It was a quiet morning at SGIC Headquarters. First coffee dispatched and all was set for a quiet Thursday. And then, like an earthquake and a thunderstorm, Mizzen and Main dropped their new TV ad featuring Phil Mickelson. From their official Twitter account, let’s see what we have here.
First off, let me congratulate you on the work you’ve done in your time as LPGA Commissioner. I’d argue that the LPGA is the most watchable professional golf circuit, and the closest thing to a true global circuit. Leader-boards often look like a UN meeting is breaking out. It’s good for the global game, and good for the sport. The women who make up the Tour are fantastic ambassadors for sport and their game.
As you’re probably aware, your cohort (Jay Monahan) at the PGA Tour announced their 2018-19 wraparound schedule, which puts an end to the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, northern Virginia) hosting a professional golf tournament in 2019. We’re all fully aware you have an event in Williamsburg, but that’s not really an option for most people in the area. So let’s talk about the market. When you combine the DC and Baltimore markets, they add up to 3.6 million households (2.5 million in DC and the Virginia suburbs, another 1.1 million from Baltimore and surrounding areas). If you combine them, that’s the third largest US television market (they kick Chicago out from the 3rd spot), and they have zip to look forward to in terms of professional golf next year.
I should also mention that when you look at the richest counties in the country based on a 2016 survey, the DC area has the top three spots. Loudoun and Fairfax Counties in Virginia, Howard County in Maryland. Overall, the area is home to 10 of the top 25 counties based on median household income. We play golf pretty much year-round unless the courses are closed. If it’s above freezing and the courses aren’t snow-covered, people will play. Same for the swamp-like summers. I mean, what’s a little heat stroke among friends, right?
Did I mention we like sports? Washington is a true 4-sport city, and not sure you noticed, but the Capitals won the Stanley Cup this past June. The entire area joined the players on a multi-day bender afterwards. We also have several colleges including a service academy nearby in Annapolis. The Nationals just hosted the All Star Game. The Wizards are a playoff team. There’s an NFL team that plays in Landover…yeah never mind (the Ravens in Baltimore have won a Super Bowl this decade). This area has supported the PGA Tour stop in the face of every possible obstacle including every possible weather event short of snow (that’s this area’s Achilles heel and we know it). People showed up in the aftermath of a derecho that caused massive problems including volunteers. Admit it- you’re looking up what a derecho is. We all learned about this 5 years ago. We didn’t show up the day after because the Tour didn’t let fans on the course because of safety concerns. If they had, we’d have shown up.
The point is this- this area loves golf and has a proven record of supporting tournaments in spite of barriers put in front of us. You should be putting the DMV on your tournament calendar. Okay, you get the area is lucrative. But let’s talk where to play; and it’s an impressive list.
Are there decent golf courses that can stage an event? You bet your ass! In Virginia, RTJ has hosted the Quicken Loans open and hosted multiple President Cup matches. Laurel Hill is a public course that hosted a USGA Championship. Creighton Farms should also merit a look if it has the space for the infrastructure a tournament needs.
Maryland has Bulle Rock (it hosted the LPGA Championship for several years in the 2000’s). It’s still a tough test. Closer to DC, you also have options. Congressional’s list of tournaments and championships is as solid as it gets but their members are an odd lot. Nearby, TPC Potomac just hosted the men in 2017 and 2018. The golf course at the University of Maryland hosted a Web.com event for a couple years after a 2008 renovation. Any dates after school lets out would probably work. Worthington Manor has hosted US Open qualifiers and is a public course. Baltimore CC (Five Farms) hosted the inaugural LPGA Crown event and remains one of those classic courses that could host an event on short notice.
Or, if you really want to swing for the fences, let’s talk about the District of Columbia. Specifically, Rock Creek Park. Sure, it’s not long or tough enough to challenge professionals. But think about what might happen if you went into partnership (think the USGA with Bethpage Black)? At the very least, take a look at it. Admit it- you’re intrigued because you think big.
Weather-wise, July and August aren’t the best (admittedly it gets hot and humid not to mention thunder storms) but then again- your tour hits south Asia which makes DC heat/humidity look refreshing by comparison. I know September and October are tough because you’re up against football and I know Portland has the Labor Day slot (and admittedly that’s a beautiful city). But you could make it work. May, on the other hand…that’s some fine weather. Starting to warm up but not yet getting killed with the humidity.
The point is this: Putting a tournament in DC right before/after the Williamsburg event is easy travel for your players, and normally May is pretty nice here as I already noted. So let’s do this. It’ll be great.
So after roughly 80 bazillion picks of who will/won’t/might/maybe contend at this week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills, the winner was Brooks Koepka, otherwise known as the same guy who won last year.
But unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly a week of smooth sailing. Traffic (who knew that summer traffic in a summer destination was going to be an issue other than the millions of people who live/work/vacation in the area), course set-up, and a host of other issues got everyone riled up. Rather than offer my opinions, I’m ceding the floor to Golf Twitter to argue the issues of the week.
Issue: Phil Mickelson’s attempt at playing polo on 13 on Saturday was a disgrace and he should have been DQ on the spot and drawn & quartered. Or he was making a comment about the course conditions. Let’s go to the evidence.
For: He deliberately hit a moving ball to keep it from running off the green!
Against: The USGA gave him a 2-stroke penalty as prescribed by the rules.
For: Several players weren’t exactly happy with this. They typically don’t sound off en masse unless something goes completely off the rails (see Johnson, Dustin in 2016).
Against: He’s Phil Mickelson. It was his birthday! Fans love the guy! Fans don’t care what the haters think.
For: Oh, so the rules don’t apply to beloved players. His explanation was…well, you watch it.
Against: He wasn’t going to win so what’s the big deal? Shut up! Phil’s awesome!
For: Have you heard of protecting the field?
Against: Dummy says what?
For: He should have done the honorable thing and WD on Saturday night.
Against: He offered to and the USGA said no. Says his wife Amy.
Resolved: We disagree. Brendan Porath has a pretty smart take here. I also think John Feinstein gets it right (his words, not mine):
Here are two things that are crystal clear: First, Mickelson embarrassed himself with his sprint, spin and putt while his bogey putt was still rolling. Second, the USGA, already having a bad day because of the way Shinnecock Hills was set up, embarrassed itself further by not disqualifying Mickelson the instant he smugly told the media his act was intentional.
Issue: The USGA’s course set-up went off the rails. Again.
For: When you look at every foul-up or controversy at a men’s US Open, the problem can be traced back to course set-up. Golf Channel certainly didn’t mince words.
Against: It’s the National Championship! It’s supposed to be hard! Who wants to see someone win with 20 under as a score?
For: The USGA admitted that they lost the course on Saturday and several players agreed.
Against: Oh great, now the players are turning into snowflakes because the course is a bit difficult. Why not just get rid of all the rough and give everyone a trophy? I want it harder!
For: The greens were dead. Again. After pinkie-swearing that there would not be a repeat of 2004. They lost them in 2016, 2015, 2014. Merion was lambasted in 2013.
Against: US Open is supposed to be hard. HULK SMASH. Put bears in the fairway and land sharks in the rough. MUST MAKE HARD. What- they can’t play in wind anymore? Winning score should be 20 over par so that us regular golfers can relate!
For: It was windier than they expected. In an area that is known to be windy. Apparently with all this technology they literally can’t forecast wind a day in advance.
Against: It’s the National Championship, not some random tournament.
For: You can create a difficult challenge without stressing out greens.
Against: NO YOU CAN’T. They should be stimping out at 20. I WANT CARNAGE!!!
For: The Masters, Open Championship and USPGA manage course set-up without turning greens into parking lots.
Against: Did I stutter? I WANT CARNAGE! Tears, blood, and everything unfair. It’s our national championship and it should be hard!
For: It already is.
Against: No it’s not. I want a literal bloodbath. I want a 79 to be the low score of the week. I want to see scores in the 100’s. 9,000 yard courses, bunkers with poisonous snakes, 5-yard wide fairways. AHHHHH!
For: In that case they should just change the putting surfaces to concrete.
Against: Now you’re talking!
Resolved: Somewhere between last year’s event and this year, the USGA can and should create a difficult test that involves something more than lightning-fast greens. Luckily they should not need to do much to Pebble Beach for 2019.
Issue: Fans at the US Open behave inappropriately.
For: You don’t see this in Augusta or at the Open Championship.
Against: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Killjoy. Stop being a hater, broheim.
Resolved: The 2024 Ryder Cup is going to be a gong show.
Issue: Fox completed their 4th US Open so only 8 more years of this.
For: Their production and their technical advances are outstanding.
Against: Joe Buck.
For: Shane Bacon was outstanding.
Against: The Bill Hemmer interview during the 2nd round was a special kind of tone-deaf stupidity you only get from Fox.
For: Brad Faxon was outstanding. Not flashy, but does a solid job of telling the viewer something they probably don’t know.
Against: Picking up player-caddie discussions are great. Fan discussions about their…ahem…partners isn’t. Who thought this was a good idea?
For: Mike Davis appeared at the end of the 3rd round and took the hit for the course setup.
Against: Seriously. Get rid of Joe Buck. While you’re at it, tell Paul Azinger to drop the Grumpy Old Man bit.
Resolved: If Fox feels like they need him around, push Buck into a host role (think Bob Costas when NBC had the US Open) and find a competent 18th hole tower announcer. Maybe Shane Bacon is the answer, maybe he’s not. Think beyond the norm. Some people are good at golf. Buck isn’t. It’s been four years of USGA events; he’s not going to get better. It’s just not his thing.
SONG OF THE DAY
30 years ago today I went with some friends to see Depeche Mode at the Rose Bowl in California. Good times, minus the five couples around me who broke up (including the couple I went with), and two people projectile vomiting in the sink of the men’s washroom. Enjoy.
After playing 18 (or 36) holes, few things are as enjoyable as a baseball game with a cold beer on a summer evening.
Now that our seemingly endless winter has ended, the DMV has shifted into Spring (i.e. All of the Pollen) mode, which means summer is right around the corner. While I’d encourage anyone reading this to take a vacation (they’re awesome), for various reasons it’s hard for some people to take a lot of time off. Sometimes, the best you can do is a day trip with your buddies.
One of the most enjoyable day trips you can do is to play golf by day, and catch a ballgame at night. While Orioles and Nationals games are enjoyable, there’s a lot to be said for catching a minor league game. Tickets are cheaper, you’ll sit closer to the action, and it’s generally a more relaxed vibe. Luckily, there are multiple options for minor league baseball in the area, with outstanding golf options nearby.
Minor League Team: Potomac Nationals (Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals); Woodbridge, VA
Golf: Options are plentiful. If you want to play courses in the ‘Best You Can Play’ tier, Potomac Shores is outstanding; you can read my review here. It’s a real ‘member for a day’ experience. Laurel Hill is close by and has hosted a USGA championship. Not bad for a county-run course. Another option at the higher end is Old Hickory; also in Woodbridge. If you’re looking for something less costly and not as challenging, Lake Ridge is a 9-hole executive course. Warning: Traffic on I-95 in Woodbridge is pretty much guaranteed to be awful. Potomac Mills is there for any retail therapy you need.
Minor League Team: Frederick Keys (Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles); Frederick, MD
Golf: Options are very plentiful. Musket Ridge is a top 10 you can play course that has one of the tougher opening holes in the area. Whiskey Creek is also a top 10 ‘Best You Can Play’ that offers the ‘member for a day’ experience (and with the cost). PB Dye is a Dye design close by that is a bit friendlier to your wallet. Worthington Manor is another top 10 ‘Best You Can Play’ course. Maryland National is several miles west of Frederick and is a challenging and scenic layout. A few miles south of Frederick has the outstanding Little Bennett. Not a wallet crusher but a fantastic test that’s almost always in great shape, and the tee shot off the first hole definitely gets your attention. The course used to be used for hosting the Monday Qualifier for the old Kemper/FBR Open. Clustered Spires is a bit more wallet-friendly than the other courses listed; I’ve not played it so I’d say check online reviews before you go.
Minor League Team: Bowie Baysox (Class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles): Bowie, MD
Golf: Options exist but not as numerous or close by as Frederick and Woodbridge/Potomac. Oak Creek (in Upper Marlboro) is a decent upscale semi-private track. Lake Presidential has been a bit up and down with respect to playing conditions (they addressed some of the issues on their blog last summer, so stay tuned). The layout is one of the best in the area, but I haven’t played it in a few years and I’ve heard some pointed comments about how they’ve let the course go. I’ve also heard they are in the process of making improvements, so I’d say look at recent reviews online before you book. Renditions is similar; if the course is in good shape it’s a great place to play (the ‘Amen Corner’ holes are the pick of the bunch if you’re asking). The “book” on Renditions is that they book way too many outings that tear the course up, but as with Lake Presidential, allegedly they’re trying to make some improvements. At the lower end of the price range, Bowie Golf Club is close by and if nothing else a solid value. The ballpark is right off US-301 which is a huge commuter artery.
Golf: Potomac Ridge is closed (Atlantic Golf lost Potomac Ridge to development, and South River near Annapolis to going private). Waldorf isn’t that far from Upper Marlboro, so Oak Creek or Lake Presidential are your best options.
Minor League Team: Aberdeen Ironbirds (Short Season Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles); Aberdeen, MD
Golf: The list has to start with Bulle Rock in nearby Havre De Grace. Easily the ‘Best You Can Play’ in the state. My review of Bulle Rock goes into greater detail. Mountain Branch is nearby and is a solid layout that’s usually in pretty good shape (I last played it in 2014 and it was in great shape then), but hearing a few rumblings so be warned. A GPS or rangefinder is highly recommended. Wetlands Golf Course is in Aberdeen and isn’t the wallet-buster than Bulle Rock is. Well conditioned, decent layout. The Ironbirds season starts on June 15th.
Minor League Team: Delmarva Shorebirds (Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles); Salisbury, MD (Eastern Shore)
Golf: Your best options for golf are in nearby Ocean City, which is one of the best places to play on the Eastern Seaboard. I wrote a review about golf in Ocean City that is still accurate. Note: summer in Ocean City is prime season so if you’re staying, expect to pay accordingly. The Bay Bridge is a toll bridge (going to the Eastern Shore); Salisbury is a 2 1/2-3 hour drive from either Washington DC or Baltimore (longer on afternoons Thu/Fri, or Saturday mornings). Warning; Salisbury is home to the Perdue chicken processing plant and the area has a distinct…let’s call it smell. Ocean City is 30+ minutes from Salisbury.
SONG OF THE DAY:
Departing from golf, the World Cup starts next month in Russia. It’s become something of a tradition for a band in England to write an official song for the England team (insert joke about futility, losing at penalties, etc.). New Order were the high water mark of these, which they did for the 1990 World Cup. Genius work. They got several players to participate in the video shoot (most notably John Barnes and his ball-juggling and rap skills). Probably the greatest music video marriage of sports and music.
FootJoy ProSL. Side and outsole/spikeless pattern. Shockingly good grip.
Like a lot of golfers my age and older, my first few pair of golf shoes had metal spikes. I still remember my first pair; all white Etonics that had a wingtip design. The click-clack of metal spikes on pavement or a cart path is such a distinct sound. At the time, spikeless shoes were starting to be made, but most of them resembled gridiron astro-turf shoes and had little if any grip (which was fine if you’re playing a flat course with no wet spots, but otherwise not so good).
The last pair of spiked shoes I owned were a pair of Nike (pre-Tiger Woods) I purchased in the mid 1990’s. After that, it’s been soft-spikes on anything I’ve played in for the better part of 20 years until a few months ago.
My interest in spikeless shoes started when I saw Fred Couples wearing them at The Masters (2010 or 2012 if I recall correctly), which I found curious. If someone like Couples (with his history of back trouble) would wear something like that on a course that has a ton of elevation change, then he must be getting plenty of grip and traction. Admittedly I’ve always liked Freddie’s swing and how smooth and effective it is (maybe some envy as well).
Seeing companies make an effort at putting together good spikeless shoes furthered my interest so I began doing research. I heard great things about Ecco but they don’t make their shoes in widths (which is mind-boggling). I also looked at New Balance but if I’m being honest I wasn’t impressed at their golf shoes, so it was down to Foot Joy (one of the few companies that make golf shoes in an extra-wide width).
Side view shot of my FootJoy Pro SL.
Buying: Excellent. Their site is pretty easy to navigate and get information about their different models. Their color selection wasn’t the greatest (they don’t seem to make a lot of their bolder options in the XW width), but found a pair in my size. Shipping was a breeze and they showed up 1-2 days earlier than expected. If I have one complaint, it’s the lack of color options with the XW sizes.
**Note: FootJoy did not provide me with any free product, upgraded shipping or any consideration. The review is my opinion solely; they were not consulted or advised I would be writing a review.
Comfort: Good. I also have a pair of Hyperflex II shoes which I like. The outsole doesn’t sit up as high and I feared wouldn’t have the same cushion. It’s a firmer feel, but still very cushioned. Size-wise they run true to other FootJoy models; for me this means sizing down since I’m 1/2 size smaller in Footjoy than I am in other shoes.
Waterproofing: Excellent. I haven’t had the chance to wear them in rain yet, but several mornings of being a dew-sweeper gave them a pretty solid test. No issues. They breathe okay and held up to several rounds in the desert in hot conditions.
Grip: Outstanding; far better than I was expecting. This was the single biggest surprise with these shoes. From shots off the tee to shots in the fairway, rough, bunkers, and sidehill/uphill/downhill lies, my feet felt very anchored in. At no point did I fear my foot slipping. From the first shot, when it almost felt like I could feel my feet ‘locking in’ to the turf to putting out on my most recent round, grip has been outstanding. Better than most shoes that have softspikes, and I’m not kidding at all. Easily my favorite thing about them. Still blown away at how good they grip.
Stability: Outstanding. I like a wide outsole, and these have it. At no point did I fear rolling over. Very functional; does what you expect. They’re a bit heavier than my Hyperflex II shoes as a comparison.
Look: Average/Below Average. When they first came out, my thought was that they looked like bowling shoes and I didn’t really like how they looked (the first color pattern of black and white still have that bowling shoe look, in my opinion). Probably my least favorite part of the shoe. I thought about buying all white instead of the white/tan I bought; I think I’d probably go for the all white if I had to do it over again. Still think they look a bit like bowling shoes.
Overall: Outstanding. Looks aside, FootJoy hit a home run. Fit, function, comfort, stability and grip are outstanding. Okay, so these aren’t sexy. They’re damn good golf shoes. If you’re thinking about a new pair, or adding a pair of spikeless shoes to your collection, I strongly recommend taking at look at the ProSL.
2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir dropping the puck at a Leafs-Flyers playoff game in 2003. This really happened.
Lost amid Patrick Reed winning The Masters on Sunday night (along with the coveted Green Jacket, $1.98 million in prize money, and the chance to have the 2019 Champions Dinner catered by McDonalds, Hardees and Domino’s) was the conclusion of the NHL regular season and the announcement of first round playoff dates/times and TV (Boston had a makeup game with Florida that finalized the pairings; otherwise the regular season was supposed to have ended on Saturday the 7th).
NBC, unlike the other network that shows golf (CBS), has managed to intertwine its afternoon NHL coverage successfully; the Sunday afternoon regular season games end on time and they’re able to transition over to golf coverage with minimal delay (unlike CBS’ college basketball coverage during the PGA Tour West Coast swing which ran late every single weekend). Let’s just pretend that their 2007 decision to dump out of a Conference Final playoff game to show a horse racing pregame show never happened. I point this out because if you take a look at the NHL schedule for the first round, you notice that two games are slated to air on Golf Channel (both games on April 18; New Jersey/Tampa followed by Anaheim/San Jose). This is real; it’s not some delayed April Fool’s Day joke.
I suppose it’s similar to how NCAA basketball fans feel when they have to look for TruTV.
NHL fans have gotten used to NBC putting games on USA Network and CNBC in the first/second round, but Golf Channel’s deployment is a new thing. While there are many hockey fans who watch golf (and vice versa), many people many not know what (or why, for that matter) Golf Channel is and why it exists. It went on the air in January of 1995, founded by the late Arnold Palmer (sort of like if Gordie Howe started the NHL Network). It was acquired by NBC/Comcast several years ago. Golf Channel has never deviated from showing golf (other than endless airings of either Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore, Bagger Vance, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Bobby Jones/Strokes of Genius or The Squeeze).
While there are many differences between the PGA, LPGA, Champions (Senior), European Tours and the NHL, there are some similarities. So in the interest of helping fellow hockey fans who may be curious about Golf Channel and the similarities between golf and hockey, I humbly offer an a primer. You’re welcome.
Point of Contention
Hockey
Golf
Annoying old man who spends too much time hanging around much to the annoyance of most people who wish he’d do it less
Don Cherry
Donald Trump
Movie that fans can quote pretty much verbatim that made a horrible sequel nobody wants to acknowledge
Slap Shot
Caddyshack
Movie with dozens of inaccuracies people love to hate
Youngblood
Happy Gilmore
Annoying guy with a checkered past named Patrick
Patrick Kane
Patrick Reed
Beloved player who can’t win the country’s most important event and has failed repeatedly on a grand and tragic scale
Alex Ovechkin
Phil Mickelson
Studio Analyst that drives most fans off the wall
Mike Milbury
Brandel Chamblee
Rules Concept that exists that nobody understands
Goaltender Interference
Anchoring the putter
Rule that will immediately start an argument
Getting Rid of Fighting
Rolling the Ball Back
Annoying Analytics that a lot of fans wish people would shut up about
Corsi/Fenwick/PDO
Strokes Gained
Crossover figure who plays the other sport very well
NHL Official Garret Rank
Mike Weir, Graham DaLaet
Lightning Rod Game Analyst “shut up about it” go-to phrase
Pierre McGuire “When I was an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins…”
Johnny Miller “In 1973 at Oakmont when I shot my 63”
Phrase you hear that makes you want to stab your eyes out
“Respect the Game”
“Protect the Field”
Annoying Team Competition that really brings out the worst in fans
Olympics
Ryder Cup
Catch phrase from a main announcer you hate
“WAFFLEBOARD!”
“Hello Friends”
Played-out rivalry no serious fan cares about
Ovechkin/Crosby
Tiger/Phil
Potential International Rivalry
Connor McDavid/Auston Matthews
Patrick Reed/Rory McIlroy
Annoying Fan Behavior #1
Lower Bowl fan on cell phone waving at camera
BABA BOOEY, DILLY DILLY, MASHED POTATOES.
Annoying Fan Behavior #2
Throwing things on the ice
Calling to report a rules violation
Beloved analyst with crossover appeal
Bob McKenzie
David Feherty
Schtick you want to see fired into the sun
Multiple outdoor games in a season
Big Break
Variation from the game that inspires passions on both sides
These guys don’t want you to be a drunk asshole. So don’t.
The 2018 Golf Season hasn’t started for your faithful scribe because of multiple issues that I’m choosing to keep private for now (you can DM me on Twitter if you really want to know). This Winter That Will Not End is part of it. Having said that, for the pro tours it’s been full speed ahead. The list of winners on the PGA and LPGA Tours has been flat out impressive. Ratings are up, the game is in pretty good stead as we had for the first majors of 2018 (this week in Rancho Mirage, and next week at Augusta).
Unfortunately, we have to talk about a problem. Golfweek was the first to bring it up on a major platform a couple weeks ago, and again in this past weekend’s WGC Dell Matchplay we had an incident with a fan yelling in James Hahn’s backswing, and his reaction was what you might expect.
The problem is the golf fan who is equal parts over-served and over-entitled.
It’s bad enough when this so-called fan shows up at the Ryder Cup with a witches’ brew of faux-patriotism, intoxication and entitlement while consumed with the idea that screaming random crap in someone’s backswing is somehow acceptable (it’s not). For this to become a weekly occurrence (almost every week this is happening) is beyond inexcusable.
It didn’t start with recent Ryder Cups. We have John Daly’s fans to thank; it started out with them yelling “YOUUUDAMANNNN” as he’d unleash some gargantuan drive. And if that was the end of it, we wouldn’t be here. Unsatisfied with that simple bit of boorishness, it morphed into Howard Stern show time, with people yelling “BABABOOEY” (the nickname for show producer Gary Dell’abate). Then people just started yelling random crap (Mashed Potatoes being particularly popular), and it’s devolved to where we are now; a game of going one step further than the previous batch of idiots.
It’s one thing when it happens at the Waste Management Open (that event is a bit different and I’ve taken a “it is what it is” approach; players feel the same way), but it’s become a regular occurrence that lost its humor or novelty a long time ago.
When our drunk golf bro got on Justin Thomas at the Honda Classic, the answer should have been having the tournament host (that being Jack Nicklaus) give the guy the heave-ho. Or have Jack say something along the lines of “don’t act like a jerk at my event” if you will. Tiger doing the same at his event at Riviera would go a long way.
The price of a ticket entitles you to watch the best players in the world do what they do. It does not entitle you to disrupt other fans and yell in their backswing, or heckle them. This is golf, and it’s different.
What’s funny is that you don’t see this idiot at LPGA events, which for that reason alone makes them more watchable. The crowds are more knowledgeable and there to see great golf (I’ll admit I haven’t watched that much of the Champions Tour so I can’t comment).
So the PGA Tour has to start policing fans. It’s sad that we’re at this point, but we are. The thing about golf is that players police themselves, and for years fans could be counted on to do the same. This isn’t the case anymore. The Tour is going to have to start tossing people. Use CCTV footage. Marshals should be able to identify the guilty and send the guilty packing. Tickets should have verbiage that explains this policy and that they should expect to see it enforced.
Rory McIlroy suggested limiting alcohol sales would be a good idea (don’t disagree), but there’s nothing stopping Golf Bro from getting his (and it always his) load on in the parking lot. Having said that, the overall idea of monitoring the obviously over-served would do everyone a favor (start with ensuring they have a sober ride home).
Still disagree? You don’t see any of this at the Masters, and you hear the roars for great shots. See the difference? A roar when someone hits a great shot isn’t a bad thing. Talking trash to a player or distracting them in their backswing is pure garbage. Nobody is going to watch the Masters next weekend and think that some golf bro yelling ‘MASHED POTATOES’ in someone’s backswing is something they need.
SONG OF THE DAY
11 days until the start of the playoffs. This number from The Arkells…oh hell yes.
As you know, I love infomercials. Golf infomercials are even better. I thought I had seen true excellence. While the Golflogix GPS, Perfect Club, and the Brandel Chamblee Quiet Feet ones were all very good, they have been one-upped. It takes a special kind of spectacle to outperform the Perfect Club, but folks, we have a winner here.
First off, I have to thank Ryan David at RD Golf Media for bringing this to my attention. You can never predict when you’re going to see greatness. Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters. Auston Matthews scoring 4 goals in his NHL Debut in 2016. Korean barbecue at 2:00 a.m. The first time my lips were met with the golden nectar of the gods that is single malt Scotch Whisky. And now, for your consideration, I give you Royal Lifestyle Golf Clubs.
Let’s watch this together, shall we?
0:02: White pants, un-tucked red shirt. Okay, I’m in. The pseudo-British accent at Peter Alliss depth tells you it’s working. And it’s classy. It’s the new ‘it’s made in Germany- they make great stuff’ line.
0:08: He goes full Men In Blazers ‘The Tingling’ with a ‘WOW!’ It ‘almost’ makes you want to touch your own nipples. Almost.
I get it. It makes me want to touch my nipples too, Rog.
0:16: Note to the ‘Elvis is Still Alive’ folks. All is forgiven. Mine eyes have seen the light. If that gold medallion could talk, oh the stories it would tell.
0:24: Powered by the Japanese Pachinko Ball! It’s a metal ball! But Japanese! Magic! Outta my way, I must have All Of The Pachinko Balls!
0:31: If you’re saying to yourself “umm, the production values are really something” we’re just getting started. That weave on his head is spectacular, and it’s real muskrat. Maybe.
0:40: The Royal Lifestyle, and we manufacture The Jumano Line. Made by Vandalay Industries!
1:04: Hey, this guy’s an engineer by trade! He should mention that again. Is it me, or has this guy had a few pops?
1:17: Powered by the Japanese Pachinko Ball! More oomph!
1:27: It took him 3 years to design this wonderful set of clubs. Noted.
1:50: I’m an engineer! Oh, and if someone tells you they’re “probably close to a 0 handicap” you know that you’re on Bullshit Mountain.
2:08: I can think of a few other things that exceed your imagination. But go on…
2:31: “It’s all a bunch of stuff” isn’t the argument we need, but it’s what we deserve and what we’re getting here. If Taylormade or Titleist put out a new line of clubs and said “The Taylormade M10…it’s all a bunch of stuff!” I’d totally buy it. I’d walk in, take out my wallet and say ‘Gimme that M10 and just take my money’ and I’d have company.
2:34: Brain-warshing? Oh shit, we’re going full Golf Chemtrails here!
2:44: Reminder…he’s an engineer. Do you think he likes trains in an unhealthy way? Just asking.
3:11: Seriously, the production values and the awkward zooming in are straight-up Public Access TV greatness.
3:44: This rationale is some next-level bullshit, but man he’s owning it.
4:00: This guy made engineering calculations, and he went through computers. Can we stop for a minute and try to imagine the glory and majesty that this guy’s Facebook profile must look like?
4:15: He went in China. His words. I can’t even…which apparently, is comprised of boats on rivers.
4:32: Clubheads and shafts are two different things, but really, that’s what they WANT you to believe.
4:40: I was there four…three…hours a day for four hours at a time. Yup, this totally sounds believable. Standing there…sitting there…watching. Would you like to see pictures of his girlfriend from Canada?
5:22: Describing computer testing…my god. He’s really going all in on this ‘large head is bad’ thing. So by transitive properties, giving pros tiny heads would…increase distance? That’s why all the manufacturers keep making smaller heads for the pros. Got it.
5:50: More Oscar-caliber camera work. Is the 14-year old that’s doing this on meth or something? His ‘there’s no spring action’ comments, it must be noted, are pure malarkey. But keep going.
6:35: I’m not saying he’s making it up as he goes along, I’m saying he’s TOTALLY making it up. He’s going all in on this. I mean, he’s completely full of it, but he’s committing to the bit.
6:40: What exactly does hitting it with the same integrity mean?
6:57: 110 mph of clubhead speed is approaching tour level. Just saying.
7:02: Pachinko Ball!!! More Power! More oomph!
7:08: More Oscar-level editing. Hot. Hot I tells ya!
7:38: No sir, YOU are a gift from the gods. Your entire essence. Keep going!
7:55: I don’t know who exactly he’s talking to, but can I take ‘Voices in His Head’ for $1000?
8:59: Hermongous? WTF is that? Are the drugs wearing off?
9:45: Whack! Wait…earlier he said you can’t compress the ball, now you can? I’m confused.
10:04: I’m an engineer and probably a 1, 2 handicap. Well which one is it? My handicap card doesn’t say “I’m about a..” it has my index. An exact number.
10:24: They want to hit it farther and don’t care how straight it is? Put. The. Crack. Pipe. Down.
10:55: More talk about how a small head is okay. Compensating much?
11:12: Pachinko Ball! More oomph!
11:18: Finally, how can I order this flaming pile of crap? A number AND a website? Whee I’m hot today!
11:25: The driver is filled with foam and cork? Sweet holy mother…someone better alert Club Pro Guy! He’d totally dominate that Mexico mini-Tour!
11:30: Oomph! Give me all of the oomph! Someone appears to have dyed their hair a bit darker.
11:38: Two things. One, he casually drops that he’s making a movie. Yes, and it’s spectacular. And two, his other driver is called ‘The Wow Effect’ which is so terrible it’s great.
11:52: TURN AWAY. NOW. MAKE IT STOP, MAKE IT STOP.
12:07: Our host John Jumano has put on the Al Czervik suit. Baby blue…oh yeah. Now it’s a sub-commercial for car dealers. Yeah, give me that 1988 Yugo but you better include those clubs! The wedges have dots and grooves and I’m pretty sure the putter is an Ol’ Billy Baroo. I mean, are you gonna trust some guy like Bob Vokey or the marketing machine that is John Jumano?
12:50: More top-notch editing and fading.
12:55: And now, back to old men who own sports cars. Foam filled cork. Just let it wash over you.
14:00: “I love you baby” and yes, he kisses it. 12/10 level creepy.
14:31: A movie he’s producing, it’s called Titanic Johnson.
The man has his own cologne. Don Draper couldn’t have done better. Stare at it…let it wash over you.
Oh, but wait, there’s more. Yes, there’s a movie trailer. If you don’t watch the entire 7 minutes of brilliance you are missing out.
Last weekend’s Farmers Insurance Open should have been remembered for Tiger Woods returning to competitive golf and posting a better-than-expected finish in the top 30 and Jason Day winning in a 6-hole playoff that finished on Monday due to darkness on Sunday night. Unfortunately, what most die-hard types are talking about are the beyond-ridiculous four minutes and ten seconds it took for JB Holmes to play his second shot on 18 on Sunday.
You read this correctly; it took JB four minutes and ten seconds to play one shot. For the record, if someone I got stuck playing with pulled this, they’re getting left behind.
Golf already has a litany of issues; adding a televised slow play meltdown at a time when CBS was cutting into their coverage of the Grammy Awards was at best terrible. When Jim Nantz calls you out on live TV (he might have had an early dinner reservation for all I know, but still) for slow play, there’s a problem never mind all the people who wanted to watch the Grammy Awards getting pissed His fellow tour pros called him out on Twitter (calling him in his face en masse afterwards would have been preferable). The final threesome took six hours to finish and finished more than a hole and a half behind the group in front of them (at most public courses you’d have the marshal/player assistant/golf police drop the hammer). People wonder why slow play is a problem; it’s because people see this on TV and when they go to their local course they do the same crap (glacial pace of play, taking forever to read a green when putting, etc.).
Making matters worse, Holmes responded with something along the lines of not knowing he had a homework assignment due. He didn’t know how long he was taking was his actual excuse, which is some straight up bad etiquette. Again, pull this at any public course and the other people in your group and the marshal/ranger is going to light you up (and they should).
The solution is simple; the rules say it’s 40 seconds to pull a club and complete your shot. Two warnings, then a stroke penalty. Anything longer than 60 seconds is an automatic stroke penalty. Three stroke penalties in a tournament and it’s an automatic DQ. Two DQ’s in a season and you’re ineligible for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Three and you lose your card and are ineligible for sponsor exemptions. Make Ready Golf mandatory for PGA Tour events. I’d go so far as to set a daily time par based on the course, weather conditions, and how early/late the player goes out and make finishing outside a threshold of the time par a stroke penalty. Until you start hitting players where it hurts (on their scorecard, making them ineligible for playoffs and losing their Tour card), you’ll see the same crap every week.
Now that 2017 is in the rear view mirror and everyone looks at the 2018 season, it’s time to make some (likely wrong) predictions. First, let’s take a look at my 2017 majors predictions.
NOT Better Than Most.
Event
My Prediction
Actual Winner
Masters
Phil Mickelson
Sergio Garcia
US Open
Rory McIlroy
Brooks Koepka
Open Championship
Shane Lowry
Jordan Spieth
USPGA Championship
Dustin Johnson
Justin Thomas
ANA Inspiration
Christina Kim
Ryu So-Yeon
US Womens Open
Brooke Henderson
Sung Hyun Park
LPGA Championship
A. Jutanugarn
Danielle Kang
Womens Open Championship
Gerina Piller
In-Kyung (IK) Kim
Evian Championship
Lydia Ko
Anna Nordqvist
That’s pretty bad. In fact, it’s downright terrible. I wasn’t remotely close. As much as I’d like to run from this, I can’t. I could sit here and wallow in my failure and go crawl into a hole to cry softly, or I could knock back a few drinks and take another stab at things. As with other things, I’m choosing the option involving drinking. To borrow an old line, the use of these picks as the means for making a wager is, at best, foolhardy and at worst plain stupid.
Masters Tournament:
The “root for the story” pick: Either Rory McIlroy or Tiger. McIlroy needs a green jacket to complete the career grand slam and Tiger in the hunt on Sunday would move the needle unlike anything we’ve seen in recent memory. For the record, I don’t know what to think about Tiger’s latest comeback, because frankly we’ve heard this same stuff before. As of this writing he hasn’t hit a ball in anger in 2018 yet so I’ve no clue about this comeback.
The thinking man’s pick: Dustin Johnson can overpower this course (or anywhere else, really) unlike anything we’ve seen. If he’s healthy and his putter is working he’s the favorite. What happened last year (getting injured and having to WD) was incredibly unlucky. If Jason Day is healthy (and that’s a HUGE if) he’s got the game to win here.
My pick: Six first-time winners in the last seven years (which underlines how hard it is to win a major with so many very good players out there). I think this continues in 2018 and Jon Rahm wins. He has the length and I like his short game. First timers often struggle. This will be his second Masters.
US Open (Shinnecock):
The “root for the story” pick: Phil Mickelson. Another ‘should have’ from the last time they were here. The USGA managed to cock up the course by being unable to read a weather forecast and turned the greens into concrete. They have an entire year to properly set up a golf course for the national championship and manage to screw up more often than not. If he’s in contention and wins this is THE story of 2018 unless Tiger wins Augusta by 10, and the other majors by 5+ strokes. It completes the career grand slam for him and gives him the ultimate sendoff.
The thinking man’s pick: Jordan Spieth. Wind won’t bother him and he’s already won a US Open on a similar course.
My pick: Your previous winners at Shinnecock are Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin and Retief Goosen. Not bombers but guys who can think their way around a course. I’m going to go out on a big ass limb and predict either Justin Thomas or Rickie Fowler (I think this is the year he finally wins a major).
Open Championship (Carnoustie):
The “root for the story” pick: Either Sergio (should have won in 2007), Tommy Fleetwood or Ian Poulter.
The thinking man’s pick: Justin Rose. He’s got the game to win, and he was probably unlucky to have not won in Augusta last year. Paul Casey seems to have found his game.
My pick: Your previous winners at Carnoustie are Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie, so the sample size is really difficult. The weather is always a factor; bad weather on the first two days can easily knock out half the field so it’s really a bit of a lottery. Having said that, the R&A don’t get worked up about protecting par. If the winning score is 17 under then fine; if the wind blows and it’s 5 over, then that’s okay as well. A lot of first-time winners of recent memory and a lot of Americans winning, but not at Carnoustie. I think this continues. I think it’ll be a non-US first-timer that wins. Rafa Cabrera Bello has the length, he played well last year at Birkdale.
US PGA Championship (Bellrieve):
The root for the story pick: Jordan Spieth needs a US PGA Championship to complete the career grand slam.
The thinking man’s pick: Rickie Fowler is way overdue. Patrick Reed fits the profile of a young American first-time winner and I think he’ll contend.
My pick: First-time major winners galore. This will be the last US PGA Championship held in August (thankfully); and of course they’re going into the St. Louis area (so expect horrible heat, humidity and likely thunderstorms). I’ve advocated that the PGA get the hell out of middle America and look West, but they don’t seem to be able to do this. I’m going with Charley Hoffman who will come out of a competitive and muddled pack to eke out a win.
RYDER CUP:
Unlike a certain writer who thinks we’re into some gilded age of American dominance, I’m not ready to hang the bunting just yet. The ugly truth is that it’s been 25 years since an US team won in Europe. I think Europe wins a very closely contested Ryder Cup.
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