Golf icon Greg Norman is recovering after a harrowing struggle with COVID-19 that saw him hospitalized twice over the past week. @gabegutierrez reports. pic.twitter.com/4SIdIsWzoE
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 29, 2020
Wednesday, December 30
TODAY Show: Greg Norman's 'Harrowing Struggle' With COVID-19

Monday, December 28
Common Courses: Knoxville Municipal Golf Course Wins 2020 Favorite Public Golf Course Award
The ballot was conducted via public inquiry by the Knoxville News Sentinel from Aug. 4 – 31. Knoxville Municipal Golf Course is one of two municipal courses owned by the city and this is the first time "Knox Muni," as it's known by many, has been selected as the public's favorite golf course.
"It's an honor to be recognized by local golfers for all the hard work our team has put in throughout 2020," says Justin Smedley, general manager.

Thursday, December 17
Bucking Trend of Cutting Athletics During COVID-19, Tiny Averett University Adds Women's Golf
"We are excited to add a women's golf program, which will help us provide additional opportunities for female student-athletes," said Meg Stevens, Averett Vice President, Director of Athletics and Campus Operations. "The addition of a women's golf program here at Averett will benefit our University by reaching into a new demographic and increasing the opportunities for women to compete in college athletics, as well as positively impact our established men's golf program."
Stevens also announced that men's golf head coach Ben Potter is being named the director of golf for the men's and women's golf programs. In addition, Averett will hire a graduate assistant coach to work with both golf programs.
Women's golf is the latest sports addition for Averett in recent years. Since 2016, the University has added men's lacrosse and men's wrestling, brought back women's lacrosse and added two club sports and a competitive dance team.
"We are proud to announce a sports expansion during a time when many institutions have eliminated athletics programs," Averett President Dr. Tiffany M. Franks said. "At Averett, we have focused on balancing the effects of the pandemic while continuing to look outward and stay the course with strategic enrollment growth. This addition will increase our national and international footprint, as well as demonstrates how Averett is poised to respond to the growing interest in the sport."
The women's golf program will compete within the USA South Athletic Conference, which began sponsoring women's golf in 2019-20. Averett will be the ninth institution within the conference to sponsor a women's golf program.

Tuesday, December 15
Unheralded A Lim Kim Triumphs in U.S. Women's Open Thanks to a Birdie-Birdie-Birdie Finish
Kim closed out the weather-delayed final round of the 75th U.S. Women's Open at Champions Golf Club on a chilly Monday in southeast Texas with three consecutive birdies to edge countrywoman and world No. 1 Jin Young Ko and Amy Olson by one stroke. Her 4-under-par 67 matched the lowest round of the championship and gave her a 3-under total of 281. Hinako Shibuno, the 54-hole leader, finished two strokes back.
The No. 94 player in the Rolex Rankings became the 10th different Korean to claim the Harton S. Semple Trophy since Pak's breakthrough moment 22 years ago at Blackwolf Run. That win also came on a Monday, in what became a 20-hole playoff victory over amateur Jenny Chuasiriporn.
Kim also became the third Korean in the last 15 years to win the oldest major championship in women's golf in her first start, joining Birdie Kim (2005) and In Gee Chun (2015). Only two others – Patty Berg in the inaugural event in 1946 and Kathy Cornelius 10 years later – had managed to win this title in their first start. In fact, this was Kim's first-ever competition in the United States and her first women's major.
When the result became official, defending champion Jeongeun Lee6 and another Korean competitor gave the new winner a celebratory shower in the Player Hospitality tent.
"Can't really describe it in words," said Kim through a translator. "I never expected that I was going to appear in the U.S. Women's Open. I still can't feel what it's like right now, but I'll probably feel it when the ceremony and everything wraps up today."
The championship had to be completed on Monday due to nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain that saturated the Cypress Creek Course on Sunday. Only twice before had a non-playoff round of the U.S. Women's Open been completed on a Monday: 1987 at Plainfield Country Club, where a Tuesday 18-hole playoff was required, and 2011 at The Broadmoor, where fellow Korean, So Yeon Ryu, prevailed in a three-hole aggregate playoff over compatriot Hee Kyung Seo.
With temperatures hovering in the 40s and a wind chill that felt like the mid-30s, players arrived at Champions Golf Club dressed more for a day on the ski slopes. Many competitors donned wool caps, wore earmuffs and used gloves to keep their hands warm. Some even put on parkas in between shots.

Thursday, December 10
U.S. Women's Open at Champions Golf Club: Complete Broadcast Schedule
Friday, Dec. 11 – 3-6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12 – 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13 – 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 11 – 1-3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12 – 1-2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13 - 2-5 p.m.
Streaming

Tuesday, December 8
Golf Legend Peter Alliss on Why the Ryder Cup 'Mattered Like Hell'
No player on either team had more Ryder Cup experience than Alliss. The Ryder Cup "mattered like hell," he later said, partly because of family pride. (His father Percy was a Ryder Cup player.) There was more to it than the Alliss name, though. Country, captain, and teammates motivated the Englishman to always bring his best."I think it was having the experience of making a mess of it in 1953," Alliss said more than forty years later. "I was in a way so terrified of letting the side down again that my concentration levels went up."
"Many people," Alliss said, "including Bobby Jones, said you play the course. I never did that -- I played the man. If he went out-of-bounds, I made sure that I didn't go out-of-bounds. I always felt that all you had to do in match play was to be one shot less than the other fellow on each hole. It didn't matter if you were around in 76 if you won."

Monday, December 7
A Slightly Upbeat Tale About Irish Golf Courses in a Devastating Year
Guest contributor Michael Kilcourse is the club captain of Castlebar Golf Club in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Friday, December 4
USGA Advances Pivotal Work to Chart a Sustainable Future for Golf Courses and the Game
Driven by the global release of the February 2020 Distance Insights Report and independent from a review of equipment standards, the work focuses on evolving the game's approach to factors such as golf course setup, maintenance and tee placement/selection, while improving golfer satisfaction and reducing course operating costs. It will be led by a team of experts within the USGA Green Section with collaboration from several national golf organizations.
"This critical work has implications for the entire game – from golfers to architects to course operators, as we come together to solve golf's challenges, including the present and future availability of land, increasing scarcity of water, and the growing capital costs owners face as they feel the pressure to lengthen their golf courses," said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA.
Over time, the work will mature into industry-wide recommendations and best management practices designed to serve and benefit golf courses and golfers. Outcomes will be released throughout 2021.
"Many golfers and golf courses already are directly impacted by longer rounds and increasing costs, and our research shows that many of our public courses are facing real economic challenges related to golf course maintenance that are simply unsustainable," Davis added.
Current and ongoing work will build upon research delivered earlier this year related to increased playing distance and the documented lengthening of golf courses over time.

Wednesday, December 2
Kingdom Magazine on Lee Trevino at 81: Blind Putters (Including One Named Mrs. Mayberry) and Much More
"Listen, let me explain something to you about putters, okay?"Absolutely."Kittens are born blind. A lot of people don't know that," continues Trevino, who turned 81 on December 1. "When kittens are born they can't see for a week and their mother takes care of them and feeds them. Putters are the same way. A new putter is blind. You can go in the pro shop and there will be 20 putters. You take two of them out to the putting green, you pick one and with that putter you make every putt in the world. So you buy that putter but after seven days it opens its eyes, it recognises you, sees you putt and from that moment you putt just as bad with that putter as with your old ones. This is what happens."So back in 1974 I was looking for a blind putter. If I could find that blind putter then I just hoped I could get the tournament over with before it opened its eyes and recognised me. That is exactly what I did that week and there is a lot of truth to that."

Saturday, November 28
EXTENDED TRAILER: 'Tiger Woods: America's Son' to Air November 29 on ESPN

The Little-Known Englishman Who Invented the Modern Golf Swing (Part 2 of 2)
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James Douglas Edgar |

Thursday, November 26
The Little-Known Englishman Who Invented the Modern Golf Swing (Part 1 of 2)

Thursday, November 19
A Life in Pictures: Remembering Legendary Golf Photographer Leonard Kamsler
"The PGA of America is deeply saddened by the passing of Leonard Kamsler, a pioneering photojournalist whose talented eye entertained and inspired generations of all who love the game of golf." — PGA President Jim Richerson pic.twitter.com/7dTVtnCtLv
— PGA of America (@PGA) November 18, 2020
EARLIER THIS YEAR LEONARD KAMSLER became the first recipient of the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Photojournalism. Kamsler died on Tuesday. He was 85.

Tuesday, November 17
SPECIAL OFFER: My 1969 Ryder Cup Book Featuring Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin Can Be Yours for a Small Price
"Neil Sagebiel brings the memorable tournament to life…Mr. Sagebiel's narrative is strongest when he reports the hole-to-hole proceedings, which is all the more remarkable since only three minutes of television footage were archived. He teases out drama and puts the reader on the green." —Wall Street Journal

Monday, November 16
Masters Champion Dustin Johnson: 'I Dream of Winning a Lot of Majors'

Saturday, November 14
Tiger Woods at the Masters: 'I Can Walk All Day. The Hard Part Is Bending and Twisting'
While [Tiger Woods] looked limber and fit while completing the second round under overcast skies and in brisk temperatures, Woods looked stiff and troubled starting late on the front nine of his third round. He looked to be in pain as he removed balls from the holes and picked up tees after letting loose with his tee shots. He grimaced on occasion. Toward the end of the round, however, Woods looked a tad better."These are long days," said Woods, who won his fifth green jacket and 15th major championship last year at Augusta National. "I had my day off yesterday, which was nice. Today was not the case. We've been at it for quite some time. It's just part of the deal. If you have long days like this, I'm going to get a little bit sore, which I definitely am."I can walk all day. The hard part is bending and twisting. I think that's part of the game, though, and so that's always been the challenge with my back issues and I guess will always continue to be."

Tuesday, November 10
2020 Masters: Thursday and Friday Tee Times
THURSDAY, ROUND 1, FIRST TEE
7 am: Lucas Glover, Corey Conners, C.T. Pan
7:11 am: Brandt Snedeker, Charles Howell III, Jazz Janewattananond
7:22 am: Larry Mize, Andrew Landry, Lukas Michel
7:33 am: Matt Kuchar, Lee Westwood, Kevin Na
7:44 am: Xander Schauffele, Jason Kokrak, Henrik Stenson
7:55 am: Charl Schwartzel, Jason Day, Abel Gallegos
8:06 am: Vijay Singh, Lanto Griffin, Tyler Duncan
8:17 am: Mike Weir, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Matt Wallace
11:05 am: Sung Kang, Erik van Rooyen
11:16 am: Danny Willett, Rickie Fowler, John Augenstein
11:27 am: Phil Mickelson, Abraham Ancer, Bernd Wiesberger
11:38 am: Adam Scott, Collin Morikawa, Tyrrell Hatton
11:49 am: Justin Thomas, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Brooks Koepka
Noon: Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy
12:11 pm: Zach Johnson, Justin Rose, Cameron Champ
12:22 pm: Victor Perez, Sungjae Im, Brendon Todd
THURSDAY, ROUND 1, 10TH TEE
7 am: Sandy Lyle, Jimmy Walker, Yuxin Lin
7:11 am: Webb Simpson, Marc Leishman, Hideki Matsuyama
7:22 am: Kevin Kisner, Adam Hadwin, Scottie Scheffler
7:33 am: Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Louis Oosthuizen
7:44 am: Patrick Reed, Paul Casey, Tony Finau
7:55 am: Tiger Woods, Shane Lowry, Andy Ogletree
8:06 am: Jordan Spieth, Gary Woodland, Ian Poulter
8:17 am: Graeme McDowell, Si Woo Kim, Nate Lashley
11:05 am: Justin Harding, Shugo Imahira, Nick Taylor
11:16 am: Chez Reavie, Sebastian Munoz, Byeong Hun An
11:27 am: Bubba Watson, Matthew Wolff, Tommy Fleetwood
11:38 am: Francesco Molinari, Billy Horschel, Cameron Smith
11:49 am: Bernhard Langer, J.T. Poston, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Noon: Fred Couples, Max Homa, Dylan Frittelli
12:11 pm: Jose Maria Olazabal, Andrew Putnam, James Sugrue
FRIDAY, ROUND 2, FIRST TEE
7 am: Justin Harding, Shugo Imahira, Nick Taylor
7:11 am: Chez Reavie, Sebastian Munoz, Byeong Hun An
7:22 am: Bubba Watson, Matthew Wolff, Tommy Fleetwood
7:33 am: Francesco Molinari, Billy Horschel, Cameron Smith
7:44 am: Bernhard Langer, J.T. Poston, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
7:55 am: Fred Couples, Max Homa, Dylan Frittelli
8:06 am: Jose Maria Olazabal, Andrew Putnam, James Sugrue
11:05 am: Sandy Lyle, Jimmy Walker, Yuxin Lin
11:16 am: Webb Simpson, Marc Leishman, Hideki Matsuyama
11:27 am: Kevin Kisner, Adam Hadwin, Scottie Scheffler
11:38 am: Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Louis Oosthuizen
11:49 am: Patrick Reed, Paul Casey, Tony Finau
Noon: Tiger Woods, Shane Lowry, Andy Ogletree
12:11 pm: Jordan Spieth, Gary Woodland, Ian Poulter
12:22 pm: Graeme McDowell, Si Woo Kim, Nate Lashley
FRIDAY, ROUND 2, 10TH TEE
7 am: Sung Kang, Erik van Rooyen
7:11 am: Danny Willett, Rickie Fowler, John Augenstein
7:22 am: Phil Mickelson, Abraham Ancer, Bernd Wiesberger
7:33 am: Adam Scott, Collin Morikawa, Tyrrell Hatton
7:44 am: Justin Thomas, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Brooks Koepka
7:55 am: Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy
8:06 am: Zach Johnson, Justin Rose, Cameron Champ
8:17 am: Victor Perez, Sungjae Im, Brendon Todd
11:05 am: Lucas Glover, Corey Conners, C.T. Pan
11:16 am: Brandt Snedeker, Charles Howell III, Jazz Janewattananond
11:27 am: Larry Mize, Andrew Landry, Lukas Michel
11:38 am: Matt Kuchar, Lee Westwood, Kevin Na
11:49 am: Xander Schauffele, Jason Kokrak, Henrik Stenson
Noon: Charl Schwartzel, Jason Day, Abel Gallegos
12:11 pm: Vijay Singh, Lanto Griffin, Tyler Duncan
12:22 pm: Mike Weir, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Matt Wallace

Monday, November 9
Lee Elder, the First Black Man to Compete in the Masters 45 Years Ago, Will Join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as Honorary Starters
Lee Elder, the first Black man to compete in the Masters Tournament 45 years ago, is being honored by Augusta National. #themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 9, 2020
Read more: https://t.co/VKRmbUBcuc pic.twitter.com/puJWHSIu9B
Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, announced Monday that Lee Elder, the first Black man to compete in the Masters Tournament 45 years ago, will be honored by establishing scholarships in his name and inviting him to be an Honorary Starter for the 2021 Masters.At a press conference at Augusta National, Ridley revealed the creation of the Lee Elder Scholarships at Paine College, a Historically Black College and University located in Augusta. Two scholarships will be awarded annually, one each to a student athlete who competes on the men’s and women's golf team.

Saturday, November 7
'Rise and Shine' VIDEO: Ladies European Tour Pro Inci Mehmet Inspires Twin Sisters and Highlights Women's Game in Dubai

Thursday, November 5
Golfworld: 'The Critical Ways Augusta Will Play Differently in November Versus April'
The most fundamental question will be: How will Augusta's notoriously fast greens play compared to a normal springtime Masters?The answer, barring an extreme rain event, is they'll play the same.Here's why: Bentgrass greens, like those at Augusta National, thrive in cooler weather.Fall already provides ideal growing conditions, but the club has the added ability to control each green's climate and moisture content via sub-surface air systems. The systems can vacuum water from the greens if they're too moist, and they can also adjust the temperature of the root zone, cooling the grass during excessively hot days and warming it to promote growth during cold (morning) periods.The ability to manipulate temperature and moisture levels is critical at Augusta National because the greens are located in vastly different microclimates. Think of the disparity between the small 12th green, located along a shaded creek at the lowest section of the property, and the large 18th green, exposed and situated at its highest point. The incredible range of temperatures, sunlight, size and contour throughout the course means that each green needs an individual program, which they receive whether it's April or November.

Tuesday, November 3
When War, Not a Virus, Kept Pros Off the Tour
Ben Hogan. Ben's prime years were from 1938 through 1959. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from March 1943 to June 1945, stationed at Fort Worth, and became a utility pilot with the rank of lieutenant.
Lloyd Mangrum. Lloyd joined the tour in 1937 and won 36 events. He might have won more but for his tour being interrupted by WWII. While training for the D-Day landings, Mangrum was offered the professional's job at the army's Fort Meade golf course, which would have kept him out of combat, but he declined. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.
Jack Fleck. Jack worked as an assistant golf pro before WWII. During the war, he served in the Navy and participated in the D-Day invasion from a British rocket-firing ship off Utah Beach. Within two weeks after separation from the Navy, Fleck was on the PGA's winter golf tour. He is best known for winning the 1955 U.S. Open in an 18-hole playoff against Ben Hogan.
Ed "Porky" Oliver. Porky won eight times on the PGA Tour in the 1940s and 1950s. He lost several years of playing time while serving in the Army during WWII.
Jay Hebert. Jay won seven times on the PGA Tour, including the 1960 PGA Championship. He served in the Marines in WWII, rising to the rank of captain. He was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Iwo Jima and received a Purple Heart.
Herman Keiser. Herman won five times on the PGA Tour, including the 1946 Masters. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Cincinnati during WWII.
Walter Burkemo. Walter won his first PGA Tour event at the 1938 Southern Florida Open. After that he was drafted into WWII and served as an infantry sergeant in the European Theatre. He was seriously wounded twice during the war; the second time during the Battle of the Bulge. His best years on tour were in the 1950s. He won the 1953 PGA Championship and finished as runner-up in 1951 and 1954.

Friday, October 30
1969 U.S. Open Champion Orville Moody Wearing a Surgical Mask While Playing Golf
Actually, things do look better for Moody. His performance and check at Houston gave him a little cushion, and his hay fever is under control now thanks to a shot he receives twice a year. In the past, Moody sometimes had to play tournaments wearing a surgical mask because of his hay fever. Naturally the newspapers ran pictures of him, and they had a lot of fun with captions of the Who's the Masked Man kind.
In the last decade or so, Orville Moody's life has been a catalog of calamity and bizarre occurrence. Among other things he lost his life savings in a business venture, escaped from a burning house, employed a caddie who routinely waded through water hazards, and had one of his golfing pay checks snatched away by an insurance company. He endured two divorces, a burglary and chronic sniffles. He also won the U.S. Open, which might have been the worst misfortune of all.

Thursday, October 29
Callaway and Topgolf Announce All-Stock Merger Valued at $2 Billion
Topgolf is the leading tech-enabled golf entertainment business, with an innovative platform that comprises its groundbreaking open-air venues, revolutionary Toptracer technology and innovative media platform with a differentiated position in eSports. Topgolf generated approximately $1.1 billion in revenue in 2019 and has grown at a 30% compound annual rate since 2017. Callaway is a leader in the global golf equipment market with a scale position in active-lifestyle soft goods and a proven ability to deliver strong returns, including company growth that has exceeded golf market growth for seven consecutive years.

Monday, October 26
PGA TOUR VIDEO: 'It's Really Great to Win at Home' for Patrick Cantlay Who Collects 3rd PGA Tour Title at Zozo Championship
Tiger Woods won his record-tying 82nd PGA Tour title at last year's Zozo Championship in Japan. But Woods and Phil Mickelson, playing together in the final round, finished near the bottom of the leaderboard at Sherwood. Tiger closed with a 74. Phil carded a 78.

Saturday, October 24
USGA: 2020 U.S. Women's Open at Champions Golf Club to be Conducted Without Spectators
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – The USGA announced that due to ongoing health and safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 75th U.S. Women's Open Championship, scheduled for Dec. 10-13 at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, will be conducted without spectators on-site.
"Following extensive consultation with health officials, we have decided that hosting the U.S. Women's Open without spectators will provide the best opportunity to conduct the championship safely for all involved," said John Bodenhamer, the USGA's senior managing director of Championships. "While we are disappointed that we won't be able to welcome fans and their unmatched energy at Champions Golf Club, we know this is the right decision for the community and players."
The USGA announced on April 3 that the 75th U.S. Women's Open, initially scheduled for June 4-7, would be moved to Dec. 10-13. To account for reduced daylight, the Jackrabbit Course at Champions Golf Club will be used in conjunction with the Cypress Creek Course, which was originally slated to host all four rounds of championship play. In June, it was announced that the championship would be conducted without traditional qualifying.
"We are thankful to Champions Golf Club for its continued flexibility and dedication to making the 75th U.S. Women's Open possible,” said Bodenhamer. "Jack and Robin Burke and the rest of the club have been true partners as we navigate these unprecedented times."
Tickets purchased directly through the USGA will be automatically refunded to the method of payment used to purchase the tickets. Additional information on U.S. Women's Open ticket refunds can be found here.
Fans will be able to experience the championship by watching on NBC/Golf Channel, following along on uswomensopen.com, downloading the U.S. Women's Open app, following @uswomensopen on social media and downloading the USGA streaming app for connected devices.

Friday, October 23
MORNING READ: Pinehurst's New Hickory Club Rental Program
New England-based journalist Shaun Tolson had the good fortune to play Pinehurst No. 3 with a set of hickories and write about it for MORNING READ.
Here's a sample:
"It's a fun experience for individuals who have never done it and also for people who might play hickories once or twice a year," [Pinehurst head pro Matt] Barksdale said of renting a set and playing the No. 1 course, the No. 3 course, or The Cradle, Pinehurst's nine-hole short course. (Although the hickory clubs can be rented for play on any of Pinehurst's course — even the resort’s revered No. 2 layout — it's on the resort's aforementioned shorter courses that Barksdale and his team encourage their use.)
"They go out there with no expectations whatsoever and simply enjoy the game. It really does give you an appreciation for the early years of golf and how talented those individuals really were."
Renting a set of hickory clubs for a round at Pinehurst, which costs $50, can impact more than just a singular round of golf. The simple act of carrying those clubs to the driving range can pave the way for noteworthy introductions and interactions.
Recently, in the midst of a move, I considered playing a round with a handful of vintage golf clubs I've collected through the years, including a few made of hickory. But then I lost my motivation. Maybe someday.

Thursday, October 22
Golf Entrepreneur Barney Adams on Extreme Distance as the Future of Championship Golf: Not So Fast
Barney Adams is the founder of Adams Golf and is currently the CEO of Breakthrough Golf Technology.
THE ANNOUNCING CREW AT THE 2020 U.S. OPEN seemed obsessed with "The Bombers" -- players who drove the ball extreme distances with little regard for the occasional tee shot into the rough. TV has selected Bryson DeChambeau as their representative given his length and victory.
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Barney Adams |
- 350 yard carry
- Clubhead speed which tears through the rough allowing the ball to launch high and carry to the green.
- The "new" instructor who teaches distance be it ground up or whatever new method is used
- Gym sessions producing athletes who look more like football players
- And last, a whole new shelf of steroids for golf
At the same time the USGA and its organizational allies are planning meetings focusing not if the ball will be rolled back, but when. Clearly, influenced by visual evidence from a great Winged Foot course in our national championship.
Let's look deeper!
A hypothetical -- go back a few months. You are on the planning committee for the U.S. Open to be held at Winged Foot, one of America's great venues. This year because of Covid there will be no galleries, something never experienced at a USGA major golf event. I repeat, your committee is planning for the U.S. Open. That implies "Open rough" a term that is significant on its own. You don't play from Open rough, you escape... maybe.
The nature of Open rough is a thick chunky base with long tendrils reaching skyward. These make it very difficult to find your ball in the best of circumstances and when attempting to advance these tendrils wrap themselves around your hosel closing the face, sending your ball deeper into hostile territory. That's if you can even find it.
Open rough has "disappeared" many balls over the years and done so within full view of gallery spectators aiding course marshals. The rule of thumb for competitors has always been to find the most reasonable patch of fairway and get out.
But this is the year of Covid. No galleries. Marshals, but relatively few because of no galleries.
Now, considering that normal U.S. Open rough will produce many searches where marshals are important, the shortage of them will cause endless searches which don't make for great TV viewing. So, a decision is made, cut the rough down so shots can be found. Still in the rough but sitting on the chunky base and very often can be played. A tough call for the purist but an objective economic evaluation leaves no choice.
The announcers regale us with astonishing distances and swing speeds that allow escape from Open rough that used to be impossible. The golf publications jump on this theme and predict that the golfer of tomorrow will be "DeChambeau like," not sweet swingers but physical hulks rewriting the book on distance strongly influenced by no fear of the rough.
My point here is those publications and instructors, jumping on the "longer and slightly crooked is better" bandwagon, have added 2+2 and gotten 5 when using the 2020 U.S Open as a premise.
DeChambeau is a great and powerful player. However, I don't think he's known for his putting. He should have been. It was terrific, probably influenced his score! He is our national champion, an unsurpassable honor. But his style has me betting that the USGA is working on dates to discuss changing the golf ball, as in making it shorter.
I'm 100 percent against such a move. Golf is a game where amateurs can go to the same course and play the same clubs and given a huge difference in skill achieve some measure of affiliation with the pros. A birdie is a birdie, not a long or short ball birdie. From a business perspective, the overwhelming majority of those golfers financially supporting golf are 50 plus.
And we want them to hit it shorter?
Well, Mr. Adams, what would you do?
I know zero about golf ball manufacturing, but keeping the distance the same I'd change the dimples to increase curvature just enough so it doesn't affect slower swings that much but very high swing speeds so it's in the player's head.
More thoughts. As an admitted TV viewer, get rid of those yardage books. Fine for practice rounds but when the bell rings it should be player and caddie, not an "on green" conference. What's next, a staff meeting?
I'll conclude with a note to the PGA Tour and, importantly, an admonition.
To the PGA Tour: The minute a tee goes into the ground on No. 1 every player is on the clock. Stroke penalties, not fines, will get their attention.
