GOLF DIGEST’S Cover

photo credit: Photos8.com     The January 2010 edition of GOLF DIGEST depicts President Obama and Tiger Woods, both reading a putt.    Of course, this cover was in the works  before the Tiger Woods scandal broke.   It's ironic that both men are in trouble with the American people.   President Obama's ratings have sunk to  47% approval and Tiger Woods' ratings have dropped off the chart.  

Woods  has lost his credibility with his fans and corporate sponsors and  Obama's ability  as a leader is now  under serious question.   Both men  are in trouble.   Tiger  Woods' dilemma is moral  while  President Obama's is political.    Both gave us promises:   Woods with his squeaky clean image and Obama with  his political promises.   Will America ever read between the lines?

Tiger’s Sponsors

photo credit: Keith Allison            Sponsors that have paid Tiger Woods millions of dollars are facing a dilemma.   Do they continue to sponsor Woods'  regardless of  his alleged  immoral behavior, or do they cancel their sponsorships?

It may be argued that what happens in Woods' personal life is his business and not that of the press or public.   The persona that Tiger Woods presented to the public was that he was “on the straight and narrow.”     He projected a wholesome, serious image for all the world to see.   Kids everywhere wanted to be like Tiger Woods.  

Perhaps Woods is no longer worthy  of the lucrative sponsorships he has been given.   My bet is that his sponsors will do the wrong thing and continue on with Woods.   Money is more important than doing what is right in today's world.

The Cash Cow-Tiger Woods

photo credit: Keith Allison     The JBWERE Masters in Melbourne, Australia is what can be called a “TigerFest.”   Woods was paid $3 Million just to show up for the event, more than some players make in their entire career.

During the tournament, Woods hit an errant drive on the 13th hole.     It was reported that “he threw his driver into the ground and it bounced up and into the gallery, where it was caught by a surprised fan.”

I've never seen a club bounce off the ground and into the air high enough to be caught by another person 20 or 30 feet away.   This is just one more example of the sugar-coating of Woods'   bad behavior.   He has become a cash cow for the media, the PGA Tour and his sponsors.   Maybe it's time for Woods to finally grow up.

Clones on the Course

photo credit: nsaplayer     While watching the the latest PGA event from Shanghai, China, I noticed how  Nick Whatney's glove was placed in his back pocket.   It was placed perfectly, with the thumb and fingers hanging down like a cows udder.   Once I started looking, I noticed that every player placed  their glove in their  back pocket exactly  in the same fashion.   It reminded me of how most of these players are just clones of one-another.

I give Ryan Moore a lot of credit for  his desire to  keep his individualism intact by not wearing any company logo's.   To his fellow competitors,  he may look like the manager of  a local paint company  but I like  his  attitude.   It shows that he should be judged on his playing ability and not on his looks.

Golf & Foul Language

photo credit: gitsul.     It would be interesting if a poll could be done on the topic of  golf and swearing.   I think the results would not only be interesting but pretty funny also.   Swearing and golf go hand in hand, why, I've even heard priests swear on the golf course!

I'd love to hire a lip-reader, the next time Tiger's in a tournament.   Even novices such as I, can read Woods' lips whenever he finishes a bad stroke, especially when he is on the putting green.   You really can't blame a guy for cussing except these guys are supposed to be professionals   not whining kids.

I am certainly no exception in that I have my own favorite cuss word which sounds a bit like custard and begins with a “B.”

The Presidents Cup

photo credit: Brian J. McDermott     This year's President's Cup (2009) competition was a waste of good television time.   To begin with, did anybody really know what was going on?   Not once was the format explained by Golf Channel commentators or by anyone on the major television network that was covering the event.

The viewing audience did get a chance to see some spiffy outfits and admittedly, there were some good shots made but there are good shots made in all tournaments aren't there?  

Just like every other event, there was a lot of “puff” to this years  tournament.   The commentators tried their very best to make it interesting but failed miserably.   This is one event that scores a 10 on the boring chart.   We did get to see one of Tiger Woods'  famous fist pumps though !

Fed Ex Playoffs

photo credit: nsaplayer     The PGA Tour was the only major sport that did not have playoffs and its own “super-bowl.”   Then came the Fed Ex playoffs, a series of four tournaments, played within about five weeks of each other.   Who ever has the most points at the end of the 4th playoff event, wins the Fed Ex cup and becomes the so called “best player.”

Unfortunately, the  schedule and method  of play is a failure.   There is little excitement generated with the way the schedule is now  played.   It is my view that there should be only three tournaments,  with the final playoff  being a match play event.  

In the first half of the  1900's,  most tournaments were match play.   Match play is more exciting, and excitement is what golf has been lacking.

“Go in the Hole!!”

photo credit: linein     Tiger is on the tee, you could hear a pin drop.   He hits his drive and  you hear “go in the hole!”   If he's hitting a fairway bunker shot, if he's in the woods behind a tree, if he's got a 99 foot bogey putt, someone yells, “go in the hole!”   Can you imagine what this must be like for Tiger?

Where did it start?   If  you know, let us know,  but I think it actually started  with  Tiger's ascension into the limelight.   People who yell, “go in the hole,” are obnoxious, rude and insecure and I think it demeans the magnificent game that golf is.   It lowers golf to the caliber of the NFL,  permeated with  players with criminal records.   Golf fans should be above that !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

its “go in the hole!”

Your Consumer Rights

photo credit: viakali     In order to complete a foursome, its a  common practice for courses to pair strangers together.   Ponder this:   If you went to dinner and were told to sit at a table of strangers, what would your reaction be?    Would you  refuse and walk out?   So what's the difference when you're asked to play  golf with a complete stranger?

As  a paying customer, you have  the right to  the tee time you reserved without being asked to play with someone you've never met.   Why should you spend  four to five hours  on the course, making friends with someone instead of playing golf?    If you  have a 5 handicap and you've been asked to play with with a 20 handicapper or vise-versa you should  refuse, ask for your money back and go to another course.    Remember YOU are the consumer.

LPGA or Korean Tour?

photo credit: Playadura*     Of the leading money winners on the LPGA Tour, fifty seven were from the far east.   In the latest LPGA Tour event, seven of the top ten   money-winners,  were far Easterners.  

Watch any LPGA event and  it feels as if you are watching it being telecast from the far East.    The American LPGA Tour is  a North American  organization  isn't it, or is it?

Last year the LPGA came out with a directive, stating that all foreigners on the LPGA Tour had to speak English in order to remain eligible to play.   Shortly afterward, the LPGA rescinded their directive and nothing further has been said on the topic.   Why the rescission?

Should there be a limit on  non-citizens playing in LPGA Tour events?   Should it be mandatory that all players speak English?

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