February 2011: Editors' Blog: Golf Digest

"Make courses with character, not length"

Friday, February 25, 2011 Comments

Two things about the February 14 issue got your attention: Rickie Fowler and his non-traditional look on the cover--which a few of you took exception to--and Jaime Diaz's "Final Say" column on the last page, in which he addressed obstacles to the game's continued growth. Wrote Jaime:

"The game's challenge is to create more low-priced playing fields....Pitch-and-putts should be valued like rare relics. Struggling courses should be turned into 12-holers, with the remaining six holes devoted to beginners and other learners...."

That prompted this letter from a Texas reader:

How much more right-on can you be? (This is going to be too lengthy for a spot in letters to the editor). Golf is headed, or actually has gone, the direction you address. I am a product of the caddy yard (Hinsdale G.C., Clarendon Hills, IL, 1956-1964) where I learned the game, rules, and etiquette by watching. As I began playing the game I gravitated toward looping for good players, disdaining the half-dollar tip that sometimes came along at this "no tipping allowed" country club.

What I learned (game, rules, etiquette) is invaluable. My playing partners look to me for rules, but not often enough for etiquette. Your point about courses being too long and/or golfers playing from tees one or two iterations longer than they can handle is also right-on. And, yes, it’s the macho in us males. But it’s b.s. because we know that the ability to actually hit a green in regulation and putt for a birdie is one of the sweetest parts of the game. As a senior I am getting some relief from “the tips,” but often when I play with my younger pals they insist on playing a long course. Some of them can handle the length still, but I cannot. The Barney Adams comment about 200 yard drives on 6400-yard courses equating to pros playing 8,000-yard courses is lost on most of us. I loved your article.

Marshall (Barney) Stewart, Fort Worth, TX

And this one, excerpted, from an Arizona reader:

I learned the game on two very different courses. On a small executive course named Cyprus golf course (that has since gone out of business and been reclaimed by the dessert) that had two 9-hole courses, one longer than the other. To me at the time the course was challenging, but I was determined to learn the game and the golf course. I also played Rolling Hills Golf course, a 3,828-yard par-62 with two also very distinctive 9 holes.

As Mr. Diaz said that many young golfers do, I learned by "playing" golf and beating balls on the driving range and have never having taken a lesson. As I got better and started hitting the ball further I would often return to these golf courses to get a measurement of how far my game had come (and in the case of Rolling Hills still do). I have since played many different golf course many of them much to long and have found that I much more enjoy the shorter courses that are visual. Many courses here are long and straight but I tend to like the ones that are tree lined and have some dog-legs. In short, make courses with character not length.

Juano Bello, Tempe, AZ

Dearborn Hills Golf Course, where I learned to play in Michigan, had neither character nor length, but adjoined the most comfortable, sagging old concrete-floored clubhouse you can imagine, with perfect burgers. That combination works, too, for growing the game. They've fixed Dearborn Hills up now, which had to happen, but I choose to remember the old days, when, after caddying all week at the nearby country club, we felt like members there.

Bob Carney

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You tell us how to save the game.

Thursday, February 24, 2011 Comments

At no point in my four decades in the game, have I heard the amount of talk I have this year about changing the game to make it grow--or to save it. Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy has proposed a new non-golf alternative called Flogton. Other leaders have called for shorter courses, new rules, more forgiving equipment. The industry has embraced a beginner welcome program that focuses as much on etiquette as it does on technique. In a recent Golf World column Jaime Diaz took stock of these initiatives, and recommended a few of his own. Leave it to our readers to answer with common sense...and a sense of humor. In reading Jaime Diaz's article, he supports easier courses for beginners (shorter, larger cups,12 holes). I think higher handicappers like me must play golf under similar conditions to the pros so we can come home and fantasize that, "I shot a 105 today. If they had paired me with Phil, he only would have beaten me by 40!" Looking forward to getting out again next week!
Dean Toriello, Grand Rapids, MI
As a senior woman, 9-hole golfer, I have to agree with Jaime's article on saving the game. Amateurs aren't pros, even though they may think they play like one. Golf is a game, a few hours of entertainment in a beautiful setting. Why not make it easier? Always play to the rules, love having challenges, try to improve. Keep moving....it's a game! I'm a member of Twain Harte Golf Club, forty-five minutes north of Yosemite.

Sharon Young

The secret to any game-growth program is communicating, as you have, the wry love of the game that keeps us hackers going. Thanks.

Bob Carney

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Come on, golf industry, get real!

Sunday, February 20, 2011 Comments

From my home state, a state that loves golf more than homemade black cherry ice cream, comes this plea, with a refrain that Travel Editor Matt Ginella has sung many times. And one that needs to be repeated often.

It has become a sad day for many of us, who now feel almost priced out of golf. There are way too many courses with highly expensive greens fees now, and clubs and other equipment that costs more than most people can afford, regardless of their golfing skills. I'm a near-par shooter, but have had to hold onto the same set of irons for the last 10 years, in part because they still hit so good, but also in part because the new irons, woods and hybrids cost so much. It's also a sad day because one of my best friends, a guy who owns a golf equipment store in Lansing, Michigan, will be closing down so he can retire. He was one of those responsible for helping keep the cost of golf down for many people, and he was able to sell top-of-the-line equipment while doing it.

One of my friends who is a runner asked me to play golf with him in a Michigan community where we were both racing, and he told me the cost of greens fees was "only" X amount (I'm not mentioning the greens fees here). I said "only X amount?" Our former governor begged everyone to "Play Golf, Michigan!!!" But our state has been hard hit by the current recession, more than any other state, and some golf operations continue to act and price like the recession never happened.

Come on, all you courses, club and equipment manufacturers and driving range facilities--stop living in the past and acting like the recession never happened!!! You are driving a lot of potential golfers and current golfers out of the game. At least there are some very good teaching pros who understand what is going in the world around them, such as my current pro, 2009 Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year, Bill Baldwin. He has also worked with one of the golfers featured recently in your magazine, Shasta Averyheardt and an up-and-coming golfer, Willie Mack III. It's been a privilege working with him, and the thing is, he sought me out for a student.

Larry Launstein Jr

Larry, I'm glad you mentioned Bill Baldwin. I think pros like Baldwin, encouraged by the PGA of America, are aware of the problem you so lucidly put your finger on. The industry program it supports, Get Golf Ready , is an inexpensive, 5-session, way to get into the game. But once there, those new golfers are going to need help and encouragement to stay there, as you say.

Bob Carney

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Johnny Pott remembers a special LA Open: his first

Friday, February 18, 2011 Comments

Al Barkow's piece on the colorful early days of the LA Open prompted this letter from one of the "principals": Johnny Pott, now Director of Golf Operations at Langtry Farms in California. Pott, a member of three U.S Ryder Cup teams (4th from the right in this photo of the dominant 1967 team), won five times on the PGA Tour after leading Louisiana State to an NCAA Championship in 1955. Pott adds to Barkow's reminiscence of the early days of what's now the Northern Trust Open, which was Pott's first PGA Tour event in 1957.

Dear Al: Enjoyed your piece of Glory Days in the Feb. 14 issue of Golf World. That was my first event on the PGA Tour, starting with the long drive from Louisiana through unknown country. Somehow I met up with Dave Wallace from Bedford, PA at a gas station in New Mexico who was also making his first attempt on tour. We actually stopped in Tucson at El Rio for an early practice round. I was successful in the Monday qualifying for the LA Open at Hillcrest, just across the street from Rancho Park. Being in Los Angeles was quite an experience for a tour rookie.

As you wrote, Jayne Mansfield was the tournament queen for the 1957 tournament. She was one of the starlets from across the street at 20 Century Fox. There were more bleachers on the first hole, where Jayne held court, than around the course. The first tee announcer was Dick Myers who had a strong voice and evidently played that role for many years. Anyway, as my group was called to the tee, J C Goosie, Mike Krak and Johnny Pott, a few of the veteran pros wanted to check out that threesome. Namely, Ernie Vossler, Don January and Dow Finsterwald. There seemed to be several thousand in the bleachers, checking out Jayne and watching the players tee off. It was time for us to tee off, we had our scorecards and we were ready to play. I think I was the last of the three to be called to the tee. As you said, Dick did introduce me as "Johnny Tee on the pot." This created a loud roar of laughter and Dick's comment afterward was: "At least I didn't say on the 'potty.'"

I remember the quick hook to the left rough which started my tour experience. I'm not sure how Dick did with the next group, which included Billy Booe and Dick Tiddy. I wasn't around to see Doug Ford win the tournament either, since I had missed the cut and was on my way to Pebble Beach to qualify for the next event. I was called Johnny Tee for some time.

Johnny Pott, Middletown, CA

Thanks, John. We've passed on your comments to Al.

Bob Carney

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That @#$%^& Golf World cover!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Comments

Golf World's Feburary 14 cover, featuring a hat-backwards, orange-adorned Rickie Fowler, was not a hit with everyone. A gentleman in Illinois, for example.

Mr. Russell: The February 14 issue had the most disgusting cover I have ever seen on your magazine in all the years I have been a subscriber. I immediately ripped off the cover and threw it in the trash can. Are we that desperate to find a replacement for Tiger that we have to promote a kid who can't find his way to a barbershop or wear decent clothes to play this great game of ours. He can't even put his hat on straight to pose for a magazine cover. If this is what your magazine wants to promote maybe it's time for me to consider the other weekly publication.

John L. Grant, Crest Hill, IL

Thanks for your letter. Rickie is an original and that backward hat, not to mention his haircut, bugs a lot of traditionalists. But of the all the things happening to our game these days, we think he's one of the good ones. Sorry our cover did not convey that to you.

Bob Carney

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You did Tiger wrong.

Sunday, February 13, 2011 Comments

Golf Digest's "Alfred E. Neuman" illustration of Tiger Woods in the March "Risk-Takers" issue, though accompanied by laudatory Jaime Diaz commentary, drew this early objection from a Mississippi reader.

The picture you decided to post in Golf Digest of Tiger Woods is horrible. Anyone has the opportunity to change their life. You, however, have decided to make this man a chopping block for your ignorance. You need to get back into real life. You need to print a retraction for this stupid mistake. He is a legend; get used to it. And I am not African-American
Dean Kidd, Waynesboro, MS

Jaime's point, "supported" by the Mad Magazine reference, was that Woods is a risk taker with his golf swing and his career, despite a cautious nature, that in fact he overcomes that nature to excel. It was a compliment, though we can understand how a quick glance at the illustration might not make it seem so.

Bob Carney

Illustration: Mark Fredrickson

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John Feinstein's column draws more comment

Friday, February 11, 2011 Comments

John Feinstein's "Final Say" column in Golf World on athletes and accountability continues to draw mail. Feinstein deplored what he sees as the coddling of athletes whose troubles are their own doing--in golf and other sports. The vast majority of you agreed; a few did not. Here's a sampling.

I have never written any response to any magazine about any subject, but I couldn`t resist commenting on the John Feinstein article in Golf World. He had the courage to say exactly what others should have said long before. I have great respect for Tiger's golfing talent, and think that he has been good for the game, but, after all, he is not God. I hope Jim Nantz and other media wags read the article.

James R.[Toby] Craft, Canton, N.C.

I've always appreciated John Feinstein's insights and honesty. His Final Say on "Athletes, fame and accountability" smacks head-on with our society of victims. I won't be surprised if he "goes through a few things" for his courage in this article! Thanks for putting it right in a national forum.

Jim Garbison, Rogers, AR

So your social expert, John Feinstein, describes Woods as selfish, driven, secretive and untrusting. And…and…so what? Should he be something else? Perhaps you and your editorial staff should “counsel” Woods on “how he should be.” You are beginning to remind me of many of the members at my country club that sit around all afternoon and make fun of anyone in their sight. It’s pathetic. By the way, my wife wants to know how much Feinstein contributes to charity every year. I think Tiger gives about $25,000,000 per year, but you rip him every chance you get. Your magazine is becoming a tabloid. Congratulations!

Buck Leigh, Columbia, SC

Note: We are not able to confirm how much money Tiger or any other athlete contributes to charity.

Bob Carney

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Arnie's Last Flight: Clarification

Wednesday, February 9, 2011 Comments

Guy Yocom's Golf World story on Arnold Palmer's last flight as a pilot drew a good deal of comment, including this instructive letter from, presumably, a fellow pilot.

I enjoyed the story of Arnold Palmer's last flight, by Guy Yocom. However, in the interest of accuracy, pilot licenses (properly termed certificates) do not expire. They may be surrendered by the holder, or suspended or revoked by the FAA for cause. FAA medical certificates DO expire, depending upon the class, whether First, Second, or Third, corresponding to a valid period of six months, one year, or two years, respectively, and must be renewed if one is going to continue to act as a required flight crew member of an aircraft. Perhaps Mr. Palmer elected not to renew his medical certificate or has simply decided that he no longer feels compelled to pilot his airplane. Sitting in back can be nice.

Zack Willat

Thanks, Zack. We appreciate the clarification. For a look at the final flight, see photographer Jensen Larson's exclusive gallery.

Bob Carney

Photo: Jensen Larson

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Feinstein on Woods: You don't all agree

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 Comments

John Feinstein's column in the February 7 edition of Golf World, entitled "Athletes, fame and accountability," took on Tiger Woods and, more specifically, the media's treatment of Woods. "In golf, everyone wants to forgive Woods because the game still needs him....That's all fine. But it doesn't mean people have to act as if he's 'been through' anything." Feinstein's column found several supporters among you, but a few dissenters as well. A sampling.

John Feinstein hit the nail on the read in his article at least there is one person from the media that gets it right. John Madden put it best, "Why do we try to make hero's of people that screw up, what about all the good guys?" We should focus more of our attention on them.

Mark Reinthaler, San Ramon, CA

John Feinstein has finally said what should have been said long ago! It is not what the athlete went through, it's all those that he betrayed and disappointed....Right on John!!
Mike Michaelsen, Auburn, CA

Every time I read Feinstein I am reminded of just how much he dislikes Tiger Woods. This is nothing new. He has disliked him since he watched him as a young child. He always has that little nasty edge when he speaks about him or writes about him. Does it make you wonder why Mr. Woods is, as Feinstein says, selfish, driven, secretive and untrusting? I think it is because he has been chased around and picked apart by the press since he was a little boy playing great golf. Everyone wants something from him for their own benefit. I think it did not take Mr. Woods long to figure Feinstein out. They do not like each other; this article just reinforced that dislike. If you can't find an unbiased writer, then I will no longer subscribe to your magazine. You might have Mr. Diaz do more articles for you. He states the obvious without being nasty.

Mrs. Judith Pica, Manistee, MI

Diaz's last piece on Woods and his coach, Sean Foley, appeared in the November issue of

Golf Digest.

Bob Carney

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You weigh in: Tiger's done.

Saturday, February 5, 2011 Comments

Tiger, winning or not, is a magnet for comment. Many of our you have joined several members of the media in deciding that the Tiger we once knew is no more, and some of you, like a few Golf World readers, have decided that he's "done."

It is now evident that Tiger's reign as an elite, dominating player is nearing an end. His demise started nearly two years ago at the 2009 PGA Championship where his short game and putting woes surfaced. Just like Palmer and Watson, his short game deterioration comes as he enters his mid thirties and his continued problems in closing out final rounds with miscues, etc., are becoming more and more numerous. In fact, ever since the Masters course was "Tiger-proofed" he has not won there. Whereas one cannot say he will not win again he is rapidly becoming a middle-of-the -field golfer and sadly one who will rapidly be sliding out of the top 10 in world rankings, passed by the talented group of young golfers emerging world wide.

Gene Martineau Roseville, CA

About this time last year Tiger promised to be a kinder, more gentle Tiger, someone who would be more appreciative of the golf fans and control his temper on the course. After watching the first 3 rounds of the Farmer's Insurance Open in San Diego, I would say Tiger has not changed a thing, with the exception of his play. He has gone from a great player to a good player. After Saturday's poor round Tiger once again declined to say a few words to CBS and his loyal fans, yet the media, for whatever reason continues to swing on his privates.

Mark Reinthaler San Ramon,CA

I was all excited to watch the third round of this [last] week's tour stop at Torrey Pines, and CBS Sports has once again done what they've done in the past. I saw too much Tiger when he was not in the hunt--5 to 6 shots out--again struggling with another swing change. I want to see more of Phil, Bubba, and Rickie Fowler. I saw Rickie maybe 4 times in the telecast and he was 4 to 5 shots ahead of Tiger. Rickie is one of our great young players who is exciting to watch. Tiger is done; he messed up and, please, CBS don't keep doing this each golf telecast when there are alot more players in the hunt. Let's show them!!!

Christoper Conklin, Head Professional

Nairn Lock Golf Club, Avondale, PA

Gentlemen, there are three facts that work against the idea that Tiger is finished as a dominant player and that the networks will show him less because of it. 1. He is enormously gifted and equally competitive and will win many times again; this writer thinks he'll win one major this year. 2. Ratings continue to soar when Tiger's in the field, and especially when he is in the hunt. 3. His struggles are a bigger story than many players' successes, whether we like that or not.

Bob Carney

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