Betting, Live Odds

First round live odds

On paper, a lightly watched fall event from Las Vegas without fans was the perfect spot to start incorporating sports betting into a PGA Tour event. While the early round execution was as laughably awkward—but befitting of the low budget Korn Ferry-style broadcast effort by Golf Channel—the real eye-opener came during Sunday’s CJ Cup final round.

Jason Kokrak had a one-stroke lead over Xander Schauffele as they arrived at the par-5 18th. And this wagering opportunity—where legal—came from BET MGM as they waited on the tee:

The announcers ran with the bet and instead of a rather traditional conversation about what needed to happen (Xander must make birdie…no kidding!), this side bet of who would win the hole became mildly interesting and fueled good pre-tee shot conversation.

And then Kokrak unleashed a doozy of a tee shot. The bettor or speculator who was all in on Schauffele making birdie to Kokrak’s conservative par? They lost quickly after this clutch (and huge) tee shot by Kokrak:

A big drive at a big time. 💪

Leader @JayKokrak will have just 161 yards into the par-5 18th. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ffSS5J7RNL

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 18, 2020

Look, it’s a small thing but without fans and a lot to watch, these kinds of twists on traditional golf tournaments added something. Particularly with such a budget-slashed broadcast that made the CJ Cup mostly a nap-inducer for three rounds.

After, there was some discussion about the incorporation. I enjoyed this point from Justin Ray, responding to Jason Sobel’s piece at The Action Network on week one of the new future.

Let's replace throwaway sponsor-fueled graphics (you know the ones) that permeate the slow times of golf telecasts - that no viewer absorbs and no commentator sells. Odds not only spark $ interest, they help tell a story in real time. There's a productive balance to be found. https://t.co/GddLtjbxjz

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) October 19, 2020

Phil Being Phil: Wild Flip Shot Recovery; 2 For 2 On Champions Tour After Dominion Energy Win

He’s back with the flatbellies at this week’s ZOZO Championship outside L.A— but Phil Mickelson is now 2 for 2 on the PGA Tour Champions after passing Mike Weir to win the Dominion Energy Classic.

He may make some odd course management decisions, but the flexibility and strength at 50 is so impressive and why he could be competitive a long time:

"If he gets this on the green, he's Superman."

🦸 pic.twitter.com/GAZo1QJNG8

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) October 17, 2020

His post-65 final round comments:

He's done it again! @PhilMickelson after second win. https://t.co/JPTFcJ2JxL

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) October 18, 2020

233 Starts Later, Jason Kokrak Wins PGA Tour Event

If you watched—and judging by the crickets on social media you didn’t—the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek produced a rewarding finish where a journeyman finally broke through after a mind-numbing 233 starts.

Jason Kokrak has contended so many times and finally broke through in the Asia Swing event moved to Las Vegas, holding off Xander Schauffele at Shadow Creek.

Kokrak’s first PGA Tour victory comes in his 233rd career start and as Ben Everill notes, the long-hitter won this on with the short stick. And maybe some local knowledge.

With just a little research we would have known Kokrak is part of at BetMGM-sponsored crew who often play Shadow Creek – one of the more exclusive courses in the U.S. While the majority of players in the field this week had never played the course or had less than a handful of rounds at the place, Kokrak guesses he’s been out here “north of 20 rounds.”

“I have played quite a few rounds here at Shadow Creek so I know the greens pretty well, I know the little intricacies of this place. Not like some of the local caddies, but it is definitely a place that I feel comfortable at,” he said.

And he played with that sort of familiarity, leading the field in Strokes Gained: Putting for the first time in his now 10-season career.

Kokrak “gained” 10.293 strokes on the field with his putting.

The Open Turns 160 Today: What The World Looked Like Then

Happy 160th birthday to The Open and that grand October 17th day at Prestwick when a small gathering played for the belt.

No author is listed, but what a perfect way to commemorate the beginning of it all (for pro golf at least) by highlighting what the world looked like then. And I’m sure all of the grateful pro golfers aound the world today uttered a thought or two of appreciation today for the pioneering work of the Morris’s and Park’s that has allowed them to stockpile Porsches and bloated annuities.

A few of my favorites from 1860, courtesy of The Open site:

- Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States of America, making him the first Republican to hold the office.

- In 1860, there were only 33 American states, as opposed to the 50 that exist now, while the population of the USA was approximately 31 million. Today, the US population is over ten times as great, at 330 million.

- Queen Victoria was just over 23 years into her reign as Queen of the United Kingdom. She would remain on the throne until 1901, when she was succeeded by Edward VII.

- Anton Chekhov, the Russian playwright regarded as one of the greatest writers of short stories in history, was born in the Russian port city of Taganrog.

- Life expectancy in the United Kingdom was approximately 40 years, roughly half of what it is today.

They’re also celebrating the day at Prestwick:

160 years ago today the 1st Open Championship was played @prestwickgc (17 October 1860) A simple stone cairn to the west of Prestwick's clubhouse marks the spot where the first Open Championship tee shot was struck in 1860. It identifies the opening hole of the original 12-hole course and the place where modern golfing history began. The tournament had been arranged following the death of Alan Robertson of St Andrews in 1859. Robertson was one of the first golf professionals to make a living from playing for bets, caddying, ball and club making and instruction, and was considered the best golfer at the time. In fact, he was so good that tradition has it he never lost when playing for money. Following his death, the members of Prestwick Golf Club agreed a competition should be held to see who would follow Robertson as the Champion Golfer. In due course, the first Open Championship was held at Prestwick on October 17, 1860 and played according to the Rules of Prestwick Golf Club. Eight professional players competed for the prize of a red Morocco leather belt with silver clasps and an ornamental silver buckle. The impressive girdle cost £25 and was paid for by the club's members. It eventually rested on the hips of Willie Park of Musselburgh who recorded a score of 174 for 36 holes (three rounds of 12 holes) bettering Old Tom's tally, who represented Prestwick, by two strokes. #theopen #prestwickgolfclub #birthplaceoftheopen @therandagolf #golfstagram #1stopen

COVID-19: Australia's Premier Events All Cancelled

Defending Champions Adam Scott, Inbee Park and Matt Jones

For the first time since the final year of World War II, the men’s Australian Open golf tournament will not be staged. Due to COVID-19 related issues, Golf Australia has also announced the cancellation of the Australian PGA and Women’s Open, which were last cancelled in 1995 and 2006, respectively.

From Golf Australia’s announcement:

“But even with multiple contingency plans, it has reached a point where decisions have to be made and this, regrettably, is the one we’ve had to take.”

A raft of measures were considered – including players entering a hub and competing while serving a strict quarantine period, as well as restricting crowd numbers and movement – but all options were unviable.
“We look forward to bringing all three tournaments alive again when they return as normal for summer 2021-22,” Kirkman said.

The Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship – the feature events on the PGA Tour of Australasia – were originally slated for a late November and early December window, to be played at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath and Brisbane’s Royal Queensland, respectively.

Latest View Of Amen Corner Indicates Trees Are Placed, Grass Is Green And The Lords Really Don't Want To Lengthen 13 Any Time Soon

It appears it's time to press pause on the ANGC No. 13 Tee discussion - at least for now 😉 ©12OCT2020 David Dobbins/EurekaEarth * #EurekaEarth #NotDrone #DiscoverThePresent * #themasters #aerialphoto #aerialphotography #augustaga #augustanational #golfstagram #instagolf #golf #golfer #loveaugusta #masters #masters2020 #mastersgolf #morningdrive #tigerwoods #pgatour #golfaugusta #whyilovethisgame #augustanational #angc #pga365 #golfporn #augustanational #topgolf #fallMasters #topgolfaugusta #beautifulgolfcourses

The service road is in, the trees are planted and room has been left for a new 13th tee at Augusta National. All that’s missing is that magical blue hue in Rae’s Creek!

As you can see from Eureka Earth’s latest shot, the land acquired from Augusta Country Club behind the current tee now includes a handsomely decorated service road with lights, landscaping and even a sound wall on the inside corner to shield a future 13th tee.

This is all my nice build-up to pointing out the obvious: it will be years before an extended 13th tee could look even remotely attractive.

Now, I know what you’re saying, extending the par-5 13th would be all about restoring the risk-reward nature. Who cares if the back drop is more Sage Valley than Augusta National. The answer? The Lords of Augusta care.

When players cross the Hogan Bridge and escape the huge crowds, the serenity and beauty of Amen Corner takes on a special atmosphere. Opening up the gap behind the current tee before the area has matured into a more forested surrounds would be aesthetically jarring, not to mention an obnoxiously long walk. And for what? Some manufacturer bottom lines? Protection of governing body nest eggs?