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Golf News & Opinion
'Just Hit It' - Golf's Iconoclast
If golf has an iconoclast it has to be Frank Thomas and while preparing to
write the review of his new book “Just Hit It,” which was to include his
comments from our recent interview, this quotation from another Thomas
Q&A arrived via email.
“For the sake of our wonderful game and maintaining the integrity on which it
is built, I sincerely hope that the practice of drug testing and the perceived
need to do so passes soon. We do not have to prove to the World of Sport or
anybody else that we are clean. The sooner we recognize that golf
differentiates itself from other sports, in that it is a guiding principle that we
call infractions on ourselves, the better will we be able to protect the integrity
of our game.”
A strong statement and typical of Thomas' straightforward attack on those
things he thinks are wrong-headed and bad for the game.
However, Frank is not only correct but behind golf’s pandering to some
international drug-use standard is the view getting golf accepted into the
Olympics will solve the ‘Growth of the Game’ problems facing club
manufacturers, course owners and the rest of the industry. To get Olympic
approval golf must undergo the same drug testing rules as other sports.
Never mind golf and golfers have never exhibited one problem and never
mind the game’s tradition is one of self-responsibility mated with respect for
the game and fellow competitors. Golfers will now be expected to live down
to the standard set by soccer, wrestling and track.
Madness…sheer madness. We have created a situation which risks
irreparably damaging the most engaging, challenging and character
revealing game ever devised, sacrificing all on the altar of internationalism.
However as far as “Just Hit It” is concerned, my review is short and sweet,
read this book.
Thomas provides an insider view of the industry, technology and especially
the game’s politics as practiced by club makers, the PGA Tour and USGA
where he was technical director for 26 years. The book tackles golf’s
important issues head on such as 'Growth of the Game' but most
significantly the so-called distance debate and how longer drives are
“ruining the game” and “making all the great old courses obsolete.” His
views are not only revealing but refreshing while at the same time providing
real perspective as to how we got to where we are and what the future of the
game may be. For ‘equipment geeks’ there are even some details of club
and ball construction, how performance enhancing exotic materials changed
the game and even the physics involved with the club-ball impact and the
ball while in flight. Fascinating stuff if you're into that kind of thing.
My suggestion would be to read “Just Hit It,” put it aside for a few weeks and
then read it again. It’s that important. Golfer lovers should understand the
true state of the game, how it became the way it is and what can or should
be done to make golf’s future even brighter.
If golf has an iconoclast it has to be Frank Thomas and while preparing to
write the review of his new book “Just Hit It,” which was to include his
comments from our recent interview, this quotation from another Thomas
Q&A arrived via email.
“For the sake of our wonderful game and maintaining the integrity on which it
is built, I sincerely hope that the practice of drug testing and the perceived
need to do so passes soon. We do not have to prove to the World of Sport or
anybody else that we are clean. The sooner we recognize that golf
differentiates itself from other sports, in that it is a guiding principle that we
call infractions on ourselves, the better will we be able to protect the integrity
of our game.”
A strong statement and typical of Thomas' straightforward attack on those
things he thinks are wrong-headed and bad for the game.
However, Frank is not only correct but behind golf’s pandering to some
international drug-use standard is the view getting golf accepted into the
Olympics will solve the ‘Growth of the Game’ problems facing club
manufacturers, course owners and the rest of the industry. To get Olympic
approval golf must undergo the same drug testing rules as other sports.
Never mind golf and golfers have never exhibited one problem and never
mind the game’s tradition is one of self-responsibility mated with respect for
the game and fellow competitors. Golfers will now be expected to live down
to the standard set by soccer, wrestling and track.
Madness…sheer madness. We have created a situation which risks
irreparably damaging the most engaging, challenging and character
revealing game ever devised, sacrificing all on the altar of internationalism.
However as far as “Just Hit It” is concerned, my review is short and sweet,
read this book.
Thomas provides an insider view of the industry, technology and especially
the game’s politics as practiced by club makers, the PGA Tour and USGA
where he was technical director for 26 years. The book tackles golf’s
important issues head on such as 'Growth of the Game' but most
significantly the so-called distance debate and how longer drives are
“ruining the game” and “making all the great old courses obsolete.” His
views are not only revealing but refreshing while at the same time providing
real perspective as to how we got to where we are and what the future of the
game may be. For ‘equipment geeks’ there are even some details of club
and ball construction, how performance enhancing exotic materials changed
the game and even the physics involved with the club-ball impact and the
ball while in flight. Fascinating stuff if you're into that kind of thing.
My suggestion would be to read “Just Hit It,” put it aside for a few weeks and
then read it again. It’s that important. Golfer lovers should understand the
true state of the game, how it became the way it is and what can or should
be done to make golf’s future even brighter.
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the USGA and among other accomplishments in
his career, he is the inventor of the graphite
shaft. His new book is entitled 'Just Hit It'. He
presently runs a golf industry consulting
company based in ChampionsGate, Florida.
his career, he is the inventor of the graphite
shaft. His new book is entitled 'Just Hit It'. He
presently runs a golf industry consulting
company based in ChampionsGate, Florida.