Terry Rogers, Boulder, CO
All true. It's also true, though, that golf equipment choices for tall (and left-handed) players are much broader than when the mesomorph theory held sway. Years ago tall players often had to make do with ill-fitting equipment, while shorter players had more choices.
It's also been argued lately that long putters -- such as the one Keegan Bradley used at the PGA -- have changed the game for "tall boys." And yet two tall players who were great putters and won majors were George Archer and Andy North. You don't see their crouching style much anymore.
Results for August 2011
Back to Editors' Blog Index
Reader: "Tall Boys" explode one more sports myth
Good letter from a reader on Jaime Diaz's "Tall Boys" feature, pointing out that the success of today's tall, strong golfers -- Keegan Bradley, Bubba Watson, and this week's Barclay's winner Dustin Johnson -- is just more evidence that much of what passes for conventional wisdom in sports is not wise at all.
Jaime Diaz points out a fact that is very obvious to anyone who has attended a PGA Tour event in the last couple of years: the best golfers in the world are getting very tall. This only makes sense given the fact that tall players have longer arms, wider shoulders, and are fitted with longer shafts. Tall golfers can therefore, on average, hit the ball farther.
As Diaz implies, today's crop of big-hitting tall guys almost all began playing golf at an early age and have developed short games that "conventional wisdom" deemed to be the domain of the 5' 10" "mesomorphs." But this myth is similar to the myth that existed in basketball for years: that big guys can't shoot jump shots. I don't know if Dirk Nowitzki plays golf, but I do know there are kids who will grow to be his size practicing their chipping and putting right now -- and as these big kids mature they're going to change the game of golf the same way they've changed basketball.
Desdemona wasn't all wet, but your writer is, say GW readers
As a writer, Golf World's Jim Moriarty stretches himself. His stories--his coverage of the PGA Championship being the latest example--draw on all sorts of cultural and literary references. That kind of writing can win fans, or attract critics. We got lots of mail in both veins. But these latest two, following up on Moriarty's PGA Championship report, were corrective. They make interesting reading.
Moriarty wrote:
"Dufner, 34, with the waggle of a chimney sweep and the heartbeat of R2D2, was standing on the 15th tee in complete control of the championship. But control is illusory on the closing holes of AAC. This was the place good rounds went to drown themselves like Desdemona....."
Jim Moriarty is my favorite golf writer playing around with prose in all the golf magazines, so I loved to see him bringing tragic Shakespeare into his swing thoughts in describing the watery resting places on AAC's final four holes at the PGA. But, alas, poor Dufner, twas Ophelia who sought her own undoing, not Desdemona, who didn't drown, but who was smothered with bed pillows.
Ophelia's story is told by the Queen, who blames madness and heavy wet clothes for the girl's back nine collapse, having hit a flyer out of the heavy rough reaching for a flower beyond her two iron's reach and drowning in a lateral hazard.
Moriarty gets a free drop on this one, though, for taking the risk and coming close to the reward.
Patrick McMahon, Professor of English, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Desdemona didn't drown herself. Othello strangled her because that idiot Iago kept tellin' him she was cheating.
Michael J. Smith, Ventura, CA
We thank you both for your comments. Actually, Othello suffocated Desdemona, but dead she was nonetheless.
As for doctoring Moriarty's prose, we feel that for a deadline writer to even attempt such feats of literary derring-do is admirable. Perhaps Mo adheres to the A.J. Leibling school of commentary:
"I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better."
Entertaining all the same.
Bob Carney
When golf goes bad: What happened to civility?
We hate letters like this, because the experiences they relate are so unpleasant. Unfortunately, they're far too familiar.
Golf Digest really needs a short column on course etiquette in at least every other issue. Manners these days on the course are just atrocious. I, and my wife, are older. We golf a few local shorter courses. We encounter a lot of rude golfers. Today we were on the 6th green when a ball landed less than 10 feet away. I looked back to the tee and saw a young man admiring his handiwork. I could have sent the ball back via Air Mail, sent it over the hill, or place it in the cup [and he would falsely forever more thought he hit a hole in one]--I shot it off the green with my putter. He arrived with his cart, and blonde girlfriend, and started strutting around like a rooster because I dared hit his ball off the green. No "I am sorry," etc. For our safety we let him play through.
Is this what golf has become? A free for all? You may be better than others on the course, but guess what?--you're not that good in God's eyes. If you are pro material try out for the tour, otherwise play nice, and ask to play through. Some slow golfers are also rude. It seems that today's golfers need Etiquette training. Is Golf Digest willing to run some text on this once in a while, or will some of us out there continue to be physically threatened?
Tim Guentz
We're big here at Golf Digest on pace of play, but not on the kind of impatience and rudeness this young man exhibited. One of my favorite golf quotes comes from the great instructor Seymour Dunn on perseverance. Dunn wrote: "Continue in a state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory." Some golfers only get the glory part, and golf without grace is just another sport.
We appreciate your suggestion. Digest section editor Ron Kaspriske covers etiquette occasionally, and columnist Stina Sternberg, who edits the Golf Digest Woman section, does all the time. (Women, unfortunately, are treated to too much of the rudeness you describe). We also did a memorable "10 Rules" column with Arnold Palmer on the subject. But we get that you'd like to see more such coverage.
Bob Carney
Reader says old driver works just fine, thank you.
Golf Digest's August issue reported on new drivers, some lighter weight than those in the past, that give average golfers more club head speed, and, if fitted properly, more consistent distance. One Florida reader points out that sometimes it's not that easy.
Your recent feature on, "Drivers, Get More Distance," overlooked one important point for us mid- to high-handicappers. Feel is more relevant than the club head speed promoted by lightweight clubs. We need a heavier, more forgiving club that gets the ball up quickly and goes straight. A prime example is the Adams Ovation I driver that was nothing fancy it just works. To this day I see people going into pro shops looking for one. Club companies in their "drive" to keep their line fresh sell great high-handicapper clubs for a few months then replace them with something new and better. Hitting a driver is real challenge for a lot of us. Companies should remember to give us something that works well and then give it gentle tweaks rather then replace it several times a year. If you I for one will galdly consider your clubs, until then I have my trusty Ovation I. if I break it, I can buy another on eBay for about $10.00, shipping included.
Mr. Jenkins, you make a couple of important points. Feel is important, and when it comes to tee shots, dependability often trumps distance. The great teacher Bob Toski, still teaching down near you, has a drill. If you hit your driver off the fairway, march back 15 yards, put the ball in the fairway, and play from there. What you'll find, Bob says, is that accuracy yields lower scores than greater, but inaccurate, distance. "Golf is a game of how near, not how far," he says.
Marshall Jenkins, Melbourne, FL
Your second point, that lightweight clubs can increase speed but lessen feel, is true. The featherlight-club phenomenon, back in the '80s, proved that. However, with proper fitting, which these days often is free or folded into the cost of the driver, you can get the feel you want and consistency, too. Given the number of lightly used clubs on the market, you can also get a late-model club for a reasonable price if economy is your goal.
In other words, you can find another Old Reliable, not quite so old and maybe just a bit longer.
Bob Carney
Golf World's Caddie Issue stirs reader (looper) memories
Golf World's Caddie Issue, with its lead story on the Sankaty Head caddie camp, along with our subsequent coverage of the fire there, generated lots of letters and even more memories from readers who themselves caddied. Some of these correspondents you'll know, some you won't, but all the letters are filled with great memories.
Thanks to Jeff Silverman for capturing not only the essence but the spirit of this unique institution. Sankaty Head was my first Head Golf Professional Position. Norm Claxton and Doug Ellsworth were terrific gentlemen and role models who helped me grow and appreciate what they were doing there with the boys. We have visited several times since moving on and always enjoy interacting with the campers. I still carry a Kennedy half-dollar that I won in a nine-hole match with then caddiemaster, Greg Bennett. Thanks for the wonderful memories!
Congratulations on the great article describing the difficult life of the caddy and the challenges they face particularly this day and age. I caddied for my daughter Kris Tschetter during the good old days when she first went out on tour in 1988. I showed up 6 to 8 times a year for 7-8 years and loved it. I was also her sponsor and her agent during that time. It was without a doubt one of the best times of my life and I really wish I could up the strength to get out and do it one more time. It took awhile for the regular caddies to accept old dad but after the great win party we threw in Springfield after our win in Minneapolis at the Northgate Classic I became one of the group and loved hanging out with them. I still check the TV during the LPGA tournements to see if I might get a glimpse of one of the old ones I knew back then that is still on the bag................Thanks again for the great article!
Remembrance Remembrance!! Caddied Seattle G&CC, late 40s, early 50s...started C then B then A Class. $2.50 single $4.00 double. Inspired by members, finished college. Lifetime player & lover of Game!
Tom Wilcox
PGA Master Professional
Director of Golf/General Manager
Quintero Golf & Country Club
Peoria, AZ
Dr. Dick Tschetter
Michael F. Ronan, Paso Robles CA
What fond memories--The Wianno Club in Osterville, MA, summer of 1944, thirty boys from the New Bedford, MA Boy's Club, army-style barracks, Portuguese cook, proctor, Ted Turner, the longtime Head Professional, liverwurst sandwiches every day (ugh), notables such as H. Donald Campbell, NYC banker, Natalie Kalmus of motion picture Technicolor fame, no carts--a wonderful summer, memories to last a lifetime.
Ernie Ward, Amelia Island, FL
As a former caddie, each of these letters made me smile, especially the words "$2.50 single, $4.00 double." We thought those were pretty good paydays.
Bob Carney
Your critique of the PGA, the AAC course...and a great Lefty story
The many letters we got about the PGA Championship and its television coverage began with predictable complaints about too much Tiger and too many commercials. (I've included one below because it did seem that there were more than usual). There was also differing views about the golf course and Rees Jones' re-do of it, and wound up offering surprising one terrific Phil story we hadn't heard.
Watching the PGA Championship this year was an excruciating experience with almost as much commercial time as golf coverage. Thank goodness for the DVR. There are probably many reasons why The Masters has the highest rating in televised golf, but the lack of commercial interruptions is certainly one of them.
I think watching the 2011 PGA is sad because we are seeing what golf is becoming: 500- yard par-4s and redesigns to golf courses that make the best players in the world look like fools. The thing that stands out is that through 3 rounds more double bogies had been recorded than in any other major championship. Is the PGA proud of this ? Golf needs to get back to shotmaking and creativity. If not, I will not be the only one to quit watching the PGA tour.
Great coverage of the PGA Championship but I think you all really missed the mark on the Atlanta Athletic Club.
A great golf course should build to a crescendo and the AAC does just that. I cannot imagine a better stretch of finishing holes to decide the final major of the year—a true test. And the AAC is so much more interesting of a golf course than some of the others mentioned in your pages like Bethpage Black. Remember the 18th hole of Bethpage: 7- iron--wedge. How is that more deserving than the AAC?
Finally, the condition of the Athletic Club was immaculate—perfect fairways and perfect greens.
The 2011 PGA Championship was riveting drama and the AAC provided a theater in which to view that drama that is second to none.
At the PGA yesterday, as a guy was showing me "Rory's root" to the left of No. 3 fairway, a ball hit a tree near us and bounced out into the fairway. But it wasn't a tree--it was a 70-ish man's forehead. We gathered around him and found him bleeding, but sitting up. Bones Mackay arrived first, saw where the ball was, and told the man that he is now an official member of the team.
When Phil Mickelson arrived, he apologized very sincerely and gave the man a golf glove.
Derry Myers, Edmond, OK
Steve Wiel, Carnegie, PA
Richard W. Grice, Atlanta, GA
Sitting on the ground and looking up at Phil, the man said "This is my first golf tournament, and I get hit in the head!" A little smile formed at the corner of Phil's mouth, and he said, "Sir, if this wasn't your first tournament, you would have known to pay more attention when I'm hitting driver."
Thanks to all and especially to Mr. Duke for that story. Sometimes on the PGA Tour these guys are not only good, they're funny.
Billy Duke
Phil: What have they done to this course--and this game?!!
In case you missed it amidst the dozen interesting story lines at the PGA--three of which are Steve, Stevie and Tiger--check out this response from Phil Mickelson to a question about the Atlantic Athletic Club course set-up. He said this twice during an interview Thursday--obviously feeling strongly about it--and it speaks directly to an issue we've discussed here: growth of the game.
Q. Can you talk about your views on the golf course, the par 3s here?
MICKELSON: Well, Tom, I think this is a great site for the tournament, I really do. It's perfect, because there's some really hard holes and there's some really easy holes for birdies. And I think it's going to be exciting to watch. You're going to see a lot of calamity coming down the stretch and a lot of birdies early and late in the round -- early and middle of the round. Did and again, it's a wonderful site. But the 4 holes, the 4 par 3s, are a wonderful example, and a number of others throughout the course, that is the reason why participation in the sport is going down, because of the modern architecture, that doesn't let the average guy play.
Now, we have no problem playing these holes, but when you put water in front and a bunker in back, and you give the player no vehicle to run a shot up, the member can't play and that's why membership participation on this golf course is down like 25 per cent.
And it's every course throughout : Modern architecture, there are some great ones, but the guy that re-did this one, you know, it's great for the championship, but it's not great for the membership.
The "guy who re-did this one", of course, is Rees Jones. Mickelson argued earlier in the interview that rounds were down among members because of the difficulty.
Mickelson has a point. Over the past twenty years we've seen architects make courses tougher and tougher--mostly because they were told told to. Owners or club boards wanted to put their course on the map. Suddenly course and slope rating became the measure of greatness. We've heard people say, "It's got a slope rating of 155!" as if that were a good thing. Ask Pete Dye about it and he'll tell you that if you want to excite golfers about your course, you make it tough, and he's been told by developers to do just that.
But that's from the back tees, and Dye and most architects offer plenty of shorter options. Which is why, we think, the Tee it Forward initiative supported by the USGA and the PGA is so important. Based on Barney Adams contention that if the average golfer were playing "tour-equivalent" tees (based on their distance off the tee) most would be moving up a set.
The popularity of places such as Bandon Dunes, and of more "playable" architecture by the designers like Tom Doak and Ben Crenshaw (with partner Bill Coore), prove that not all of us are masochists. And those designs have done very well on rankings like Golf Digest's, that emphasize shot values over resistance to scoring.http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/2011-05/100-greatest-golf-courses
Mickelson's right. Selling "hard" over "fun" is a deadly formula for a sport that wants to increase participation. Hard, we have enough of. It's "playability" we ought to be seeking.
Bob Carney
Readers grade Stevie Williams...harshly
Caddie Stevie Williams has now issued his official apology for taking too much credit after Adam Scott's win at Firestone, and he's back to work, finished with interviews, for awhile. So where did you come out l'affaire Stevie? You were not kind.
Aw, c,mon! There is no doubt Steve Williams is a caddie icon but, Adam Scott’s ability won the tournament. Williams is known because of Tiger Woods and at the moment he is getting media sympathy. Who among us really know why he is no longer with Tiger. Give the winner his due.
In the interview with Stevie Williams after the last round of the WGC Bridgestone he kept referring to all his worldwide wins of over 140 tournaments as “I” have won these never using the word “we.” It’s quite obvious that it is the player who puts the ball into the hole, not the caddy. I have looked everywhere for his driving statistics but can’t find them. Is it just me? He obviously wanted to give Tiger a dig which is OK in private but shouldn’t be done publicly. Hopefully Adam Scott will have a talk with him to keep his childlike, asinine comments to himself in the future.
I'm surprised at you guys. Maybe it's my amateur caddy background, but I enjoyed Williams interview, found it revealing and insightful, if just a tad out-of-touch. (As you all pointed out, it was Scott who hit the shots). But caddies can and do make a difference, and I think Williams made a strong case that he was an important factor in his players' victories. As a journalist, I loved the fact that he was so unguarded. Agree with his self-assessment or not, there was no false humility there. And frankly one of the reasons he's such a good caddie became clear in that interview: He takes it personally; he feels responsible for his player's performance; it's his win as much as it is theirs. Isn't that what a player wants? And he let us know just how good it felt to beat they guy who fired him. Refreshing.
Ray H. Huntsinger, Hot Springs Village, AR
Steve Williams showed a lack of respect and gratitude to the man that made him wealthy. His statement that Adam Scott's victory was "the best week of my life" showed him lacking civility and an appreciation for the years he spent working for the best golfer in the world. I hope he has the class to apologize to Tiger Woods.
Clarke Marek, Manteca, CA
James F. Miller, Pinehurst, NC
In the course of that amazing exchange at Firestone, he told reporters, "I know I owe you," referring to the fact that Woods had not let him say anything to reporters.
Well, Stevie, consider the debt repaid-- with interest.
Bob Carney
Tiger's return: Most of you are glad.
Tiger's back! Many of you noted just how much coverage his return generated, and most seemed to be okay with that, some reluctantly. I was struck, in reviewing emails to Golf Digest/Golf World and in forums on GolfWRX, our partner site, how positive the reception to Tiger was. Good for golf, you concluded--even those of you who personally aren't fans of Woods.
Here's a sampling:
I just hope this is a truly fit athlete on his way back. I don't care if it takes time to get back to form, but please not another false start.
I'm not a fan at all, but there is no denying what he has accomplished, and there is no doubt his return will be good for the game. Here's to him winning three more majors. deadsolid.
Love him or hate him, it's exciting when he's in contention. Wishing him all the best for the rest of the season.
Not a fan but golf is better with him playing. The duel between Tiger and Phil in Shanghai and all that was supposed to follow was so exciting and everything since has seemed a little less exciting. Thank god for twitter, rookies and a rain free summer!
Golf is so much better with him playing. He sounded and looked very confident in his presser. Much different than he has come across the last year or so. I am expecting him to play well and contend if not win these next two weeks.
I'm glad he's back, but I will be surprised if Tiger is anything more than a middle of the pack golfer going forward. Doesn't have a length advantage anymore and is not going to intimidate anyone. Too many good young players now.. Feherty even said and I'm paraphrasing. "Tiger 2000 version would get his arse kicked now.."
I really hope Woods keeps it up and keeps playing strong. I love watching the guy do well, and I think he has some of it back. Maybe not all he used to, but its definitely an improvement over previous tournaments.
Glad to see him back out there! Like him or not, you have to respect his accomplishments on the course. Here's to putting 4 solid rounds together this week.
MBS1726
mozgolf
shank
Puppetmaster
TJS098
scratchswinger
upanddown
zodiackill
There were dissenters, of course, but not many. I am watching the Bridgestone and amazed at the poor quality of the coverage. In a world class field I have seen virtually none of the players at the -6 or -
7 level but every Tiger Woods shot good and bad. It is astounding to me that we watch every wild drive and as he hacks it out the entire tv crew analyzes his swing. In the next sequence they try to figure how he feels or what he is thinking. It certainly would be refreshing to see others in the field particularly since most were playing better than Woods.
You can't please everyone, especially when it comes to the former No. 1.
Duain Morgan, Palm Desert, CA
Bob Carney
Remember Bubba Smith's golf commercial?
It was sad to hear of football great Bubba Smith's death at 66. Today's obit in the Times makes it clear that Bubba never abandoned his down-to-earth,Texas upbringing. He kept football and show biz success in perspective: "Inside I've got to feel I'm the best, but if I tell you I'm the best, then I'm a fool." Refreshing. It brought to mind Bubba's self-effacing, golf-themed contribution to the Miller Lite "Tastes Great, Less Filling" commercials, when he teamed up with Dick Butkus to talk about birdies.
Even we Wolverines loved this Spartan.
Bob Carney
Editors' Blog continues
The latest on golf digest
Where To Play
America's 100 Greatest
Augusta National leads the way in the game's oldest ranking of courses.
News & Tours
Costliest Rules Mistakes
Morgan Pressel's slow-play penalty just the latest mental error.
Features
Show Us What You've Got
Your favorite Instagram golf photos can now be featured on GolfDigest.com.
