Sports magazines venture gingerly into the world of politics. Here are two letters, reacting to Golf World's coverage of President O'Bama's golfing habits, that suggest why.

Dear Editor,
It was great reporting to read that that President Obama played golf four times last month in your July 6th issue. Don’t be disappointed his scores were not available. After all, the many magical rewards and reasons for playing “the greatest game of all” have little to do with numbers on a scorecard.

Golf is a wonderful escape (for young and old), where you enjoy friends, have an outdoor experience, get some exercise, and maybe make a few good swings. Which are all more important reasons than numbers on a scorecard for playing again.

Michael Hebron
Master PGA Golf Professional
Smithtown, NY

Dear Editor,
Please explain why you insist on including a blurb on Obama in everyone of your issures. I have cancelled several magazines subscriptions because of wall to wall coverage of this man.

I use to be excited about getting Golf World but I will cancel my subscription if you keep adding articles on him. What is the point, he's not a good golfer, he has nothing to add on playing golf except he sucks at it.

I've got news for him and you, his golf swing isn't the only thing that needs work.

Carolyn Jackson
Weldon Spring, MO

Thanks, Mike and Carolyn. Here is our reasoning for covering the President, for what it's worth. First, we're happy that someone in a position of power and influence these days is not apologizing for his (our) sport. Second, we have covered every golfing president, regardless of whether he played down the left or right side of the fairway. See previous items on the Bushes, and, of late, Ike in Golf World. (John Strege even suggested in his Local Knowledge blog that George H.W. Bush ought to be considered for the Hall of Fame). In Golf Digest Tom Friedman interviewed Clinton, Dan Jenkins played with 41 (a round chronicled in Don Van Natta's book on presidential golf).. Finally, we're proud when the President plays our game. But we'll keep them short.

--Bob Carney

(Photo by AP)

Ron Sirak's coverage of the revolt against its Commissioner Carolyn Bivens has peaked your interest in things LPGA. John Slike offers a solution to its woes.

Dear Editor,
I have read with interest the letter being sent to LPGA commissioner asking her to resign. I understand that the LPGA has major problems but a new commissioner is not the answer. Your magazine several months ago quoted Jan Stephenson stating what the problem with the LPGA is and she was roundly criticized for saying it. Too many Koreans dominating the tour has led to lack of interest in both spectators and sponsers. Unless something is done the Tour, as we know it, will collapse.

A golf tour needs heroes, someone to bring interest. The men have Tiger and Phil and others. The ladies had Nancy, then Annika, and recently Lorena, but having a different Korean with unrememberable names winning most of the time has caused a major loss of interest.

What to do? About two years ago, the Commissioner attempted to invoke a language requirement but was shot down for suggesting this probably unworkable idea. My suggestion is that the LPGA limit the number of foreign-born players to a certain number per country, say five, and they would have to qualify to fill those spots. That way they would have a chance to compete on the tour and even if one of them dominates as Annika and Lorena have, or even as Se Ri did, they would create a fan base. This would be a drastic measure, but, in my view, a necessary one.

John E. Slike
Camp Hill, PA

John, though some folks would recoil at your suggestion--it sounds too much like what other countries sometimes do to us--I know you've made it in good faith. It's a point of view that has been kicked around on web sites and blogs like Geoff Shackelford's. My own view is that we should avoid quotas at all cost, especially one aimed at a particular country, as this one is. I believe that first because I think no country has a monopoly on great human interest or engaging personalities. Not long ago I played in a pro-am with one of those rising Korean stars, Kyeong Bae, who was not only a hell of a player but delightful person to be with. Now I root for her. But you don't because you don't know her.We need to do a better job telling hers and the stories of other foreign players on tour. Not to be glib about this, but as someone who grew up in Detroit, I used to think of the New York Yankees as foreigners. Then, 25 years ago, I moved here and began listening to sports radio and got to know them, their stories, their scandals, and now I pull for them. My favorite player of all? Hideki Matsui, who speaks no English on the record, but who is as close to Al Kaline as any Yankee gets.

It's a challenge to tell the stories of the LPGA kids who speak little English, no doubt. But the LPGA and the media have got to work at it. And, frankly, fans can work a bit harder to learn who they are, too. Because they can play. The bigger issue now is the lack of U.S. LPGA events and the loss of great tournaments like Corning. How are you going to meet Kyeong Bae without them?

--Bob Carney

Something about Steve Williams, Tiger's caddy, removing his caddy bib prior completing the 18th hole, bugs the heck out of you. We get a protest almost every week, few as comprehensive as the second one here.

Dear Editor,
At the conclusion of Tiger's tournament on Sunday why does Steve Williams get to remove his caddie bib while he approaches the 18th green? Noticed this before, but only with him! Is there a rule or some kind of protocol for this? To the non-golfers he may look like a player--maybe this is what he wants?

Tom Daniels
Saint Marys, PA

Dear Editor,
Like John Hawkins column, The Angry Golfer, this email is from The Angry Fan.

Is it just me--out of line and getting too old and nit-picky, or some other readers comment on this matter too?

I refer to Tiger Wood's caddie, Steve Williams removing his caddie's vest prior to the official end of the round of golf. He does this each and every time, and I question what rules of proper attire for caddies might govern his actions. It seems that all caddies are required to wear the vests, so I imagine there is some regulation to dictate how they look and when they are to be worn. If that is the case, why is Williams the only one (that I have ever seen) to remove it before his player putts out on the final hole? I believe he removed it Sunday at the AT&T before Tiger reached the final green?

He wears a logo for Valvoline Motor Oil on his shirt, so I imagine he is capitalizing on Tiger's celebrity to get air time for his "sponsor".

I resent his actions, and think it should be addressed by the policy board for proper conduct by tour caddies. If he can take it off before play has ended on the 18th hole, does that allow all the other caddies to do the same? Would the PGA Tour officials allow them to start disrobing on the 17th hole? The 16th?

In my humble opinion, Mr. Williams acts way too big for his britches anyhow, as demonstrated with his confiscating a fan's camera a year or so ago; or when he called Phil Mickelson a "prick" last year. While I appreciate Tiger's effect on the game, there is still an older generation of us who enjoy the game whether he is playing in the field or not; and who feel this wonderful game has been around much longer than all the great players, and will outlast all the fame and celebrity and fanaticism that Tiger's play can generate in his short lifetime. If honors are bestowed on a great golfer, then so be it, but let's keep his employee in line with all the other caddies in the field.

Would you please inform me of what is correct and proper in this matter? I decided long ago that Golf World is the only magazine on golf that I need to read, and I know your writers will provide a definitive answer to all of us who find his actions irritating. If you can't comment, then who should I contact to get an answer to my question?

I have found over the many years of subscribing to Golf World, that it is the only magazine about my favorite pastime I have ever needed. Keep up the good writing and reporting on the game.

Ed Church
Spartanburg, SC

Ed, thank you for those comments about Golf World. Now, on to the matter at hand. I have spoken to Tour officials who tell me that there is indeed a policy that requires caddies to wear the bibs for all 18 holes. It does not specify, however, just how much of that 18th hole the caddy is required to keep the bib on, though one might assume, all of it. Nonetheless, without their saying so explicitly, I concluded that the Tour chooses its battles and this is not one it wishes to choose. No use poking the Tiger, what? It may be annoying, and it may also be not in keeping with the spirit of the regulation, but from the Tour's point of view, is this worth a fight. Probably not, from its point of view.

--Bob Carney

Bill Fields' memorable column on Billy Burke's triumph in the 1931 U.S. Open at Ohio's Inverness Club (Golf World, June 29) drew a knowledgeable note from old friend Bruce Loman, who grew up here in Connecticut and then, after selling Callaway clubs in the early days of that start-up, moved to California 20 years ago to join Ely and company.

Dear Editor, Great article about Billy Burke. The teaching legacy that he left at the 9-hole course in Naugatuck, CT ( Hop Brook ), has never been explored: Two Connecticut state junior champions, a state woman's champion, four PGA club professionals, including John Geleski, who was the head professional at Watertown C.C. and won the Connecticut Open. (John's son Mike is Executive V.P. of Peter Jacobsen Sports.) On any given Saturday morning there were a dozen players under 5 handicap setting up games. Most worked in the same foundry at some time, including my dad, who won the club championship a half a dozen times. I myself have been in the golf business for 40 years with the Bob Hope and Dinah Shore tournaments, as well as 23 years with Callaway Golf.

If you look back I think Billy had a lot to do with all of it. Thanks!

Bruce Loman
Newport Coast, CA>

Thanks, Bruce. It's the legacy of folks like Billy Burke who keep the game alive. Golf World and Golf Digest don't have room to give them all their due, but Bill's article, and your letter, help.

--Bob Carney