Over the Green

There are hundreds of golf instruction books, tapes and videos; some of doubtful value and a few, a very few really worth the purchase price. On that extremely short list of instructional classics are books such as Ben Hogan’s “Five Lessons” (1957) and Jack Nicklaus’ “Golf My Way” (book published in 1974 and VHS tape in 1983).

Joining that list this year is the new “Lessons of a lifetime” two DVD set by Tom Watson. This is a must-have for any serious golfer regardless of skill level; the only necessity is the desire to improve. MORE…

Jack Nicklaus, the best player ever, golf icon, etc. was quoted this week with the comment Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin needs a “brain scan” should Tiger Woods not be one of the top eight in the points qualifying list for the US team and Pavin does not make him a captain’s choice. Could be, since Woods has the second best all time major record but as golf cognoscenti know he hasn’t performed very well in Ryder Cup competition with a 10-13-2 overall record for five Ryder Cups.

Of course the current leader of the points list, Phil Mickelson, also has a losing record at 10-14-6.

If the Ryder Cup team were chosen as of the May 24 point standings here are the Ryder Cup records of the next nine players, seven of whom would all automatically qualify with Pavin being allowed four picks.

Anthony Kim 2-1-1
Jim Furyk 8-13-3
Lucas Glover-Ryder Cup rookie
Hunter Mahan 2-0-3
Steve Stricker 0-2-1
Dustin Johnson- Ryder Cup rookie
Stewart Cink 4-7-4
Ben Crane- Ryder Cup rookie
Matt Kuchar- Ryder Cup rookie

Woods is number 11 and Nick Watney (Ryder Cup rookie) rounds out the top 12.

Some of my fellow media members are screaming for Pavin to consult with 2008 winning captain Paul Azinger to gain insight how the 2008 winning captain created the team that took the Euros at Valhalla. To date Pavin has not had that conversation, which on the face of it seems to be poor judgment but maybe he read Zinger’s book and doesn’t need a meeting.

That could rate as the worst thinking since…well it would be right along side not making Woods one of his four picks.

And in the for-what-its-worth department Nicklaus’ Ryder Cup record was 17-8-3, Palmer’s 22-8-2 and Watson’s 10-4-1.

Its amazing how little media attention has been devoted recently on Tiger Woods and his problems. Oh, there’s been speculation about a purported impending divorce and how soon everybody’s latest hero Phil Mickelson can overtake Woods as the world’s number one ranked golfer.

There’s been even more pontificating over the departure of Hank Haney as Tiger’s swing coach. (Two germane points: 1 – don’t forget Haney fired Woods and 2 – all the top swing coaches know what they are doing, it comes down to if player and coach can build a deep level of communication)

Woods return at the Masters and then withdrawal from the Players Championship with a weeks/months old neck injury, after saying just a few days before he had no physical problems, illustrates he has very long way to go before he understands his responsibility as a world class golfer/role model/pitchman.

The intemperate if not foul language still in evidence after his vow to change, most likely is a sign of something much deeper that is still amiss.

Watching the PGA Tour event this past weekend honoring Byron Nelson who is remembered as one of golf’s great gentleman brings to mind other dominant players of living memory such as Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson none of whom by any stretch of the imagination have gotten themselves in the mess Woods has made.

All of them suffered through the loss of a father and mother and at least in one case had heart wrenching family problems but each still maintained the civility and integrity which arises from intelligence and character.

Golf as a game and golf as a business needs a healthy, happy and functioning Tiger Woods. Lets hope he can pull himself together and start functioning as we all want him to as a man, champion and hero.

June 20th is Father’s Day and as it often does this annual celebration of male parenting falls on a significant day in the golf calendar…the final Sunday of the U.S. Open. Though Father’s Day/Open Sunday does not always mean dad will get to relax in front of the television, his hands grasping a favorite wedge or adult beverage, gift givers can make his day memorable.

A couple of quick ideas for the golfing father are in order beginning with an annual Titleist promotion, dad’s name on his Titleists at no extra charge. This customization special is good for orders of the Pro V1, Pro V1x, NXT Tour, NXT and DT Solo balls, one dozen minimum. See any Titleist retailer for details. MORE…

Is there any doubt Tiger Woods, by his behavior, has placed his family life in jeopardy? Of course he has but also his dishonest philandering has put in question his position at the top of the heap in the world of tournaments and golf business.

The latest flap over the resignation by Hank Haney as Woods’ coach only served to focus attention on the phoniness of Woods life and how, if there is any chance his image may be compromised, he is not above telling untruths if not outright lies.

The most recent example: At the beginning of the Players Championship week he was asked about how he was physically and the answer was no problems. At the end of the week he WDs with a neck injury which he says has been bothering him at least for weeks. Another instance of many, going back months if not years and it is too bad.

Golf is a game of integrity. This combined with the promise of a young golf god of mixed ethnicity who could hit all the shots, win with consistency and inspire young and old alike was a marketing dream come true. The image Woods cultivated made him hundreds of millions of dollars from both the marketers of golf and those who use golf to market their products.

Companies such as Nike who did not fire him as a pitchman-endorser decided cynically his value would return after the public, with its’ famous short attention span and only slightly longer memory, had forgiven or more likely forgotten.

Woods lack of integrity is as much on display as his sloppy and inept golf swing has been.

The end result of Woods sexual escapades looks like it might be a broken family as well as an abdication of his role model role. He had been looked up to, envied and emulated. Woods promised when he deigned to make a public appearance he was committed to a new Tiger. Now it seems to be more of the old Tiger.

Too bad. Golf needs a headliner of integrity and honesty. It doesn’t appear Woods has the character to be the one.