Surprise, surprise! In reading about Tiger's poor performance today at Quail Hollow, an article on Golf.com ended with: "This is Woods' first tournament since the Masters, his 2010 debut that followed a five-month hiatus and ensuing sex scandal." When will the media, and more importantly, the golf world, stop beating a dead horse? Everyone and their mother knows about the Tiger Woods sex scandal and I'm pretty sure that no one really cares to read about it anymore, at least those who follow golf. I don't know what's worse: the fact that Golf's poster child committed a cardinal sin, or the fact that no one can find anything more interesting to write about in golf other than Woods' promiscuity. But, because the media is so obsessed with everyone's dirty laundry I can see it now: Fast forward 30 years when Woods is on the Champions Tour. "This is Woods' 500th appearance since the 2010 Masters, his debut that followed a five-month hiatus and ensuing sex scandal."
Reader: Enough already with Tiger's dirty laundry!
Your views on Tiger and Nantz
While I certainly do not appreciate the most recent behavior of Tiger Woods, either by action or voice, Jim Nantz must remember Tiger Woods is an independent contractor who pays his own way, and is an employee of no one. He receives a salary from no one. His successes or failures are judged merely on his play and actions. His words on the course, while wrong at times, are from a man who is merely venting the frustration of his work. Jim on the other hand is an employee and is governed by a different set of rules and superiors. I wonder if Jim in all of his infinite wisdom has ever stood on the sideline of an NFL or NBA game and has listened closely to the foul language expounded by those players? To say the least it is a disgrace compared to Tiger's outburst at Augusta. Perhaps the cameras should be further from the action during golf telecasts or the broadcast delayed to avoid such outbursts. Tiger should have offered Peter Kostis a better interview, but he did not. Jim for the most part is a great announcer, but lately he seems to be speaking beyond the duties of a broadcaster.
Upon reading Jim Nantz's comments regarding Tiger Woods behavior / language at the Masters I found it a little unfair. I coach small college athletics and am a Christian, but I guarantee you if you stuck a microphone into our huddle during a timeout it would not always be appropriate for TV. Nantz says he would be fired if he said what Tiger said, and he should be. His role in the Masters tournament is totally different than Tigers. These are very competitive athletes in very competitive situations. Why did we not hear Jack or Arnold use bad language? Probably because there wasn't a microphone jammed into their face after every bad shot they hit. I am not a fan of Tiger Woods and lost a great deal of respect for him after his recent troubles. I also understand the gentlemanly nature of golf and realize he should do much more in controlling his temper. If the real issue here is Nantz worrying about what the people watching at home are going to hear, maybe CBS should have a little more discretion of what they allow on air. My guess is they like the publicity and ratings they get from Tiger's language way too much to do that.
Why even play golf?
I played nine holes today. First time this year. And I'm left wondering why anyone plays golf. Physical pain if you're old. Oftentimes the young as well. Plus all the other painful things about the game whether you are young or old. We old coots suffer from hips that no longer turn. Half-completed backswings. Wood-chopping downswings. Hitting a driver 150 yards, tops (only once during any round on a GOOD day). Trying to decide which ball to hit when you see two teed up (especially if they're both white). Using balls that have a wild attraction to trees, water, rocks, tall grass, dead leaves and broken branches. I used to carry a ball retriever. No more. Let sleeping balls lie, is my motto. Golf is a game of self-flagellation played by four friends who cheat, lie, and drink beer, three of whom always have good reason to hate the scorekeeper. "Same time, same place next Tuesday, guys?"
Tiger and his language
I started to play golf 10 years ago and am hopelessly hooked. I am disappointed in Tiger Woods, but remain a fan of his. I believe in "those without sin cast the first stone." Tiger Woods has taken golf on his back, and increased viewership, interest, monetary rewards, pretty much all phases of golf. And yet I hear hypocrites...such as Tom Watson...Lee Trevino...and Nick Faldo, who nobody liked on Tour, because of his terrible personality, and yet now televises golf. When I saw who played in the Masters I was shocked to see a lot of big names who we never saw. You mean to tell me none of them used "foul language"? Give me a break. Tiger has a mike within hearing distance no matter where he goes on the course. I have watched many a football and basketball games when the "F" word is heard by a national audience. How many times have we been treated to watching baseball players grab their crotches?! People in glass houses should not throw stones. Give the man a break.
Why are golfers not subject to fines for unsportmanship like conduct the same as basketball & football players? I am referring to Tiger Woods foul language on national television. This is a gentlemen's game. When are we going to starting holding them to that standard, at lease on the golf course.
Our Jenkins apology
“Anyone who has read me over the years recognizes that satire and poking fun have been an essential part of my writing. I've been an equal opportunity fun-poker. But I realize in this case that I made a hasty attempt at humor and unfortunately crossed the line of good taste and hurt people who I respect. To Y. E. Yang and the Asian community, I want to apologize sincerely and ask them to forgive my mistake."
-- DAN JENKINS
Selected letters:
I'm sure you have had other comments about the post that Mr. Jenkins made on his twitter account but I wanted to express my opinion on the matter. Although it was a relatively harmless joke, it was definitely offensive and also was made about an Asian due to the fact that no significant backlash was expected. Can you imagine if such an insensitive comment was made about an African-American golfer? I'm pretty sure that Mr. Jenkins was well aware that he was making a joke that would pass without a significant negative response. The excuse that he was making a play on words between Y.E Yang's name and the restaurant chain P.F Chang's is quite honestly almost as offensive as the original statement, but I guess even with all the social progress we've made all "orientals" are the same. I will continue to subscribe to Golf Digest because I enjoy the magazine but I just wanted to express my disappointment with your journalist and also with your response and excuse making for him.
This in response to Jerry Tarde's so-called apology for the racist, bad-taste remark by Dan Jenkins. Not an apology at all. Really reaching for excuses with the P.F.Chang call. Not only is it a poor excuse, it's still racist. What, now it's not only that all Asians look alike, but their names sound alike, too? And of course, we're all just Chinese restaurant delivery boys, even a Major's Champion who, by the way, I'm Korean!!! Jerry, you have to do better!
The joking reference of Dan Jenkins to Y.E. Yang shows clear lack of understanding for Asian American and Asian sensibility. Mr. Jenkins should apologize himself rather than hiding behind the editor. Could you, and would you ever say, "Got a take-out chicken from Tiger last night"? Why not? Because you know that would be wrong and you would be crucified. Now tell me, why are Asians fair game? If Mr. Jenkins does not release a contrite apology, Asian Americans will organize a la Jan Stephens. I will no longer visit Golf Digest web site for anything myself.
--Bob Carney
Ricky Fowler's hat
As a subscriber I was discouraged by the cover photo of the May issue. For persistently wearing his cap backwards a young Hollywood celebrity recently was cashed out of his membership at a world class LA club because he refused to abide by the club's longstanding dress code policy that prohibited such attire...a code he accepted when he joined. Now we see that GD thinks it is hip to foist that nonsense off on its readers. Save the "gangsta" look for the skateboard park - not the golf course.
What are you thinking (smoking?) Rickie Fowler on the cover? Ok, he is a great up-and-coming player. Fine. But, with his hat on backwards? Wow, and my son, 23, noticed it and said yes, "Dad, that is not right." What is going on, are the inmates now running things, like, totally, or what? PS: And, like, where the hell is your letters section in the table of contents? Hey, Dudes, get it together, please.
After seeing the cap turned around on Fowler's head, I did not bother to take my copy of Golf Digest out of its cellophane wrapper, but threw it in the trash. Men set the standards of respect, dress and decorum for the game for many years. Today's players have lost the fine art that golf was referred to as a "gentleman's game" and not a forum for rappers. Don't need any styling tips.
Lately, many Golf Digest issues leave me wanting more travel articles to more affordable destinations (especially in this economy?!), and fewer drills that I have no time to take out for a spin even in my garage. GD is my escape, my "bathroom round", my greens fee substitute. Give me a monthly dream I can dream within the framework of recession middle-class reality! But I gotta admit, you brought it back to us core golfers with the May issue. It spoke to me! The most comprehensive Myrtle Beach guide I've ever seen (real buddy trippers, the best steaks-radio-hotels-and-budget-friendly-restaurants, and a big ol' pic of an Elvis impersonator?!), quick fix tips for 11 common faults (I have 6 of the 11) for the range-deprived, a profile of a young gun (Fowler) who's actually a feel player like me and not the next robo-swing, a club that has a B.S. grid bet, and an honest discussion of obsolete technology? Finally, most of an issue I can actually relate to!
Your complaints, Editor's statement on Dan Jenkins tweet
Dan Jenkins' tweet regarding Y.E. Yang was extremely offensive and racist. I am an avid reader of your website and magazine and I am disappointed that you would allow this type of comment to represent your corporation. I am a second generation Asian American and I have a Bachelor's degree in Asian American studies. Jenkins' comments offended me and my family and my community. You have lost a loyal customer unless Dan Jenkins is removed from this website.
You should require Dan Jenkins to apologize for his comments about Y.E. Yang. (A major championship winner who beat Tiger head to head) being a delivery driver of Chinese food. If you don't have a problem with this, or if he doesn't see his inappropriate behavior, why doesn't he say that Phil Mickelson looks like the pizza delivery boy, or Justin Leonard looks like the UPS driver? The point is I can't imagine him saying that a white player looks like the bag boy at Kroger, the stock man at Wal-Mart. Come on, Golf Digest...it is 2010. People from all over the world play golf.
Dan Jenkins' Masters tweet about Y.E. Yang generated several letters of protest. Jenkins’ reference was intended to play off the PGA champion Y.E. Yang's name and the P.F. Chang's restaurant chain. We removed it from our archive and apologize for any offense. Certainly none was intended.
Still talking Masters: Your reactions
Wow, what a Masters! Mr. Mickelson showed incredible skill, daring-do and even patience, and it was a win for a good man. Now for Tiger: Dear Tiger: I am a golfer and I do lose my temper and say some words, now and then, that shouldn't be uttered in polite company. However I'm also not on world-wide TV and an icon of the sport as you are. I hear that you're trying to get closer to your Buddhist beliefs but that doesn't give you the right to use Jesus' name in the manner you do. Slamming a club--I get it, that's passion. And another thing, you told is in your interviews that you don't show up unless you think you can win and you didn't putt, drive, chip, whatever - how about a heart-felt (even faked) shout-out to Phil on his spectacular play. If you mentioned it I didn't hear it and that's a lesson you should have learned from Mr. Nicklaus, the most gracious of losers (and winners). To me I don't give a damn (oops!) about your off course dalliances except when they reflect on the game poorly. Of course you have a lot at stake in future financial dealings but far, far more in your reputation. It's a tough deal for a Tiger to change is stripes. Work on it. Dear CBS: Tiger is a man, not a God, please stop sucking up so much.
I want to thank Billy Payne for his spot-on comments about Woods and his shameful behavior. And thanks, too, to John Feinstein for putting into words many of my thoughts about the situation. It pained me to see so many women clapping for this man. My daughter, who is a baseball fan, not a golf fan, was surprised to see Woods playing when she visited during Sunday's play. "Shouldn't he be suspended, or something?" she asked. Now there's a thought.
It is no surprise that Tiger Woods continues to show the world what a self-centered jerk he really is. In the interview after the Masters all he talked about was how bad he played (even though he finished high on the leader board). He didn't mention how good it was to be back or how receptive the fans were or anything else positive. When asked when he would play again, he said that he was going to take time off and re-evaluate. I am willing to bet he won't miss any major tournaments this year. One of these days he will wake up and realize that the game of golf is much bigger then he ever will be.
If just about all of the golfers I know is any indication, most of us couldn't care less about this media circus. Of course we sympathize with Mrs. Woods and the extended Woods family, but beyond that, none of this is any of our business. All this nonsense about whether Woods' apologies are sincere and whether he has been as forthcoming to the media as he should be? Please! Let go and let the man play golf. The behavior of most of the fans at Augusta seem to be in line with everyone else with whom I've spoken.
Awards night: Tiger eats media's salad
Has Tiger mastered the media?
Forget the Par 3. To insiders, Wednesday is Media Day at the Masters. It’s when the golf writers use the Masters Interview room to conduct their annual meeting, when the club gives these achievement awards, and when the writers honor themselves and players at the annual Golf Writers Association of America dinner. Cozy.
One of the players receiving an award tonight is Tiger Woods, a player with whom the media has a similarly complex relationship, not nearly so cozy. Were Woods to attend the dinner and pick up his Player of Year Award, it would be an unequivocal signal that he is trying to restore his relationship with his public and its representatives, the writers.
But all of this familiarity breeds only contempt among members of the non-golfing media, who see sports writers in general— and golf writers in particular -- as “captured” by their subjects. John Cassidy, who has covered the Tiger scandal for the New Yorker, used that term in ">his blog at newyorker.com Tuesday. Cassidy was clearly still wincing from Tiger’s references to reporters by first names and sometimes even nicknames.
“Listen to virtually any post-game press conference, and you will hear the players and the beat reporters talking in a private language, replete with inside jargon and other players’ nicknames. Operating in this way, the reporters get the quotes they need for their daily stories for the sports section, but they often ignore the bigger story that is dominating the news pages, such as a drugs or sex scandal.”“Tiger Woods effortlessly handling the polite queries from golf reporters”, said Cassidy, was clear evidence. While golf writers were parsing Woods’ words, writers like Cassidy were picking up the golf writers’ questioning of Woods, and judging it too little, too late--and too light.
“In Tigergate, it was the National Enquirer that first cottoned onto Tiger’s double life. But if Tiger’s wife Elin hadn’t chased him out of their Orlando house on the night of Thanksgiving, the golf press would still be happily churning out guff about what a great family man he is, and how much he misses his kids when he travels.”Cassidy would get an argument from most of the members of the media here who would argue that friendliness is part of the give and take of any relationship, and that it’s necessary to assure access to players, Tiger included. But did that cooperation really gain journalists access to the world’s No. 1? Not really. And have they lost any access because they’ve taken up the scandal story? No. It’s interesting to note that some of the journalists most critical of Tiger over the past five months were those he called by name Monday. Maybe Cassidy has a point.































