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U.S. Open…For Business?

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Will this year's U.S. Open help golf? (photo by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0)
Can this year’s U.S. Open help golf? (photo by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0)

O.K., normally I don’t write much about what’s going on with the pro tours, but after a quick look at the leader board for the U.S. Open, the top five names threw me off a bit. I double-checked and made sure it was the U.S. Open Leader Board, it was, and then it hit me – I know these results were only through the first round, but is this a sign of change?

Don’t get me wrong, I know Tiger is very well capable of coming from behind (no pun intended) and winning. And Phil, man what’s happening? Here’s a quick look of the top five so far:

1. Shaun Micheel USA
2. Paul Casey ENG
3. Brendon de Jonge ZIM
4. Alex Cejka…who? GER
5. Ryo Ishikawa JAP

Does this look like a U.S Open leader board? Will the fave’s make the cut? I’m really looking forward to seeing how this plays out. It’s a little bit of change from all of this World Cup Soccer (no offense to soccer, I’m also a fan). Not to mention, I wonder how much of an impact either sporting event is having on each other (something tells me the football tourney is having more success – even here in the states)?

Anyway, maybe this U.S. Open will open the doors for some new names (God knows the tour could use them). I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t recognize some of the players in the lead, but is that good or bad for the PGA? Stinky Golfer Chris posted the other day that the tour is trying to woo more fans – will this no-name leaderboard help it, or will it send it reeling even father than it currently is?

Time will tell, but I for one am more interested than ever! Not-to-mention, they’re out there on beautiful Pebble Beach playing golf…it doesn’t get much better than that. F@#$in’ beautiful!

Good luck no-names – I’m pulling for ya!

The PGA Tour Decides To Get More Fan-Friendly. Gee…Thanks.

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Lefty is one of the good guys on the PGA Tour... (photo by Corn Farmer / CC BY 2.0)
Phil Mickelson is one of the good guys on the PGA Tour… (photo by Corn Farmer / CC BY-ND 2.0)

I checked out a Devil Ball post a few days ago regarding the PGA deciding to make some “fan-friendly” moves. While I believe that any sport making an attempt to become more fan-friendly is great, I can’t help but to think to myself – “Yeah, we’ll see.”

Fact: No major sport is more out of touch with its fans than PGA. See that picture of Lefty? It’s him and a handful of other guys (if even that many) who show any real appreciation for the fans that show up to the events. What is the PGA planning to do about that? What good is trying to get a few more big names to some smaller tournaments if they are just going to ignore the fans there also?

Few sports put the spectator closer to the competitors than golf. But there is so little fan interaction that it just doesn’t matter. Is it really that hard to, at the very least, acknowledge the fans? Is it that hard to look at the fans and say “Thank you” after they’re cheering on a nice shot? I mean, it’s not an NBA game where you have to hurry back down the court to play defense! Acknowledge the fans! All you’re doing is walking down the fairway anyway!

But it’s not only the on-course actions of the players. It’s also the lack of pre- and post-round interaction. What Jay Busbee wrote in that post is 100% on the money. Most of these guys hurry past the fans like they’re carrying some rare, incurable disease! Don’t these guys realize, if not for the fans, you don’t have the chance to play for, or make, the kind of money you do? Yeah, you can thank Tiger all you want for that, but it’s still the fans who show up to watch! You would think that once all of the Tiger controversies came to be, and the galleries were only a fraction of what they were, these guys would be a bit humbled. But no. Nothing changed.

In my opinion though, the Tiger mess is the point from which the PGA’s revelation stems. And not for nothing, but also in my opinion, that’s a slap in the face to the golf fan. Basically, the PGA is saying “Oh yeah, you fans…we didn’t give a crap about you for the most part. But now that you’re not showing up, we realize we need you. Sorry about that.” It’s like treating your spouse like crap. Then when they’re about to walk out on you, you start trying to fix things by doing the things you should have been doing all along! Good luck with that.

The PGA put all of their eggs in the Tiger basket because of his popularity. The galleries were packed, purses were larger, the PGA was making money and the sports popularity seemed to be at an all-time high. They didn’t have to do anything for the fans because they were already there! But then…disaster. Tiger is out and no one is paying attention any longer. Now what? They realize now they should treat the fans a little better? They understand now, without the fans, they don’t have a sport? Excuse me, but that’s crap.

We here at Golfstinks have mentioned many times in the past that the PGA just doesn’t do enough for the fans, as well as its own players. And when Tiger disappeared for a while, that point was proven. I didn’t know half the golfers I was seeing on TV. That’s sad! When I can name more NASCAR drivers (a sport I despise) than PGA golfers (a sport I am a fan of, as well as participate in)…well…there’s a problem.

So one of the PGA’s solutions is to allow cell phones on the course? That’s your answer?! I’ve been to exactly two PGA tournaments, and guess what? I took my cell phone to both!! Obviously I was courteous enough to turn the ringer off, but what are you really offering me? I’m bringing it anyway!

What I’m getting at here is, at least the PGA is making the attempt to do something. But it’s not even close to enough. Yeah, putting a microphone on some of the players is a halfway decent idea, but something tells me that will get old pretty quickly. There’s only so much they can have to say that I’m going to care about before it just becomes redundant and flat-out boring.

The PGA needs to take more drastic measures. Get the fans more involved. Make some autograph sessions or meet-and-greets a requirement after rounds. Encourage the players to toss a few balls into the crowds. Set-up some competitions just for fun. We’ve mentioned in the past a long-drive competition between some of the bigger hitters on tour. That’s fun and fan-friendly! What’s wrong? Some of the players don’t want to participate in that stuff? Well…then tell them they are more than welcome to find a new line of work.

The PGA needs to make it a point to show the fans they are priority #1. The tour will go on with or without a particular golfer. But it will not go on if there’s no one to watch. Like that spouse, if you don’t show appreciation, then before you know it, they’re gone. And let me tell you…allowing a cell phone in? If that’s the best you can come up with, that’s simply not going to cut it.

Risk-Reward

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Do the risks outweigh the rewards in golf? (photo by Roger Kidd / CC BY 2.0)
Do the risks outweigh the rewards in golf? (photo by Roger Kidd / CC BY 2.0)

We’ve all heard of this before, just ask Phil Mickelson. For those not too sure of the meaning, it derives from Wall Street. Investors risking potential losses (the risk) in order to gain higher returns (the reward). On the golf course this means challenging a hazard or taking a tough shot, and risk losing a stroke, to potentially gain a stroke. With that said, let me give you my twist on the ol’ double “R”.

Stinky Golfer Greg and myself recently went and played a quick nine at a local track. As we butchered our way through the course, we joked about how you always hit your best shot into the foursome in front of you. It never fails. If you are 240 yards out and there is a foursome on the green, it is inevitable, you will hit a perfect 3 wood bomb right into their line as they putt. Hence, my take on risk-reward.

The Risk: Taking your shot knowing the foursome is within reach. You know damn well that if you wait for that foursome to finish or advance, you will flub the shot and everyone in your group will chime in with “It’s a good thing you waited for them to clear out, Tiger!”

The Reward: Hitting the straightest and most beautiful golf shot…ever! Yeah, yeah I know, it’s a crappy, non-golf etiquette, greasy, selfish move. But man, is it tempting especially if the foursome in front of you is slow.

You see, this is exactly what transpired…pretty much. We were on the ninth hole (par 5) and just teed off. My ball landed in the rough maybe 10-15 feet off the fairway. There is a foursome on the green and I’m some distance away. I pull out my trusty 3 wood and examine the shot. I discuss with Greg that I probably won’t make the green, but because there is a foursome there, the golf gods will give me the distance and accuracy I need.

So, I throw caution to the wind and proceed to hit, out of the rough, an ESPN Sportscenter, U.S. Open highlight, shot-of-the-day, golf shot. As soon as the ball was struck, I felt my stomach drop and everything turned slo-mo. FFFFFFFOOOOOORRRRRRREEEEE (but just like Ralphie in the movie a “Christmas Story”, I was really thinking the F— word)! The friggin’ ball landed directly in front of one of the guys as he’s putting…WTF!

Anyway, one of the guys starts yelling at us and waiving his arms in the air. I couldn’t really make out what he was saying (he was about 240 yards away) but I returned a “Sorry!” I honestly attempted to find them in the clubhouse afterwards to apologize in person, but it seems they had already teed-off on the 10th hole. Coincidentally, Greg parked right alongside the 10th fairway and as he was putting his clubs in his trunk, his car alarm inadvertently went off – right in the middle of that same guy’s back swing. We looked at each other: “Was that them?” Greg asked. “I think so.” I replied. Needless to say, we felt it best to leave before causing any further shenanigans.

I definitely DO NOT recommend hitting into group in front of you. Sometimes mistakes are made…on purpose…call me Lefty.

Do Pro Golfers Trash Talk?

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Muhammad Ali - the original trash talker (CC BY-SA 3.0 NL)
Muhammad Ali – the original trash talker (CC BY-SA 3.0 NL)

In the United States, professional athletes and sports fans (for the most part) have come to embrace and develop the art of talking trash. When we look at professional sports being played and watched, there is a mental and physical side.

The expression “you’re in his/her head,” for those that don’t know, means your trash talking has thrown your opponent out of their element or off their game. For example, professional sports have produced some rather effective trash talkers like Chad Ocho Cinco with his verbal and electronic (usually via twitter) bantering and the originator – Muhammad Ali…nuff said. These athletes would use the mental side as leverage by frustrating the opponent resulting in a loss of focus.

Now, as much as golf is a mental game requiring serious concentration and focus, wouldn’t you think that on Sunday one of the two in the final pairing would throw a dig to the other golfer or something? I mean dude, you are in contention to win some serious cash. The hell with it, let whoever you’re paired with know their mother is a pickle smuggler. You see, the USGA has guidelines on etiquette, not necessarily rules, and last time I checked there aren’t any penalties for “bending” guidelines. Supposedly, Steve Williams (Tiger’s caddie) tells a story about Phil Mickelson when he was paired with Tiger at the U.S. Open that goes something like this:

The pair were dueling for the lead in the third round. Tiger waved to a grandstand packed with 5,000 people that bordered the 17th fairway. The crowd responded with applause and cheers. A hush fell back over the crowd and a fan yelled out “Phil!” No response from Mickelson. Again the fan yelled out “Phil!” Again no response. The fan changed tack. “Hey, Mr. Mickelson!” When Mickelson finally turned and waved, the fan yelled out “Nice tits!” The crowd erupted in laughter; Mickelson went double bogey, then bogey and his tournament was over.

Not for nothing, but some of the outfits these golfers wear just scream “make fun of me” too. Ian Poulter, Camilo Villegas and John Daly are all guilty of this. Holy crap! Just think of how exciting golf would be to watch if, let’s say Boo Weekely, was to really start insulting John Daly. This would be priceless! There would definitely be a good chance of them “dropping the gloves.” Don’t get me wrong, I do not support violence but, if you’re playing golf for a living professionally on T.V., it makes for good entertainment.

If The PGA Rules Allow It, Then It’s Not Cheating

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Phil Mickelson (photo by Corn Farmer / CC BY-ND 2.0)
Phil Mickelson (photo by Corn Farmer / CC BY-ND 2.0)

I don’t know how much more clear it can possibly be. The rules say it’s OK….so who’s to say someone is doing wrong? Phil Mickelson used a club that is perfectly legal and within the rules. Can anyone please explain to me how this is cheating? Besides the obvious “within the rules” argument, I have numerous problems with this whole issue.

Problem #1 – Is it true a club that is over 20 years old provides an advantage over the equipment these guys are using today?! With all of the technology, research and development these club manufacturers put into their products these days, I find it incredibly amusing that a club which is practically an antique provides an advantage! If this is the case, then why the hell am I at my local golf shop checking out brand new sets of clubs, about to drop way too much bank, when the clubs I’ve been using for the past ten years may be better?!

Problem #2 – The fact that almost any club is banned from the tour is ridiculous enough. I mean for starters, these guys are using clubs that are custom fit to their exact specifications. And I don’t mean just length and weight. They are engineered around that particular golfer. These are clubs that neither you or I will ever have the opportunity to own. “But that club provides too much spin….waaaahhh…waaaahhh…..waaaahhh.” Shutup. You have a club head the size of a watermelon. The shaft is made of something currently being used on the International Space Station. You’ve worked with the best coaches, pros and trainers your whole life. But you’re worried that someone else’s club spins the ball more? Again….shutup.

Problem #3 – The focus on Lefty. If I read it correctly, Hunter Mahan, Brad Adamonis and John Daly also used these clubs. Did they cheat? Why is Scott McCarron not calling them out? Do they not matter? Is it OK if they cheat? Or is McCarron only mad that the current best player on the tour is “cheating?” Shutup.

Problem #4 – Scott McCarron. I don’t know the first thing about him, but to quote Joe Pesci from My Cousin Vinny…”I’m tru wit dis guy.” Really, Scott McCarron, who are you to call out Lefty for anything? Especially when what he did is within the rules! How can you call him a cheater? I’ll tell you what…when you win more tournaments in your career than Phil wins in one year…then you can accuse. When you get yourself ranked higher than #92 on the money list (compared to Phil’s #3 for 2009)…then you can accuse. When someone actually does something outside of the rules, thus it actually is cheating…then you can accuse. When you actually earn yourself some face-time with your play and not with your mouth…then you can accuse. Until then, shut up.

I’m willing to admit that if a club (or any piece of equipment) provides an unfair advantage, then a review of the rules must be done. But until then, if the club is allowed, then it’s OK with me and should be OK with everyone else also. If it’s legal, then every player has the opportunity to do the same. Whether they take advantage or not is their choice. It’s like a baseball player using a maple bat. It provides an advantage because it’s a harder wood and will obviously drive the ball farther and faster. It’s kind of a crappy advantage, but it’s within the rules. Therefore, it’s not cheating.

So until the rules change and say it is not allowed, let’s give it a rest.

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