Reaction

Results for September 2012 Back to #Reaction Index

Video: Cheering WHILE golfers tee off

Saturday, September 29, 2012
By Ashley Mayo

A new trend is about to take off. When Bubba Watson encouraged fans to cheer WHILE he teed off on the first hole at Medinah on Friday, he initiated a behavior that had never before happened in the history of golf.

Watson, however, indicated early on Saturday that he wouldn't encourage such antics on Day Two of the matches. But when Ian Poulter, paired with Watson on Saturday, instigated the crowd to keep yelling while he teed off, Watson followed suit.



Should this behavior remain confined within the walls of the 2012 Ryder Cup? Or should it become a tradition that endures not only in future Ryder Cups, but among golf tournaments as a whole?

Some of you think it's a Ryder Cup MUST.


Others say it's something that should happen even beyond the Ryder Cup. If a pitcher has to throw a fastball amidst roars, why does a golfer need silence?

You're right, Al, but we also have to remember that not all golfers feed off spectator energy. USA Captain Davis Love III says he'd never be able to hit the ball in such conditions.

Only time will tell if this trend becomes a mainstay. For now, let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Keywords:

Readers on our instruction: Keep it simple, guys.

Saturday, September 22, 2012
75721148.jpgBy Bob Carney 

At Golf Digest, we live and die on our instruction stories--and your games live and die on your understanding of them. You're quick to tell us when we're getting too complicated, but this week you were quick to compliment us on recent stories that were clear and effective. In general, you tend to like the short, simple tips--one lesson at a time, eh--and two recent efforts drew your praise. One belonged to Hank Haney (left), a simple suggestion about hitting irons in our October Basics section. Haney said: "As beginners, [golfers] all have the same instinct: The swing is about lifting the ball off the ground, not projecting it to the target. They don't rely on the club's loft to get the ball up." Instead, said Haney, hit down on the ball to make it go up. That hit home with many reader.

Just want to comment/compliment the article "Down Equals Up." So simple and so effective. Hank Haney is tops! Thanks!

Pete Ross
Sometimes it takes readers a while to get to all of the instruction, which is why Golf Digests sit around the den a long time before being tossed out. Here's a letter from a fellow who just got around to trying Ron Kaspriske's tip from April. Kaspriske talked about an "aha" moment after reading instruction by Bobby Clampett. 

 If my goal is to get my swing to bottom out in front of the ball, why am I looking at the ball? 

He began looking at a spot in front of the ball and everything changed. It worked for this reader, too:

Congrats on you article from by Ron Kaspriske, "What are you looking at?" I have seen tremendous results using his tip (aim for the red circle) My iron game is vastly improved 5% to 10% farther with a solid flight that is not changed by the wind. My handicap went from 14 to 12 over the summer and I continue to get better. I had 3 2's in one round, hitting lasers. Also shot 36 on the front. Please tell Ron "thanks" as I have never hit the ball so solid with my irons. I even put my 4 iron back in my bag!
Keith Sojka Manchester, NH
Like Keith, some of you give this topic of game-improvement a lot of thought. Listen to this letter from a Minnesota reader who is obviously a "feel" player:

All teachers I have experienced or read in the pages of Golf Digest tell you what a swing should look like from their objective perspective. [It gets] compared to the video of some tour pro--Ben Hogan in my case. The lesson didn't help much. Since I don't tee off with a big mirror, I now have to convert those objective comments to subjective checkpoint cues that I can feel from my [own] perspective. I tell myself to turn hips and shoulders as far as I can, etc., etc. I don't know any teacher since Harry Vardon perhaps who taught the subjective point of view. I heard one Golf Channel commentator say Harry didn't swing like he said he did. That's because, for example, swinging all the way back (feeling) may not look objectively all the way back, etc. Harry had a point.
Richard Patten Minnesota
For a feel player, that's pretty analytical, Richard. But like Vardon, you make a good point. Thanks!
Keywords:

Varied response to Fred Couples' entry into the World Golf Hall of Fame

Thursday, September 20, 2012

By Stephen Hennessey

Fred Couples was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Wednesday as a member of the class of 2013. The 1992 Masters champ will be honored next May. This news has generated three sorts of opinions from the golf world in the last 24 hours: A) Those celebrating Fred Couples for his contributions to golf since he turned pro in 1980. B) Those saying Couples, without a decorated championship resume, doesn't deserve the honor. C) Those believing this is yet another example, perhaps a tipping point, of the shortcomings of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

We captured all sides of the spectrum.

Here's a sampling:


If you look at Couples' body of work within the realm of golf history, he's an obvious choice from this generation of golfers.


Patch Cotter (via Golf Digest's Facebook page): He is the Jimmy Buffett of professional golf. Laidback, easy-going. Never a problem—in life and his swing.

Mark Dwyre (via Golf Digest's Facebook page): It's not your win/loss record as much as how you've influenced the game. "Boom Boom": golf's people's champion before any other. Congrats.

Read more
Keywords:

Is it appropriate to use your cell phone on the golf course?

Monday, September 17, 2012
By Ashley Mayo

Want to start an argument during your next dinner party? Ask your friends if it’s okay to use a cell phone during a round of golf.
 
When Golf Digest posed the question, via Facebook and Twitter, the responses varied from, “No way, BE RESPECTFUL!” to, “Of course, people, welcome to the 21st Century.”

Let’s start with those golfers who think seldom use is key.

Well said, Eli. If you think golf in and of itself is difficult (and it is), it becomes downright impossible once you start thinking about that email you never responded to, the PowerPoint presentation you have to give tomorrow, and those damn TPS reports you have to fill out. Brutal.

I agree! Fully agree!

Related: The 18 Most Annoying Golf Partners


That’s a solid plan. But playing golf four days before your little one’s arrival, with or without your phone, is risky. You clearly live on the edge. I like it.

  • Dustin Warren, via Facebook: “I will not take or make calls during a serious round. But text Facebook and Tweet the whole round. Takes your mind off of bad shots and doesn't allow you to over think.”
Taking your mind off golf between shots is a wise move, but can’t you do that by looking up at the clouds or chatting with your partners? Surely, the Golf Digest Twitter and Facebook feeds are must-reads during any round of golf, but other information you receive via such mediums might distract you from concentrating when you need to turn back on.

A bunch of you use your smartphone as a GPS device (we recommend Golf Digest Live), making it a go-to resource during your round of golf. Others simply think that using your cell phone is a no-brainer in today’s hyper-connected world.

Yes, they’re a part of life, and yes, the PGA Tour now allows spectators to use them. But just because you can use your cell phone while watching others play golf doesn’t mean it’s smart to get attached to it while you play golf.

Can’t argue with this point.

  • William M. Jones, via Facebook: “Yes. And you can use it as a ball marker if you lose your coin.”
That’s one way to make lots of friends. (But not really.)

  • Kyle McGimsey, via Facebook: “I have my phone playing Pandora in the cupholder the entire round. Music makes the game even better!”
That’s another way to make even more friends! (But sooooo not really.)

Lastly, there are the traditionalists who can’t loosen their grip on the cell phone-free policies that’ve dominated the golf industry for decades.

How can anybody disagree, Dave? But even the most fortunate among us can't always afford to enjoy a cell phone-free sanctuary for more than four hours. Setting your phone on silent and checking it seldomly doesn't make golf any less calming. 

That's poetic. Also quite true.

  • Kyle Jones, via Facebook: "Look. Turn the darn thing off. You just paid, god knows how much to play and you slow things down for EVERYONE else. Turn the phone off."
Kyle, you seem upset. You've clearly had some bad run-ins with cell phone-obsessed golfers. I hope you can recuperate.

Related: Our own editor-in-chief thinks private clubs should allow the use of cell phones and electronic devices

Perhaps my favorite comment comes from John Waldo, via Facebook: "I said never call me at the office!!!"

Right on, John. As George Dillon once said, "Real golfers go to work to relax."

Keywords:

Varied reaction to Rory McIlroy's comments about his Olympics decision

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

By Stephen Hennessey

As Golf World Executive Editor Ron Sirak summed up in a column on Tuesday, Rory McIlroy is bound to upset one group of people, after being quoted in a recent interview saying he "feels more British than Irish" when discussing his cultural identity.

The Northern Ireland native wrote a letter Monday after the enormous public response, saying he hasn't made a decision about which country he would represent when golf makes its return to the Olympics in the in 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. But by then, the subject had already struck a nerve with the masses.

We asked our Facebook fans what they thought McIlroy should do, and also mined the comments of our partner blog GeoffShackelford.com, as well as Golf Digest's Twitter followers.

There's certainly mixed opinion, proving Sirak's point even further.

For instance, there is a group of people frustrated about this even being an issue:

Stephen Lowrie (from Facebook): I think Rory should be left to decide for himself. Personally I wouldn't blame him if he didn't play at all.

Elf (on GeoffShackelford.com): I dislike it when we try to force an identity on people, especially when we make it like there's a right or wrong choice. Identity, be it race (Tiger) or nationality (Rory), is by definition inherently personal, and not right or wrong.

Bruce Helbig (from Facebook): Given that golf doesn't need the Olympics and the Olympics don't need golf, it matters not one whit to me. Superfluous waste of energy debating something that silly. Just keep winning Rory and ignore as best you can this stuff.

Read more
Keywords:

Readers rate this year's FedEx Cup Playoffs

Sunday, September 9, 2012
By Bob Carney 

So how are the FedEx Cup playoffs going? Our readers have been anxious to share their impressions. Here is sample of emails received prior to this week's BMW Championship. Consider it constructive criticism. From a Massachusetts reader after the Deutsch Bank Championship:

images.jpeg
FedEx Cup Playoffs? PLAYOFFS !!!!! C'mon, playoffs are supposed to be tough - 20 under par !!!!!! THESE GUYS ARE GOOD? Then put them on a tougher golf course and test 'em. I thought the Silly Season starts in November. 
Dennis Bertoni 
Braintree MA

A California Golf World reader thinks there is a problem with the schedule....

I think there should be an off week after the Deutsche Bank tournament and not after the BMW tournament. It gives the players an off week on a short week. A lot of them played several weeks in a row and having the off week on a short week would make sense. [The present schedule] hurts spectators at the BMW tournament. Some players did not arrive until Wednesday this week. Under normal circumstances players would arrive on Monday and most by Tuesday. This affords the fans two or three days of access to the players under relaxed conditions. As it is, there may be only one day for this type of interaction. 
Jim Fuchs 
 Costa Mesa, CA

Other readers, including frequent correspondent Ron Field, take issue not so much with the tournaments as with the telecasts....

When are these TV commentators going to stop with their biased one-eye reporting on the golf with everything Woods, Woods, Woods. They are supposed to be neutral, but they certainly don't show it. Quite a few of us in this area (and no doubt many other areas) are turning the TV golf coverage off when Woods is about as that is all you get. 
Ron Field 
Morton WA
Johnny Miller is losing it. Rory McIlroy pulled a wedge about 30 feet left on an approach and Miller immediately stated that Rory had flipped the club over upon contact and warned the viewers that they need to keep the club square for one inch while in contact with ball in order to avoid doing this. He should know better than this. You cannot manipulate a club in this manner while club is traveling 90-100+ mph. and make a complete circular swing, which is what a golf swing is. All the announcers are becoming way to analytical, making bizarre statements such as this. He has made many comments such as this. I am qualified to make these comments having been a PGA teaching pro for some 20+ years. 
Bob DeVore 
Apache Junction AZ 

I have just finished watching the PGA Tour from just outside Boston! Unless something happens in the near future it will be my last tournament until the Ryder Cup! I simply have become aggravated by the screams, hollers and screams..."Get in the hole!" We know why they scream and that is to say hello to Mom, Dad, buddies or work friends back home! Get in the hole on every shot even on a 585 yard par 5! Really? Get in the hole! Every shot has three rebel yells! I think about the mature sober paying patrons at the tournament! Aren't they getting upset by these aggravations? The Tour could stop this nonsense in a heartbeat! It is about the game we love and treasure! Do people do this at the Masters? No! It is time for all people begin to measure up to their existing standards or stay home! Ssshhhh! 
Richard Brace 
Murrieta CA
About that last criticism, let the congregation say, Amen! On the other hand, this year's tournaments have provided plenty of star power, beginning with Rory McIlroy's win last week and Phil Mickelson's emergence at Crooked Stick. For the highlights of other FedEx playoffs, see Steve Hennessy's compilation.
Keywords:

Readers: These six courses should have made the Most Fun list, Golf Digest

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

By Bob Carney

We got lots of mail on Golf Digest's September list of Most Fun Courses, more in fact, than we received on the Augusta decision to admit women. Go figure. One entertaining note came from our old USGA friend Pete Bevacqua--now with CAA Sports--about our list. And he wasn't alone in the course he thinks we missed:

73556332.jpg

Love the list but feel that Cape Arundel in Kennebunkport, ME is a major omission. A Walter Travis wonder that can play from about 6,000 yards if you tee it from the tips, every hole makes you think even though you have a wedge in your hands for your approach shots on most of the Par 4s. Just ask Phil and Davis, Tom Brady and Jim Nantz or 41 and 43 [photo left]...a wonder for all. And because you're in Maine, it can really be listed under Private or Public because, well, it's Maine and no one cares. And the best wager isn't a $2 Nassau. It's a lobsta roll and lemonade at The Clam Shack just down the road...

Pete Bevacqua 
New York

Editor in Chief Jerry Tarde replies: "Cape Arundel was on our master list, but didn't quite get the votes. But this won't be the last time we do this ranking, and we'll take your counsel very seriously."


Cape Arundel was on another reader's list as well:

I have to say that you missed one of the funnest golf courses in the US: Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine. Not many public courses have Fred Couples' course record broken by Phil Mickelson (61), Presidents playing there, a tee in a graveyard, and a great WalterTravis layout where when the tidal river is high have stripers jumping out of the water!
Tom Prokopowicz

Here are some of the other courses that readers nominated for inclusion next time:


I noticed a glaring omission in your "Most Fun" list. Rock Creek Cattle Company in Deer Lodge, Montana is the most fun course I have ever played. It was a treat to play from the first hole through the 18th and I couldn't wait to play it again. In addition, I discovered another course that will fall into my top 5 most fun courses while in Canada recently. Sagebrush Golf & Sporting Club is also a blast to play from beginning to end. Is there any more fun than fly fishing while waiting for your pulled pork sandwich to be toasted at the halfway house? You can do that at Sagebrush. My top-10 "Most Fun" courses are:
1. Rock Creek
2. National Golf Links of America
3. The Old Course
4. Old Macdonald
5. Sagebrush
6. Sand Hills
7. Fishers Island
8. Ballyneal
9. Pacific Dunes
10. Cypress Point

Keep up the good work.
Jim Franklin

You guys forgot a fun one: Audubon Park Golf Club in New Orleans. While only a par 62, it's one of the great urban public access courses in the country. I last played there in June with a group of buddies from college. We had the whole range of skill levels - all the way from a 5 handicap to a 60 (if that was possible). Everyone had a good time. The course oozes with New Orleans - what's not fun about that? Between the huge party in the park nearby that gave us a soundtrack for 2 holes, the spanish moss dripping from the trees, the Tulane cart girls, the driveable par 4s, and the clubhouse porch for after round drinks, you can't beat the place. My 60 handicap friend made a birdie on the 15th. I think he's hooked now...
James Toal

Nice to see an article on golf courses that are simply just fun to play. While I've been fortunate to play many of those mentioned and while ranking is a matter of opinion of course, I was wondering how Mike Strantz's Tobacco Road did not make the list. It was nice to see his Caledonia and Monterrey Peninsula tracks both deservedly make the cut but leaving out Tobacco Road is an injustice to any golfer who loves the game - you cannot help but smile and want to immediately tee it up again right after you play it the first time. I recently played Tom Doak's Common Ground and unlike all his other masterpieces, this one should not be on this list or for that matter, bear his name. I found it rather pedestrian given his high standard of design and accomplishments. It was nice to see Ballyneal on that list though as that is a lot of fun too.
Jim Keenan 
Norwalk CT

I loved your list and your criteria. But I think you missed a gem in Lake Placid Club (Mountain course) in the Adirondacks. Designed by Alexander Findlay at the turn of the last century and remodeled by Alister MacKenzie in 1931 (yeah, that one) it was a true treat to play with unsurpassed views including the ski jumps on the first tee. While I think it would qualify from the tips, played from the blues or shorter it is a blast and meets all of your requirements.

We played in July and my wife and daughter hadn't played in years due to a traumatic event on course our last time out together. We had a great time and my daughter had her first birdie on a par four - we loved it so much we came back and played it the next day on July 4. I'd love to play this in late September during leaf change season!
Bruce Sumner 
Waterbury CT

That last one is a great suggestion. Hard not to have fun playing golf up near Lake Placid. The Craig Wood course there is another gem.

Keywords:

The latest on golf digest

Golf Digest style guide
Style For Dummies
 The do's and don'ts of how to dress right for the golf course.
Golf Equipment: What's In My Bag: Charlie Beljan
What's In My Bag
 Charlie Beljan
Ranking Golf's Architects
Rankings
 Ranking Golf's Architects
Swing Sequence: Keegan Bradley
Swing Sequences
 Keegan Bradley

Search

. Close

Thank you for signing up for the newsletter.

You will receive your first newsletter soon.
Subscribe to Golf Digest
Golf Digest Perks

Golf Digest Tablet Editions

Subscribe today

Twitter

Golf Equipment: 3Balls.com - New and used golf equipment

Sign-up for Golf Digest's Above The Cut

most emailed

most commented

most viewed