|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
No more real golf
Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle will return in two weeks. Click here to send him a question. Let's all just scratch Valderrama off our scorecards, shall we? As the recent WGC American Express Championship proved, it's not a great golf course. The 17th hole, where balls keep rolling off the green into the lake, is a travesty. That green really does belong on a miniature-golf course. Now you know why the Europeans won the Ryder Cup there. It's goofy golf. Let's hope no more tournaments of significant magnitude are scheduled there; I doubt any will be. What did we learn from 2000? Tiger Woods further established himself as the world's best player. Phil Mickelson established himself as the most likely to give Woods a run, having beaten him twice. Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke, who also beat Woods head-to-head, could have potential roles as challengers, too, but I think they'll have to dedicate themselves to that goal -- such as working out, getting stronger, getting in shape -- more than they have in the past. I'll be surprised if they don't do just that this winter. Meanwhile, the silly season is here. Lots of made-for-TV events. It could be worse, although if the organizers want me to watch the Skins Game, they're going to have to invite Karrie Webb, raise the stakes to $1 million per hole or make the players ante up a few hundred thou of their own dough, just to make it interesting. Because the real golf season has ended doesn't mean the Mailbag will roll over. As long as the questions keep coming, we'll keep doling out what passes for the answers. This week's 'Bag:
I am one of the million fans of Tiger. After reading his displeasure about the PGA Tour, I was a little bit disappointed. What are your thoughts about his comments?
There's no way for a millionaire to complain about money and not come off sounding greedy. It's a no-win situation for Tiger, who may have a beef regarding who controls his image and what is done with it. On the other hand, it's his fame that earns him the big bucks. He said he wants a cut of the PGA Tour's TV contract. He's already getting it -- it's called the purse. This was all just venting, though. Let's see what, if anything, Tiger does next before we criticize or praise him.
I would like to hear your comments on Tiger's reactions after his finish in Spain. During an interview, this was visible in the background: Players signing their cards and Tiger kicking the hell out of a chain inside the trailer. His caddie and another player paid no notice. Is this his normal reaction to losing a tournament?
Golf is a frustrating game, Tom. I'm sure Tiger was irritated by the 17th hole at Valderrama, possibly the worst hole in pro golf. He'd hit a shot that landed past the hole, yet still backed up into the water. Nothing is more frustrating than playing well and scoring badly. It's easier to just play badly. At least then it makes sense. As you may have noticed at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, when after a bad tee shot Tiger shouted an obscenity that was heard nationwide, he does have a bit of a temper.
I'll admit that I am just a beginning golfer, but doesn't every club manufacturer make its clubs to try to improve your game? If so, what's wrong with what Callaway is doing?
What's wrong, Joe, is that the USGA has rules that limit how good the equipment is allowed to be and Callaway has knowingly violated those rules in producing this driver. Without rules, golf would turn into, well, Somalia.
Your Teeing Off about Benedict Arnold was right on. I just wish you could have included Ely Callaway. It looks like Ely thinks someday we will be playing by Ely's rules instead of the USGA's rules. He thinks he's bigger than the USGA and the game of golf itself.
I disagree, Jim. I just think Ely Callaway is a shrewd businessman who knows how to make money and is trying to do it in a golf market that has been saturated with hot technology for the past decade.
Why can't the USGA make separate rules for amateurs and pros? I am especially angered by the lost-ball rule in which pros have the advantage of a huge spectator line, marshals, spotters and the usual array of forecaddies and television people to find the ball.
I hope you're kidding, T.J. What if you're playing in a pro-am? Which rules do you play by? With more than one set of rules, you'd have to decide which ones you're going to abide by before each round. That's why the Rules of Golf were invented, to make the game uniform for everyone. There is no need for two sets of rules.
What's the difference between the different types of shafts, and how does a person know which is best for him?
Generally speaking, the stiffer the shaft, the better the player. Golfers who generate more clubhead speed need a shaft with less flex. Golfers who don't generate much clubhead speed, which is the majority of the world, should use a regular-stiffness shaft.
If Tiger had a 500-yard, straight fairway in which he could simply blast the ball off the tee, how far do you think he could drive it?
He could probably average 330-340 yards if he put his mind to it and didn't hurt himself on his follow-through.
Click here to send your golf question to Gary Van Sickle.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
