Hello again everybody! It’s been a while since I last wrote and I thought that no time was better than the present. Having just gotten home from Florida (again) I feel like there is a fire to write. It was a chance to give you all a break from my many posts and the end result is that I feel fresh and ready to go. So what’s new and exciting in golf?
It’s really tough to ignore the obvious. As we drove home from the Sunshine State the route progressed up the I-95 through places like St. Augustine, FL and Savannah, GA. After merging later onto the I-26 it was hard not to think about the soon to be approaching I-20 which of course leads to Augusta, GA and that magical corner of our galaxy called Augusta National home of “Magnolia Lane” and The Masters. Groundhogs aside, The Masters marks the first true sign that spring has arrived. I have yet to visit the hallowed grounds where the food and their respective prices (pimento cheese sandwiches $1.50) are almost as legendary as “Amen Corner”. But I will get to go one day. I had the chance to attend a practice round a couple of years ago and a glitch in their system and an address error resulted in losing my allotment. I haven’t been selected since but 2018 will be my year. Looking at the field, it’s hard not to pick World #1 Dustin Johnson to win his first “Green Jacket”. Between his power and significantly improved short game DJ has all of the tools needed to win his first of what could be a few Green Jackets. Who else is there? Yes, I could pick any one of Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth or Jason Day. All of who are very good choices. But what about guys outside of the box? Nationality having nothing to do with it I said prior to his win a few weeks ago that Adam Hadwin has what it takes. Look for Brandt Snedeker to be in the hunt and Jon Rahm to be there too! Cheers for Fred Couples will be heard throughout the grounds and you never know what another Champion (Bernhard Langer) could do because Augusta always produces magic from the past. Masters Sunday will soon be here.
As far as Major tournaments go the first for the LPGA was held this past weekend. Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA played host to the ANA Inspiration as it does annually. The big news when the dust… or shall I say “dust storm” settled was that So Yeon Ryu won in 2017 in a sudden-death playoff. However, the huge news was that another gaff (the third in less than a year) saw another Major Championship in golf be effected by yet another avoidable rules situation. This after all of the positive and encouraging decisions recently by the R&A and USGA to “modernize” the game. Isn’t technology a wonderful thing? No longer do you have to pick up a phone to advise rules officials of their erroneous ways. With the advent of the internet now you can e-mail them instead. This is what happened to Lexi Thompson this past weekend. Somebody from the comfort of their sofa while presumably ingesting Sangria and saucy Chicken Wings (whilst wiping the excess sauce off onto their white tank top) took it upon themselves to e-mail the LPGA stating that Lexi had misplaced her ball… by less than a freaking inch!!! So e-mail received and out go two rules officials to the television compound to examine the DNA. Observations made they trudge out onto the course… the 12th hole. As Lexi was walking off of the 12th with a 2-stroke lead they inform her (I would be embarrassed to be the bearer of the news) that she was assessed a 4-stroke penalty… from the day before. Two strokes for placing her ball in the wrong spot and another two for turning in an improper scorecard. Allow me to cut to the chase.
Fans, I have a simple request. For the love of all things right in this world stop calling or e-mailing the various golf organizations perceived violations of rules. These events have rules officials and they are employed for a reason. More importantly however… let the player’s police themselves. In no other sport has a championship been won or lost by an armchair quarterback at home who felt it was their duty and moral obligation to step-up and point out a blown call that cost a championship. Imagine if you will, the NFL receiving a call from a fan that pointed out a rules discrepancy… which prompts them to overturn a call and a victory into a loss. I’m guessing you that can’t because that scenario simply wouldn’t happen. So please… stop it! #LeaveGolfAlone
Before I finish up this piece I just want to bring you up to speed on upcoming reviews. Look for articles coming up on K-Vest, GelTees, Biion Footwear, Swing Wizzard, TaylorMade Golf, SwingOil, Skechers Golf and so much more.
Until The Next Tee!
The Next Tee (TNT) 