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Brexit and Golf

6/24/2016

Believe it or not, there is already some absurdity being mentioned (usually on Twitter) when it comes to how the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union will affect the game of golf. So, I thought I would list some things on how the Brexit will (or will not) affect the golf industry.

1. The US will still play Europe in the Ryder Cup--Even though the UK is leaving the European Union, the Ryder Cup will still be staged between players from the two continents. Technically, the UK is on the European continent...they are just leaving the economic and governing structure known as the EU. So, for all of those people hoping the US could go back to dominating the Ryder Cup by just playing English/UK players....think again.

2. In the foreseeable short term, the cost of playing golf and traveling to the UK will decrease--The British Pound fell to a 30-year low against the US Dollar immediately this morning upon the UK referendum results. The cost for golf trips, greens fees, hotels...really anything in the UK will immediately decrease in cost for US travelers because of the exchange rates. Likewise, any products you like t purchase from the UK (Twining's Tea, HP Sauce, etc.) will also take less out of your pocket. Donald Trump already said Brexit will bring more people to his renovated Turnberry...you may not like him, but he is right on this issue.

3. Travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland MAY be affected--Ireland is part of the European Union and there has not been a border check between there and Northern Ireland since the Troubles. With the UK (which Northern Ireland is a part of) out of the European Union, there is talk of adding a border check at the IRE/NI border. Now, you can stay in Dublin and drive straight up to play courses like Royal County Down or Ardglass in about 2 hours. With a border crossing and customs check...you better add at least a 1/2 hour to this trip...making your golf day-trip just a bit longer and bothersome. Stay tuned on this issue.

Good Job USGA

6/19/2016

Well, the USGA managed to add more drama to the final round of the US Open…albeit unnecessary drama. As if a crowded leaderboard full of players looking for their first major championship victory wasn’t enough, they had to place a cloud over the back nine for all competitors with the ‘well, maybe it was a penalty’ on Dustin Johnson’s 5th hole.

To review, as Dustin Johnson was preparing to address his putt on the 5th green, his ball moved slightly. He spoke to his playing partner Lee Westwood and the walking rules official with his group and it was deemed that Johnson did not cause the ball to move, which means he just plays the ball from the new spot and there is no penalty.

Fast forward about an hour and a half and all of sudden, the USGA informs Johnson that his situation on the 5th green will be under review….after the round! Are you kidding me?

First, the USGA rules official with the group spoke with Johnson and made the ruling on the spot that it was deemed Johnson did not cause the ball to move. Lee Westwood agreed with the ruling. At major championships, there is a rules official walking with each group so player do not have to wait for rulings during the course of play. Next…if there was a question as to if Johnson caused the ball to move, aren’t there enough officials hanging around (like those who went with earlier groups in the day) that some could go to Fox Sports and look at the video to see if he did cause the ball to move. I understand you may want the player there to discuss, but it would be better for everyone involved (Johnson and the field) if you could bring some resolution…now that you have doubts about the original ruling your official made?

The USGA totally mishandled the situation. As I write this, it hasn’t been determined if it was a penalty…but the Rules Officials totally botched the handling of this ruling and it affected everyone playing on Sunday afternoon. It is our national championship and the players, fans and the tournament deserve better from the people running the event.

Yes Jordan, You are a Slow Player

6/17/2016

As I sit here watching (yes, it's Fox so I have the sound down) Jordan Spieth walk up the 18th fairway to (finally) finish his 1st round at Oakmont, one has to wonder which takes longer,,,Spieth's preparation for a shot or pouring a bottle of Heinz 57 ketchup? Spieth reminds me of a baseball player growing up. Those who follow baseball will remember a player for the Cleveland Indians, Mike Hargrove. He took so long to get into the batters box for each pitch that he was nicknamed the 'Human Rain Delay.' Watching Jordan sometimes reminds me of Hargrove.

Yes...Spieth is a great player and has in some ways, unlimited ability and potential. But let's go while you are young! It seems he never has a shot that can't be discussed from twenty different perspectives with his caddie, including the most straight forward players. Tick-Tock, tick-tock! Of course, when the shot doesn't turn out like how the the calculus they both did to predict the shot, we get the commentary, astonishment and bemusement while they stand there and stare at where the ball ended up.

Of course, the most hilarious aspect of all of this is when the Rules Officials have the audacity to say, 'Excuse me, Jordan, your group is a hole and a half behind...you are on the clock'. Spieth acts as if they just insulted his mother. He seems to react as if 'I'm performing quantitative analysis and that takes time...so get off my back!' He actually seem to argue with a European Tour official earlier this year in Dubai when he was put on the clock and likewise at the Masters in April.

Now it didn't help Jordan at Oakmont that he is paired with the 'Mad Scientist' Bryson Dechambeau and Zach Johnson, who is no speed-demon either. But there is a trend, and Spieth is the common thread when it comes to slow play.

Yes Jordan, , you are playing for huge amounts of money, major championships and your livelihood...but do us all a favor, admit your shot preparation is slow, don't act incredulous when you get put on the clock and most of all...speed up!

The USGA and Royal & Ancient Say What?

6/16/2016

Last week the USGA and the R&A published a report which came to the conclusion that in the period 2003 to the present, driving distances on the Professional Golf Tours did not significantly increase, only about 1% according to their data. To quote the great Gary Player, ‘[The report] It’s really laughable.’

Below is a chart which the report used to show the driving distances on the professional golf tours. Driving distance is measured at every professional event using either Par 4’s and/or Par 5’s and the holes must be in opposite directions of each other.

The organizations chose to really start the time period of focus in 2003, because that’s when they came out with their ‘Statement of Principles’ regarding technology advances in golf. A portion of the Principles is as follows:

‘The governing bodies believe that golf balls, when hit by highly skilled golfers, should not of themselves fly significantly further than they do today. In the current circumstances, the R&A and the USGA are not advocating that the Rules relating to golf ball specifications be changed other than to modernize test methods.

The R&A and the USGA believe, however, that any further significant increases in hitting distances at the highest level are undesirable. Whether these increases in distance emanate from advancing equipment technology, greater athleticism of players, improved player coaching, golf course conditioning or a combination of these or other factors, they will have the impact of seriously reducing the challenge of the game. The consequential lengthening or toughening of courses would be costly or impossible and would have a negative effect on increasingly important environmental and ecological issues. Pace of play would be slowed and playing costs would increase.’

The conclusion of this report is truly off-base. First, the organizations essentially cherry-picked the time frame they chose to analyze based upon their date of their Statement of Principles. They have chosen to ignore the data leading up to that point in time, as you can see by the graph. Furthermore, they also do not acknowledge that the players are not always hitting drivers on the distance-measuring holes on the tours. We have seen more and more players using 3 woods and driving irons off even the longest of Par 4’s in todays’ game. However, this is not mentioned in their conclusions.
What the USGA also needs to explain is that if driving distances are not significantly increasing and the ball does not go further, why have you lengthened a Par 3 at Oakmont this week to 288 yards, versus 250 yards in 2007 when the last US Open was played there. Why are there Par 4’s at every Open over 500 yards now? Why is almost every US Open venue building new tees to lengthen their courses in preparation for hosting US Opens and major championships. Why did Augusta National choose to add length to what is considered by many to be the best golf course in the world? Why do you choose to have hole locations much closer to the edges of greens now than you did 10 years ago? On a personal note…why do I (older and not in as good of shape) hit the ball 15-20 yards farther off the tee than I did 10-15 years ago?
I could go on…but it just seems this report by the governing bodies of golf just raises so many more questions than actual conclusions.

Hole of the Day--#18 Magnolia Green GC in Virginia

6/15/2016

The 18th Hole at Magnolia Green in Moseley, Virginia is a great finishing hole and caps off your round at a course which has garnered great reviews and captured awards since its opening last year. As one of Golf Digest’s Top New Golf Courses in 2015, Magnolia Green is definitely a welcome addition to the public golf scene in Virginia and probably the best public course in the the Richmond area. As the course matures, it will only get better. You will find a challenging, but fun layout, with a great mix of short and long holes. Plans are also in place for a new clubhouse and golf learning center, all of which should open next year.

The finishing hole #18 is a brute of a Par 4, measuring 474 yards from the back tee. Your tee shot must navigate its way between the trees and fescue which line the fairway. A pesky fairway bunker sits on the right at about 285 yards off the tee (from the back). Should you get in trouble off the tee, you will need to lay up short of the creek which crosses in front of the green at about 100 yards out. If not, you have a mid-to-long iron (or hybrid) approach to a multi-tiered green, fronted by two large bunkers. Like many of the holes at Magnolia Green, you also have some closely mown chipping areas around the green. Just hitting the green here is a challenge, but your job is not over. Depending upon the hole location, you could be faced with a difficult two putt if you are not on the correct level where the hole lies.

Visit www.magnoliagreengolfclub.com for more information or click on the link above for up to as much as 25% off greens fees and tee times!

Approach to #18 at Magnolia Green GC

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US Open Week

6/14/2016

During the US Open, you are going to hear about the long rough and tight fairways. However, when it comes to Oakmont, the most challenging aspect of the golf course may be the lightning fast greens the players will face. Potentially rolling at 14-15 on the Stimpmeter, the players will have to navigate the slickest greens they will play all year.

So in the light of what you will see this week at Oakmont, I have put together some of my keys to playing on fast greens.

Stay below the hole: Well, this is an obvious statement. But the thought behind this that you must consider where on the green you leave yourself the easiest putt when you are thinking about your approach shot from the fairway. Consider the slope of the green and the positions from where the most difficult putt(s) would be and then try to play away from those positions on your approach shot.
Lighten your Grip Pressure: This ties in to my next key, but make sure you’re your grip the putter with a bit less pressure than normal. The lighter grip pressure will not only give you more relaxed muscles in your hands and arms for better feel and touch, but it will also help you make a smoother stroke.
Let the Momentum of the Backswing start the Forward Swing: What do I mean by this? Well, too many times I see players get too quick with the putter as they want to make sure they don’t decelerate. Especially on fast greens, you almost want to feel the momentum of the backswing start the forward motion of the putter head. Don’t feel like you have to force the putter head forward. Think of it like a tennis ball attached to the end of a piece of rope…if you swing the ball to the right, the momentum of the ball will come back to left on its own…think of your putting stroke this same way.
Play More Break: This one may be obvious, but more often than not, players still underplay and under-read greens. Since the ball will be rolling at a slower speed, the amount of break will increase on putts.

Make sure you get on the practice green prior to the round to get a good feel for the speed of the greens. With a little practice and concentrating on the keys above, you will be ready for Oakmont-fast greens.

Brexit and Golf

Good Job USGA

Yes Jordan, You are a Slow Player

The USGA and Royal & Ancient Say What?

Hole of the Day--#18 Magnolia Green GC in Virginia

US Open Week

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