Golfweek On The Growth Of Third Party Tee Time Providers

As the PGA Show gets ready to convene in Orlando and visitors intially regale themselves in discussing when they arrived and where they’re staying, the follow up chit-chat may end up discussing the growing prominence of third party tee time retailers. If they're lucky.

Adam Schupak of Golfweek looks at Golf Now, the Golf Channel-owned enterprise leading a segment of the industry with huge room for growth. The PGA Tour has joined the business and as with most things technological, golf’s consumer base is behind the rest of society. But the catching up is happening.

This was interesting:

Multiple industry observers with knowledge of Golf Channel operations say GolfNow has become the network’s profit center.

No one disputes that third party tee-time providers have created valuable tools, but the trend has become one of the most polarizing subjects in golf, a disruptive force blamed for negatively impacting the value proposition of a round of golf.

R&A: We'll Consider The Shorts Matter, If You Insist

Rex Hoggard got this priceless quote from the R&A on the possibility of shorts in The Open Championship.

Nice to see the folks in St. Andrews have a sense of humor mid-winter.

“While we already have our conditions of entry for the Open at Royal Troon, this is something the Championship Committee will consider in future. It would certainly be a pleasant dilemma to have if the weather here in mid-July is sufficiently warm for shorts to be desirable.”

Jim Nantz Eyes Retirement...At The 2036 Masters

This is assuming (presumptiously) that CBS/ABC/Viacom/ESPN/Google (CAVEG) will still hold the rights in 2036, having fought off a strong effort from NBC/Universal/Apple/GE (NUAG) after Chairman (Brian) Roberts decided it was no longer a conflict to have steered the rights to his former family company (until the Apple/GE takover).

Richard Deitsch talks to the CBS broadcaster as he prepares for another Super Bowl, followed by the NCAA Tournament and then his favorite gig, The Masters.

Oh, and 2036 because that's the 100th anniversary of the Masters...

“So Jack Whitaker if you will gave me a new goal, redefined what I want the back end of my career to look like,” Nantz said. “I know it sounds a little crazy. Here we are in 2016 talking like this. But there are great, iconic voices working in their 70s, churning out quality work. This is all subject to be reexamined but I really want to make it to 2036 health willing and CBS willing. I’d really like to do that for Jack Whitaker.

"I would be 76 years old, but there are broadcasters working at that age and even older. I love what I do. Every show is it’s own challenge and I love it. It will be a hard thing to let go of but that is one thing I would love to be able to achieve one day.”

USGA Pace Of Play Study Moving Slowly But Surely

My GolfDigest.com report from the USGA Pace of Play Symposium also appears in Golf World. The takeaway: the USGA hasn't dialed in its numbers and presented a definitive white paper in nearly two years. How dare they?

Nope, it's darned exciting, is what it is!

Instead of another golf organization trying to "grow" the game or help operators maximize profits, the effort to study pace of play is morphing into other sustainability efforts with the hopes of a stronger end effort. So while the focus isn't crystal clear yet, the initial data, research and input from some great minds could ultimately make these efforts the best thing the USGA has ever done. Throw in the joint effort with the University of Minnesota to create a golf course lab and we may actually see some progress in the war on short-sighted course management.

Anyway, my overview, with more to come on this year's testing of the flagstick measuring device unveiled last week.

Update on 2016-01-26 03:43 by Geoff

**My take on the symposium, discussed with Damon Hack on Morning Drive.

Video: On The Rocks, Jason Dufner Wins In The Desert

If you were watching football instead of golf, you missed a great finish at PGA West aided by the fearsome finishing stretch masterminded by Pete Dye. The PGA Tour's final round highlight package can be viewered here.

In his game story for the Desert Sun, Larry Bohannan focuses on what was easily the highlight of the day, and almost became the greatest shot in Hope Classic CareerBuilder Challenge history.

Dufner survived a perilous pitch shot from a precarious spot on the island green at the 17th hole of TPC Stadium Course at PGA West, rolled in a tough-as-nails par putt to extend the playoff and then made a routine par on the second playoff hole to defeat Lingmerth for the title.
It was Dufner’s fourth PGA Tour win, but his first since taking the 2013 PGA Championship.

And it’s a win he knows was a bit fortunate.

“It was probably like one in like 50 million that that ball ends up there,” Dufner laughed over his good fortune that his tee shot on the 17th didn’t finish in the water or an unplayable lie. “But I'll take it. I'll take it. Some guy won the Powerball a couple weeks ago, he'll take it, right?”

The shot:

Jordan Spieth: “I’m very tired."

At 22, many have scoffed that Jordan Spieth would ever get tired crossing the globe contending in golf tournaments. And while the weight of taking home massive checks in Abu Dhabi and Singapore is clearly a burden that all would like to have, no amount of money can soften the blow of time zone changes and chasing appearance fees. Especially when your cerebral, grinding playing style is, in large part, energy-based and easily compromised when you are not 100%.

But in refreshing Spieth-eque fashion, the fall and wintertime globetrotter made clear after his final round in Abu Dhabi that he's zonked despite a T5 finish. Alistair Tait reports for Golfweek.com:

“It won’t be something I’ll do in the future, to bounce back and forth from Asia as much as we did, or Australia,” Spieth said here Sunday. “I’m very tired. As a team we’re beat up mentally and physically. I’m not 100 percent right now. It shows in certain places.”

Spieth tied for fifth at 11-under 277, five shots behind countryman Rickie Fowler. Spieth probably would have put up a better fight if he’d had his A game with him.

“The first day I was here, I was striping it,” Spieth said. “Since then I have been a little weak, and my decision-making has been off.”

It's impressive that he recognizes how his game was compromised. Though I'm guessing his agent won't find Jordan's conclusion and decision to share it publicly quite so appealing.

Update on 2016-01-25 05:21 by Geoff

**His post round comments. He even sounds defeated talking.

Gleneagles Kings To Get Braid Restorative Touches

Paul Reoch reports that the vaunted King's Course at Gleneagles, a 1919 James Braid design, will enjoy restoration efforts in advance of its 100th birthday.

I'm not sure it's a masterpiece, but it certainly should be hosting any events Gleneagles acquires (but isn't).

From Reoch's report:

They include re-aligning selected fairways to return them to Braid’s design, bringing several bunkers back into play, and reinstating heather stands around the course.

The installation of the latest bunker drainage and lining technology, as well as an extensive aeration and sanding programme, will be undertaken.

Scott Fenwick, Gleneagles golf courses and estate manager, said the aim was to return the King’s Course “closer” to Braid’s original vision.

He said: “We’ll widen the approaches to some of the green complexes to enable traditional pitch and run shots to be played, reintroduce tighter mown turf on green surrounds and reshape the bunkers and raise the sand lines."

Shark Speaks: Fox Is Now In "Tough Position" Without Me

Alan Bastable gets Greg Norman on the line to discuss his firing as Fox Sports' lead golf analyst.

Norman says Fox will struggle without him and the great chemistry he helped build.

"I think Joe Buck is actually now in a tough position, because we became great friends and I believe we had a great foundation," Norman said. "The whole team really had a good chemistry, so I think it will be a challenge to recreate the formula. I am certain Fox has someone in mind already."

Video: Motorcross Star And Friends Pull Of Fun Backyard Shot

Motorcrosser Taylor Robert says, "When your buddy casually tosses you a Red Bull and there is a random guy playing golf in the background 😳😳😳 Good times messing around with @pat_smage and @russellgrove777 in my backyard yesterday."

Okay, so it was a little more orchestrated than that. Big points for the creativity and execution of this, though I could think of easier ways to hit a ball and drink a Red Bull.

When your buddy casually tosses you a Red Bull and there is a random guy playing golf in the background 😳😳😳 Good times messing around with @pat_smage and @russellgrove777 in my backyard yesterday.

A video posted by Taylor Robert (@taylor_robert33) on Jan 22, 2016 at 9:17am PST

Tom Watson Shoots One Below His Age With...A BB-8 Ball!?

Heading into Saturday's Mitsubishi Electric Saturday final round, Tom Watson is two back after posting a 7-under par 65, one better than his age. Watson hasn't won on the Champions Tour since 2011 and chases Duffy Waldorf, Davis Love, Tom Pernice and Tom Lehman.

Even better, he did it with what Mark Rolfing called a "FIFA ball" during round one when Watson dropped a long putt.

.@TomWatsonPGA drains a 60-footer on the 13th with ... a tiny soccer ball? #GolfBallArt https://t.co/LhKLBMpdwE

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) January 22, 2016

According to ClubUpGolf, it's Callaway's Truvis pattern technology which AJ Voepel explains "is specifically designed to maximize your view of the golf ball for better focus and visibility."

FIFA, Truvis, eh, I prefer the BB-8 vibe picked up by Stewart Armstrong:

Tom Watson's new Callaway ball pic.twitter.com/zrsKsM9p2o

— Stewart Armstrong (@FuzzyGolf) January 22, 2016

Video: Chesson's Bounce Back Eagle For The Ages

In the second round of the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge, Chesson Hadley’s second shot from the rocks goes into the water. He makes a 21-foot putt for double bogey on the par-3 island green 17th:

Ah but let this be a patience listen to you young Jedi's. The next hole:

PGA Tour: No Plans To Cave On The Shorts Issue

And I say, you go Tim Finchem!

Alistair Tait quotes PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw on the issue of players wanting to wear shorts in tournaments:

"We are aware of the European Tour's change in policy that allows players to wear shorts at certain events during practice and pro-am rounds. The PGA Tour's policy remains unchanged. Players are required to wear long pants when playing practice, pro-am and official competition rounds."

With 773 of you voting, a resounding 64% said pro golfers should be allowed to wear shorts to 36% of you who I agree with.

Zac Blair: "Eat, sleep, golf, repeat"

I'm catching up on some post-Sony reading and it was nice to see solid features from Sean Martin and Tim Rosaforte on Zac Blair, a real likeable chap who has gotten the golf architecture bug.

From Rosaforte's item, a strong endorsement from legendary looper Andy Martinez:

With no status, Blair played his way on the PGA Tour’s Latinoamérica and Canadian circuits, ultimately needing a second-place finish at the Web.com Tour Championship to lock down a tour card.

“It was a long 15 months, kind of always on the bubble, in that zone where you never know,” Jimmy said. “He just had to keep grinding through it.”

Having Andy Martinez, Miller’s former caddie, on the bag, helped Blair deal with the grind of being in the last group on Sunday with proven-winner Brandt Snedeker and FedEx Cup points leader Kevin Kisner in contention. While coming up a stroke shy of the playoff between winner Fabian Gomez and Brandt Snedeker, Blair’s best career finish on tour brought with it confidence.

“This won’t be the last time he’s in contention,” Martinez said. “I expect to be knocking on the door a lot of times with this guy.”

And from Martin, Blair's interest in golf and architecture:

Then there are the marathon days of golf. Zac is usually the one to call for an E9, or emergency nine, to extend the day's play. He hasn’t slowed much, even though his 34 starts were the second-most in the 2014-15 season. He also squeezed in recreational rounds at Pine Valley, Cypress Point, The Country Club of Brookline and Los Angeles Country Club during tournament weeks in 2015. That's a list that would make even the most privileged player envious.

Like his father, Zac wants to do more than play, though.

He's looking for land in Utah on which to build his dream course, a layout that will draw off the design principles of architecture’s golden age. He wants to build a course that's wide enough for high handicappers while challenging better players to make strategic decisions.

“I think Utah deserves a course that has those principles of the old architects,” Zac said, citing Mackenzie, MacDonald, Seth Raynor and Harry Colt as his inspirations. “You have to think your way around those courses.”