A Trophy

By now, it's probably well known that John Daly is not a fan of helicopter rides. So, it came as no surprise when it was Rocco Mediate who emerged from the black chopper at the Trump International Golf Club in Puerto Rico, on an overcast day in mid-March. Rocco was there to play one-on-one against John Daly, who's grand entrance was a bit more subtle (and by land of course). The event was meant to showcase the talent of two very popular PGA stars, during a match play event that was featured on Golf Channel's television series Donald J Trump's Fabulous World of Golf. Donald Trump, who promoted this event, has grown to become an influential golf course builder, owner, and event promoter. Trump is well-liked by many golfers for his obvious passion and his proven willingness to invest vast sums of money to create spectacular venues. The man, quite simply, is good for the game.

"Donald is a great guy and a friend" said Daly who, like Trump, understands what it's like to struggle mightily, but also what it means to succeed at the highest level. In fact, the two seemed to share a sort of kinship as they interacted during the event.

Trump suggested to Daly that he ask anyone who questioned his commitment to the game, or ever again suggested that John had somehow squandered his talent, where "they had won their two majors". One can't help but wonder whether the comments were partly directed at Daly's former coach Butch Harmon, who never won anything of any importance himself, but was fond of taking unprovoked public swipes at Daly. One thing seemed certain however, that Trump has a deep understanding of what it takes to win and has tremendous respect for anyone who could have won two major championships!

In a funny moment, when Daly played a great recovery shot after a stray drive, Trump jokingly referred to Daly as "unconventional", to which John replied "that makes two of us Donald!" Trump could only laugh in agreement.

But, despite some fun along the way, Daly and Mediate remained competitive. As is often the case when two elite players of any sport meet, pride and competitive instincts take over. In fact, both players were grinding their way through some tough holes. For John, the day started without a proper warm-up and with a hooked drive off the first tee. The cool Rocco however, in his usual fashion, played a consistent "fairways and greens" style, which got him off to an early lead. But, under a cool grey sky, it only took a few holes for Daly to find his groove and to rally from behind. Using a combination of his trademark power and short game touch, Daly was able to catch and overtake the talented and beloved Rocco Mediate to win the event.

In so doing, John took home the handsome Trump trophy and a nice sum of money which was donated to his favorite charity: the Boys & Girls Club back home in Arkansas. "It was a great round as usual with Rocco and it felt good to win something for a change" quipped Daly.

This isn't the biggest event ever won by this two-time major champion. In fact, it doesn't rank anywhere near the top of John Daly's accomplishments. But, it would be a mistake to underestimate the meaning of it at this particular time in John's career. This handsome trophy represents a considerable benchmark in the long and arduous climb back to the top for Daly.

Sometimes, the smallest things take on the biggest meaning in our lives. In a season now famous for the fall from grace of Tiger Woods, this fortuitous stop by Daly in Puerto Rico and the win against Mediate stands in sharp contrast as yet another positive milestone in what John acknowledges is a comeback season full of positives.

Much has been written about John Daly, as usual much of it alluding to the hard times. The media loves to kick anyone when they can. In fact, just ask Donald Trump for that matter who, despite all his accomplishments, has been criticized for the struggle of his casinos. This criticism comes as if none of his other spectacular successes mean anything! As for John Daly, the spotlight never seems to shine as brightly as when there is a big number to write about, or a personal issue on which the media can feed.

As the year progresses however, any remaining struggles are being overshadowed by the mounting number of successes on which Daly is building a respectable season. Admittedly, the season started slowly, after a 2009 worth forgetting. For John Daly, who is known to friends and fans as "The Lion", the PGA tournament in Puerto Rico was the second of six consecutive cuts made during March April and May. This is a streak as yet unbroken, as he prepares for Colonial. In that context, The Trump win seems to take-on a particular significance.

Winning becomes a habit almost as quickly as losing does. For Daly, making cuts and grinding through rounds has become the norm these days. The golf is getting better and clutch performance is coming back. In fact, fans smell blood and brazen calls to victory are often expressed by Daly's loyal fans - the Lion's pride - on Facebook and Twitter!

For anyone who has watched Daly swing a club, it is easy to see that few possess such a natural combination of power and grace. Still one of the tour's longest hitters, still one of the top ball strikers to ever pick up a club, it has been tough at times this year for Daly to maintain his level of play, due mostly to a series of nagging injuries. Of late, two bulging discs in his lumbar area have caused him considerable back and hip pain. Daly explains that "doctors are telling me that these recent injuries all stem from the rib injury I had in 2007."

The rib injury in question occurred at the 2007 Honda Classic, where poor security allowed for an irresponsible patron to clic a camera as Daly was driving the ball. Daly's mid-swing attempt to stop the powerful momentum of his drive caused a serious tear to rib tissue. The resulting injury almost wiped-out his career and has cost John millions of dollars in sponsorships and countless opportunities.

There is however no reason to dwell on the negative at this point. Even for Daly, his new outlook has forced a change in him. Perception has become reality. He refuses to let a bad stretch of holes or even a round ruin his mojo, he is enjoying life, he is surrounded by a better crowd, he is more fit than ever and he trains more than ever. For Daly, this is a year of new beginnings. So much is new and so much is positive, in fact, that he has been able to work through some of his life's most daunting challenges quietly and gracefully. There are still a few hills to climb. For John Daly, who has lived his troubles out in the open however, the ability to keep it all under control comes from a new found commitment and inner-peace. It isn't the mountains ahead left to climb, as Muhammad Ali said, its the pebble in your shoe that wears you out. Daly seems to have found a way to keep pebbles out of his shoes...

With that, the Trump trophy brings with it a new hope for great things to come.

Why We Play Golf

Its the age old question, isn't it? Why do we play golf? What is it about the game that attracts us?

Golf is many things to many people... an escape from the rigours of work, a pastime in retirement, a challenge, a chore, a vacation, a source of stress, a way to make a living... etc.



Though we usually focus our attention on the PGA and LPGA, I thought it might be fun to reflect on why WE - the average Joe's and rank amateurs - play the game of golf. I am hoping that some of you will take the time to share your opinions and leave a comment or two... Let us know: what is it about golf that makes you anything from a reluctant fan to an obsessed fanatic?

The idea for this piece came to me by accident, really. I happened to pick up a copy of Flagstick magazine in March. On the cover was a picture of my favorite hole on my favorite golf course. It triggered a great golf memory. More on that later...

Until I joined my club's Men's Night, I don't think I fully appreciated just how frustrating golf can be! Among the things I learned: there is nothing quite like having one of your peers counting on you to make a six- foot putt worth $5.!! Even a multi-millionaire will react as if you've just lost his kid's college fund if you miss a putt and cost him his $2.50 share! Call it pride, insanity, whatever...

Despite all the pressure, I admit that I will often rush to the course as early as mid-morning, even for a 1pm tee time. I will spend an hour warming up on the range, another 20 minutes chipping and working on bunker play and then 30 minutes putting. Then I join the group for a bite in the clubhouse (best golf course food around), before I head out for my round.

From the very first tee, I proceed to drive myself crazy, pull my hair out and struggle to maintain a semblance of sanity. For the next four hours or so, I struggle to remain composed and to get through the round without doing or saying something that will truly embarrass. Even writing this makes me feel ridiculous.

Of course, by the time its all over and the gang is sitting at our regular dinning room table, we are trading stories, listening to Roger's exploits and sorting through everyone's excuses (while Mario tallies up the score and pays out the winnings). Good humour returns quickly and everybody has a few good natured comments, especially as money is passed around according to results. The usual calls of "shark" and "sand-bagger" get tossed around, as everyone questions each other's handicap.

If I admit to being a bit manic about my game, I must admit that I have won much more than I've lost over the years. I also enjoy the camaraderie of the tour and the sense of belonging that comes with membership.

So, is that why I play golf? I thought it might be when I first asked myself the question, but it isn't...

You see, I secretly dream of playing golf just about all the time. If I could pull it off, I would play every day. I am however (sadly) a VERY busy guy, with a number of important commitments. That, and because it snows were I live during the winter, makes it impossible for me to get out to the course more than once or twice every week on average. I spend some time in Florida during the winter, but that isn't as often as I would like. As a result, my game isn't as sharp as it could be... as if it ever is!

I recently pondered the question as I left Myrtle Beach, where I played yet another fabulous golf course poorly, I think I've figured it out why I love golf. It has everything to do with the photo on the cover of Flagstick Magazine.

Gary Player once said that we should consider ourselves fortunate for every hole on every course we get to play. Though I have not always agreed with that sentiment of gratitude, I am starting to understand it better.

Let me get to the point. To understand why I love golf, let your mind's eye follow me back to Myrtle Beach. Specifically, to Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. With its mossy trees, classic layout and lush landscape, it may be one of the most beautiful golf courses of its kind anywhere. I absolutely LOVE that place with all my heart, even if it doesn't always love me back.

And so it was, on a wet October day in 2007, that I played a very poor front nine holes of golf at Caledonia. I was at once in awe of the course and disgusted by my lack of game. Despite driving the ball well, I was struggling badly with my short game and making bogeys and double bogeys with frightening consistency. As I am prone to do, I started getting angry, which usually just makes matters worse.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I told my playing partners that I would rather they not keep my score for the back nine. I just wanted to play... I wanted to just take-in the course without the anxiety of trying to score.

The par 5 10th hole was the first I played without counting strokes (or at least without writing my score on paper). I made my first birdie of the day - of course. Incredible! I instantly started enjoying the course more and, despite still having my share of trouble on a few more holes, I would have scored very well on that back nine.

Which brings us to that gorgeous 18th hole!

A solid drive from the back tees will take you to the end of the fairway, leaving 120 to 150 yards (depending where you end up) across water. On any given day, there are hundreds of fish jumping... The view from the fairway takes you back in time, to a simpler era. The green is tucked against the plantation-style clubhouse, as you can see in the picture above.

Anyway, Richard is a regular in our usual Myrtle Beach three or foursome. He has prodigious length off the tee, consistently driving the ball over 300 yards (I've seen him drive a 400+ yard hole uphill during a tournament - its something to behold). On that day, he played a perfect drive with a slight draw to 120 yards. Picture perfect, really. To be safe, I followed up by aiming down the left side of the fairway, away from the water but trying to move the ball left to right. Unfortunately, my ball did not budge - it went straight as an arrow, which put me in the rough on the left of the fairway and 175 yards from the pin.

As mentioned, the second shot is over water to a narrow green, tucked in tightly beside the clubhouse. On that day, a large group of people were on the veranda facing the green that you see in the picture. I guess there was some sort of function being held there. My Dad went first. From the center of the fairway, he hit a solid second shot into the bunker to the left of the green. A smart miss away from the water that surrounds the rest of it. I was up next, but I was having trouble getting the correct yardage, so I yelled to Richard that he could go ahead. As I paced the yardage from the marker to my ball, I saw Richard's ball fly toward the pin. I watched as it landed ten or so feet past the pin, then spin back to about four feet. The crowd on the porch erupted in hoots and hollers. It sounded like Sunday at the US Open or a tame version of the Phoenix Open - at least it did to us. Now it was my turn. In the rough at 170-something yards, with a hundred or more onlookers. Good grief!

And here is why, despite all the heartache and frustration, despite being reminded on an almost constant basis that I am a flawed golfer and human being, that I go back time and again to tee it up. I stepped to the ball. Took one practise swing and... hit it. The sound that came off the face of my PING six iron was sweet and pure. I looked up and saw the ball heading perfectly toward the target. High and accurate. As I had asked it to do, the ball moved left to right, just enough. With a thud, the Titleist ProV1x hit the green, bounced once, checked and came to rest less than three feet from the pin. Finally and maybe for the first time that day, the ball did exactly what I had asked of it. With that single stroke of the club, all the bad holes, the frustration of scoring poorly on the front nine... it was all gone. THAT, I remember thinking, is why I play golf.

The crowd on the porch went wild...

___

The Masters - A Tale of Contrasts

Its Sunday morning at the Masters. The air is still cool and fresh at Augusta National Golf Club. Play has yet to start and I'm wandering around the course, taking-in the incredible scenery. No other golf tournament has so much tradition... no other tournament is played on such hallowed ground. Every blade of grass at Augusta National recounts the history of golf. If there is such a place, this is where the ghosts of golf's legends live. You can almost feel the presence of President Eisenhower watching, as the spirit of Bobby Jones floats through the hot Georgia breeze. There is nothing quite like it.


By 11am, there is a spattering of patrons mulling around. A few are busy staking out good spots for their green chairs. Once placed, a green chair will not be moved even if left empty for hours, a phenomenon unique to the Masters. Other patrons are slowly heading toward the 1st or 2nd holes, finding good vantage points to see golf's biggest stars, who will be teeing off in about an hour or so. All in all, things are still very quiet on the course.


As I meander behind the 14th green, looking up toward the clubhouse, I notice Steve Williams walking in my direction. In his trademark Valvoline blue tee-shirt, Tiger's caddie is checking on the course and taking notes in preparation for the final round of the Masters. We are, for a short moment, alone and in close proximity to each other.

When Williams is only a few feet away, I say "good luck to you and Tiger today Steve"...

With that, he brushes by me. He is obviously avoiding eye contact; close enough to shake my hand, but choosing instead to totally ignore me. Like a man raised in a barn, he did not acknowledge me or my words. A simple nod would have sufficed. Had it been someone else, I might have been insulted or surprised, but this is Steve Williams after all. What else would you expect? In my life, I've met heads of State, shared meals with Hall of Fame athletes, and had conversations with some of the top business people of our time. So, a snub from the guy who carries Tiger's golf clubs is certainly not a traumatic experience. I simply shrugged it off and chuckled at the ignorance of the man.


Hours later, on that same 14th hole, I would be standing against the ropes nearly half way down the fairway, at a spot where you can see the players hit their approach shot and also clearly see the green. We had all just cheered a great iron shot by Fred Couples and were waiting for Woods and Choi to arrive, when I noticed Tiger's mother walking behind us. She was surrounded by her usual entourage and clearly looking for a spot from where she could see Tiger play the hole. I signalled to her bodyguard that she was welcome to stand on the rope in front of me. She is a tiny woman and wouldn't block my view, but I knew she wouldn't possibly be able to see Tiger from behind the crowd. At our invitation, she slipped in front of my father and I.

Anyone who watched the Masters on Sunday will recall that Tiger had a rare brain cramp on that 14th green, three-putting from close range. When she saw that, Tiger's mother yelled "Oh! He is pissed off!" The moment was surreal.

My father and I looked at each other in shock and amusement. You just wouldn't expect that kind of language from a tiny older lady... Then, as if she had been entitled, she left without taking a second to thank us for making room for her up front. In fact, just like Steve Williams had done, she basically ignored me and the people around her.

All this to say that life has a way of repaying people for how they treat others. These are not major trespasses, but the way these people act shows a basic lack of upbringing and social grace. As the saying goes, money does not buy class.

Despite the fact that I am not a fan of Steve Williams, I was courteous enough to wish him luck when I came across him. Having been raised to respect people and to yield to a lady whenever appropriate, I was only happy to make room for Tiger's mother. Both Williams and Mrs Woods repaid me with ignorance and bad manners. Surrounded by the likes of these people, is there any wonder that Tiger Woods is such a miserable man who feels a sense of entitlement and that the rules of decency do not apply to him?

In contrast, I followed Phil Mickleson for several holes that afternoon, getting within a few feet of him, especially when he hit that incredible recovery shot from under a tree at the 10th hole. Faced with a potentially devastating miss that could have cost him the lead, Mickleson was gracious with fans, politely asking for the gallery to make room, thanking everyone and acknowledging his fans when he successfully hit the shot. In similar fashion, his caddie "Bones" was polite, saying please and thank you repeatedly. How difficult is that? For most civilized people, it is second nature to be courteous.

The same can be said of the diminutive Mrs Choi, a lovely lady who chatted with us on two occasions, as she followed KJ. She was also gracious and thankful, especially when we let her stand in front of us at the ropes.

In all the years that I've followed the game of golf, I have had the privilege to meet a number of PGA Tour players and caddies. Most are warm, genuine people. Even some of golf's biggest stars will show tremendous grace, respect, patience and warmth. As has been said many times, golf is a gentleman's game.

In contrast, the Tiger Woods clan seems more and more embattled and miserable. Woods appears to me as an island unto himself, surrounded by water but dying of thirst.

As such, aside from the spectacular golf we witnessed and the compelling stories that emerged, this year's Masters tournament will stand as a study in contrasts, between the classy and thankful family man who won the event and the miserable super star who fell short... and who has fallen short in more ways than one for quite a while now.

Thoughts from Augusta

Great leaderboard at Augusta. This is going to be a great two days of golf. I feel fortunate to see it live from the Masters... A few thoughts before the weekend...

1) Whether he means it or not, I think Tiger's new friendly demeanor on the course is a welcome change. If anything, it may actually help his game. Bobby Jones found inner peace, after being a legendary jerk on the course early on. I hope Tiger has changed his stripes for good.

2) I spent a while at John Daly's motorhome today. Picked-up a bunch of Daly gear including his golf bag from Mayakoba... Shagadelic! John and Anna are just good people; warm, friendly and genuine. Daly looks great, frankly... it is just a matter of time until he contends again. You can just tell.

3) Is anyone else thrilled by Freddie Couples playing so well? As fun as the kids are to watch sometimes, I love the veterans! Word is that his back is sore...

4) Lee Westwood has been knocking at the door for a long time. Does he have the finish required to wear a green jacket - only he knows. The Brits are making a bug push these days... even Sandy!

Talk soon!

Weather on Tour an Inconvenient Truth

The weather seemed horrible last summer, didn't it? Some would say it was even worse throughout the winter. So far, spring has shown us more of the same... From the US Open to the Canadian Open, rain has poured on golfers like never before.

Off the top of my head, I can think of only a few events that were not meaningfully affected by weather during the last twelve months. The Viking Classic, for example, never even got off the ground! Feel free to correct me, but it certainly seems like the worst weather we've seen on tour in a generation!

Case in point, just last week the Bay Hill Invitational was forced to stretch play well into Monday, after thunderstorms and rain forced a stop on Sunday.





In Europe, the rain has been pouring just as much on tournaments - a condition that has been compounded by cold weather. You will only rarely see a European Tour event that doesn't air footage of players wearing full rain gear and/or cold weather wind shirts, playing under a grey sky.





But, the cold has certainly not been limited to Europe. The Southern United States has been hit with brutal weather as well. Canadian "snowbirds", who usually head South during the winter, in order to avoid the cold (and to play golf, of course) were greeted with frigid temperatures last October as far south as Miami - and it really never improved. One friend called it the worst winter he's ever seen - and he's seen a few...

I can certainly confirm that, when I spent time in Florida this past January, I was waking to frost on the ground in Orlando and needed to wear heavy clothing when I travelled to Miami (for the Dolphins vs Steelers game). In fact, I didn't play a single round of golf while I was there, despite spending a few days at Doral... still incredible to me.

Moreover, courses all over the South have suffered from the bad weather. One has only to watch the Haney Project on television to see the patchiness. In fact, I'm told by avid golfers that the Southern US is littered with blotchy fairways and damaged greens.

What really struck me was that, with only a few months before the Masters, these photos were taken of a snow-covered Augusta National golf course. I don't know how often THAT happens, but it can't be a regular occurrence. Luckily, the geniuses that maintain the grounds (to those extraordinary standards) already have the place in immaculate condition for the Masters.

The point is, the oddity of weather conditions this year is undeniable.




So it is that, as the saying goes, "when it rains it pours!" This image of a snow-covered course in Georgia is really nothing more than a snapshot of a sport that has struggled to keep its head above water all year, in weather but in other ways too.

Fighting a financial crisis that threatens the viability of some tournaments and with its biggest star rocked by personal scandal, the last thing professional golf needs now is to find itself at the mercy of mother nature week after week.

I'm not an environmentalist by any stretch. I certainly try to respect the environment, but generally I don't support the Gore notion of man-made weather and I don't subscribe to the enviro-cult of "think Green". But, as a friend said recently: "man, you gotta wonder!?"

Call it El Nino, or blame it on an unhealthy attachment to fossil fuels - something is very wrong in the sky this year and it makes the likelihood of five consecutive days of nice weather seem unreasonable to expect!

The PGA Tour requires tournaments to be played over almost a full week. Its really that simple. Forget the gate receipts, sponsors pay a small ransom for the pro-ams that are played in the days before the actual tournament. These events raise huge sums of money for charities, but they also fulfill basic requirements of sponsors, who are asking more from golfers and of tournaments as a return on their considerable investment.

While it is trivial to the final result, these peripheral events are actually the backbone of how the PGA pays its players and how the sport remains viable.

As it pertains to the actual tournament, Thursday and Friday are played with large fields of players trying to make the cut. As is often the case when bad weather hits a tournament early-on (as was the case at Bethpage), it can cause panic. If nothing else, it kills the flow of an otherwise perfectly planned event, especially when weather cuts time in half (or worse). It may become a bit easier to manage the field after the cut has been made, but then you also fight a worse enemy - the loss of public interest.

In fact, I don't know anyone who likes to watch golfers play in the pouring rain, even at the Open Championship in Britain (where it always rains). Part of the appeal is the natural beauty of the course and the aesthetics that surrounds the game. If a beautiful sunny picture paints a thousand words, then a wet grey picture paints only one word... blah!

I'm sure that ratings are directly impacted by weather, if anyone cares to check. But, the impact on fan interest is far worse when a tournament can't finish on time. How many people watched the conclusion of the Bay Hill Invitational, after the finish was pushed into Monday morning? Whatever the exact answer, it was most likely less than a third of the audience that would have watched on Sunday. The cost of that is immeasurable.

When golf is in a fight for relevancy, the return of Ernie Els as a legitimate powerhouse and his dogfight with Kevin Na was an important event to showcase. It would have been a good shot in the arm, had it played itself out during prime weekend television coverage... Not so much, when aired on Monday morning.

Obviously, there isn't much anyone can do about it, except maybe hope for the sun to shine and for a break in the trend to emerge SOON. But, weather does what weather wants. I'm going to hope for the best at the Masters, but I'm planning for the worst and bringing a sweater and some rain gear. Better yet, I'll buy something green at the gift shop!

Weather, as Al Gore put it, is just an inconvenient truth...

Michelle Wie and the Crazy rules of Golf!

Now listen... I know that there is a flood of tweets and blog commentary that is squarely against Michelle Wie in this case. I also understand that she has been in trouble with rules violations before, but COME ON!?

When does common sense and fairness in golf prevail over the minor vicissitudes of play! Do we want the best player to win tournaments, or do we want some meaningless judgement to decide the winner?

This is much like the moronic rule that would see a player disqualified from a tournament for not properly signing their scorecard - in purple ink, while hopping on one leg and chanting to the scented candle on the score keepers desk, right after Boo Weekley has added your score up all wrong, of course! ...or something like that.

Sometimes, wrong is wrong and sometimes wrong is just... well, not such a big deal. I have enough stress from yelling at football officials and hockey officials without having to worry about Golf!!!

Having said this, here is a link to a more learned opinion than mine. http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2010/03/the-rule-guys-take-on-wies-penalty.html

The #1 Ball Launches "Ball Fitter"

Ever wonder if you should use a hard ball for distance, or a softer ball for touch around the greens? Perhaps something in between? Do you need more spin or less? As our friends at Titleist point out, the only thing every hole has in common is your ball. So, to help you decide what type of ball you need for your game, they have launched a new interactive ball fitting tool.

Every hole on a course may have its own characteristics, so we play every hole using a different combination of clubs and a variety of shots. More importantly, golfers at different levels and different ages will approach the game quite differently.

A scratch golfer will not play a hole quite like someone with a 20 handicap, so the priority in a ball's characteristics would certainly be quite different. As such, it may be the most important tool in your bag.

For example, I play a Titleist Pro V1 90% of the time, because it helps most with my short game. Drive for show, putt for dough, as they say. I also prefer the feel of that ball against the face of my Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport II putter. The exception is when a course is wet, or if playing in Canada in the spring when the greens are softer. Then, I can get away with a harder ball to take advantage of the longer drives and still attack the pin.

All this to say that despite the fact that we get caught starring like deer in headlights at this year's new drivers, new iron sets, wedges and putters, we are guilty of buying used balls and/or whatever is on sale.

Despite growing competition from a number of manufacturers (there are new and improved designs at Srixon and Bridgestone to name just two), the Titleist Pro V1 remains the most popular ball on tour, because of its "feel" around the greens. Subject of a technical redesign last year, the new grooves rule on tour has put more emphasis on spin.

The question is, what ball is right for you as a golfer? Titleist has launched a new ball fitting tool. Give it a try and see what you find: http://www.titleist.com/ballfitting/

Long Bombers - Volume 1 - Bubba Watson

Did Bubba become king of the PGA long drivers BECAUSE of his name? You almost have to wonder... chicken/egg, egg/chicken?? Whatever the case may be, this man has the perfect name to match his prodigious length off the tee. Anyone who can bomb a ball as far as Bubba Watson should, from this day forward, be referred to as "a Bubba!"

Maybe we'll take it to a vote some day.

With his trademark pink shafts, this PING man has been at the top of the tour (give or take one spot) for longest average driving distance since 2006. Before that, he held the undisputed title at the Nationwide Tour in 2005 as well. His distance is legendary and he has been known to bomb balls well over 400 yards on a consistent basis! If courses allowed for it by design, Watson's average would probably skyrocket.

I first took serious notice of Bubba Watson, after an article appeared in Golf Digest, which described the struggles Watson experiences trying to stay focused throughout an entire round, due to the slow pace of play on the PGA tour. Watson has an active mind, which makes it hard for him to remain in the moment when play drags on, as it often does. This may explain how, sometimes from a position of relative strength, Watson will sometimes make unexplained unforced errors. I share that trait and it instantly made me sympathetic to him...

Whatever his issues, Bubba Watson is exceptional - especially from a statistical point of view. Despite using a driver with 6.5 degrees of loft, he launches the ball at a stunning 16 degree angle, which is several degrees more than the tour average. He also manages to do this with a very low spin rate and a club head speed of over 120 miles per hour. This allows Bubba Watson the ability to rocket balls at just under 200 miles/hr. No kidding! The numbers are staggering, frankly.

Despite the obvious focus on distance when talking about Bubba Watson, we would surely be remiss not to point out that there is much more to his game than length. Perhaps what sets him apart from most other so-called bombers, is his ability to dramatically shape his shots in any direction. If you can call it that, his "usual" ball flight is high, but his signature shot is a very low fade that Watson calls a "dink cut" (don't ask me why?!) He has also been known to play a number of spectacular hooks and outright slices as well, when called upon to do so.

With a Chi Chi Rodriguez like talent, Watson exhibits a "feel" for shots that is all but lost on tour, especially as the focus of equipment makers and golf teachers has moved away from the type of homegrown improvised swing that Watson has mastered. Indeed, as Watson himself explained in that Golf Digest interview, he has never taken lessons, or had a golf coach. Like other virtuosos with unusual swings (like Jim Furyk), Bubba Watson grooved his own swing path and found a way to make the golf ball do spectacular things.

This should stand as somewhat of a lesson to the golf establishment. Today's young golfers tend to emanate from golf schools, summer camps and junior teaching programs that have shifted the emphasis away from feel toward an almost zealous quest for technical perfection. As such, the sport is generating many golfers with very repeatable swings, but who are far too mechanical and who often lack the ability to improvise. Like classic golfers of old, Bubba Watson works the course from all angles and in any kind of difficult condition.

In such a technically driven environment, Bobby Jones would probably have been criticized for having too much lower body movement, for using too much hands and for bringing the club back well past parallel. These are all the same things you'll hear commentators point out about Bubba Watson. But, the proof is in the pudding...

As we start the 2010 season, Bubba's game seems sharp and we would not be surprised if he claimed his first victory soon. Only a few months in, Watson has two top 5 finishes and is on pace to triple his earnings. As he has always done, Watson is finding a way to figure it out on his own.

Off the course, Bubba Watson can often be found on Twitter, posting a picture or two and blasting one or two words in response to friends or fans. Despite his reputation for having a short fuse and a lack of patience, one quickly realizes that Watson is a kind and charitable guy, who also takes great pride in his deep Christian faith. Bubba has also been known to have a bit of a sense of humor, as you can see at http://bit.ly/bro5QY

At 6'3", Bubba Watson is a tall man, but not quite as tall as his beautiful wife Angie, who stands a few inches taller than him. Angie is an accomplished athlete herself, having played professional basketball and maintaining a single-digit golf handicap. She describes Bubba as being "amazingly talented in almost anything he tries".

The more I learn about Bubba Watson, the more that comes as no surprise...

Exemptions! First Sam Saunders, Now Another Black Eye for the PGA

We at Golf Grooves have been critical of exemptions granted on the basis of nepotism to Arnold Palmer's grandson, while veterans like Duval, DiMarco and Daly get bumped from tournaments.  Now, Finchem is accused of showing a bias for Elkington, as he sends out a memo to tournaments on his behalf.  Will this cost Finchem his job?  Maybe it should...

Check out this link - I simply could not have written it any better!  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100323/ap_on_sp_go_ne/glf_finchem_memo

Frustration! Some Days it is Hard to be a Fan!

Some days, I just want to quit following golf altogether! I don't even think its worth mentioning that I am sick and tired of being subjected to the Tiger saga, day after day after day after day - for far too long already. Every minute of every event and every Golf Channel segment seems to focus on it. Every XM and Sirius radio host goes on and on about it. It is unbearable! It boggles my mind how they just can't understand that people are saturated and sick of it! This isn't to say that Tiger Woods has no fans, or that I particularly dislike him. I recognize him as being the best golfer and I wish him nothing but the best. But, please shut up about it... at least until he actually plays a round in a tournament!

In fact, the only break we ever seem to get is when the programing switches to John Daly's reality show, or the Hank Haney Project (when Hank isn't plugging the fact that he's Tiger's coach, of course).

Having said that, the new Hank Haney project is not very good... Hank may be a great coach, but Charles Barkley made up for what Haney lacked in on-screen energy during the last version of the show. I can't blame Hank, because who could have known that Ray Romano would be so impossible to like? This guy is not funny at all - a bit of a wet noodle so far, actually. You can almost feel the frustration Hank has toward the guy. All I can say is: "Hey Ray, shut up and listen to Hank, you neurotic man!" Argh!

So, at best I may tune in for the last show, to see if Haney actually manages to help Ray more than he "didn't" help Chuck, but I doubt I will.

If you ask me, the only compelling program on the Golf Channel so far this year has been "Being John Daly". In fact, the whole premise appealed to me, when I first heard about it through Daly himself. Finally, the Golf Channel would be giving golf fans something to get behind! One of the most popular golfers of all time is taking meaningful steps to turn things around and regain his place as an elite golfer. Sounds like a great theme for a show!

In case you've lived on Mars since the 1990, you should already know that John Daly has more talent than most other golfers combined. I've been told as much by people who have seen him play many times from inside the ropes and who know the sport better than I do. Having said that, Daly's lifestyle has often been in the way of his career and he has slipped a very long way, so the journey back to the winner's circle is promising to be a long and interesting ride. Hence the idea for the show, undoubtedly.

After three episodes, I can report that it has been even better than anticipated.

At a time when the LPGA is struggling to keep sponsors, at a time when the PGA has a number of contracts to renew, at a time when sponsors want more interaction with players, and a time when golf fans are begging for a reason to watch golf, John Daly is a draw... He attracts viewers and he bends over backwards for sponsors, he sells merchandise and he sells tickets.

So what does the PGA establishment do? You bet!!! After three consecutive cuts made and real signs that John Daly's game is starting to come around, tournaments stop inviting him! The exemptions dry up. It is the ultimate cosmic joke, isn't it?! Daly isn't part of the Tavistock Cup of course, and obviously doesn't qualify for the Masters this year. Add to that the fact that Arnold Palmer didn't invite him and the Shell Houston Open also did not grant him an exemption and we won't be seeing Daly play in any event for a month, maybe more.

Perhaps I'm just being morose, because I feel bad for Daly who is really working hard. But, knowing what I know, I have no desire to watch golf at all. In particular, I refuse to watch Arnold Palmer's Invitational.

As I have said before, the many exemptions given to Arnold's grandson Sam Saunders (to a growing number of tournaments), at a time when veterans like John Daly, David Duval, Rocco Mediate, Steve Elkington, Chris DiMarco and others are all in need of exemptions, makes me resentful. The fact that nobody at any golf media outlet has had the courage to say a damn thing about it is shameful.

But rather than beat a dead dog any more, I just feel like turning the channel. Maybe I'll catch a little hockey, or maybe bowling for dollars. I have my passes to the Masters, of course, and will be there to walk Augusta National, but until then I'm not sure I want anything to do with this sport for a while.

I will undoubtedly feel better in the morning, but tonight... I don't feel like a fan of golf at all.

Life Hasn't Always Been Easy for the Big Easy

With a brilliant display of golf and a final round of 66, Ernie Els hoisted a PGA trophy for the first time in two years, as he won the WGC this March at Doral. In the best form we've seen from Els in years, he left no question that his game is perfectly grooved for the upcoming 2010 season and, more specifically, for next month's Masters. Already with 17 wins on the PGA Tour and more than 60 victories worldwide, Els has been a prolific winner and a true force to be reckoned with for the best part of two decades.

But, despite much success as an athlete (Els was also a champion tennis player and accomplished at every sport he played as a youth), there is no question that life has not always been easy for the Big Easy.

Since a major knee injury interrupted his career in 2006, Els has struggled to regain the form that made him one of the world's best golfers. All things considered, ACL surgery was small potatoes, when compared to the shock suffered when son Ben was born with Autism. Now 7 years old, Ben was fortunate to be born to parents who are driven and strong... The Els family has been dedicated to raising money and awareness of/for autism ever since.

It is a wonder that Ernie has been able to remain a solid family man, father, advocate for Autism and champion golfer for all these years. With that in mind, it is no wonder that he remains one of golf's most admired men and beloved characters.

As the clock ticks down to the Masters, we can't help but hope that Els will be able to bring his unique blend of power and finesse to that venue. It will be an added bonus for fans to watch as Ernie takes on his arch rival Tiger Woods.

It is not a mystery that there is absolutely no love lost between Ernie and Tiger. The two have exchanged barbs several times over the years. Recently, for example, Els called Woods selfish, while Woods previously accused Els of not working hard enough to recover fully from his knee injury.

At a time when golf needs a shot in the arm, a renewed rivalry between two of golf's giants would be a welcome turn of events.

Who is YOUR Favorite Golfer and Why?

I thought it might be fun to hear from YOU... the true golf fans. We all have our favorite golfers; men and/or women we admire either for their skill, their flair, their entertainment value, or for other less obvious reasons. Clic on the link and take a minute to tell us who your favorite is and why...

When Slow and Steady Wins the Race

I love it when a good guy wins.

But, don't let the quiet demeanor fool you, Jim Furyk is out to win, week in and week out. A well rounded athlete, who also played some pretty good basketball in his younger days, his professional golf record reads as one of the most consistent and second only to Tiger Woods. The number of top ten finishes speaks for itself. A perennial $4 million dollar winner (or more) every year, including a $7 million dollar peak in 2006, Furyk deserves his spot as one of the best golfers of his generation.

This is an amazing fact, when you consider that Furyk is not particularly long off the tee, nor is he recognized as "the best" in any specific category. The thing is... he does nothing poorly.

I had the chance to see it for myself, when Jim won the Canadian Open for the second time in 2007. I followed him from hole to hole on Sunday and marvelled at how deadly accurate he was. He was embroiled in a close battle versus arch rival Vijay Singh (then at his peak). The cool, slow and unemotional course management and razor sharp execution reminded me of surgery. In fact, if Freddie Couples has always reminded me of a smooth lawyer, Jim Furyk has always come across as a guy who could have been a surgeon.

Always on the right side of every fairway, approaching every pin from the smart side, good putts that always have a chance and are almost never left short. The man just seems intelligent and cool in the face of everything. Consistency is Jim Furyk's trademark...

Sure, nobody will ever mistake Jim Furyk for Ian Poulter. He will never be very flamboyant, but he works the course and grinds out every stroke. He may never give you a fist pump or get excited and spike his hat, nor will you see him throw his putter or utter a profanity.

A client of mine once gave me a big turtle carved out of jade as a gift. At first, I was not sure what to make of it. This lovely Asian lady explained that the turtle is revered in Chinese culture, for its dogged determination and tireless work. "How strong is a turtle, that it always carries a heavy burden on its back, but never complains nor congratulates itself?" Isn't that Jim Furyk through and through?

Like it has been said so many times before, slow and steady wins the race...

One of my Favorite Images - The Islesworth Bull

Hard to Watch - Even Harder to Understand

Although I suspect that certain people enjoy watching Tiger Woods suffer, I find it tough to see someone of that stature fall so far. Maybe Tiger Woods needed to be knocked off his pedestal, but it is hard to understand how anyone could enjoy seeing a man surrounded by so much self-inflicted grief.

Tiger Woods "the golfer" is an exceptional, almost mystical figure. We have witnessed all the glory and the dominance. With his ability, obvious since he was only a child, Tiger Woods will still certainly be remembered as the best golfer of all time.

Tiger Woods "the man" however is still a mess. His life is a series of question marks and frankly the interview today is just further proof of that.

Part of me wishes I could still "like" Tiger Woods, but I find it almost impossible. He just isn't my type of guy. This isn't about whether or not he is flawed, because I recognize that we are all flawed in some way - even people with extraordinary talent in one way lack in some other way. As I have written before, I can disregard almost any past transgressions to anyone who seems genuine and grounded. I have never felt that from Tiger. I can't relate...

Then, there is the lingering feeling that this is all a big show. I have had media training. I know the techniques that consultants teach people who are faced with questions and I understand the process that allows someone like Tiger Woods to deal with uncomfortable media situations. As such, I recognized that most of the answers seemed prepared again during his interview today. Tiger appeared well rehearsed and his repetitive theme sounded heavily scripted.

Having said that, Tiger Woods faced some serious questions - questions he is not really obliged to answer. Whether you accept answers such as "it was all in the police report", or believe anything he had to say for that matter, it must be gut wrenching for a man like Tiger Woods to face the world in this particular light. The word "humbled" comes to mind...

The stark reality is that Tiger has lost more than just a few lucrative sponsors. And, though we are often quick to judge, we must remember that HE is the one who lives with the loss of tremendous public support and respect, he is the one who has become the late-night punch line, he is the one who must face his wife, face his mother, face his friends, and face the world to a certain extent, while wearing his sins across his chest.

So, even if I am not prepared to "like" Tiger Woods, I am also no longer willing to persecute him. As Frank Nobilo said, we can not canonize him for having done this interview, but we can accept that these are steps that he is taking to begin rehabilitating his career and his life.

As he returns to competitive golf, the backlash is really only just beginning. The tough part is not behind him - not by a long shot. It will be interesting to see if Tiger Woods can behave with the utmost grace now, in the face of the unspeakable rudeness he will almost surely encounter.

That is but part of the price he will pay for having had all his flaws publicly exposed.