Old Course 2027 and Walker Cup ticket info updates. Plus, Waugh opines, Sprague is opposed to rollback, Inverness gets more tweaks, Nicklaus turns 85, This, That, Listens and Reads.
Wadkin’s comment about how the former Ryder Cup captains were treated by the current players in Rome tells you all you need to know. Greedy narcissists.
It was quite the contrast, though in Sprague's defense he's not even in the job yet and Seth is in the not giving a hoot mode. But if Sprague's answer on distance sticks to old, tired and refutable stuff, he may take more heat than he expected.
"Not even in the job yet" isn't really a defense if one accepts PGA of America's logic that Sprague's past experience as its president, etc., etc., makes him the perfect choice for this point in time. He dodged too many questions he could have been ready to answer without "reviewing data" if he was as plugged-in as advertised.
Geoff, good stuff, as always. As someone who has spent many years in the golf industry, I have read or been part of discussions where there are so many comments by golf "leaders," and it is the same BS over and over. However, it is refreshing to read Waugh's candid comments and open up and say things others don't have the guts to say. Mike Whan is the exception. He is the best thing that has happened to the USGA in decades. A true leader in golf. On the other hand, Sprague shows once again that many of the golf "leaders" are so out of touch with your average golfer, who makes up the VAST majority of those who play the game. I may lose my job because of my comments, but we all need to be authentic in what truly matters to golf.
Thanks Matt. Yes it was nice to read Seth unplugged. He is a nice man so when he is critical of people who I know he sees a lot and respects, the comments come with even more punch. I would agree that Mike Whan has become trusted thanks to his candor. Like Martin Slumbers, he's also shown a willingness to change his mind when presented with research and data by his staff (both were not fond of distance rule changes when they started their tenures but changed their minds when presented the full case). Sadly, Sprague is the ultimate company man and a vast majority of PGA pros sadly just want free ProV's to keep coming.
Thanks, Geoff. I agree with your points. BTW - I just purchased the latest magazine. I have read others and look forward to the new issue. Take care of those in LA.
I agree with Waugh that the LIV telecasts are unwatchable. The graphics are hideous. If they removed all the gaudy colors and just displayed a CBS style minimal presentation it would be much improved. Maybe Fox will improve it.
The TGL is not much better. Rich pros faking a sense of humor – this will be gone in 18 months.
I can’t wait for the Masters – the first tournament this year I really care about.
I would defend the LIV show's in that they have some excellent production values and course-related graphics, largely unnoticed because of the unlistenable broadcast team and length of the shows. The time windows this year give a hint that maybe they realize all five hours of the shotgun don't need to be televised. If only they went to courses anyone wants to play or watch!
And the whole thing is over in less than 5 hours. Also all the players can be shown unlike the PGAT WHERE some of the big names are off the course before the major broadcast begins.
I know you love it, but it just hasn't worked at all and I can't fathom what producer Keith Hirshland has on his plate when all the people are on the course at the same time. I loved the concept that LIV stole from the Premier Golf team, but now having seen it play out, it's rough from a TV storytelling standpoint. Shorter days are great and maybe it'll get better on Fox when they just give up trying to show anyone but the leaders and leading teams.
Whether "all the players can be shown" on TV is immaterial in a legitimate competition. That is not to say that current PGAT golf broadcasts are not largely unwatchable. Shotgun starts are fine for a scramble hit-and-giggle, especially when four A-players expect to shoot a 52 on a short course and feel good about their mad skills. But that is not tournament golf.
A stipulated round should start on hole #1 and proceed to hole #18. Let's use an example everyone here can appreciate. The Masters begins on a difficult but straightforward par-4. The second hole is a birdie hole unless you hook your tee shot badly or flare it way right or get a bad lie in the fairway bunker. The third hole is short with a devilish green, but par is expected of everyone who doesn't try to drive the green. Even par could he a bad score after starting on 1-2-3.
Now, imagine you begin with Trevino's Triangle, 4-5-6. The fourth hole, played from the "new" tee all the way back past the third green is very difficult, but let's make it even harder with a west wind of 20 mph. The fifth hole, with the tee now on the other side of what was previously Berckmans Road is somewhat less difficult but scary with that wind coming off the right. Now, go to the sixth, with the hole cut on the back right platform. Hold that shot with the 20-mph wind down and hard from the left. 2-over might be a good start on that day if you begin with #4. And then you proceed to the "new" seventh hole, still with the five bunkers surrounding the green...
Golf is a 4-dimensional problem to be solved, and it should be solved in the same sequence, but not necessarily in the same way, by all competitors.
I had a chance to play Inverness Club again in May, 2023 and for the first time since Andrew Green's work was completed. The transformation is remarkable and well worth playing. The reference to "Duffer's Bunkers" and Donald Ross' habit of frequently including them or other hazards seemingly out of play is accurate. They were actually called DH's or duffers headaches or "topped shot bunkers." In Ross' day, fairways were often hard and this was a way to penalize a mishit shot which could otherwise run a long way. Sadly, many of these hazards have been removed over the years but they are selectively being added back during Ross course restoration work.
Thanks Brad, really good to hear. It's such a great property and design, though I'll admit it looks a little more manufactured and barren than I'd hoped. Not that I think the tree clearing was wrong (the Christmas trees and Fazio holes were awful). I'm looking forward to the U.S. Women's Open there. Should be a great one.
Great update Geoff. Can’t wait for the Walker Cup. Fortunately for me, and with heartfelt thanks to the Quad, I will be a volunteer Course Marshall for the Walker Cup at Cypress Point. It will be a dream come true to set foot on that property.
Great to hear Ed. It should be a special event! I hope the USGA can find ways to get as many people on the property but it's a tough one. Hopefully the television coverage will blow it out of the water so those who don't make it there get to take it all in with 4k friendly visuals.
I didn't fully sense that, in fact I thought his answer on the time to make the deal and mistakes made was brutal. I agree the May date has not been better going on ratings or making the major calendar better, but the PGA seems quite happy with it. We'll see in the coming years how the weather is in Philly, Dallas, etc...
The PGA lost a good one in Seth Waugh with wide and deep knowledge...not being in favor of rolling back the golf ball is akin to denying global warming. Until the ball is rolled back for the Pros, the size of drivers is rolled back AND the length of putters is limited to 36 inches I'm out, a pox on all their houses. Not interested in watching greedy short sighted man children take forever to hit a golf shot...out for now. BTW there's lots of snow in SC mmmmm
It really is quite a thing to watch people who know better cling to stuff about any rollback being a danger that would thwart growth or pleasure playing the game after it was the pandemic, shorter work weeks, Topgolf, etc. and NOT expensive equipment that drove new participation.
“I don't mean LIV broadcasts are the model because they’re unwatchable.
I know I am probably in the minority here, but this was way too extreme of a comment by a smart guy. Reasonable people have to believe that having Jim Nance in the booth is not the only way to broadcast a golf tournament. LIV broadcast also gives more shots per minute than the PGA or SR PGA broadcasts will ever show.
Thanks Geoff, and I appreciate the info on the Walker Cup. I hope to get lucky when the time comes. I was very fortunate to play Cypress 30 years ago and I would love to walk the course again. I went to the 2009 Walker Cup at Merion and it was great fun. I hope you are safe out there as I see there have been more fires.
I don't know Derek Sprague at all, and I could be speaking well out of turn here, but is it reasonable to be feeling a certain amount of gloom/despair/foreboding/anxiety about his appointment?
I just voted in a poll asking readers if they approved of the rollback. After voting 'Yes' (and adding "Of course there should be a rollback and much bigger than what's been proposed" in my head), I noticed only 27% of fellow respondees agreed. We are fighting an uphill battle for sure.
I've played the Duke's Course a couple of times, and enjoyed it well enough. Given that he designed it and won the Open in St. Andrews, I think 'The Thomson' would be fitting.
Regarding the death of the designer of the Mustang ... Attended the 1964 World's Fair with my girlfriend... Got to sit in a Mustang ... Wow ... Bucket seats ... Stick shift on the floor ... Back seat was a tight fit for two.
Shortly thereafter got dumped for a guy with a Pontiac Grand Prix ... I had a Studebaker Lark ... It must have been the bigger back seat in the Pontiac 😁
Is it a $500K donation to "The Cup" foundation in exchange for a ticket? I kid, slightly, I signed up to volunteer but wasnt selected. I guess I wasn't worthy of trash duty.
Wadkin’s comment about how the former Ryder Cup captains were treated by the current players in Rome tells you all you need to know. Greedy narcissists.
Waugh's answers to Golfweek journalist questions: candid brilliance.
Sprague's answers to Golfweek journalist questions: word salad.
It was quite the contrast, though in Sprague's defense he's not even in the job yet and Seth is in the not giving a hoot mode. But if Sprague's answer on distance sticks to old, tired and refutable stuff, he may take more heat than he expected.
"Not even in the job yet" isn't really a defense if one accepts PGA of America's logic that Sprague's past experience as its president, etc., etc., makes him the perfect choice for this point in time. He dodged too many questions he could have been ready to answer without "reviewing data" if he was as plugged-in as advertised.
Geoff, good stuff, as always. As someone who has spent many years in the golf industry, I have read or been part of discussions where there are so many comments by golf "leaders," and it is the same BS over and over. However, it is refreshing to read Waugh's candid comments and open up and say things others don't have the guts to say. Mike Whan is the exception. He is the best thing that has happened to the USGA in decades. A true leader in golf. On the other hand, Sprague shows once again that many of the golf "leaders" are so out of touch with your average golfer, who makes up the VAST majority of those who play the game. I may lose my job because of my comments, but we all need to be authentic in what truly matters to golf.
Thanks Matt. Yes it was nice to read Seth unplugged. He is a nice man so when he is critical of people who I know he sees a lot and respects, the comments come with even more punch. I would agree that Mike Whan has become trusted thanks to his candor. Like Martin Slumbers, he's also shown a willingness to change his mind when presented with research and data by his staff (both were not fond of distance rule changes when they started their tenures but changed their minds when presented the full case). Sadly, Sprague is the ultimate company man and a vast majority of PGA pros sadly just want free ProV's to keep coming.
Thanks, Geoff. I agree with your points. BTW - I just purchased the latest magazine. I have read others and look forward to the new issue. Take care of those in LA.
I agree with Waugh that the LIV telecasts are unwatchable. The graphics are hideous. If they removed all the gaudy colors and just displayed a CBS style minimal presentation it would be much improved. Maybe Fox will improve it.
The TGL is not much better. Rich pros faking a sense of humor – this will be gone in 18 months.
I can’t wait for the Masters – the first tournament this year I really care about.
I would defend the LIV show's in that they have some excellent production values and course-related graphics, largely unnoticed because of the unlistenable broadcast team and length of the shows. The time windows this year give a hint that maybe they realize all five hours of the shotgun don't need to be televised. If only they went to courses anyone wants to play or watch!
And the whole thing is over in less than 5 hours. Also all the players can be shown unlike the PGAT WHERE some of the big names are off the course before the major broadcast begins.
I know you love it, but it just hasn't worked at all and I can't fathom what producer Keith Hirshland has on his plate when all the people are on the course at the same time. I loved the concept that LIV stole from the Premier Golf team, but now having seen it play out, it's rough from a TV storytelling standpoint. Shorter days are great and maybe it'll get better on Fox when they just give up trying to show anyone but the leaders and leading teams.
Whether "all the players can be shown" on TV is immaterial in a legitimate competition. That is not to say that current PGAT golf broadcasts are not largely unwatchable. Shotgun starts are fine for a scramble hit-and-giggle, especially when four A-players expect to shoot a 52 on a short course and feel good about their mad skills. But that is not tournament golf.
A stipulated round should start on hole #1 and proceed to hole #18. Let's use an example everyone here can appreciate. The Masters begins on a difficult but straightforward par-4. The second hole is a birdie hole unless you hook your tee shot badly or flare it way right or get a bad lie in the fairway bunker. The third hole is short with a devilish green, but par is expected of everyone who doesn't try to drive the green. Even par could he a bad score after starting on 1-2-3.
Now, imagine you begin with Trevino's Triangle, 4-5-6. The fourth hole, played from the "new" tee all the way back past the third green is very difficult, but let's make it even harder with a west wind of 20 mph. The fifth hole, with the tee now on the other side of what was previously Berckmans Road is somewhat less difficult but scary with that wind coming off the right. Now, go to the sixth, with the hole cut on the back right platform. Hold that shot with the 20-mph wind down and hard from the left. 2-over might be a good start on that day if you begin with #4. And then you proceed to the "new" seventh hole, still with the five bunkers surrounding the green...
Golf is a 4-dimensional problem to be solved, and it should be solved in the same sequence, but not necessarily in the same way, by all competitors.
I had a chance to play Inverness Club again in May, 2023 and for the first time since Andrew Green's work was completed. The transformation is remarkable and well worth playing. The reference to "Duffer's Bunkers" and Donald Ross' habit of frequently including them or other hazards seemingly out of play is accurate. They were actually called DH's or duffers headaches or "topped shot bunkers." In Ross' day, fairways were often hard and this was a way to penalize a mishit shot which could otherwise run a long way. Sadly, many of these hazards have been removed over the years but they are selectively being added back during Ross course restoration work.
Brad Becken
Thanks Brad, really good to hear. It's such a great property and design, though I'll admit it looks a little more manufactured and barren than I'd hoped. Not that I think the tree clearing was wrong (the Christmas trees and Fazio holes were awful). I'm looking forward to the U.S. Women's Open there. Should be a great one.
Great update Geoff. Can’t wait for the Walker Cup. Fortunately for me, and with heartfelt thanks to the Quad, I will be a volunteer Course Marshall for the Walker Cup at Cypress Point. It will be a dream come true to set foot on that property.
Great to hear Ed. It should be a special event! I hope the USGA can find ways to get as many people on the property but it's a tough one. Hopefully the television coverage will blow it out of the water so those who don't make it there get to take it all in with 4k friendly visuals.
According to Seth W everything is beautiful? How is the scheduling for the PGA Championship working out?
I didn't fully sense that, in fact I thought his answer on the time to make the deal and mistakes made was brutal. I agree the May date has not been better going on ratings or making the major calendar better, but the PGA seems quite happy with it. We'll see in the coming years how the weather is in Philly, Dallas, etc...
The PGA lost a good one in Seth Waugh with wide and deep knowledge...not being in favor of rolling back the golf ball is akin to denying global warming. Until the ball is rolled back for the Pros, the size of drivers is rolled back AND the length of putters is limited to 36 inches I'm out, a pox on all their houses. Not interested in watching greedy short sighted man children take forever to hit a golf shot...out for now. BTW there's lots of snow in SC mmmmm
It really is quite a thing to watch people who know better cling to stuff about any rollback being a danger that would thwart growth or pleasure playing the game after it was the pandemic, shorter work weeks, Topgolf, etc. and NOT expensive equipment that drove new participation.
“I don't mean LIV broadcasts are the model because they’re unwatchable.
I know I am probably in the minority here, but this was way too extreme of a comment by a smart guy. Reasonable people have to believe that having Jim Nance in the booth is not the only way to broadcast a golf tournament. LIV broadcast also gives more shots per minute than the PGA or SR PGA broadcasts will ever show.
It was tough but they are long and the on-course commentating is really painful!
Thanks Geoff, and I appreciate the info on the Walker Cup. I hope to get lucky when the time comes. I was very fortunate to play Cypress 30 years ago and I would love to walk the course again. I went to the 2009 Walker Cup at Merion and it was great fun. I hope you are safe out there as I see there have been more fires.
Good luck Randy, it's a small allotment but with the random process you never know.
I think it will be THE toughest ticket in sport in 2025.
I don't know Derek Sprague at all, and I could be speaking well out of turn here, but is it reasonable to be feeling a certain amount of gloom/despair/foreboding/anxiety about his appointment?
I just voted in a poll asking readers if they approved of the rollback. After voting 'Yes' (and adding "Of course there should be a rollback and much bigger than what's been proposed" in my head), I noticed only 27% of fellow respondees agreed. We are fighting an uphill battle for sure.
I've played the Duke's Course a couple of times, and enjoyed it well enough. Given that he designed it and won the Open in St. Andrews, I think 'The Thomson' would be fitting.
Regarding the death of the designer of the Mustang ... Attended the 1964 World's Fair with my girlfriend... Got to sit in a Mustang ... Wow ... Bucket seats ... Stick shift on the floor ... Back seat was a tight fit for two.
Shortly thereafter got dumped for a guy with a Pontiac Grand Prix ... I had a Studebaker Lark ... It must have been the bigger back seat in the Pontiac 😁
Is it a $500K donation to "The Cup" foundation in exchange for a ticket? I kid, slightly, I signed up to volunteer but wasnt selected. I guess I wasn't worthy of trash duty.