Drug Testing on Tour...

[ipark1303]

Do you guys think is necessary to have mandatory and unannounced Drug

Testing for Tour Players?

IMO, yes. Just for peace of mind and for reminding the cheaters not to try!

[The Turlock Kid]

I don't think it is necessary, but maybe as an example to other sports to be clean or something. But, let's face it, drugs don't help you golf. Maybe like a nerve deadener if you're in pain, but that isn't illegal. That's why golf is so great - you can't really cheat (unless you add stuff up wrong or lie about a placement - either way the cameras will catch it).

[cmarkmyers]

Golf is a gentleman's game. It is a game of honor and at this point I see no need to even think about testing players. It hurts the integrity of the game.

[mybloodinvt]

test for what? i am not aware of any "drug" that will enhance one's ability to square the clubface at impact or to make better course management decisions. if anything, "drugs" would have the opposite effect. again i ask, test for what? to see if anyone is firing up a number in his hotel room after his round? what about alcohol? is that considered a "drug"? again, i ask...

[flap]

Who Cares?All I want to see is Phill or Tiger or Freddie play well and entertain me on Sat or Sun for a few hours.

[Billbill13]

Why, I think 'Roids are overated. They won't help you imporve your swing, we all know the harder you try to swing the worse it gets.

It's the same in baseball is there a difference between a 320' homerun and 450' homerun. Either way they are both over the fence and gone.

[ipark1303]

I don't think it is necessary, but maybe as an example to other sports to be clean or something. But, let's face it, drugs don't help you golf. Maybe like a nerve deadener if you're in pain, but that isn't illegal. That's why golf is so great - you can't really cheat (unless you add stuff up wrong or lie about a placement - either way the cameras will catch it).

check this out...sports illustrated...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...olf/index.html

[ipark1303]

Golf is a gentleman's game. It is a game of honor and at this point I see no need to even think about testing players. It hurts the integrity of the game.

Good point... but do we have the 100% certainty (that top players are clean)?

This is why we need testing.

[ipark1303]

Find attached another article supporting my theory.

It is time that people wake up and realize that the power corrupts...


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...scorecard0904/

[ipark1303]

test for what? i am not aware of any "drug" that will enhance one's ability to square the clubface at impact or to make better course management decisions. if anything, "drugs" would have the opposite effect. again i ask, test for what? to see if anyone is firing up a number in his hotel room after his round? what about alcohol? is that considered a "drug"? again, i ask...

It's an issue about integrity... not winning

I am not saying that drugs make you win. Obviously power is not the only factor. How would you consider Sammy Sosa using a corked bat or Barry Bonds using Balco products? They still make homeruns but their teams still do not win the World Series. However, they still cheat... cheat on themselves and the fans. Power has been a factor on the PGA tour. If you consider the top ten longest driver hitters list and look at their money ranking, you will see that they have earned way much more money than the top ten accurate driver hitters. Hitting a 330 yard driver and a Sand Wedge on a 450 yards-Par 4 makes a big difference from hitting a 250 yard driver and a second shot from 200 yards. I am not questioning the result.... I am doubtful on the context of how these results are pursued. Athletic ability goes beyond hand-eye coordination, otherwise how can you explain all these players going into long weightlifting training sessions. Tiger Woods is the best player in the world because of his natural talent combined to an outstanding physical condition (the ancient greek used to say "mens sana in corpore sana" - healthy mind in healthy body). For this reason, Tiger is almost unbeatable in sudden death... when other players have to face their fatigue, Tiger is fitter and can endure and stand fatigue longer and better. As far as drugs that makes you putt better, I am afraid to tell you that there are already anti-anxiety pills that makes you feel less nervous and makes you control better your yips when putting. Let's talk with facts and not through "if" or "let's say" assumptions, please. Drugs enhance muscular strength. Drugs give you better condition compared to other players/athletes. It's a hidden abuse that provides advantage. Whether you hit longer or not is not important. It's the fact that you are getting some external, unethical, and unauthorized help. It's an issue of cheating.

[ipark1303]

Why, I think 'Roids are overated. They won't help you imporve your swing, we all know the harder you try to swing the worse it gets.

Comparing golf to Baseball or Football is apples and oranges.

The reports I have heard emphasize that power is NOT the only advantage that steroids etc. bring. Steroids improve TRACKING. TACKING is the ability to follow a moving object. Steroids are therefore a perfcect drug to enhance hitting in baseball...POWER and TRACKING. Seems to me the same steroids that will help someone hit a baseball squarely will also help you hit a golf ball squarely. IMO it's obvious that steroids would help both your ball striking AND distance.

[ipark1303]

Find attached another example that support my theory.

this quote was taken out from the golfchannel forum, where I posted this thread.

I got this message in reply... a personal admission of a steroid user.


From: elpasoj33 (17 of 39) 8/30/2006 11:40:31 AM
To: coletrain In response to Post 11
anyone who doesn't think steroids can improve your golf game doesnt understand them. Steroids enhance everything,especially concentration,eyesight,and timing.
I have posted this before and been attacked for it. I have been on a 10 week steroid injection program three times for a medical condition. This was back in mid 90s. I added 10-15% to all of my clubs. It did not have any adverse effect on my short game or putting. It added no noticeable muscle mass. But man, I have never hit the ball more solid before or since these roid rounds. The two groups I play with could not figure it out. At the time i was the short hitter in our group in the 250-265 range. All of sudden I was out there 280-290 and my seven iron was going 165 instead of 150.
There has to be players on the PGA tour doing steroids or who have done steroids. You just do them for a couple of months and then stop. Distance does matter. Most par 72 courses are now really par 68 for the long hitters.

[pickapocket]

Why, I think 'Roids are overated. They won't help you imporve your swing, we all know the harder you try to swing the worse it gets.

At the end of last season I played a guy off 2 handicap in a scratch match and it really hit home to me the advantage body size has on hitting a long ball. Whilst I have an average of about 270 off the tee I was consistently outdrove by some 30+ yards. I really know how the less athletic guys on tour must feel when faced with the new "beefcakes" (ie Camillo, Bubba etc)

Yes, technique makes a difference but its a hell of a lot easier of you have the physical strength to launch it out there 320 then gouge a wedge onto the green. The stake are mighty high for the boys on tour and we need to be realistic around steroid use on tour and then put tests in place to deter anyone from taking shortcuts.