Pausing at the Top?

photo credit: rioncm   Pausing at the top of the backswing has always been a relatively controversial issue.  Some instructors maintain there should be a pause and others proclaim there shouldn’t be.  Who is right?

The first thing to recognize is that every good swing requires almost perfect timing and those in favor of a pause at the top, are convinced it promotes better timing.  They claim that “hackers” don’t pause and that’s the reason they are poor shot-makers.  They contend that swinging without a pause creates a lack of power and control.  Those teachers that are against the pause at the top feel that it disrupts good balance and timing.

Some of the greatest golfers in history had a pause in their swing:  Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Bobby Jones and Macdonald Smith.

Driver Shaft Length

photo credit: foxypar4   The standard shaft length for the driver has been 43 inches.  The trend is changing to a much longer shaft length of up to 45 inches.  Here is where the controversy begins.

The 45 inch driver shaft allows for a wider swing arc and although 2 extra inches may not seem like a lot, it results in greater clubhead speed.  Greater clubhead speed means more distance.  With the 45 inch shaft, more control is sacrificed.  That is precisely why some players grip down when they require more accuracy but gripping down decreases swing arc and that means a greater loss of distance.  Nevertheless, many players are choosing length over accuracy by going with a 45 inch driver shaft.  You decide.

Better Player, Better Man?

photo credit: SD Dirk   Tiger Woods has crashed and burned and is now in self-imposed exile.  More than the money, which he obviously doesn’t need, Woods was after the records set by Jack Nicklaus.  In breaking Nicklaus’ record for major championships, Tiger Woods would have officially become the greatest golfer of all time.  Now, because of the sex scandal, his goal is in serious question.

On one hand, we have Nicklaus a devoted father and family man who was never too busy for autographs or interviews.  Nicklaus, like Arnold Palmer, represented the game not just on his ability to play, he was a true role model.

Woods may, technically, be a better player (many question that) than Nicklaus but is he a better man?  In that regard, Woods has, forever more, sealed his own fate.

The Actor, Tiger Woods

photo credit: Stefano A   Would the real Tiger Woods please stand up?  For his entire career, people everywhere have come to know the squeaky clean personna that Tiger Woods has portrayed.  Clean-cut, as American as apple pie but as of Thanksgiving weekend 2009, that all changed for good.  Golf fans everywhere now realize the person they thought they knew, wasn’t the same as the person who allegedly was carrying on several sexual affairs while his wife was home having his children.

To say that his behavior was dispicable would be an understatement.  To betray the trust of your wife and children, and in this case the loyalty of his fans all over the world, is inexcusable.  Woods may be a great golfer but he’s not mature enough to realize his own responsibilities to his wife and kids, to his fans and most of all to himself.  Long live Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer !!

The FBR Open’s 16th Hole

photo credit: danperry.com   The 16th hole at the Scottsdale TPC is a 155 yd. par 3 golf hole, however, it is anything but typical.  During the 2009 FBR Open, for the first time in history, a golf hole was completely surrounded by stands.

After going through an 18 ft. tunnel each player enters the “arena.”  On the tee, the players are surrounded by thousands of screaming fans.  Behind the green there is a huge TV screen where fans and players can watch each shot.

Has the PGA gone too far by allowing the course to be set up in this manner?  I say no, not at all.  Golf needs more excitement.  Aren’t we tired of watching the same straight faces every week?  I know I am !

Gamesmanship

photo credit: gtknj    The Dictionary defines Gamesmanship as “the technique or practice of manipulating people or events so as to gain advantage or outwit one’s opponents or competitors.” 

Gamesmanship, although very controversial and borderline unethical, is widely used in the game to gain advantage over ones opponent/s.  If you look at gamesmanship as a means to distract your opponent, it may seem much more benign.

Is gamesmanship used by PGA Tour Players?  You bet it is. 

A classic example of gamesmanship was when Tiger Woods used slow play in the final playoff holes of the 2008 US. Open to defeat Rocco Mediate, who is know to be a very fast player.  Woods gave Mediate plenty of time to think about loosing.  In this case, it worked like a charm!

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

photo credit: the_tahoe_guy   Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is located in Southampton on Long Island, NY.  It has hosted three US. Open Championships in three different centuries.  It is also the oldest organized golf club in the US. and has the oldest club house, built in 1892.  It was the first golf club to admit women.

The course was originally built on an 80 acre site adjoining the Long Island Railroad.  The parcel was purchased for $2,500 with course construction beginning in 1891.  The course is reputed to be built on the site of an Indian burial ground.  The Shinnecock Indian Nation, which helped in construction, filed suit seeking the return of 3,500 acres of “their” land including the golf course.  The litigation is still ongoing.

The Cost of Irwin’s Honesty

photo credit: Ted Van Pelt   Hale Irwin was born June 3, 1945 and is one of the few PGA Professionals to have won 3 US. Open Championships.

During the 1983 US. Open, Irwin was tied for the lead but ended up losing by one shot.  Irwin left a putt inches from the cup.  Irwin walked up to his ball and stabbed at it with his putter in an attempt to knock it in the hole.  When he swung at the ball, he missed it completely by swinging over the top of it.  He immediately called a penalty on himself and ended up losing the Open by 1 shot.

Many, in the golf community, felt that Irwin was penalized unfairly.  he could have given any excuse for missing the ball but instead, chose to tell the truth.  His honesty cost him the tournament.  Would you have done the same?

FBR Open Controversy

photo credit: danperry.com   Tiger Woods still refuses to play in the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Az.  His abstinence is the result of an orange thrown towards him by a fan.  The roudy and sometimes undignified fan behavior there, is a matter of controversy.

The FBR Open draws some of the largest crowds of any PGA Tour Event.  Hundreds of thousands of people pack the TPC Stadium Course over the four day event.  The party atmosphere is unmistakable and in many cases gets out of control.  

The par 3 sixteenth hole is where most of the controversy originates.  Bleachers line both sides of the narrow fairway and the crowd noise is intense.  It reminds one of the Gladiator battles in the Roman Coliseum.  Should the USGA or the PGA impose stronger rules governing crowd behavior?  LET’S HEAR FROM YOU?   

High Green Fees?

Many golf courses in America charge as much as $300.00 per round. Even worse, golfers continue to pay these outragous green fees! Paying this amount means that it’s: $75.00 per hr. (4 hr. round), or $16.00 per hole, or $21.00 per drive (14 drives), or $8.33 per putt (36 putts), or $75.00 per par 3 (4 per course). Any way you cut it, it’s unbelievably expensive.

Why do golfers pay these kinds of fees when they can play in their own locale for mabye $35.00? If we could only reach a consensus, as golfers, to refrain from paying these high green fees prices would take a precipitous drop. Just like anything else if demand drops so do prices.
Think about this the next time you hand over your credit card…$8.33 per putt? Wow!

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