I have to say, I cannot wait. I cannot wait for 2010. I cannot wait to watch the best players in the world actually have a problem handling the rough.
The USGA and the Royal and Ancient announced this week that the rules limiting the groove volume and sharpness of groove edges will change as of January 1, 2010. The good news for us as Amateurs is that the rules won’t change in top amateur events until 2014. So for 4 years I will get an advantage when I step to the tee with Professional golfers.
Dick Rugge, the technical guru for the United States Golf Association said, "Our research shows that the rough has become less of a challenge for the highly skilled professional and that driving accuracy is now less of a key factor for success. We believe that these changes will increase the challenge of the game at the Tour level, while having a very small affect on the play of most golfers."
How cool will it be to see a tour player have to work harder to hit the fairway knowing that being in the rough will actually become more of a hazard? For the past 25 years, golf manufacturers have made the game easier and easier for the professionals. Has it helped us? Perhaps in a small way, but grooves will only truly assist in the spin of a golf ball out of the rough if you have enough swing speed to make it happen. Most of our swing speeds are 10-20 mph slower than the pros. So the change in grooves will be more harmful to the tour player than to us as average players.
The unanswered question is, “How much will this rule change take the longer hitters out of top spots?” Please understand the metrics of a Tiger or a Bubba. Image Fred Funk hitting a drive 265 yards on a line from the tee box to the left edge of the rough. It stays in the fairway. Now let’s take Tiger or Bubba. They hit a ball on the exact same line, 2 degrees off center. Their ball goes 330 yards. Guess where it ends up? See it’s not that the longer hitters miss more fairways; they have less area to hit. Imagine a funnel, how it gets larger the longer it is. The same is true for the long hitters. Will this rule affect them more? Quite possibly. That will hurt the game.
My point? Well, I am on both sides of this fence. I believe golf should be harder from the rough and a bunker. Heck, in today’s game, tour players will aim for bunkers rather than the rough. We should just eliminate bunkers from courses, or use the Jack Nicklaus rakes… that will have a cause and effect. So even though I like guys not being able to spin the ball from the rough, I do believe we will lose some of the fun watching (dare I say) John Daly or other long bombers working harder to keep the ball in the fairway.
I am glad the USGA finally took the step… it will be interesting to see what affect it will have on the Tours.
Missing Tiger –
Heard Tiger yesterday on ESPN Radio with Scott Van Pelt. TW said he watched on the last few holes of the Open Championship and none of the WGC. He also told Van Pelt that we would not watch any of the PGA. He said it would be too hard watching an event that he would be trying to win for a third consecutive time.
When asked about coming back, Tiger said he was on schedule. Not sure what that means, but I really want to assume that would be The Master. How cool would it be to have him back in time to challenge for another Green Jacket?
Practice Makes Perfect –
I love my boys. I know, like most dads, I can be hard on them. I don’t care what they want to be, my only rule is “whatever you choose, pay the price to get there.”
My son Douglas kind of messed around with golf for a number of years. He would work for a few weeks then move on to something else. He always talked about becoming a good golf; he just never was willing to pay the price to get there. Fifteen months ago, Hank Haney pulled Doug aside and started helping him. With his swing, sure, but more with an understanding of the game. In 15 months, Doug has had more ups and downs than most golfers have in 10 years. See, this is a fast track. Incidentally, you will all get a chance to see the ups and downs starting in September on The Golf Channel. Doug was chosen as one of the players in a new series called “School of Golf: Hilton Head Island.”
Well, the 10 hours a day of practice, the 85’s to 80’s back to 84’s all paid off on Monday as Doug won his first NTPGA Masters event. I cannot tell you how proud I am of Doug. Not the fact that he won; the fact that he is paying the price. Congratulation, son.
Who will win –
The big thing on all the Golf Channel Shows now is picking the winners of the upcoming event. They pick a Dark Horse, a Contender, a Favorite. So here I go...
For my Dark Horse -
Well, I would love to pick Tommy Armour III. He is the second hottest player on the tour over the last 6 weeks; however, his 10 day vacation might leave him a bit rusty. I also like Bart Bryant. This is the kind of tournament in which he usually hangs close. But my pick is (drum role, please) Briny Baird. He is playing in his first major of the year, but he finished fourth at the Players and actually has the best finishing record in majors since 2004 among the field.
For my Contenders –
My personal favorite has to be Anthony Kim. The kid is making all my predictions come true; however, I am a little concerned about his putting from the Open. My other personal fav is KJ Choi. The problem here is lack of a decent 4 rounds played over the last couple of months. One of these days, both of these guys will get their first major win.
That leaves me with Kenny Perry. The hottest player on the tour, this could be his week. It’s a lot to ask, but he seems to be a man to have the answers.
For my Favorite –
The odd-makers are hanging their hats on Phil at 9-1 and I believe he has a chance to be right there. He putted much better this past week, and for Phil, that is the biggest issue. Forget where he hits it… not important. Speaking of putting, you have to mention VJ and Sergio. If either can keep their putter hot for 4 days, they could run away from the field. I am, however, not secure in that feeling. So my favorite is… Tiger Woods… wait, that was a couple tournaments back. My favorite is Padrig Harrington to go back-to-back and be proclaimed the number 2 player in the world.
There you have it. Please do not bet on my picks… I am usually very bad at this. What I am pretty good at is reporting from the Championship… So please do not forget… This Sunday morning from 8a to 10a on 103.3FM ESPN, The Golfers Home is live from Oakland Hills.
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