Everyone in our group on the green. Someone’s closer! 6th hole, Los Lagos Course at Costa Mesa CC.
There’s an old plot line in movies where the answer to the great mystery was right under their noses the whole time. Whether it’s the murder weapon that was in plain sight or the murderer was someone everyone knew, it’s an old trope. It’s what I’ve been thinking about over the last week.
A month ago, I was at home, enjoying Memorial Day weekend (remembering it was cool and rainy for much of it) and not really thinking about much. I had played a couple rounds this year and hadn’t done that well. Then, a week later things got turned upside down and not in a good way, and I found myself driving out west to Southern California for family reasons (given the complete shit-show that air travel has become, I declined that option, not to mention paying hundreds of dollars a day for a car rental).
Mostly out of habit, I took my clubs with me, thinking (correctly) that I’d have free time to play. Since playing at sunrise is kind of my thing, it worked out, which left me plenty of time for the horror show that the last week-plus has been.
Southern California was where the golf bug first bit me, influenced heavily by my Aunt who was an avid player (not a big hitter off the tee but I remain envious of her short game). While she was a member at a couple private clubs in Texas and Oklahoma, our rounds were played on public (muni) tracks in Southern California (specifically, Orange County). Nondescript places that seemed beneath her, but that she seemed to enjoy playing nonetheless. Still remember her clowning a couple guys we got paired with who weren’t thrilled at getting paired with a female player (she easily beat them by 25 strokes). She died the day of the final round of the 1987 Masters (watching it, of course). Literally on death’s door, watching to see if Greg Norman could finally get over (he didn’t).
Turns out that you can go home again, even if you didn’t really want to.
My golf adventure last month started at the fancily-named (but very much not fancy) Costa Mesa Country Club, a 36-hole facility with a few holes that border a mental hospital, a few holes that border a high school, and a few holes that bordered a jogging/biking path. I played the longer of the two courses (Los Lagos) for both rounds, which runs just over 6500 yards from the tips and a very manageable 6200 yards from the middle tees (I played it twice; once from each set). The course is quite flat with only a few holes having any kind of elevation change. Walking rates are $36 Monday-Thursday, $39 Friday, and $52 Saturday-Sunday. The shorter Mesa Linda course maxes out at just over 5,400 yards and is quite flat. It’s only $29 to walk Monday-Thursday, $34 Friday and $43 Saturday-Sunday. The Mesa Linda would be a GREAT place for a shorter hitter to play. It’s just fun.
First tee at Los Lagos course. Not much of a marine layer on the day.
Fairways are generally pretty generous, rough is minimal. Greens were in good shape; certainly not tour speed but they were rolling consistently with very few burned-out areas. Okay, there were a few bare spots in fairways and some of the paths weren’t pristine (a mix of dirt and rock), but at these rates the course clearly has their priorities in shape. It’s fun. The people you’ll play with are the salt-of-the-earth types who make the game great. Waiting in line to check in for my 5:34 a.m. time, I got to chatting with a few guys who are regulars. The course is quite popular for people who will play the back nine early. If that’s you, get there early. There will be a line.
Pre-sunrise at Costa Mesa CC. Already a dozen or so other cars in the parking lot behind me.
No expense spared on this handy map. But who cares? It’s a great place to play.
Los Lagos starts with back-to-back par 5’s, and finishes with a par 5 as well for a total of five par-5’s on the course with yardages ranging from 520-567 yards (from the tips). Water only comes into play on a few holes. The par 4’s are also widely varied (from 320-420 yards). There’s yardage plates in the middle of the fairways at 200, 150 and 100 yards that can appear to be hidden, so a rangefinder/GPS device isn’t the worst thing to have. If you play in the afternoon expect a breeze off the ocean (only 5-6 miles from the ocean).
Teeing off on #10 at Mile Square (classic). This sums up the vibe pretty well.
My next port of call was Mile Square Golf Course, another 36-hole facility in Fountain Valley, the town where I went to high school and spent some formative years getting into various kinds of trouble (my attorney has advised me from making any additional statements). The town may lack a certain verve and excitement (I mean, the city’s motto is “a nice place to live”) but it gets golf right. There are two main courses (the older ‘Classic’ course and a newer ‘Players’ course that there are rumours about it shuttering; hopefully this doesn’t happen), plus an 18-hole ‘Executive’ course (David L. Baker) on the north side of the park that is lit should you want to play at night (why more courses don’t do this remains a mystery). Of the two main courses, it’ll run you $41 Monday-Thursday and $55 Friday-Sunday to walk. Both courses are easily walkable. Flat and with minimal distances between holes. The majority of people playing either carried or were part of the Push Cart Mafia. There’s a driving range and several practice greens.
Like Costa Mesa CC, the cart paths are beat up, but the fairways (and especially the greens) were in good shape. The greens are especially good. They use recycled water so best to not lick your ball if it rolled in the dew. In the DC area this course would be full at $70-$90. The 9th hole runs parallel to a busy street so going right is highly unadvisable. Both courses are very busy so expect a 4-5 hour round (I played early on a Saturday morning and finished in 4:15; the group in front of us were lagging a bit but they were apologetic about it and were trying to keep up). Like Costa Mesa (and Meadowlark, below) playing in the afternoon means you’re getting a sea breeze coming from the ocean almost every day.
From the rough on #1 at the Classic Course at Mile Square.
Mile Square Park is very much a public park, and it was playing here that a light came on in the normally empty space that is my head. On the front nine, a few holes border a series of baseball fields where kids were out practicing and playing. Soccer fields sat empty but it was obvious that they’d be in use that day. Outdoor basketball courts were visible as well. On the back nine, more soccer fields and several softball fields were getting used, with the softball games drawing heavy crowds. There’s even a nature preserve, and of course lots of running/walking/biking trails.
Unless dirt/rock cart paths bug you (and they don’t bug me), Mile Square is a great place to play. It’s flat (I was at an angle).
The country club set would probably shiver and require fainting couches for having to play amid young girls and their parents cheering wildly at base hits and runs, but I found that it didn’t detract from my round. And shouldn’t THAT be the standard? Why can’t we co-exist? Shouldn’t a public park that has golf (and other sports) be able to exist peacefully? Why yell at each other when it just seems easier to get along.
Flirted with a watery grave on the 14th hole at Mile Square.
If I did have a complaint, it’s for a lack of a short (under 130 yards) par 3. The 13th hole (below) is the shortest hole at 144 yards from the middle tees. The other par 3’s are 155, 170 and 165 yards from the middle tees.
13th hole at Mile Square (classic). Shortest par 3 on the course (144 from the middle tees). Behind us were a few softball fields that had games going on. Wish they were cheering for me but such is life.
My last round was at Meadowlark GC in Huntington Beach. It was a challenge to get on at Meadowlark since they don’t take walk-ins as of this writing but I managed to get a tee time. It would have been nice if I’d have managed to charge my phone to take a few photos but I dropped the ball on that one. Meadowlark is relatively tame on the scorecard, topping out at just over 5,600 yards from the tips. However, the ocean is only a mile or so away so an ocean breeze should be expected most of the time. Meadowlark is tighter than the other courses and wayward shots can bring some challenges into play. Rough was a non-issue; greens were good (all of the courses have poa annua greens if you care; it’s quite common here as are the kikuyu fairways and tee boxes; you’ll find the same down the road at Torrey Pines); maybe not as good as those at Mile Square but decent. Some areas weren’t lush but were burned out a bit, but generally speaking the fairways and greens were more than playable.
The course very much fits on the small plot of land it occupies. With a couple exceptions the course is relatively flat, and the pricing is quite reasonable. Walking rates vary from $34-$50 depending on day of week. When I was there I saw a significant number (close to, but not quite 50%) of players using pull/push carts.
In four rounds, I didn’t lose a single ball. I didn’t play that well and certainly didn’t score well, but I was able to avoid any big trouble (not that these courses have much). Meadowlark probably has a couple holes with water very much in play where losing a ball is fairly easy (water at Mile Square is only on a few holes and a couple at Los Lagos at Costa Mesa). Like Mile Square, there are a couple holes where getting wild puts your ball on a busy street so please don’t.
Look, if you’re visiting Orange County, a trip to some of the tonier public courses (Pelican Hill, Strawberry Farms, Coyote Hills, Tustin Ranch, Monarch Beach) is certainly a fantastic day out especially if money isn’t an object (Pelican Hill’s views are especially fantastic; played it once in 1996 when a colleague paid for us to play), but I’d argue that you don’t need to break the bank in order to play good golf. While Costa Mesa, Mile Square and Meadowlark don’t have million-dollar views, they’re what public golf should be. Affordable, fun, and a vital part of the community and populated by your fellow public golfers who love the game. Mile Square is where I came to love this game, and while she may not be the belle of the ball, she can dance with me anytime she wants. Just don’t go right on #9.
Well, it’s December 2020 and as I’m writing this, the final round of the US Women’s Open is getting started. Let that sink in for a moment. A Monday finish for a tournament that was originally scheduled for June that was moved to December is a pretty good indicator of what 2020 was like.
I’m not wearing a mask (hey, another hot take) because I’m at home by myself (the dog doesn’t count) but I’ve got masks in my car and one in my golf bag. Another item in the ‘things that became a thing in 2020’ column. So golf was pretty messed up once COVID showed up. They stopped the Players Championship after one round (and a Chainsmokers concert that became a super-spreader event), took a 3-month hiatus, canceled the Open championship, moved the USPGA from May to August, the US Open from June to September, and the Masters from April to November. The Ryder Cup got canceled and rescheduled for 2021. The women moved the ANA Inspiration from early April to September (Palm Springs in late summer…AWESOME) and the US Open from June to December.
Oh, and no fans at tournaments like nearly every other sport in the US. On the one hand, last month’s Masters were devoid of the roars that make it so great. On the other hand, Trevor and Brock weren’t screaming “MASHED POTATOES” every nine minutes after that second Michelob Ultra, so all in all it’s a win.
FOX bailed on the USGA package because they didn’t want to give up a Sunday of NFL games in September, so welcome back NBC, Golf Channel and (sound of me vomiting) Peacock (NBC’s ‘let’s put all the shit you dirt eaters love on a premium streaming site that sucks ass). Overall this is a win for golf fans especially since Shane Bacon has joined Golf Channel (he was the best thing on FOX by a mile). I have to admit I’m looking forward to NBC putting the Super Bowl on Peacock in a couple years just out of sheer spite while NBC shows a dog show. But if there’s one positive to the USGA package reverting back to NBC, it’s that we now get that Yanni song playing eighty bazillion times per day.
Jack Black is REALLY happy about the USGA package going back to NBC
However, despite all of the upheaval, there is one constant. If it’s early December, it means Golf Digest put out another holiday gift guide, presumably because they had little else to do. They also have a ‘for the golfer who has everything‘ version, which makes zero sense because if they had everything they wouldn’t need this sponsored crap. But, we digress. To make this easier on both of us, I’m not including pictures of the products. You’re not buying any of this shit, and neither am I. So let’s get started.
UNDER ARMOUR MEN’S UA STORM EVOLUTION DAYTONA FULL ZIP
Price: $100
They say: This water-repellent jacket is engineered to adapt to changing temperatures to retain heat in the cold and release heat when the body needs to cool off. The bomber jacket design is on-trend and ultra-breathable for a comfortable fit either layered or as a simple shell.
SGIC says: To borrow from a popular saying, I think it’s time we just admit that Everything Under Armour Touches Dies. You have college teams running from their sponsorship deals. They tried and lost out on deals to outfit NHL and MLB teams as the official uniform supplier. Their stock is in the toilet. And they hitched their golf fortunes to Jordan Spieth, which looked genius in 2015 but now looks like a terrible idea. This jacket looks perfect for suburban dads who don’t play golf. Coming to a kids soccer game near you while dad makes sure everyone has gluten-free oranges for halftime.
SONY WH100MXM3 BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES
Price: $280
They say: Home or away, these ultra-powerful headphones are a saving grace. The noise-cancelling technology is designed to adapt to the sound where you are, so the volume will turn up or down depending on the ambient sound sensed by the headphones. A built-in mic allows for hands-free phone calls, and touch functionality allows you to control the music. The headphones’ “quick attention mode” allows you to cover the right ear to turn down the music for a moment for quick interruptions or conversations. The battery life lasts up to 30 hours.
SGIC says: Every year they put at least one pair of overpriced headphones in their guide and I don’t know why. You’re not wearing these on the golf course. I guess they’re great to avoid hearing your kids yell and scream while you enjoy an Adderall smoothie for breakfast. I’ve never seen someone play wearing these things. I know this seems crazy, but you could actually engage your playing partners in friendly banter while playing. Wearing these on a Zoom meeting just makes you look ridiculous. It won’t hurt.
BULLEIT BOURBON YETI OUTDOOR PACK
Price: $72
They say: The pack comes with one 740mL* bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Kentucky Straight Whiskey, one 375 mL bottle of Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey, and one 10 oz. Bulleit Branded YETI Rambler to regulate the temperature of your drink—either warm or cold.
SGIC says: The bottle of Bulleit is 750ml*, not 740ml and can be found for $25 at most liquor stores. Do the math. You’re getting hosed on this deal. Having said that, Bulleit is actually decent bourbon for the price (if you’re asking, you can include Buffalo Trace as well). I’m not advocating you use an adult sippy cup for day drinking, but if you’re going to day drink, go all in and use the giant size ones. Drink responsibly, kids.
TED BAKER WATPP WATER BOTTLE
Price: $42
They say: This fun, leaf-covered water bottle offers a fun way to stay hydrated throughout the day. The hexagonal top is not only stylish, but it’s easier to open up. If green isn’t your color, the menswear brand has a handful of other color options with the same sophisticated silhouette.
SGIC says: I know that when I’m choosing to survive rather than die from lack of water, it had better be FUN. Because drinking water should be FUN. Which means I’ve been doing it all wrong my entire life! I just drank water because I was thirsty but it was never FUN. Seriously, $42 for a goddamn water bottle? I can buy a dozen PROV1X’s for that right now. Which, if you’re curious, might be a better option for someone who plays golf. And more FUN. Whose mouth is shaped like a hexagon? Mine is oval, so’s yours.
LACOSTE OVAL METAL NOVAK DJOKOVIC COLLECTION SUNGLASSES
Price: $219
They say: While not a golfer, Novak Djokovic’s Capsule Collection will certainly appeal to stylish golfers. The oval shape is flattering to almost any face, while a metal double bridge and acetate rim add a uniquely upscale look and feel. It’s a lightweight pair of shades that can be worn almost anywhere
SGIC says: $200+ for sunglasses that look like they’re from the Joe Biden aviators collection. Best worn for when you want to throw a temper tantrum at the US Open and get defaulted after telling people COVID is fake and then getting it. They look like the sunglasses Guy Who Owns a Boat wears at the yacht club. Ideally matched with a quarter zip sweater worn or tied over his popped collar polo shirt. Get a 10% discount if your name is Todd.
Price: $45 and whatever shroud of dignity you had left.
They say: Get in the holiday spirit with this golf sweatshirt inspired by the ugly Christmas sweater trend. The super-soft cotton crewneck is warm but has a lightweight feel, making it easy to layer with. The festive design paired with the affordable price point make this a worthy gift for the golfer on your list—even if that golfer is you.
SGIC says: To quote Al Czervik, this looks like the kind of sweater that should come with a free bowl of soup (to spill on this abomination), or at the very least some iron covers and maybe a ball retriever. Dark green with FORE written in giant letters on the chest. Gimme two of these (one to shit on, the other to cover it up with). I mean, if you wear this do people think you’re special in the ‘good for you, you cut your meat’ kind of way? And can we please pump the brakes on ugly sweaters? It’s been five-plus years for this fad. Oh, and if you ever see me wearing this monstrosity, you can safely assume I’ve been concussed and/or taken hostage.
TRUE LINKSWEAR SHOE BAG
Price: $45
They say: Even if you’re not a shoe bag kind of golfer, this bag from True Linkswear will come in handy. In addition to a place to put your golf shoes, it has a valuables pouch, tablet sleeve and organized compartments inside the water-resistant zip bag. For organized and disheveled golfers alike, it’s an effective way to keep everything you need tidy and together.
SGIC says: This isn’t terrible. I keep my golf shoes in a cinch sack (the kind with the straps so you can wear it like a backpack) and I’m happy with my cinch sack. But for someone else, this isn’t a bad gift option. Less than $50, and it’s useful. Unlike other options they’ve ‘selected’. Having said that, a tablet sleeve? Really? Who takes their iPad with them when they play?
SONOS MOVE PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Price: $399
They say: Whether providing the tunes on the course or entertaining at home, this powerful Bluetooth speaker is virtually indestructible—and it sounds great. The shock-resistant case will survive any drops or bumps, and it’s built to survive extreme temperatures and any inclement weather. The charging base is simple to connect to and powers the speaker as it’s in use. It’s a strong gift idea for the golfer who values quality-sounding music—and also needs a portable speaker built with some forgiving qualities.
SGIC says: $400 for a speaker? We’re in a full-blown economic crisis but yeah, the average golfer is throwing down four c-notes on a speaker. You could buy a new disco stick (i.e. driver), or this thing. I bought She Who Is Really In Charge a Bluetooth speaker for $120 a few years ago, and it gets a heavy workout when we’re out on the deck enjoying cocktails with the dog (and it has fantastic sound). Of course, the assholes who buy this are taking it with them on the course, because they’re the exact people who want to share their awful taste in music with everyone else.
ALFRED GIRAUD FRENCH MALT WHISKY HERITAGE BY ALFRED GIRAUD
Price: $155
They say: Give the whisky drinker in your life something new to try with this limited-production French malt. For a personalized touch you can add custom engraving for $40 to make this gift a true memento.
SGIC says: So for $195 you can get the boss a bottle of French whisky that says “eat shit you rotten bastard” on it (but engraved). Or, spend $10 on a small bottle (otherwise known as a Mickey) of Olde Oscelot bourbon with a taped sticky note that says “eat shit” on it. I know where I come down on this. The French make fantastic wine, great champagne and I’d trust their cognac, but not sure about whisky. Just saying. I could give you dozens of better whisky options than this.
TRX SLAM BALL
Price: $45
They say: A slam ball is a simple-yet-dynamic add to any home gym setup. It’s helpful for working on explosive power or mixing up ab routines without requiring too much space. A thoughtful gift for the fitness-minded golfer on your list, or the golfer who needs a less destructive way to relieve tension at the end of the round.
SGIC says: Perfect for when you go full Bryson Dechambeau and commit to his ridiculous eating and training habits. When that first bout of roid rage hits, you can throw this through a wall and then start crying. Lovely. Fact: 90% of people who buy this thing will never actually use it. If you want one, wait another year and start hitting yard sales. Five bucks cash money.
SEAMUS DRIFTWOOD HERRINGBONE POUCHES
Price: $65
They say: Handmade to order, these pouches are great for holding the little things on the course—tees, ball markers, a golf ball or two—but they’re are also an excellent place to store a facemask between wears. The regal green herringbone tweed bag is lined with fleece and pulls closed with leather cut cords. It’s also customizable to add initials, a name or a small icon.
SGIC says: You know what is even better is a Crown Royal bag. It’s the official accessory pouch of SGIC Amalgamated Industries. You can find one of these for around $25-$30, and you have the added bonus of a bottle of good utility whiskey. It even comes in a box for easy gift wrapping. What’s not to love? A tumbler of Crown and Coke is one of my go-to drinking options. No, I’m not an alcoholic because I don’t need to attend meetings. I just drink. A Crown Royal pouch will hold a sleeve of balls and enough tees, divot repair tools, ball-markers and whatever else you use. And it’s purple, which means it’s classy.
$30 for the best accessory bag there is. With a bottle of Crown Royal included.
LULULEMON EVOLUTION LONG SLEEVE POLO
Price: $98
They say: For all the golfers** who discovered and now swear by the , this long sleeve polo is a great next step into the Lululemon golf apparel collection. It’s made with anti-stink technology and sweat-wicking fabric to keep things fresh, has enough stretch for activity without losing its shape and comes in five easy-to-match-with color options.
SGIC says: **does not include anyone who can’t fit into their limited size range so suck rocks if you’re not rail-thin. I have a raft of issues with this gong show of a company. Least of which, they don’t know shit about golf and how golf clothing can and should function. Their photo shoots that purport to be people playing golf are hilariously bad. This shirt doesn’t appear to be able to be tucked in, and the sleeves look terrible. Again- does anyone at this goat rodeo company actually play golf?
MUGGO TEMPERATURE CONTROL MUG
Price: $128
They say: Set the exact temperature you want for your coffee in 10 minutes with this smart mug. A rechargeable battery pops into the bottom of the leak-resistant travel mug, so your coffee will never get too cold on the course or on the go.
SGIC says: If I can’t drink my coffee at 125.43 degrees Fahrenheit then someone’s hearing about it. The people at 7-11 and Royal Farms better be reading this. Last time at Royal Farms my coffee was over 130 degrees. I WANNA SPEAK TO THE MANAGER. Maybe if you actually…oh, I don’t know…DRANK YOUR COFFEE this wouldn’t be an issue. Save $100 and buy a Yeti tumbler. It maintains the temperature pretty well. I use one (they don’t pay me, I bought mine like everyone else).
FOOTJOY X SMATHERS & BRANSON NEEDLEPOINT BELT
Price: $175
They say: This hand-stitched needlepoint belt is vintage, luxe and a great gift for golfers who appreciate a fine attention to detail. Available in green, blue or gray, the belt is finished with a solid brass buckle and Italian leather lining.
SGIC says: When Judge Smails invites you to drop by the yacht club, this is the belt you need. It’s the belt Spalding uses to tie off his arm to shoot heroin, so you know that’s quality. It says “trust fund kid” in the most obnoxious way. Perfect for summer soirees at your dad’s place in the Hamptons while listening to Yacht Rock ironically. Seriously, $175 for a goddamn belt? That, or showing up with not one but TWO bottles of Kim Crawford rose. Their commercials are laughable. They sell what others call ‘cougar juice’ that no serious wine drinker would be caught dead anywhere near them. Walking out of your local bodega in yoga pants holding up a bottle of this swill like you discovered oxygen is hilarious.
NIKE DRI-FIT UV WOMENS GOLF TOP
Price: $40
They say: An ultra-versatile basic, this Nike women’s top has all the performance elements she needs for golf—moisture management, UVA sun protection and a stretch fabric—with a soft cotton feel and relaxed fit that’ll go with everything.
SGIC says: I’m not sure how or why, but when did women’s golf shirts become collar-less? Otherwise, this is not bad. Decent price point, not gaudy. Most of the women I know who play (most of whom can beat your ass any day they feel like it so don’t act like you’re better than them- you’re not) prefer collared shirts, but other than that I can’t really make fun of it. It’s almost reasonable.
JONES CLASSIC STAND BAG
Price: $190
They say: You can’t go wrong with a classic stand bag like this one from Jones Sports Co. The single strap golf bag is made with a durable nylon material, has eight pockets and weighs just five pounds. The deep green colorway is a refreshing change from the traditional black and gray golf bags we see all too often.
SGIC says: You can buy better, lighter and cheaper. Sun Mountain and Ping make fantastic bags and have a double strap for easy carrying if you’re not ready to join the Push Cart Mafia. Hell, even my old Titleist carry bag is lighter than that and it’s 8 years old. Five pounds really isn’t bragging. It looks like the generic golf bag they use in print ads when they don’t want to have to edit out a manufacturer’s name.
LINKSOUL GAITER GIFT BOX
Price: $65
They say: A cozy way to stay warm and add a little protection this season, these LinkSoul gaiters are made from the same ultra-soft material the brand uses to make its popular cloud T-shirts. While gaiters are not recommended by the CDC as a facemask, it’s great to wear over an approved mask or provide coverage if you’re in a pinch.
SGIC says: Gaiters in a gift box are a nice ‘2020 in a box’ option even if they don’t offer much in terms of protection. They’re not bad when it’s cooler, however.
JAMESON COLD BREW WITH HOLIDAY SIPS BOX
Price: $67
They say: This Jameson Cold Brew gift set is the perfect antidote to everything 2020 has thrown our way. Tasty on the rocks or in a cocktail this Irish Whiskey is infused with coffee flavors that might change your coffee order for good. It also comes with candies inspired by classic holiday cocktails to add a sweet-yet-boozy touch to gift giving this year.
SGIC says: I’m going to run for President in 2024 solely on an agenda of eliminating this kind of shit. A bottle of Jameson is $25 and not for anything, but it’s great utility Irish whiskey (I say this from experience; most utility whiskeys like Jameson, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker Black Label and Dewar’s White Label are fine options). I don’t need or want coffee messing up my Jameson. Best way to drink Jameson? Pour some in a glass. Add a few ice cubes. Maybe a lime/lemon wedge. That’s it. If I see a place offering a Jameson Chocolate Martini I will show up with a flame thrower. Stop it. Quit trying to put things in whiskey. We figured whiskey out centuries ago. Basically, this is overpriced whiskey for people who don’t like whiskey. So you’re paying $40 for mediocre coffee. Buy a box of ProV1’s and a bottle of Jameson for what this runs.
PUMA POP TOP MINI BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Price: $40
They say: The extremely affordable price point of this speaker ($40) makes it an easy last minute gift for golfers this holiday season. Available in black or white, the mini golf speaker attaches to a golf bag and delivers quality sound. It’s also got a built-in ball marker and bottle opener to make sure you have everything you need to have a good time on the course.
SGIC says: Perfect for saying to the people in your group “I don’t care about pace of play; I’m out here to take forever to play while listening to John Tesh or Creed” which is really something. At least it’s not overpriced.
CORKCICLE COOLER BAG:
Price: $130
They say: Store 12 cans in this padded cooler backpack to make sure you never run out of drinks. The synthetic leather bag is a stylish-yet-subtle way to BYOB comfortably.
SGIC says: For $130 it should come with someone carrying it around. Great, now BIG COOLER is trying to gouge people along with seemingly every other industry. If you’re a Costco member they sell a really nice cooler bag for $10 and it has a shoulder strap. It’s not synthetic leather, but put the $120 in your pocket and call it a win. For $120 you can fill that bad boy with some locally-made beer. Winning!
NIKE REPEL MENS SYNTHETIC FILL GOLF JACKET
Price: $160
They say: or those chilly-but-not-freezing rounds, this insulated shirt-jacket should do the trick. It’s a water-repellent jacket that’s lightweight and breathable with insulated material that stays warm even when wet. The versatile collar creates a business-casual look when folded down or can provide additional warmth when turned up and secured with the button closure.
SGIC says: It looks like a puffer vest and the 1977 vinyl jacket got married and spawned in the back of a 1975 AMC Pacer. This was the byproduct. It’s brown. Who exactly thought we needed to see this thing in shit brown? It’s ugly. If it had the Members Only shoulder epaulets it would at least have the cheesy thing going. It doesn’t, so you’re paying $160 for a butt-ugly jacket. One-way plane ticket to North Korea not included.
TOMMY JOHN COOL COTTON BOXER BRIEF
Price: $36
They say: These briefs featuring a snowman playing golf were too fun not to mention. The whimsical pattern is festive without going overboard, and the cool cotton fabric is ultra comfortable. It’s a go-to pair of briefs with a stay-put waistband that guys will appreciate.
SGIC says: We’ve had 300,000 people die of COVID, but hey- my underpants are fun (but not ‘too’ fun) so we’re all good! I’ve been wearing underpants most of my life, and I’ve never had an issue with waistband technology. I put them on and generally, they tend to stay on all by themselves. I achieve this by purchasing the right size, but that’s just me. But for $36 I’m glad they stay put. Can we talk about their commercials? In what universe to people just parade around the house in their underpants and nothing else? Is there some kind of secret society that gets together and just hangs around in their underpants like it’s not a big deal?
BRAZYN MORPH ALPHA FOAM ROLLER
Price: $70
They say: Foam rollers are an excellent tool for golfers to warm up or cool down muscles, but they tend to be a little too bulky to carry around. Brazyn aims to make foam rollers a little more portable with this collapsible tool. Fully expanded, the roller is 5.5 inches in diameter but will collapse flat to about two inches thick.
SGIC says: Finally, we’ve figured out foam roller technology. Let me wipe that giant collection of flop sweat off my forehead and dance around in my underpants as we celebrate this monumental achievement. I’ve never seen someone at a golf course use a foam roller, and I’ve seen some incredibly weird shit. Is this one of those private club things, like the blue water that’s used to clean combs and stuff in the men’s locker room? If you’re using a foam roller at home, is this ‘really’ a problem that you’d need a $70 foam roller?
JACK BLACK MR FRESH SET
Price: $40
They say: Whether the clubhouse is closed or you just need to freshen up on the go, this set from Jack Black is ultra-useful to have on hand. The All-Over Spray and Wipes will leave you feeling clean and hydrated without a shower. And when you finally find one, the All-Over wash can be used on the hair, face or body to provide deep clean without stripping essential moisture.
SGIC says: $40 for goddamn wipes and some body wash. Does the body wash come in a ramekin? Can I get this personalized as a gift for another $20? If you REALLY cared, wouldn’t you just jump in the pond like Carl Spackler and wash up? Natural spring would be good for you, Carl. Doesn’t everyone work from home now? Just go home and take a shower like an adult (and take a beer with you). Seriously, I can’t begin to properly extol the virtues of a Shower Beer. It doesn’t have to be some fancy IPA. It actually works best if it’s shitty beer. Open the beer, get the water going, jump in, and drink up. It feels so wrong, but it’s so right. Trust me.
LULULEMON WOMENS ON THE FLY JOGGER
Price: $118
They say: A fan favorite on or off the course, these comfortable joggers are made with breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics, an athletic four-way stretch and an upscale design.
SGIC says: $118 for sweatpants. SWEATPANTS. Not trousers, not slacks, not a pair of dark jeans. SWEATPANTS. Dropping over $115 on pants that say “you’ve given up all hope” should be a warning sign. Never mind that 90% of people who will spend $118 on these will never jog or do yoga. But they’ll watch 10 hours of Netflix in one setting. It’s like Bunny Calvin from ‘The Wire’ correctly describing the brown paper bag; the perfect vessel for hiding your beer so you can drink in public. It’s the Great Compromise.
PALM GOLF CO LAZY PALM BEANIE
Price: $22
They say: This minimalist beanie is cozy and stylish. Available in a ton of colors, the simple Palm logo will remind you of warmer days to come.
SGIC says: They’re toques, not beanies. A beanie should have propellers on it. A toque (or ski hat) is what you wear during the cold weather. For just over 20 bucks this isn’t bad. A toque is a component of playing in the winter months. Get a good one. A toque.
FLECHA AZUL ANEJO
Price: “Starts” at $108
They say: Golf and tequila fans will love this brand co-founded by Abraham Ancer. The Anejo is aged for 18 months in American oak bourbon barrels and has an ultra-smooth finish with hints of maple, caramel and cinnamon.
SGIC says: $108 (and up) for tequila made by a guy with as many PGA Tour wins as I have? And it’s twice as much as Patron (which is really good)? Sign me up. This celebrity-name-brand alcohol racket is really something. It’s one thing when it’s an actual A-list celebrity (see George Clooney and his Casamigos brand tequila), but a guy who’s never won on the PGA Tour is hawking a 3-figure bottle of tequila takes some serious cojones. I mean, if Phil wants to roll out Tequila For Wellness, then have at it. I’m honestly surprised Nicklaus or Norman haven’t done this yet. Not for anything, but if you’re a Costco member, their Silver ‘Kirkland’ tequila is $20 for a huge bottle, and for $20 it’s a fantastic value and good drinking tequila.
BOSS ITALIAN MADE SLIDES
Price: $88
They say: Made in Italy, these sporty slides have a contoured foot bed that will provide relief post-round without sacrificing support. Available in a variety of colors ranging from bright oranges to a luxe black and gold, the Boss logo is a stylish statement-maker to fit any style.
SGIC says: Made in Italy “and” they’re sporty. Not enough footwear is sporty. More things should be described as being sporty. That gaping head wound you just got…sporty! The liver damage…sporty! That snap-hook on 14…sporty! Never mind comfortable (which these won’t be unless you have relatively narrow feet). Never mind adjustable (they’re not). These slides (otherwise known as shower shoes), go great with a $300 Supreme hoodie and those $120 sweatpants. On the other hand, if Dustin Johnson was wearing these does he slip and fall on the stairs before his first round at Augusta a few years back? I think not.
ADIDAS CODE CHAOS 2K AEROREADY POLO SHIRT
Price $65
They say: Non-shoulder seams allow for a roomy swing and the lightweight fabric is partially made with recycled polyester for a sustainable performance top that’s easy to pair with. This shirt also appeared in the newly released PGA TOUR 2K21 video game, but gamer or not, it’s a polo golfers will love.
SGIC says: Comes in navy blue so you can pair with a pair of navy pants and join your Dustin Johnson cosplay group.
TOVOLO GOLF BALL ICE MOLDS
Price: $15
They say: A small-yet-thoughtful gift for your golf friends, these molds make golf-ball-shaped ice that will melt slowly to avoid watering down your drink. It’s a simple tool that will go a long way for those who appreciate savoring a good drink.
SGIC says: Is there any industry that doesn’t try to push its way into the Christmas buying season? Now we’ve got Big Ice coming in hard and fast. Golf-ball shaped ice? This is ROUND. Repeat. Round. It’s a ball of ice. It’s one big giant ball rather than a few cubes, but we can’t have that, because Big Ice has to get a taste of the action.
ECCO MENS STREET RETRO GOLF SHOES
Price $150
They say: These leather street-shoe-inspired golf shoes are more than just a stylish accessory. The ECCO Hydromax treatment is water-repellent, the high-tech grip system covers 800 traction angles, and the textile collar adds cushioning for all-day comfort.
SGIC says: Please, for the love of everything good, can someone please tell ECCO to start making their shoes in widths? Seriously. They make some of the best shoes you can buy…if you have an average width foot. I don’t, so as much as I’d like to buy ECCO, I can’t. I mean, I could spend a bunch of money to keep Big Ice and Big Sweatpant flushed with money, but when it comes to buying golf shoes I have 2-3 options at best.
B.DRADDY KYLE PULLOVER
Price: $160
They say: This pullover can be dressed up or down easy, and it’s made with Peruvian Pima Cotton, so the soft feel might be akin to your favorite sweatshirt. The four-button placket has horn buttons for a sophisticated finish to the on-trend striped top.
SGIC says: Of course it’s named after Kyle. Peruvian cotton, bitches! None of that inferior cotton! Somewhere, there’s a guy named Kyle Draddy who hasn’t worked a day in his life and never will courtesy of his trust fund. Kyle has opinions about things. Kyle is wearing this pullover, and having mastered pulling it over his head, he decrees that he is, in fact, the smartest Kyle in the history of Kyles. Kyle belongs to daddy’s private club somewhere in the Hamptons and has been 86’d from over a dozen bars. I think if you wear this sweater, you automatically are required to change your name to Kyle. Or Todd.
HOLIDAY SONG
This remains the gold standard. I refuse to acknowledge that someone has covered this. Enjoy your holidays.
Now that it’s after Labor Day, I’ve put my white suits away and the eyes of golf turns to…the US Open because 2020. It’ll be weird with no fans, but it’s still a National Open.
I’m very late to this, but last fall I discovered the No Laying Up guys were more than just being funny on Twitter and the hosts of one of the better (if not the best) golf podcast. I found their YouTube channel, and as they say, that was that. They have a bunch of content on their channel, but the best of the bunch are their Tourist Sauce travelogues and their ‘Strapped’ travel series geared towards golf on a budget in areas that aren’t always in those obvious areas you look at for a golf vacation.
The concept of ‘Strapped’ (for those who haven’t watched) is that two of the guys (Randy and Neil) have to play three rounds and spend two nights in a city for $500 (not counting airfare and a rental car) or less. As great as it would be to have the means to do some of the locations they’ve done in their ‘Tourist Sauce‘ series (Scotland, Ireland, Australia/New Zealand, Carolinas, California), ‘Strapped’ is much more budget-friendly and approachable. The areas that they’ve done ‘Strapped’ episodes in include the following:
-Louisiana
-Iowa
-Reno
-Baltimore
-Northeast US (during the fall)
-Southern California
-Peoria, IL
Not exactly the usual golf-centric destinations, but there’s a reminder in each episode that the people who love this game aren’t always your private club types. Watching each episode, you get the sense (intentionally or not) that they aren’t the stars, but rather, it’s the people. The local pro at Forest Park and KVV in Baltimore being but one example. In fact, as I’ve long argued, the soul of the game remains the people who change their shoes in the parking lot. The Push Cart Mafia types, the folks who play a $2.00 Nassau, and tons of other regular folks (like me) who just hope for one more round with a breeze in our back on a sunny day. People that make the game what it is, even if professional golf went away. There would still be people at the grass roots level doing good work every day.
I found the ‘Strapped’ Baltimore episodes on YouTube around Christmas, and it was a revelation. At first I was angry because this was the kind of production I wanted to do but don’t have the ability to do, yet it was the kind of deep dive I wanted to be able to do when I started this website, and these guys just drank my milkshake AND my bourbon. Then I became blown away at how talented they are at doing these shows. And they’re decent guys (I probably relate to Randy (the taller of the two) the most). I’ve linked to all three episodes with the briefest of explanations (no spoilers). One last thing; their use of drone video is outstanding. The content belongs to No Laying Up. If I have one critique, it’s that they stop using Airbnb.
Part One: They fly into Baltimore, hit Lexington Market for crab cakes, and play at Forest Park (one of five city courses). The people who work at Forest Park are all aces in my book.
Part Two: They play at Rocky Point (Baltimore County course right on the Chesapeake Bay) with ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenberg (who lives in Baltimore), talk about The Wire, eat steamed crabs and drink Natty Boh (think Old Style in Chicago or Iron City in Pittsburgh) at KVV’s house with some Berger Cookies for dessert. Rocky Point is everything public golf should be. Haven’t played it in several years but it’s very much on my ‘must go play’ list to do a proper review.
Part Three: They play at Greystone (part of Baltimore County golf and used to be on Golfweek’s ‘Best You Can Play’ list) with Kevin Van Valkenberg, talk about The Wire some more (if you haven’t seen it and you have HBO…go do that right now) then go for barbecue pork sandwiches. You can read my review of Greystone here. I’m a bit surprised that they didn’t do the pit beef thing at Chaps (where every travel host seems to end up) or any of the other pit beef stands (note- pit beef is a VERY Baltimore thing; it doesn’t exist in MoCo, PG or Frederick counties). Nothing against Chaps but Pioneer Pit Beef in Catonsville is the official pit beef stand for SGIC Enterprises. It’s where the elite meet to eat.
No Laying Up’s website is here, and they have merchandise for sale and a fairly active online community (I’m part of it although I’m not that active lately for several reasons that aren’t important). They have crowd-sourced suggestions on additional episodes. If they’re asking, Detroit, Atlanta and my hometown of Toronto would all be fantastic options. If you have Stadium on your cable system they’ve been running some of their content.
Late Sunday night the Associated Press reported that Fox was walking away from it’s 12 year USGA rights deal starting this year, with NBC/Golf Channel picking up the rights. For viewers, this means that the US Open (which Fox was already advertising for this year’s event that was moved to September) will be on NBC. It’s not clear who will pick up early-round coverage for Thursday and Fridays; Golf Channel would make a ton of sense, but they also have NBCSN as a viable alternative.
The USGA’s press release spells out the details. Sort of. Doesn’t really indicate how many hours will be on Golf Channel or NBC, but we digress.
I’ve been critical of Fox for a host of reasons. I’m old enough to remember when they won US free-to-air rights for the NHL back in the mid 1990’s and gave viewers…glow pucks and animated characters. I kid you not. Who thought any of this made sense?
You “could” make the argument that the Fox Glowing Puck was a precursor to the ProTracer/Top-Tracer technology that should be as common as watching in HD. I won’t. Because the puck is black, and it’s on a white ice surface. Not hard to follow if you have eyes. Just watch where the players go. Easy.
I was very critical of their 2015 and 2016 US Open coverage and deservedly so because it was terrible. I don’t blame Fox as much as I do the USGA, who (based on multiple articles) seemed to want to go to Fox when the previous rights deal expired in 2014. The USGA wanted this. They wanted a broadcaster who had never covered the sport to cover the country’s national championship as their first broadcast. It wasn’t as if Fox was covering the PGA Tour (or even a pro tour of some kind).
They brought in Joe Buck, who had never called golf before and never really improved (as I’ve said, if were doing 8-10 tournaments a year covering the PGA and/or LPGA Tour maybe it works better, but when he sees these players one week a year it’s always going to be problematic). Greg Norman was their first analyst (smart, knows the game but couldn’t translate that into being that 18th hole analyst). They flooded the air with people who had never worked together before on one of the two biggest viewing tournaments of the year. They were unwilling to cover the controversy over Dustin Johnson’s ball moving in 2016 despite pros going after the USGA on social media(and were unwilling to call out the USGA’s incompetence in course setup in 2015, 2016 and 2018). These are all self-inflicted wounds.
Sidebar: Joe Buck did several cameos on the IFC show “Brockmire” and he was outstanding and came off as a guy you’d totally want to hang out with. If he brought that persona to his baseball and football coverage it would help a ton. He was funny and he was able to throw a few good barbs out there. If you’re looking for a show to binge-watch you could do worse. Hank Azaria is hilarious.
Not to beat a dead horse, but Oakmont 2016 and Shinnecock 2018 should have been easy, but the USGA’s motto of “hold my beer while we fix that problem that didn’t exist” came into play.
Having said that, they did bring about some real change on the production side:
The continuous leaderboard bug on weekend coverage or at the very least Sundays should become a permanent staple. CBS and NBC have to make this part of their coverage on a weekly basis.
Pro Tracer technology. At first I wasn’t sure about this, but it works and doesn’t detract from the coverage. Unlike hockey it doesn’t clutter the screen. It adds to it.
Drones. I remember watching Fox’s initial coverage of the 2014 Franklin Templeton Shootout and being excited about the use of drones. Full credit to the lads at No Laying Up who use drones extremely well. Again, it very much adds to the viewing experience.
Uninterrupted coverage during the last hour. The Masters has long been the gold standard because they don’t clog up the viewing experience with an enema of commercials. It’s a clean broadcast free of junk which serves the viewer well.
“If” I were NBC, here’s some things I’d do that would demonstrate a real understanding of how to take the good things that Fox did, and improve upon them. Time to teach an old dog some new tricks.
Use Mike Tirico as your studio host, and bring back Johnny Miller in some kind of a role for the US Open only. He’s done this for horse racing and occasionally for their NHL coverage.
Pro Tracer needs to be on every hole all four rounds. Period.
Use NBCSN for an alternate feed during weekend late day coverage. They did this at the 2014 Ryder Cup. Don’t need announcers. Just show golf. Doesn’t sound like this is the plan according to Jeremy Schilling. If Peacock were to take this on then it could be a nice “add on” option.
Adapt and use a leaderboard bug during the final round and leave it.
Drones should be part of their overall coverage. Follow the Fox blueprint on their usage. The question everyone at NBC/Golf Channel should be asking is “how do we improve our coverage?” and ask this every day.
The only potential issue that I can see (from 2021 onward) is their Stanley Cup Final coverage running into the golf (especially for any west coast events, like in 2021 and 2023) which means that the Saturday/Sunday are going to be tricky options (even if you go to an afternoon start you have overtime as a potential issue). Especially next year (2021 at Torrey Pines) if the NHL starts late and runs past the early June finish that they’ve had in 2018 and 2019 (finishing before June 10th) and/or if the NHL adds teams to their playoffs.
Coming Soon to Peacock (hopefully not)!
Overall I think this is a good move but we won’t know until September when it’s US Open time.
Johnny Miller and Seve Ballesteros. Probably not discussing that 63 at Oakmont.
With the NBA season tipping off last night, the NHL season entering its third week (thankfully, the Leafs are off to a hot start and yes- those of you who follow me on Twitter may see my feed become more Leaf-centric for a while), the MLB playoffs down to the last four and the NFL season doing what it does, some things get lost in the shuffle. This week’s announcement that Johnny Miller will be leaving the broadcast booth after he does one final event (the 2019 Waste Management Open- CBS has (pro football championship game whose title shan’t be mentioned) a conflict so they’re dumping the coverage to NBC (NBC will dump a February weekend to CBS every 4 years when it conflicts with the end of the Winter Olympics). Related, thumbs up to Golfweek’s ‘The Forecaddie’ for getting this first.
NBC’s decision to use Paul Azinger from Fox is a colossal disappointment. In multiple years of working with Joe Buck on Fox, they still have zero chemistry and they still provide nothing of value to the viewer. Buck has this habit of having to put his stamp on things; great moments in sports don’t need it (and he has this habit of talking over things when letting the pictures speak would be better for all involved).
From watching US Opens on Fox, Azinger’s biggest fault is that he routinely fails to use his biggest strength, which is his perspective as a former player. Viewers don’t need narratives about tradition. We aren’t former touring professionals; Paul is. He’s won a major, and yet, he rarely (if ever) provides that perspective. He’s too busy talking about the history of the game. Put me in the head of a guy trying to win a major and spare me waxing poetic about how great you think the USGA is. The final round of a major isn’t that time nor the place. Four full years with Fox and other than Shane Bacon and Brad Faxon, there’s not a single reason to listen (their technology is fantastic).
Miller has been part of NBC since 1990. By and large, he’s taken the viewer into what players are thinking on the back nine on Sunday when they’re trying to win. He used the word ‘choke’ in context with a player. He hasn’t shied away from being critical of players. I know the Tiger fanboys don’t want to hear this (lest anyone speak ill of Dear Tiger), but offering criticisms of players is quite literally why many of the talking heads have jobs. He’s been critical of the best players, which is his job. Being critical of the top players (when warranted) is part of that.
Any budding announcers, regardless of sport, should remember that if you’re doing TV, the viewer is watching. He/she can see. Your words should supplement what’s being viewed. Analysts should think similarly. I’ve never played professional sports. Paul Azinger has. He’s won a major. So help me, the viewer, know what’s going on by telling me things I can’t see. If an on-course reporter can tell me what kind of lie that “X” has in the rough, walk me through what a player might be thinking given this information. Don’t use 25 words if 15 are sufficient, but don’t use 25 if you need 40 or 50 to provide context.
Challenge: watch the final round of an event with the volume off for 30-40 minutes. Notice how little most announcers contribute? They go from shot to shot, and tell you that player X is putting for birdie/par. Think about the maddening four minutes that JB Holmes spent trying to figure out his second shot at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. Now, think about how little (if anything) the announcers were contributing to this debacle.
Miller, at his best, provided that reason to listen. He won majors, and knew what it was like (he also successfully managed to balance family life & fatherhood with a professional career) to be in contention. Yes- he could go on a bit about his famous 63 at Oakmont (and yes- I may or may not have made a drinking game about Miller) but the fact is he shot a 63 and won a US Open, which, to borrow a term, means he has Scoreboard. More significantly, he could articulate what a tour pro was going through in a final round, which often gets lost in the shuffle.
I’m not NBC/Golf Channel, but if I was, I’d have given some of their internal folks a crack at the job before going outside and sharing Azinger with Fox (where Azinger would be useful is during Ryder Cup week; having him and Colin Montgomerie together would be an absolute must-listen). David Duval and Justin Leonard have the ‘won a major’ box ticked, and Brandel Chamblee would provide a bit of spice (and controversy) to broadcasts. Frank Nobilo is another option I’d like to see given a crack. Maybe, if you were bringing Mike Tirico into the booth (replacing Dan Hicks) I could get behind reuniting Tirico and Azinger, but beyond that, it’s a hard pass.
So thanks for everything, Johnny. Hope you’re able to enjoy retirement with your family (which has always been your top priority, as it should).
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 saying farewell to a truly terrible 2016 (a year that can be summed up as “well, that’s over”), 2017 is in its infancy which means that the PGA Tour is starting up this week (NBC running promos for the Hawaii swing is equal parts brilliant and torture). Which means new seasons for the PGA, LPGA and European Tours. The PGA Tour’s promo video has plenty of visuals to torture you as we endure a cold snap here in the DMV and a couple light snows.
With Nike out of the hard-goods equipment business (that’s clubs, balls, bags), it’s been interesting to see how the former Nike players shake out. Rory McIlroy has gone to a multi-brand approach (notably back to a Titleist ball); and a fist bump to the fine fellows at No Laying Up for breaking the story (I’d call them competition but they’re 1000 miles ahead of your humble scribe). Tiger Woods is doing something similar, but honestly for him it’s about being physically able to complete 72-hole stroke play tournaments. I don’t think it’s crazy to think that, if healthy, McIlroy will have a very good year.
I’ve played Ko’olau on Oahu. This sort of captures why this is remains one of my two favorite places I’ve played. The video is a pretty good indicator why.
The other big player has been PXG. Only in their second year of existence, they continue to add players to their stable; focusing on the LPGA at the moment (Lydia Ko and Christina Kim are solid names to get under their umbrella). I’ll admit I was skeptical of their approach last year, and it’s curious that they’re staying out of the big-box/online retailers to this point. With that being said, their clubs are striking in appearance. The question that others have asked is reasonable- is a $5,000 set of clubs worth it (and is there really a market for this)? I don’t know, but it’s certainly going to be interesting to see how it shakes out (full disclosure: my website is hosted by GoDaddy which was Bob Parsons’ company- I pay for the hosting and have not accepted any compensation from PXG or GoDaddy).
Former #1 Jason Day made news this week by saying he’s going to play even slower than he has been because he felt he was rushing things. I will start a GoFundMe for the first official who hits him with a stroke penalty for slow play. If it’s taking him more than 35 seconds to hit a shot, then he’s clueless about what he’s doing. My fear is how many people are going to watch him go from glacial to stationary and think “that’s what I should do!” and then wonder why 6 hour rounds are commonplace at public courses.
In terms of majors, the men visit an unknown entity in Erin Hills for the US Open (so having Fox on the broadcast makes me fear the worst since they have nothing to go off of), go back to Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship, and to Quail Hallow in Charlotte for the USPGA Championship (the Wells Fargo championship skips Quail Hallow for Eagle Point GC in Wilmington).
I’m still not a Joe Buck fan and I still think that Fox does more wrong than right, but there are a couple things I do like about their telecasts. For starters, they use a ProTracer or something similar on most shots (this should be the standard by now), and Paul Azinger is a competent 18th hole tower analyst. They still get way too much wrong, but Azinger and Brad Faxon are good at what they do. For Fox’s other three high-profile events (US Amateur, US Women’s Open, US Senior Open), it’s to Riviera (fantastic call) for the US Amateur, Trump National in New Jersey for the US Women’s Open (so the best women in the world will be upstaged by the venue’s name when it should be all about the players), and to Salem Country Club in Massachusetts for the Senior Open).
NBC/Golf Channel will cover the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. They did everything you could have asked for at the 2016 Open Championship (and the Olympic tournaments). Wall-to-wall coverage, and on Sunday got out of the way and let that memorable Mickelson-Stenson duel play out (which can be the hardest thing to do). Nothing against Dan Hicks but if Hicks were to move on, Mike Tirico is tailor-made for the 18th tower and probably becomes the best in the business (better than Buck and yes- even better than Jim Nantz). If they can figure out what to do with David Feherty (seriously), they’d be near perfect. I still don’t know what the best use of him is. Is he a tower analyst? Raconteur? Replacement for Roger Maltbie? One suggestion for David- when you ask guests on your show a question, don’t frame it to give them an easy answer. Frame it to make them think about an answer. And then follow up. Saying you’re something and actually walking the walk are two different things.
CBS will have the Masters and the US PGA Championship. For me, CBS remains something to watch this year. Their coverage has gotten stale (if not out-and-out bad), and frankly their problems start with Nantz and Faldo. Nantz sounds like a guy phoning it in (I’ve said I think the issue for him is his workload is way too heavy), and Faldo seems to be perfectly happy to go months without saying anything remotely interesting. The problem is that they’re not going to blow it up (they should), which means another 6 months of Nantz on autopilot, and Faldo droning on about nothing. Meanwhile, Peter Kostis and Dottie Pepper do great work and get lost in the shuffle.
Golf Channel will have the bulk of the LPGA season. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- Judy Rankin is outstanding on their coverage (her and Terry Gannon have good chemistry). She knows how to inform the viewer and be critical without being bombastic (we used to call this “being smart”).
Note to Michael Breed: Love your work…have you considered cutting back to 1 or 2 triple espressos a day? If nothing else, you clearly have a passion (which is good).
For Golf Channel- please, pretty please give the endless loop of the trilogy of golf movies a rest. Develop original programming geared towards average golfers. Showing Tin Cup or Caddyshack 27 times a month isn’t serving that need.
Major Predictions (use at your own risk): Mickelson (Masters), McIlroy (US Open), Shane Lowry (Open Championship), Dustin Johnson (USPGA). For the women, Christina Kim (ANA Inspiration), Brooke Henderson (US Open), Jutanugarn (USLPGA Chp), Piller (Open Championship), Lydia Ko (Evian). Again- using these at your local wagering house is your decision, not mine. Most likely they’re all wrong.
Some wishes:
1) Both tours (men and women) decide to start seriously cracking down on slow play. If this means handing out penalty strokes, do it.
2) The LPGA continue to gain traction and grow their TV audience. And while they’re at it, add an event in the DMV (Williamsburg doesn’t count).
3) The R&A take over as the sole body for rules, and that they bifurcate the rules. The cutoff can be national amateur and above competitions. Let average golfers have a few advantages.
4) The tours agree to roll back the ball, which will negate the need for 8,000 yard courses.
5) The USGA does not decide to fiddle about with golf courses at their national championships. Less is more. Stop worrying about protecting par. If someone goes lights out and shoots -15 it’s not a bad thing (see Tiger Woods 2000 at Pebble Beach). People want to see great shots and birdies.
6) We see Tiger Woods healthy at the start and finish of the season with a healthy sense of humor.
7) The Solheim Cup is contested with passion and great golf, and is remembered for the quality of golf and not a dispute over a rules issue.
8) We see no more ‘scripting’ of outfits for majors. Make this stop being a thing.
9) We see a return to professional tour rounds finishing under 4 hours. No exceptions.
10) That everyone have their best season possible, and if you see me lumbering about, say hi. It may not appear to be the case but I’m not as cantankerous as I appear to be. That the DMV continues to grow and thrive and become a region with strong public courses that do well. Hit ’em straight and make those putts.
Enjoy some pre-2000 Tragically Hip. Forgot they played Woodstock 1999. Courage. Much thanks to Mike in Toronto for posting all 4 hours of The Hip 30 from the Strombo show. I was too busy watching the Centennial Classic on New Year’s Day to tune in.
Less awkward than Diana Murphy’s presentation yesterday (sponsored by grain alcohol).
For the second consecutive year, the self-appointed guardians of the game who conduct this country’s national championship have provided the viewing public with proof that they should never be allowed to conduct a tournament or hand out a trophy (have another drink, Ms. Murphy!) again. Seriously, just when I thought Gary Bettman had a monopoly on horrible trophy presentations, USGA President Diana Murphy doubles down on stupid (in my happy place they start getting booed similar to Bettman’s annual rite of passage). At least Bettman is sober when handing out the Stanley Cup. Grab those dandruff-filled blazers and burn them all.
Maybe just have Nicklaus or Player hand out the US Open trophy for a while.
First off, congratulations to Dustin Johnson for having to endure needless mental hardship inflicted by the USGA. The issue occurred on the 5th hole (where he discussed the issue with a rules official AND his playing partner; at which point it should have been done and dusted), and Johnson was notified on the 12th hole that they’d want to take another look at it after his round. Why don’t they just have phones going off in his backswing on every hole (and whoever that turd-wrangler whose phone went off while he was hitting his approach on 18, I hope you get eaten by a bear) or have some drunken rube yell “NOONAN!” while he was putting.
If you look at the video, it’s very difficult to see where the ball moves if you view it at regular focus at normal speed (it does, but it takes a super-slo-mo camera and blowing up the picture to see it move). He didn’t ground his club and he didn’t address the ball. As Frank Nobilo pointed out, there were 3 incidents (including Johnson’s) of virtually similar things happening. One didn’t get penalized even through the player clearly grounded his club behind the ball. In Johnson’s case, he got a rules official involved who said it was no penalty. Right there should have been the end of it (or at worst, stop him after the hole and review it). The player, his playing partner and the rules official all said it was fine. Instead, the USGA, seemingly unhappy unless they manage to piss off the players competing in their national open and 99.99% of people watching, had to get involved after the fact.
What next- an NRL-style (rugby league) bunker where officials will monitor every hole and buzz down if there’s a problem?
Coming soon to a golf tournament near you.
Of course, this is the USGA, and having seen their prototype, I’m leaking the following photo of their new Rules Bunker that they will employ for the 2017 USGA Championships.
The USGA Rules Enforcement Bunker!
Rarely, if ever, have I seen a group of his fellow touring professionals take to social media to support Johnson and destroy whatever shroud of dignity that the USGA might have had (after this weekend they’ve nothing left). The worst part is that every one of them was right. I’ve previously voiced that the USGA serves no purpose and should be disbanded, and after numerous screw-ups at their marquee event, it’s time to administer the last rites and send the USGA to the farm. It’s not to say that the USGA should turn their national championship into an event where the winner shoots 22 under to win. Look at the Masters.
The PGA Tour conducts tournaments every week, and somehow, they’re able to conduct tournaments without losing the golf course (that they did lose the course this year at the Players Championship was very much the exception and not the rule). So instead of having people that do this for a living, you have people who do this 1-4 times a year (assuming that they also set up the US Senior Open, the US Women’s Open and the US Amateur), with only one of these events played by the PGA Tour professionals.
In the link (I’m unable to embed the video), Brandel Chamblee goes after the issue with having a fetish over green speeds (he points out that Augusta National, the R&A and the PGA of America don’t do this). Oakmont, of all courses, does not need to be tricked up. After their debacle the last two years (2014 and 2015) of losing the golf course, Oakmont should have been a layup. A course whose natural agronomy has quick greens and thick rough (literally they don’t need to do anything). Instead, the USGA tries to trick the course up because they have to “protect” par (this idea needs to be removed from their collective brains). They wouldn’t have to do any of this golf course kabuki theater of the insane if they had done what Jack Nicklaus had told them to do 30 years ago (go to a tournament ball). I’ll point out that if the USGA had greens running at a more normal speed, then the ball wouldn’t move (try balancing a golf ball on a sloped hardwood floor to get the idea).
Instead, as Chamblee points out, because the USGA didn’t rein in the ball, we’re left with 2 options: 8,000 yard courses or let scores become what they become. On twitter I joked about when we will see a 700-yard par 5 (but I wasn’t kidding). As Gary Player pointed out, the 8,000 yard courses are ungodly expensive (more turfgrass, more water, more fertilizer, more people to care for the course) and are sending the wrong message to the golfing public and running counter to what the USGA was touting a couple years ago.
The R&A has never worried about protecting par. If someone shoots 15 under, so be it. If the winning score is 4 over, then that’s okay as well (the weather can be a huge factor). They don’t have this fetish about green speeds because the wind is a factor so they can’t turn greens into dining tables. If the weather is mild with little wind, then scores are going to be lower. If the wind gets up, then scores will go up.
The PGA of America doesn’t have this fetish over green speeds and protecting par. They set up courses with some rough and some tucked hole locations, but nothing that gets to the absurd. If the winning score is 8 under, then great. If it’s 15 under because guys play lights out, then it’s no big deal (see Valhalla 2014 where you had McIlroy and Mickelson going at it with some fantastic golf).
While I’m having another go at the USGA, while it’s great that they were able to get the course in great shape after the storms on Thursday, it needs to be pointed out that your local golf course does not have a team of over 200 superintendents getting your course ready after a storm. The folks who do this in our area do a great job by and large but there’s a practical limit to what they can do; tournament conditions should not be expected, but they can do a good job of keeping the course playable (and almost always do exactly this).
It’s nice that the USGA apologized on Monday (sort of) for the confusion, but that is literally closing the barn door after all of the horses got out. You can say they avoided a fiasco (Jamie Diaz’ piece is a good read) but this was self-inflicted. You simply can’t tell a player we “might” penalize you for something that a rules official said was fine (once the official cleared him, this should have been the end of it). Johnson’s fellow competitors all thought it wasn’t a penalty, so this idea of protecting the field is nonsensical.
In the meantime, we can only hope that next year the USGA will take my initial call to action, and cease to exist. They serve no purpose that can’t be handled by other entities and their relevance to average golfers like myself is zero.
As for FOX, their coverage is still miles below CBS at their worst (the 3-man booth interviews are terrible, there’s way too much dead air, Joe Buck needs to learn how to make a point and punt to his analysts, dumping Saturday off to FS1 for regular season baseball is absurd at best), but their use of Trackman is very good (CBS could do this tomorrow- would REALLY like to see this at the PGA Championship). If you take FOX production and put it with an NBC/Golf Channel crew you’d have something (and there’s no way NBC would have dumped US Open coverage on the weekend to a cable outlet).
After a debut that would be charitably described as poor, Fox Sports will air next week’s US Open (after next week only 10 more years of this dirge) from Oakmont CC in western Pennsylvania. Greg Norman is no longer their main analyst, however Paul Azinger will step into the booth alongside Joe Buck. I suppose this will be a good time to point out they’ve never worked together covering a major championship (Azinger did, however, work at ABC/ESPN in a 3-man booth with Nick Faldo and Mike Tirico and a 2-man booth with Tirico). Here’s their new promo…see if you notice anything:
Other than Spieth and McIlroy, none of the people they showed are playing. So the ad seems to say “tune in and see none of these golfers” which sounds a brilliant idea. While the theme music was really good, I had something in mind more appropriate to their broadcasting expertise, or how I picture people going to their production meetings.
In that vein, if you tune in to watch, you’re going to need something to keep you going, and your faithful scribe has just the thing you need…a drinking game! Yup, I’m dusting off the old and tired hack-worthy bit and creating your very own U.S. Open on Fox Drinking Game (the Oakmont 2016 version). As always, drink responsibly, but if you don’t, then at least have a sober friend drive you to your AA meeting because drinking and driving isn’t cool.
Take 1 drink (sip) every time the following happen:
-Someone on the air refers to it as a tournament, and not a championship.
-Joe Buck correctly pronounces Centenario.
-A retired former Pittsburgh-area pro athlete is shown at the course wearing his team’s apparel.
-Any mentions of Tiger Woods during the broadcast.
-Any mentions of Spieth/McIlroy/Day/Mickelson during weekend coverage if they miss the cut.
-Any mentions of the Stimpmeter and how the greens are faster during Oakmont’s annual member-guest event.
-Any mentions of Paul Azinger’s 2008 Ryder Cup captaincy.
-Any mentions of Donald Trump.
-Any time there is more than 5 seconds of dead air.
Take 2 drinks (sips) every time any of the following happen:
-Fox mid-identifies what hole they’re showing.
-2 or more people are speaking at the same time on-air.
-Any mentions of Greg Norman.
-Mentions of Ernie Els winning in 1994 or Angel Cabrera winning in 2007.
-Mentions of Brad Faxon’s Ryder Cup record.
-Any mention of Tiger Woods and 18 majors (or for that matter, 18 majors).
-Any mentions of The Golf Boys video.
Take 3 drinks (sips) every time any of the following happen:
-Fox critiques the USGA course setup.
-Anyone on-air calls the USGA a group of idiots who couldn’t organize a 2-car parade.
-Any mentions of Mickelson’s gambling habits or his settlement with the SEC.
-Any mentions of Deer Antler Spray.
-Any mentions about OJ Simpson’s Bronco chase during the 2nd round of the 1994 US Open at Oakmont.
Take 4 drinks (sips) every time any of the following happen:
-Anyone says “Mike Davis is a turd wrangling asshole” on-air.
-Someone asks “why are we covering this event?” on-air.
-Anyone says “you know what would make this better…glow-pucks!”
-Someone on-air refers to the local area as a cesspool of inbred hayseeds and rubes.
-Anyone on-air references Benghazi.
-Someone says that the putting greens are too slow.
-Joe Buck is drinking out of a paper bag on-air.
-Joe Buck is reading tweets from Dan Jenkins about Sergio Garcia on-air with a fake Spanish accent.
-A post-tournament apology followed by “well folks, only 10 more years of us covering this event!”
-“Joe Buck has taken ill. Filling in for him will be GUS JOHNSON OH MY GAWD!!!”
However, no drinks for the following:
-Mentions of Johnny Miller’s 63.
-Any shots of people waiving those yellow towels that Pittsburgh people think is a thing.
Lost amid the NFL divisional playoffs and a fairly exciting final round at the Sony Open in Hawaii was Fox Sports announcing that Greg Norman was being let go as part of their announcing team.
Insert witty caption for Greg Norman no longer working for Fox.
Credit to Links Magazine for breaking the story via Twitter; Golf.com, Golf Digest and Golfweek quickly followed confirming the story.
I’ve been critical of Fox from the word go, and their 2015 US Open coverage was terrible (the other events they covered were equally poor- their effort with the US Women’s Open was laughably poor). As I’ve pointed out repeatedly, golf is different from the other sports to cover, and no sport would hire a complete outsider with no prior experience and think that they’d do well the first time out (which unfortunately was this country’s national championship), but that speaks mostly to the incompetence and hubris on display at the USGA (who I argued needs to be eliminated entirely).
What’s a golf?
While Fox is making cuts, I’d offer that letting Joe Buck do baseball full time over the summer would be a good idea as well. He seemed completely out of place hosting their golf coverage and seemed to lack what better hosts do- know how to rely on their analysts. Don’t defend the USGA blindly. Acknowledge what they got right, be critical of what they didn’t, and provide facts and analysis to support this. Buck still doesn’t know how to use his analysts, and has a bad habit of not knowing when to talk and when to let the action speak for itself (I have no idea what he’s like as a person- this isn’t a personal attack on him – I just wish he’d be better in the main role); as I’ve said repeatedly, it was bound to be a failure…and it was.
If I were rebuilding the Fox team, I’d find another host, or use the Golf Channel/NBC team and production (Steve Sands- who’s actually good at this can host if NBC won’t let Dan Hicks host for Fox). Jamie Diaz of Golf Digest has 5 candidates to replace Norman. Read his piece, but I’ll say this: Azinger makes sense, the other four are not going to happen (Chamblee is under contract with Golf Channel/NBC, Woods would be worse than his press conferences (I don’t see him as being someone who’d be quick to be critical of a player- even where appropriate), Nicklaus (who I love) is not suited for that role, and Irwin has never done TV).
If Fox could land Tirico (who’s a decent host/anchor) you could go with someone new in the analyst role, but whoever you pick needs to be able to be critical and be able to actually tell the viewer what they don’t know. I’d shake the trees on Lee Trevino. Trevino might have gone to seed, but he has a sense of humor (good) and I do think the fact that he’s won the damn thing (a US Open) important.
Tirico and Brad Faxon (the best of a decidedly not very good cadre of talking heads) would be interesting.
A Tirico/Azinger pairing would be “getting the band back together” and it’s not a bad idea, but Fox has to pare down the bodies. Having 4 people in a booth at a major is too many. It doesn’t work.
I wouldn’t mind giving Faxon and Azinger a run but with a more experienced hand at the tiller (I mention Tirico because he’s the only ESPN person you see or hear from during their early-round Masters coverage, which otherwise is handled entirely by CBS personnel). So my host preference would be 1) Steve Sands 2) Mike Tirico 3) Someone else not named Joe Buck.
As I said before, they have to be unafraid, where appropriate, to be critical of the USGA. It’s not being petty and spiteful, but if players are complaining about the course, then it merits coverage. Their on-course reporters could have and should have done some work showing specifics. This is not that hard.
The other big change will be at the Open Championship, where thankfully ESPN will no longer be handling things. NBC/Golf Channel will take over (this wasn’t supposed to take place until 2017, but for once ESPN did the right thing and walked away). NBC has already started promoting their coverage (while watching my beloved Liverpool lose yesterday morning to Manchester United (who I detest with every fibre of my body) they had ads in-game promoting that they’d have the Open Championship in July). Good for Golf Channel as they’ve proven they’ll treat the event accordingly (if early rounds are on Golf Channel then good for golf fans). Having said that, I’d really like to see them go to a “Live at” remote studio for at least the US Women’s Open and the ANA Inspiration (the old Dinah Shore)) and bring in some of their big names.
ESPN has long kicked golf to the bin in terms of the coverage that it gives the sport on Sportscenter and other on-air platforms (Jason Sobel does a decent job heading up their online coverage). It feels decidedly similar to how they kicked the NHL to the curb when the NHL went with NBC/OLN after the 2004-05 lockout (they ignore the PGA and LPGA Tours unless Tiger Woods does something, and they ignore the NHL the same way). It’s unfortunate because Pierre Lebrun is a good writer, and Grantland casualty Sean McIdoe is a fellow Leafs fan and a damn fine writer (follow him on Twitter and buy his hilarious book).
Look- making fun of what a complete shit show ESPN has become is low-hanging fruit, but frankly it does call into question their overall lack of judgement. They treat the NFL with kid-gloves rather than be critical of issues like domestic violence, CTE, and other issues that deserve critical coverage, and ignore golf, NASCAR (lost the rights to NBC/FOX so they can screw off), and the NHL (NBC/NBCSN have been somewhat critical of the NHL and should continue to do so). My advice? Stop watching their garbage (their various “have two guys yell at each other” shows are hot takery excrement). You’ll be smarter.
Because of the Olympics the USPGA Championship moves to July, so by the time we get to August all four majors will be handed out, and three of them handed out over a six-week period in June and July. August will have the Olympic tournament in Rio, the FedEx Cup Playoffs start during their normal period, and the Tour Championship and Ryder Cup fall on consecutive weekends, because why not?
The other news is that David Feherty has moved from CBS to Golf Channel/NBC. No word on what his role will look like. As they say, stay tuned. I’m surprised he wasn’t in use during the Hawaii swing on the PGA Tour, and I’ve not read anything indicating he’ll be on Golf Channel during this week’s event in Palm Springs. I’d have to think he ends up being part of their Olympics team in Rio, but we shall see.
Not exactly golf weather in the DMV, but we’ll be there soon enough. I hope.
It’s been a rough week for musicians and actors, but I guess the one that hit home the hardest was David Bowie. He made it okay to be different. Without him, you don’t get the New York Dolls, and (for better or worse) you don’t get KISS (they should send him residuals), and you probably don’t get the punk and post-punk music I still identify with.
Normally I hate remakes, but here’s a video of Bauhaus covering Ziggy Stardust. Enjoy.
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