Tiger Woods Out for the Rest of the Season

Right about now it's old news but Tiger Woods is having major reconstruction surgery and will be out for the rest of the 2008 season. In fact he won't be making any quality swings in probably over 9 months. That's just my opinion given the damage that was done.

Tiger's drive and determination may have been his undoing. Now we also know that he really did win his 14th major not only in spectacular fashion but on only one leg. His prior surgery was essentially a 'patch and fix' to hopefully get him through the rest of the season, with more surgery on the horizon. Given the swing speed and torque that Tiger generates, the knee just couldn't hold up through that kind of repetitive trauma.

I mention his drive because the guy really doesn't know when to quit which is why golf fans and golf pro's are fascinated with him. He continually wants to win and is always stepping on the gas (as well as his fellow tour members throats). He was explaining in an interview on ESPN after he won the US Open that whenever he was exercising the theme was always '4 more'. It was 4 more reps, 4 more minutes, or 4 more swings. 4 wasn't just a number he decided to pick, 4 meant forever. He was going to work out forever, he was going to run forever, and he was going to work on his swing forever. It even gets a fat guy like me pumped up a bit. Unfortunately it was that mentality that brought him to this.

Tiger Woods will be back and he'll once again dominate the tour but if he doesn't be careful he's going to be the Pedro Martinez of golf. Dominant early but may just fall apart. I seriously doubt that's gonna happen but after so many surgeries, the arthritis which will definitely set in is guaranteed to hinder his ability to train with the same intensity he did 5-10 years ago.

You can bet that the entire PGA Tour breathed a collective sigh when they realized Tiger was gonna be out for the year. Not that they want him injured but now they have a chance. The talk is now that the tour won't be exciting for the rest of the year but that's not the case at all. Tiger usually only played in about 14-18 events all year anyway. 4 of them were the majors so he played in a little over 1/3 of the regular tour events. Which makes it even more amazing that he's the leading money winner every year considering he plays in about half the events that everyone else plays in.

The guys on the PGA Tour have a golden opportunity to shine and establish themselves. No one can blame the fact that the scoring average of Tiger's Sunday opponents is well over 73 either. We may not see the impossible but there's still plenty of great golfers out there and I doubt the golf will suffer. The playing field is a bit more level which could lead to some great battles down the stretch so step it up boys, here's your chance.

PLEASE TELL ME YOU WATCHED THAT!!!!!!!!!

Folks, I'm spent. Just absolutely spent and I couldn't imagine how Tiger and Rocco Mediate feel at this moment. If you did miss the US Open, you missed the absolute greatest golf tournament EVER!!!!!!!!

It had everything and anything a golf tournament could ask for. I'm still at a loss for words because we've seen Tiger do so many amazing things in the past that you just have to wonder how he still does it? Not to mention, everyone, including Rocco Mediate, knew he was gonna make that birdie putt to force the playoff.

The playoff was just a continuation of the best reality show we've ever seen. Everything was real. The theater, the drama, the pain, the crowd, the guts, the grit. I can't say it enough but it was the greatest spectacle we might ever see. I hope I don't offend any traditionalists because I don't know enough about the tournaments of the past but that was the best of the best. The 18 hole playoff (or should I say 19 hole playoff?) could have been a rout when Rocco made bogey on the 1st hole and Tiger made par but they both grinded out an awesome round that needed to go an extra hole.

I didn't forget about Bob May at Valhalla in the 2000 PGA Championship. That was the playoff where Tiger actually chased the birdie putt into the hole and pointed in what has become my all time favorite putt. Because that was probably my favorite up until this point. But honestly, that doesn't hold a candle to what we were priveleged to witness this weekend into Monday. Neither guy would back down and both were on the ropes a bunch of times.

Rocco Mediate is a fan favorite who was the perfect adversary to Tiger. He was the right guy because he was ecstatic to be there and you knew he wouldn't let Tiger get in his head like he does with anyone he plays with. In fact, the fans were rooting for Rocco more so than Tiger on the back nine. They were whistling the theme from 'Rocky' as he was walking to the tee on a few holes on the back nine. Rocco even had a set of balls by wearing Tiger's Sunday colors which was just awesome.

But more than anything, the fans were rooting for golf. They just wanted more golf and so did I. This is an instant classic and will be talked about for the rest of our lives. Once again, just appreciate what we've gotten to witness.

On a side note, it won't be talked about but Lee Westwood hung with Tiger all day sunday finishing only one stroke back when he parred the 18th. He didn't implode due to being paired with Tiger in the final round as most guys do. He deserves a bit of accolades but got lost in the theater of Rocco and Tiger.

Wow, I'm still exhausted but I'll always remember the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, or simply 'The Greatest Golf Tournament Ever'.

The Best U.S. Open Course?

This is a very pre-mature post as the third round has just begun but already I'm ecstatic with this year's US Open Course at Torrey Pines. The rough is rough but there are a couple cuts, thus not eliminating the golfer after one errant drive, and the greens are rolling fantastic.

The US Open has been traditionally the toughest course setup which penalizes you for the smallest mistake made. While I believe the pro's should be penalized when they don't hit it straight, I also believe they should be rewarded for making good shots. That hasn't happened in the past.

Over the years, the golfer who made the least amount of mistakes, and got the most breaks won the US Open. It wasn't always the best golfer either. But it was the fault of the USGA for fluke winners or eliminating 3 quarters of the field with extended length and lightning greens.

In my opinion, if you make a quality shot and hit the fat part of the green, you did your job. That being said, a lot of Open course setups were flukie and penalized you for doing such. A big mistake was at Bethpage in 2002 when it was a 220 yard carry just to reach the fairway and during a monster rainstorm, only a few guys were able to reach it. These are the best in the world and now they're being penalized for hitting straight but too short. That should never happen.

Also who can forget that ridiculous pin position on the 18th hole at Southern Hills in 2001 where Retief Goosen and Stewart Cink looked like kids on a putt putt course by 3 putting from 4 feet. It wasn't a lapse of concentration by any means, the hole was on a slight angle and the greens were cement. Yes, it's supposed to be tough but that's just too gimmickie.

The worst thing that happened was at Shinnecock in 2004 when they had to water the 7th green after every group hit because they cut the green so tight they lost it. How the hell could the USGA let that happen? The problem with that was that green putted completely different than all the other ones. The 17th green took a beating as well. If you remember, Phil and Goosen were tied going into the 17th hole, a par 3. Both guys hit the green but while Goosen's stayed, Phils bounced on the hard green and took off way past it. A perfect example of hitting a good shot and getting penalized. This wasn't just a bad break, it was a mistake by the USGA. Phil went on to make double bogey and Goosen won the tournament by 2 strokes.

It seemed that as of late, the USGA was just trying to make a fool out of the guys on the PGA tour during this major. They thrived on scores over par and it wasn't a true test of who was the best golfer. That all changes with this course at Torrey Pines. It's by far the most fair, yet difficult course that we've seen a US Open played on in about 15 years. Hopefully the USGA will take notes on the setup of this course.

That's enough for now, enjoy the 3rd and final rounds!

Now This is Some Luck Golf

The time has come folks. It's foot long rough, ridiculously long holes, cement greens with no bail out whatsoever. No, I'm not talking about the new Masters, I'm talking about the U.S. Open. The major where one single mistake can take you out of a round or even the tournament.

This has always been the most difficult major with scores rarely going below par. The U.S. Open traditionally has been the short hitters major because while they're short, they're straight and safe. That all changed at Bethpage when the USGA decided to make the fairway a 230 yard carry. They haven't made it that bad since but it's now a bombers course because the length has given the short hitter long irons into greens. Of the recent champions during the technology boom, only Jim Furyk would be considered a short hitter and he's not Corey Pavin short.

That being said, it's the biggest field and it's America's 'Open' Championship. Anyone can try to qualify for this tournament. I'm not certain why an amateur or young pro would subject themselves to this torture but if they make the cut and make a run at it, it's instant fame. Remember how great a story it was when Jason Gore was in the final group on Sunday, only a couple strokes back of Retief Goosen. He was a lovable Nationwide member who got into the Open through sectional qualifying. He also fell back to 40th position during a final round in the 80's but was back up on the PGA Tour in about a month having won 3 straight Nationwide events. An achievement that gets you an instant pass onto the PGA Tour.

There's also been some serious heartache at the U.S. Open in recent years. It's been touched upon in many posts on this website but we can't forget the infamous 'Mickelson Meltdown' on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he just hasn't been the same since that hole. Not to mention he was on his way to winning 3 straight majors, his 4th of the last 9, and finally becoming the serious threat to Tiger he always thought he could be. That all ended when he carded a double bogey 6 on the 72nd hole handing the crown to Geoff Ogilvy. Hey, I'm rooting for lefty but he really needs another major to get his head back on straight.

The great thing about the U.S. Open is as long as you make the cut, you have a chance. Big scores are carded at this tournament and the leaderboard changes with just about every hole. Because the scores are so whacky, every shot is exciting and important. Usually the tournaments don't take shape or develop stories until late Saturday (moving day). But this major has drama and excitement every single day, which is why the coverage is so extensive for Thursday and Friday.

The talk is that the course may yield a winning score of just under par. There is a first cut of rough that gives the player to still advance the ball possibly on the green but the second cut is still jail, forcing the player to wedge his way back out to the fairway. But the greens will be lightening and it will be fun to watch.

The talk is Tiger is a shoe in to win this tournament but I wouldn't put my money on it. That long of a layoff from competitive golf can get anyone rusty and there's a bunch of guys who are playing well right now. Plus any time Tiger takes time off his ball striking suffers. That means he has to make putts and he didn't make a single putt at the Masters, his last competitive round of golf. It's no secret that you need to be in the fairway so the winner is gonna be which ever guy's putter catches fire. On these greens, getting a few to fall is gonna make the difference.

So sit back, relax, and watch the pro's humbled by the course that's been given the dubious distinction of hosting the most difficult major, the U.S. Open.

We're Just at a Disadvantage

Golf has gotten to a point with technology that you really need to be a trust fund baby to figure out what equipment suits your game.

I'm only going to rant for a bit on this one but in last months Golf Digest they did an article on Phil Mickelson expanding his golf bag by being able to hit different shots with the same club. I think that's a great skill to be versatile with your clubs but there was one part that got to me once again.

Mickelson was talking about the new Callaway drivers and how he can just change the heads with a simple wrench and have a different shot in the bag. Use one club head and hit a fade, simply change the club head, make the same swing and hit a draw. He changes depending on what course he's playing. Well where's the skill in that? The skill in golf was to be able to work the ball with the same club. Again, I don't have the luxury of affording 3 different club heads so I'm a bit jealous and that's where my rant comes from. Shouldn't you have to fade and draw the ball with the same club?

So what Phil is telling us is that we're only as good as our equipment matches up with us. While that's somewhat true he's taking the element of 'golfing' his ball out of the equation. Not all of us can be fitted for clubs, have our swing measured, and have a launch monitor at our disposal. The hole point of golf was to have a square club face at impact with the ball, thus hitting it straight and into the hole in the least amount of strokes. Now it's finding the equipment that matches the course you're playing.

Basically they're taking an already impossible game and making it harder for us amateurs. We're the very people that need the game to be easier.

What really bugs me is Mickelson ho hums it about changing the club heads. Dude, does he really think we all have that luxury? Once again, it's how out of touch with reality these people really are. Hell, I spend about $4o a year in golf magazines and I already know that's worth a round of golf because I'm on a golf budget due to the costs being so high.

I understand that golf technology has made it easier for amateurs like me to hit the ball longer and straighter but now with all these different options, how in the world are we supposed to know if we're even using the correct equipment? We don't get to do testing like the pro's do. Our test is going out to the course and seeing if we hit the ball better than with the club it's intended to replace. Even that is probably a total of 8 swings. And don't give me this b/s about going to the driving range and testing it out. Every club is a winner on the driving range and one of these years I will prove that as a scientific fact (just need some government funding for the test). The only real test is playing conditions on the course and that's just a luxury we don't have.

As I wrap up this jealous rant it ends with a few simple questions. Should we feel better about our game knowing we're using equipment not suited for us? Should that discourage us from practicing with our current equipment knowing there's a strong possibility that a couple clubs in our bag are never gonna agree with us due to our swing?

I ask this because right now I'm fighting my driver and 3 wood off the tee. These are clubs I've hit well in the past and still do so on occasion (won the long drive in an outing just yesterday). Unfortunately I have no clue where the ball's gonna go each time I swing these clubs. Are they just not suited for me? Am I just getting lucky when I do hit them good or did my swing click those times?

Ah yes, the life of an amateur golfer. Let's read what you guys have to say about this topic!!

Samuel L. Jackson Has an Awesome Golf Swing

Would you guys like to know why Samuel L. Jackson has an awesome golf swing? Well I'll tell ya. It's because he's rich, spoiled, and has every lesson, tip, coach, pro, range, advise, club, ball, glove, hat, manufacturer, gadget, course, and situation at his disposal.

Dude, he got to be on Playing Lesson's From the Pro's with David Toms. That's bullshit. Why can't I get a 'Playing Lesson From a Pro'? I care about golf as much as him and maybe even more. So because he gets to fake his way through his career (that's what acting is, isn't it?), he gets to have a caddy who just so happens to be on the PGA tour.

Well listen up dude, if I had that at my disposal, I'd be shooting some seriously low numbers and would have an awesome swing too. As a matter of fact, if you're rich, and like to play golf, you have no business sucking. And if you do suck, it makes you even more of a douche because you don't even appreciate the resources that you have. You're just abusing your privileges and it's an insult to guys like us who work hard and play golf as a reward.

Honestly, it's a really tough game, there's no doubt about that. But if we had the luxury of some of these guys we'd be shooting in the 70's. A lot of us have crawled our way into the 80's (without cheating, because you know how much I, and guys that I tee it up with, despise cheating), and that's an accomplishment by itself.

I just wonder how much better we would be if we didn't have those little subtleties that the normal person has such as a job, family, time. Then again, you can have plenty of time and a family but if you don't have a ton of money you're not gonna be able to afford all the resources those spoiled bastards in Hollywood have to be a better golfer.

Here's what we need to develop. This is for all 7 of you that read this website but this is the groundbreaker. We need to develop a new league. This is what will get this website started and a brand new television market.

It's called the AGA. The Average Golfers of America. It humms just to read doesn't it? Think about it folks. The AGA will showcase average golfers like us, so we all know that we're not alone. It will be a spectacle, with galleries, camera's, commentary, and average scores. The way I figure it, once every month or two would be good for this scenario. We can watch the pros for a month, then watch a bunch of ham n' eggers like us take a shot at it. The market is almost too easy and the idea will already be patented by me so don't get any ideas.

Yeah I know wise ass, the PGA Tour hosts pro-ams before every tour event for average golfers like us. Well how many have you played in? How many guys do you know have played in one? How many guys do you know that can even afford to participate in one? Exactly.

Wouldn't it be great to watch golfers on tv play like us? Of course it would. It would generate a HUGE market. It'll bring back the amateurs like us who don't watch the pros because they're on such a different lever and it's frustrating for them.

You guys heard it hear first. Don't be surprised to see the AGA within the next 50 years. Ok, maybe not that quick. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hit em straight boys.