Three years ago, Golf Digest writer and Masters’ media legend, Nick Seitz aggregated opinions of fourteen veteran journalists who’ve each covered more than 40 Masters. These experienced writers provided their top Masters’ memories. To get more of the moments, I highly suggest downloading the PDF here, Masters Moments (3 page PDF), but if you are in rush, they are in list form below:
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These pictures are a few weeks premature but in light of today’s announcement, it makes sense to unveil them now.
Regular followers of this blog have likely noticed what hasn’t been featured here within the last 4 months. The personal life of Tiger Woods is none of my business — I didn’t know much about it before November 27th and I sure didn’t desire to know about it after November 27th. What does matter is how the game’s best player has single-handedly brought shame to the sport through his admitted lack of respect towards it.
It is going to take a long time for Tiger to win me back. Not win me back in the sense of if I’ll be happy or not if he wins at Augusta — sure, I’ll be happy for him. But, to win me back where I reflect on him as a true legend of the sport; that will take much time. Jaime Diaz ended his first piece after the incident that exposed Tiger referring it to as a “Shakespearean tragedy.”
To end this brief writing, I’ll reference to a meaningful quote from The Sandlot. Although no Academy Award winner, the quote has never made more sense than now:
“There’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die.”
With the official return of Tiger announced, this is what he’ll need to respect:
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A different post was ready for this evening, but after watching Ernie play and putt so well today, the focus couldn’t leave the Big Easy. It was referenced numerous times today that Ernie is a standout individual because of his attitude, demeanor, and general outlook on life. Below are a few stories and video clips showing different sides to Ernie:
Golf Talk Live oh Golf Talk Live, where did you go? One of my favorite shows on The Golf Channel has been gone for years and nothing has come close to replacing it. This is a gem with Peter Kessler and Ernie Els discussing his struggle to get on Tour.
The greatest golfers have an uncanny way to humanize themselves. The following is from the beginning of a Golf Digest article in February 2000:
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We are almost a month away from a tradition like no other. It was said that Ben Hogan used to practice 30 days straight at Seminole Golf Club to get ready for the Masters. Ben is on record about Seminole saying:
“If I were a young man going on the pro tour, I’d try to make arrangements to get on Seminole. If you can play Seminole, you can play any course in the world.”
Ben Hogan with Stewart Iglehart at the Seminole Golf Club, Palm Beach, Florida in 1966
The following story, Catching a glimpse of the great Ben Hogan honing his game, was written Irv Lightstone conveys a less advertised side of Hogan.
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The brand of the game has taken a hit in recent months. Our best player has been publicly humiliated, corporate decisions have affected on-course rulings, and tournament sponsorships aren’t exactly flying off the shelves (I know there has to be a stat around some where but there is no Tony Reali at ATG). So I’ve decided to create the anti-blogger post and not upbraid the USGA but instead offer common sense reasons to join the organization. Below is a brief introduction to the basics of what they do:
Who They Are:
The United States Golf Association is the national governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico.
What They Do:
Alright, so here goes, 5 Reasons to Join the USGA:
1. It makes economic sense:
The benefits package are nice, especially at the first few membership levels. The USGA offers memberships starting at $10 and you get much more than $10 in value. To get a better idea of what is actually gained, you can find more here, however below is the list of what is received at each level:
2. The community needs support offline and online.
Have you ever gone to YouTube and typed in USGA? The top two videos are titled in the following picture (not to mention if you type in “U.S. Open,” tennis, swing dance, billiards and squash — everything but golf, occupy the first page).
I have seen some of the best commercials, most inspiring stories, and touching tributes created and conveyed by the USGA. It surprises me that none of it is online where the fans browse. Out of support for one of golf’s most honorable organizations, I decided to upload one of their Facebook videos (from their Fanpage). I was tired of seeing “Francesa’s Rant,” so hopefully with a little YouTube optimization, golf fans will see this story:
3. Exclusive offers that you might use:
I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it on this one this year, but keep them coming — the more the merrier!
4: Jim Hyler seems cool.
Jim is in the middle helping Gavin Dear of GB&I find his ball on the 5th at Merion Golf Club in the 2009 Walker Cup. /Boston.com
Jim Hyler just took the position as the President of the USGA. I went ahead and read his introductory speech; it is quality. This is a gentlemen who truly understands the game.
Favorite lines from his speech:
He starts out by quoting William Garrott Brown’s essay “Golf.”
“Not the fiercest rally at tennis, not the longest and timeliest home run at baseball, not the most heroic rush at football, requires a more rigid concentration of thought and energy, than the flick of a putter that sends the ball crawling on its last little journey across the putting green, when the putt is for the hole and the hole means the match. There is not a quality of mind or body – I will not except or qualify at all – no, not one, that life itself proves excellent, which a circuit of the links will not test.”
This I really like:
If the game itself provides an unparalleled experience, then it should be the goal of the United States Golf Association to do all we can to provide an unparalleled experience for all golfers.
Lastly, the guy is somewhat in the know if he is using “super” as an adverb. Even though it is a little played out in my circles, the fact that he even uses it in this context provides some slight cool points.
It is no small statement to say that the U.S. Open is super critical to the operation of the USGA. It is our most prestigious championship and our most valuable and visible asset and branding opportunity.
I have high hopes/expectations for him.
5. For the little man
There is someone right now plugging away at a range trying to make it to one of golf’s greatest stage. The little man has always had a chance and many have proved they belong with the best.
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One of cinema’s best golf scenes undoubtedly includes Sean Connery in Goldfinger. I surmise the success of the scene came from the authenticity behind it. In his memoirs, Sean Connery talks about how his love for the game developed while preparing for one of Bond’s greatest adventures.
From his memoirs:
I never had a hankering to play golf, despite growing up in Scotland just down the road from Bruntsfield Links, which is one of the oldest golf courses in the world. It wasn’t until I was taught enough golf to look as though I could outwit the accomplished golfer Gert Frobe in Goldfinger that I got the bug. I began to take lessons on a course near Pinewood film studios and was immediately hooked on the game. Soon it would nearly take over my life.
I began to see golf as a metaphor for living, for in golf you are basically on your own, competing against yourself and always trying to do better. If you cheat, you will be the loser, because you are cheating yourself. When Ian Fleming portrayed Auric Goldfinger as a smooth cheater, James Bond had no regrets when he switched his golf balls, since to be cheated is the just reward of the cheater.
Golf course – day Bond spots Goldfinger cheating.
Bond: “You play a Slazenger 1, don’t you?”
Goldfinger: “Yes, why?”
Bond: “This is a Slazenger 7.”
Bond shows Goldfinger his own golf ball.
Bond: “Here’s my Penfold Hearts. You must have played the wrong ball somewhere on the 18th fairway. We are playing strict rules, so I’m afraid you lose the hole and the match.”
You may or may not remember Penfold Hearts, but if you don’t that’s okay. Fellow blogger at Chapeau Noir Golf had a giveaway for his loyal readers and I was lucky enough to win a sleeve.
Along with his developed passion for the game, Mr. Connery talks about an etiquette lesson learned the hard way at Pine Valley (where he is also currently a member). If you want to read more of his memoirs and how the game of golf has influenced his life, you can find it at the UK’s Telegraph.
Lastly, there is not a better way to end a post than a story from Jim Nantz. Instead of relaying the information, take a few moments and enjoy.
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This winter has been tough. The South is not immune either. The photos below of Augusta National were taken last week after a winter snow storm swept through the South including Atlanta (home of ATG). The moment I saw these, I knew they had to be shared (hat tip to my good friend for sharing). Side note: I was going to post the location of each hole, but take a guess on each picture and then hold the mouse over the image…see if you got it right.
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The game is always transitioning: swings, clothing, and courses lead the progression. Another facet of the game that continues to change is the putting stance. Arguably, the advancement in green/course quality (click for a case study on sustainable management of golf greens) is a main reason for a more “standard” style of putting. Although there are less distinguished putting stances, unique and innovative styles (claw, belly, and long-putter) keep it customizable.
Also, science has played a large role. Many advanced studies conclude a preeminent way to optimize putting efficiency and accuracy. These results have permeated instructional outlets for years. Below is a visual representation of how the putting stance has evolved. To avoid any confusion about which one is the best, I’ve included an instructional video from putting expert Mike Shannon.
Bobby Jones follows through using his famed putter “Calamity Jane.”
Courtesy Golf Digest
Arnold Palmer’s unique setup is pictured.
Lloyd Mangrum was a student of putting. Above are some of the conclusions he drew.
Photo: Getty Images
Courtesy: Jim Epler
Putting is one of the game’s greatest puzzles. It even led Ben Hogan to declare that it wasn’t even part of the game:
“There is no similarity between golf and putting;
they are two different games one played
in the air, and the other on the ground.”
Concluding, the following instructional video by short game expert Mike Shannon, is good basic instruction on the putting stance:
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There are a few people who immediately come to mind when I think of the Pro-Am at Pebble Beach and right after number one, Clint Eastwood, is actor/comedian Bill Murray. Bill Murray has been playing golf since the Caddyshack days — back when the Pro-Am was called the Crosby Clambake. He has provided many funny moments caught on mainstream media and behind the ropes. Below are the some of the best of the best with Bill.
#6 - Bill Murray on Golf Technology: This may not be a “new media” moment but it is a web-exclusive, so it works. However, Bill Murray demonstrates his credibility in the sport while walking the fairways of Carnoustie. A more informational interview with less laughs, but still a good watch because it shows the depth of this man’s passion for the game.
#5 - Personal Bill Murray Message: Bill takes a few moments to send a special message to the Providence Boys Golf Team.
#4 – Hula Hooping Bill Murray: Playing behind Kevin Costner, Bill Murray engages fans in ways that has likely never happened before.
#3 - Bill Murray Apologizes: After throwing a Coke bottle into the crowd, he accidentally hit a spectator in the face causing his nose to split open. Bill sincerely apologizes but not before leaving some laughs.
#2 - Carl Sprackler Revisited: While spectating during the 2009 U.S. Open, Bill Murray gives his take on the weather that overwhelmed most patrons.
#1 – Spraying it at Pebble: This video was taken in 1997 after Bill pulled it left in the crowd. His quick wit and natural talent shine.
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It is interesting to observe the number of bag tags a player has on a bag. I surmise you can deduce a great deal from a golfer by the number of his/her bag tags. But let’s leave drawing the conclusions to the reader. Bag tags are there for one reason; to identify one’s bag. All one needs is a single bag tag and absolutely no more than three.
Below are a few bag tags that look pretty nice:
I have a metal bag tag from the 1999 Tour Championship at the Woodlands and it still looks pretty good. Plastic bag tags do not hold up as well, but are definitely good while they last.
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