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Pebble or St. Andrews?
Posted: Thursday May 25, 2000 11:21 AM
Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle will answer your questions every Thursday during the golf season. Click here to send him a question. There are great debates in the world at large and also in the relatively small world of golf. Such as:
And this one, offered by reader Yuji Banno of Ridgewood, N.J.: "If you had to make a choice, would you rather play at Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St. Andrews?" If it's a freebie, Yuji, I'll take Pebble and chortle over saving 325 bills. If I'm paying, the Old Course. If it's a calm, sunny day, I'll take Pebble. Love the scenery and the barking seals. If it's cold and really windy and life-threatening, I'll take the Old Course. That's real golf. Love the scenery and the barking caddies. Ah, but what if you could play one round anywhere in the world? I don't know. Probably some course I've never played. Like Merion, Portmarnock, Royal County Down, Cruden Bay, Waterville or Sand Hills. Enough about me. Let's hear from you:
I was just reading your piece on Ben Hogan. Do you have any information on his "imaginary friend," Henny Bogan, who used to sit on his shoulder? Hogan apparently used to turn to him for encouragement. There was mention of this in a book I read about two years ago on Ben. Was this "friend" common knowledge back in his day? I read the same book, Max, and wasn't convinced Hogan -- or some sportswriter of the day -- didn't just make it up to jag the writers who, in his opinion, had long since run out of intelligent questions. I just can't see The Hawk, the Wee Ice Mon, Mister Hogan, talking to Henny Bogan. I'm not buying it. Neither is my invisible friend Harvey.
Why must we see Phil Mickelson's wife and baby every weekend? Why are they constantly being shown on TV? I'm not sure, Chris, but I think it has something to do with Philly Mick almost winning every weekend -- and finally doing it at Colonial. Actually, CBS knows all viewers are really people-watchers at heart, and since the network probably isn't going to have time to stick around for the finish of the tournament, CBS types thought you'd like to see the baby that almost held up last year's U.S. Open. Everybody wants to see that cute little Phil and Amy baby. Well, my wife does.
I have noticed that most pros don't let the driver rest on the ground at address before swinging the club. Can you explain why they do that? Because it leads to a bad habit -- starting the backswing by picking the club up off the ground instead of smoothly taking it away from the ball. The backswing should be a single, continuous movement. Try it, Jerome. You'll probably break 70.
Is it true that Aussie amateur Aaron Baddeley was born in the U.S.? Would he be eligible to play for the U.S. in the Walker Cup or Ryder Cup? Yes, it's true -- Aaron Baddeley was born in New Hampshire and possibly could play for the U.S. in some team event, but he has said publicly that he can't imagine doing that. It would be a public-relations firestorm, and therefore won't happen. Loved you in Mannix, Mike. What ever happened to that doll who played Peggy? And did you get to keep the cool Barracuda you drove in the show?
How do the players and caddies really pass the time when they are not actually at the course during out-of-town tournaments? The sordid truth can now be told, Ray. Strip Jenga. In between ordering room service, watching movies, checking their mutual funds and, shudder, reading.
I know that golf is a game where rules and etiquette are almost as important as the play itself. However, isn't it a bit silly for Padraig Harrington to have been disqualified from a tournament he was well on his way to winning? I can understand the need to enforce the rule if a player intentionally failed to sign his card, but can't it be changed so that a player who simply forgets isn't penalized so harshly? What other rules do you think we need to look at updating? You've gotta sign your card, Jon, to make it official. That's the rule. It's harsh, but is it that tough to sign? The guy steps out of the tent and signs a hundred autographs. The scorecard is simply the first request. As for other rules, I've never been a big fan of the out-of-bounds. I say, play it where you found it. If you have to move some kid's swing set out of the way or take a divot out of some guy's lawn, hey, that's just the rub of the green. My alternative would be to paint all the white stakes red and make them lateral hazards. It might speed up play, but I doubt it. There's too many of you slowpokes out there who act like the ball you lost is your last one and it's made of solid gold. Drop another, hit and get on with it, please. Otherwise, I'll have to send you a message via Titleist 3 Express, if you get my drift.
Click here to send your golf question to Gary Van Sickle.
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