By failing to find a pass for Woods, PGA Tour has sabotaged its final event

[Chas]

Didn't the USGA just recently change a rule to inhibit the bomb and gouge brigade?

That would be a strategic decision of this august regulatory body with respect to a particular type or class of player, NOT an action designed to target a particular individual - as our joke-of-a-journalist has suggested in the OP.

Chalk and cheese ..... apples and oranges ...... birdies and bogies

[Fourputt]

Didn't the USGA just recently change a rule to inhibit the bomb and gouge brigade?

Yep... and all they were doing there is trying to finish what they were prevented from doing 20 years earlier by Solheim. The bomb and gouge would never have come into being were it not for that suit. Blame Ping for that, not the USGA.

[misty_mountainhop]

No, I certainly don't agree. That's possibly the most pathetic, idiotic article I've read (almost) anywhere in the sporting Press this year.

[Frank-0-Sport]

Greetings .....

For those of you that perhaps may have missed it, please read my earlier comment in this particular discussion , and then you may, if desired, make appropriate comments on it.

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Sport

[JWL1957]

That wasn't preventing any particular player from having an edge. It affected the entire field equally. It amounted to nothing more than making a pointed suggestion that they play the course as designed. Had they truly been as evil as you mistakenly portray them to be, they would have made the short cut OB instead and guaranteed that it wouldn't be played that way.

Let me see........ Mr Dey was furious at Hinkle because and was red in the face from the press attention from Hinkle being able to reach a par 5 that almost nobody in the field could. A tree gets planted overnight? Nahhhhh....... your right........ The USGA was making it fair for everyone.

[chef35ca]

Of course it makes it less interesting for the casual fan & for the tv networks.

Whatever. Let the casual fan change channels to something else. I'm sure they can find a thrilling 13-9 football game somewhere.

[sean_miller]

Yep... and all they were doing there is trying to finish what they were prevented from doing 20 years earlier by Solheim. The bomb and gouge would never have come into being were it not for that suit. Blame Ping for that, not the USGA.

So, were PING's wedges considered conforming when they were originally introduced?

[Fourputt]

So, were PING's wedges considered conforming when they were originally introduced?

Of course they were, because nobody had known or realized that such a change would have such a dramatic effect on the way the game was played. As soon as it was apparent, the USGA tried to cut it off before it got out of hand, but Solheim would have none of it, sought legal relief, and it did get out of hand. Now most of the manufacturers must have reailze that a mistake was made which dimished the skill requirement for players at the top of the game, or they would have fought harder to block the USGA's action again this time.

The only people I really see crying about it are a few forum dwelling amateurs who act like their civil rights have been revoked. Most of them couldn't tell what sort of grooves their wedges have just by playing them, but they've still decided that they are personally targeted for abuse. And since the rule doesn't affect them for a few more years anyway, I have never been able to figure out why these discussions begin in the first place.

[sean_miller]

Of course they were, because nobody had known or realized that such a change would have such a dramatic effect on the way the game was played. As soon as it was apparent, the USGA tried to cut it off before it got out of hand, but Solheim would have none of it, sought legal relief, and it did get out of hand. Now most of the manufacturers must have reailze that a mistake was made which dimished the skill requirement for players at the top of the game, or they would have fought harder to block the USGA's action again this time.

I've never played square grooves, and don't play in tournaments anyway, so the issue didn't resonate with me. Then again, I've never played with a mid-capper who could spin the ball like an internet mid-capper either.

[B-Con]

It's not even like Woods has an inspirational story and he struggled all year long to do his best. Rather, he displayed the ethical standards of a prostitute and showed up for about a dozen tournaments all year. He deserves to be let in... why?

Professional golf stands apart because you earn what you get, there are no free rides. The playoffs are all about a playoff of the best performers at the moment, not of the moment and last year.

Writing something controversial (or stupid) media folk famous. It's their job to make Joe Average talk about their articles... Seems to be working once again.

I think this hits the nail on the head. I've seen it happen with other articles in other fields: something borderline controversial occurs so inflamitory articles are written to plant thoughts and generate heated discussion.

The opening paragraph of the article is likely wrong. I sincerely doubt any of the PGA official were trying to think of a way to let Woods in. I bet that anyone who even brought it up would have gotten blank stares. Making an unpresidented excemption shouldn't even be considered.

I've never played square grooves, and don't play in tournaments anyway, so the issue didn't resonate with me. Then again, I've never played with a mid-capper who could spin the ball like an internet mid-capper either.

I'm surprised that you haven't figured out that only the really, really good mid-cappers post on Internet bulletin boards. If only their collective course management was better.

[stealthduffer]

That's the whole beauty of a true playoff. Play well and you advance. Mess up and you go home. Tiger didn't make the cut and his year ended early. To suggest that the rules be changed to allow him into the playoff is beyond foolishness and undermines the playoff process. Personally I found the championship exciting and compelling - not knowing until the final hole who would win the tournament and the big bonus. And as others have suggested - golf's demographics aren't geared toward a casual viewer. So no, I don't think the PGA has screwed themselves at all.

[JWL1957]

I'm not a big fan of the playoffs, but I do have to admit that it was a nail biter for the last 45 minutes. Good show!