Bobby Lopez, past touring professional and swing guru say’s, “I
Don’t Think So.”
Bobby Lopez goes on to explain, “I can’t tell you how
disappointed I am in the powers to be at The Masters Golf
Championship. They’ve ruined my favorite golf tournament. I’m
quite certain that Bobby Jones is turning in his grave!”
He sights the Master’s decision to lengthen their golf course to
the point that 90% of the field doesn’t have a prayer in
competing for the opening major championship of the 2006 season.
Everyone concerned feels that Master’s officials certainly
should have concern for their championship being won by a score
like 22 under par. Compared to the US Open, known for it’s
difficult conditions, making even par a winner score again, the
Masters at Augusta National with it’s wide rolling fairways and
light rough became outdated in today’s long ball hitting
environment.
Lopez, claims, “The same long hitting lineup
is hitting it long at the US Open too but it’s not just the
length that’s causing the higher scores. It’s the super fast
greens and tight fairways with considerable rough that makes it
very difficult for any player to reach the green in regulations
once in deep rough’s grasp.”
At the Player’s
Championship, we watched the best PGA touring professionals in
the business agonize over a par three of only 123 yards. You
have to question what made the Masters committee decide that
only a 240-yard par three could tame today’s long hitting
bullies?
Bobby Lopez says, “Tighten up the golf course I
say, don’t lengthen it. Add a vicious intimidating rough that
would make even the longest hitters reach for their 1 iron or a
three wood to not risk hitting their drive in the rough and lose
a stroke, (or maybe even your ball) to a deep club swallowing
hazard.”
This adjustment Not only would have the scores
go up but at the same time you would bring more players into
contention and in Bobby’s estimation bring out the best ball
strikers not just the long knockers.
You can think of it
like NASCAR. Doesn’t this sport do the same thing? Look at how
successful NASCAR is! They control the speed of the cars so that
more competitors are bunched up at the finish to create a more
exciting race.
Maybe the powers to be at The Masters, with all their glory,
high income power brokers, members of the powerful business
clicks, don’t have as much sense as a bunch of rednecks with a
beer in their hand watching a Chevy go around in a circle. Could
it be true? The numbers don’t lie NASCAR has the largest
audience in the sports business and golf is losing popularity
and participation.
About the Author:
Visit the Golf Swami and let him straighten out your swing.
Patrick Porter, Ph.D. works on the inside of golf he can be
contacted at
Mental Golf Coach
