chspeed

Considering how rushed this announcement was, it seems unlikely to me that this was simply a financial decision that was beneficial to both parties. Will be interesting to unpack over the next few months. I'm starting to feel like this will fall apart.

Good point- merger may be challenged legally as forming a monopoly.

Most people who walk are relatively quick, so I don't see walkers sitting down much. But if you're not slowing down play, for instance if you're waiting on the tee or at your ball ready to hit, I don't think anyone cares if you sit.

He looks like he lost some weight, which may be one reason he looks older. Good for him, he was definitely overweight in the past few years.

I've done this in NYC once. It was a very, very cold February, and my buddies and I couldn't take the no-golf season anymore. Searching online, all the courses were closed but a 7AM tee time popped up in Staten Island, a long drive from Manhattan, but so what? Upon arrival, it became clear that the online time was a glitch. There were no cars in the parking lot, no lights on, and nobody around except for a brutally cold 20 mph wind to add to the 20 degree temperature. After some deliberation, we couldn't bear to drive back to the city without at least trying. We teed off into the wind. The ball went nowhere, but once it landed, it ricocheted down the fairway to normal-drive length. After a few holes, you learned to land the ball 30 yards short of the green to avoid the superball bounce off the greens. By the time we finished, there was still nobody at the course. We drove to the nearest diner and enjoyed eggs while our hands thawed. I never felt guilty, even for a second.

IMO, as long as you're realistic, you don't need much talent to play this game at an enjoyable level. If you find the right group of friends, even smacking the ball OB can be fun! But this game is not for everyone, so if it's really not bringing you any joy, no need to torture yourself. Best of luck to you.

That seems more drastic to me. Why? I'm not sure I have an easy answer. One potential answer is that a ball is changeable. If there is bifurcation, I can play the MLR ball if I want, or play the "amateur" ball. If the hold is 5" I can't change it. For me, using a different ball is akin to not using a regulation basketball or soccer ball. Let's say your ball has a bit more or less air. Is it different? of course. Does it make a difference though? And of course, it's all a matter of degrees. I'm not talking about playing basketball with a 3" ball. I'm talking about taking some air out so it's diameter is a little smaller and it's a bit easier to control.

I get it.I personally would still feel great with a birdie even if the ball didn't have exactly the same specs. I might think about it for a few months, but then just forget about it. If anything, I'll be grateful for the extra yard I squeeze out of my sugar-coated swing speed.. 😜 I'm guessing nothing happens, but what do I know?

How is that a head start? I’m not changing my ball, I’ll be playing the same pro-v1. It’s the pros that are changing the ball. Not that there’s anything wrong with playing 6,000 yd courses. I understand the comments on the difference between direct and indirect bifurcation. IMO, that’s a technical difference that doesn’t reallly affect the average golfer. In other words, to me, the fact that I don’t play at Winged Foot at 7,600 yards is more important than whether my ball carries 5 yds longer.

Not to me. This part of the argument I never quite understood. We don't use MLB-regulation bats and balls, yet still love to play softball. We don't play soccer on a standard pitch, but still play pick-up soccer. Doesn't stop us from fantasizing about hitting a 400 ft. home run or bending it like Beckham. IMO, the game pros play is SO different than the game average amateurs play; custom fitted clubs, private courses, incredible course conditions, supersonic swing speeds, etc. that the equipment specs are somewhat besides the point. The issue of the tiny fraction of golfers that play high-level or competitive golf is easily resolved with an MLR ball, custom-fitted clubs, and playing from the tips. That said, I doubt bifurcation will happen because of inertia, golf politics, and fear of losing money.

Interesting. Was the study published in a reputable journal or at least peer-reviewed? It's a seductive argument, but one question I have is that since courses HAVE increased in length substantially during the same period (past 20 years), is that a significant reason for the negligible increase in 50-150 yd shots? If so, the logic of the argument becomes questionable.

True. And there's no way they can consistently make the rough penal enough to stop these guys from hitting greens with wedges. Same goes for bunkers - unless they build 30-yard high walls in front of them. So what are we left with? Complete rollback, bifurcation, or nothing.

My alley too, except for the sliders. Can't understand having cheeseburgers before a steak. How about some good raw oysters? Thumbs up on the tortilla soup.

Exactly. Can you imagine how much fun LIV would have showing their players outdriving the PGA tour?

I think the USGA/R&A are going to see that they don't have as much power as they did in the past. The PGA Tour has it's hands full right now trying to fight off LIV, so it's not going to be helpful. The manufacturers don't want anyone to tell them what to market so they're going to fight it no matter what, and they're bigger and stronger than they were the last time we went though all this. My bet is that nothing much is going to happen.

Nice write-up on the strength of the PGA Tour: Scottie Scheffler and the fight atop the PGA Tour pecking order Scheffler ran away with The Players Championship on Sunday, vaulting himself back to No. 1 in the world. Good point: "Worth considering, it might be wise for those players complaining about the tour siphoning off the lower parts of its totem pole to at least pick up the pace. And perhaps some premier players could hurry the hell up, too. When play was suspended at 4:47 p.m. Friday, 71 players remained on the golf course despite there being no prior delays. As noted by AP golf writer Doug Ferguson, in events played on a single course, the tour has not completed the second round of a tournament on a Friday since Nov. 4 in the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba."

Are we watching the same tournament? Sure, it played relatively easy yesterday - soft and no wind - but did you see the first round? Rahm called it "very tough".

Man Scheffler is looking good. Some wind expected tomorrow. Could be a two-man race.

Sorry, meant Ramey - typo.

Rahm. Nobody's playing better. Rory is a sentimental pick, definitely has a chance.

Agreed. Yes, many beginners and "I got 3 times a year" players overestimate the lengths of their shots, especially driver ("hit already, they're 300 yards out!!!"), but that's gotta be nothing compared to the number of fat shots that come up short.

You can disdain their choice all you want, I certainly don't like it, but they had to work very hard to get these offers and will continue to have to work to meet their obligations. Nothing like winning a lottery or getting an inheritance IMO.

Was watching Golf Central tonight, and saw a piece in which one newscaster was pushing another regarding the difference between LIV golf tour and the Saudi's involvement on the LPGA tour through Aramco. Seems like Aramco sponsors one tournaments and "elevates" others, increasing their purse. The second newscaster was pointing out that it's different because LIV golf is almost completely owned and controlled by the Saudis, while they're only sponsoring/elevating some events on the LPGA tour. This is a classic slippery slope, or course. If you're critically opposed to sportswashing, why is one acceptable and the other isn't? That said, I'm OK with solving slippery slopes with schelling fences, but the question is, where do you put it? Is it a controlling stake? Is it any involvement? In other LIV news: LIV Golf members allowed to play in the Open, the R&A has announced Notable LIV golfers exempt include Cam Smith, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

I know this is OT, but I would totally watch that.😃