Golf – For Men Only

photo credit: Mikael Miettinen   It’s uncanny how golf is portrayed as a man’s sport.  If that isn’t bad enough, at one time, women were also not allowed to cast their vote in this country.

One good way to popularize women’s golf is to televise more LPGA events.  How could it be that here was never a big deal made out of the likes of Annika Sorenstam or Lorena Ochoa, two of the greatest LPGA players ever?  Compared to the Tiger Woods media frenzy,  why did the news-media all but ignore Sorenstam and Ochoa? 

It’s a mind-set that the LPGA just “isnt’ interesting enough.”  I happen to think that the LPGA is very interesting.  More media coverage would be good for the LPGA and good for the sport in general!

Is Tiger Woods Finished?

photo credit: Stefano A   Compared to previous years, 2010 has been a disaster for Tiger Woods, not only personaly but also on the PGA Tour.  As everyone knows, his personal troubles began in November 2009 and ended with his wife filing for a 650 million dollar divorce settlement.

I  believe that the career of Tiger Woods has gone down in flames.  Before the sex scandal broke, Woods was squeaky clean, he played with a defiant demeanor, he intimidated his opponents.  After the scandal, Woods is a broken man.  Everyone knows now that it was all just an act.  Tiger Woods will no longer be able to live up to the set of standards, that he himself created.  I believe,  he will shock the world of sports and quit the game for good.

Control Freak

photo credit: nsaplayer   Tiger Woods is at it again.  He’s doing something he has done throughout his entire career, he’s manipulating his fans, his fellow players and the media.  He is the consummate control freak. 

He’s hired Pres. Clinton’s white house communications director to oversee his re-entry into the real world.  The events he has chosen for his so called “comeback,” are relatively closed to the media.  His real target is the Masters where eternal reverence for the game is present.  In other words, there won’t be any whistling or “cat calls” from golf fans.  Now we wouldn’t want to irritate Tiger now would we?

Woods is a man-child who has the press and his fans still ”eating out of his hands.”   He’s  proven he hasn’t learned a thing. . . his wife certainly has. . .

Golf Doldrums

photo credit: eric.acevedo   Since the “Tiger’s” exit stage left, the golf industry has suffered measurably.  The deflation of fan interest and support is a testimony to how building an image, entirely on one person, can be devastating. 

The media deserves exactly what it’s getting, from the Golf Channel to every monthly publication.  To base  your coverage solely on one person (Woods), precisely what they have done, is foolhardy at best.  Can’t blame them, they were just doing what every good capitalist should do. . . following the cash flow !  Well, now what? 

Facing a collapsing economy, deteriorating fan participation and their missing “hero,” where do they go from here?  They are hoping for Woods’ early return to regenerate the game, but guess what?  I don’t think he will, he’s now damaged goods !

“Feeding the Beast” Article

photo credit: DCTWINKIE5500   David Feherty’s recent article in GOLF MAGAZINE was a pathetic attempt to compare Tiger-Gate to Bill Clinton’s philandering escapades.  In his article, Feherty (a TV golf commentator) went on to say that Clinton got a “slap on the trouser-trout” (whatever that means) and Woods has been severely chewed upon. 

Has Feherty, a pandering moron (in my view) ever considered the incredible damage Woods has done to the game of golf?  Apparently Feherty is living in a time warp if he hasn’t considered the irrevocable damage this has done to all the kids throughout the world

The lengths that people will go through to defend bad behavior is truly incredible.  This is one of those classic examples of patronizing bad behavior.  Feherty should find new work cleaning portable toilets !

Sand

photo credit: danperry.com   Why do some courses brag about the condition of their sand traps?  They speak of fluffy, silk-like powder imported from some distant corner of the world.  Hasn’t this taken the teeth out of the original purpose of the sand trap (to penalize)?

Tour Pros, often aim for sand traps because for most, it’s much easier to hit out of a sand trap than to hit from high rough.  Because the traps are in such perfect condition, it’s a breeze to knock a shot close to the pin.

I believe that instead of raking the sand smoothly, it should be raked with furrows.  When a ball lands in a furrowed trap, it obviously penalized the golfer which is what a trap is meant to do.

Cock Your Wrists Early

photo credit: stanik2007   I have always been a believer in an early wrist cock especially for women and senior golfers.  As you take the club back, when the club shaft is parallel with the ground, the toe of the club should be pointed straight up.  To check your club position, take the club back and make an abrupt stop at waist level.  Now check to see where the toe of the club is pointing.  If the toe is pointed upward, you are on your way to a proper wrist cock.

An early wrist cock guarantees the snap you’ll need going through the impact zone which is located about one foot behind the ball.  You will also achieve more height with each shot and there will also be added distance.

Hideous Incomes

photo credit: Brian J. McDermott   GOLF DIGEST magazine recently listed the top 50 income producers in professional golf.  Examples:  No.1- Tiger Woods ($121,915,196).  No.2 Phil Mickelson ($41,600,757).  No.25 Kenny Perry ($8,031,062).  No.50 Trevor Immelman ($4,726,018).  With Annika Sorentstam making $8,500.000 without playing.  Most of their income is derived from endorsements.

Are companies that endorse these players so desperate that they have to pay millions in endorsements to people that aren’t even competing?  Is the public so enamored that they will spend $200 for a pair of Nike shoes just because Woods represents Nike? 

It’s a Hollywood mentality that throws this kind of money at people who’s only contribution to society is swinging a golf club.  By the way, this pertains to every sport.

Eleven and Counting

photo credit: Keith Allison   Eleven women now claim to have had an affair with Tiger Woods, one was a porn star. . .  It’s obvious to most that Woods’ behavior is far from the norm.  He may have been unhappy with his wife Elin but does that justify this type of philandering?  Should he have ended his marriage prior to all the affairs?

Woods’ image was carefully planned by his management team but sooner or later the “make-up” always wears off.  Tiger did us all a great big favor though, he made us realize that it’s not always a good idea to put your trust in what you see.  We saw Tiger as a great golfer with a squeaky clean image but it was an orchestrated deception, in reality,  he is just another self-centered, rich bum !

General Tiger Woods

photo credit: Keith Allison   General Woods has won many a battle in PGA events all over the world.  With his stone-cold stare and animated fist-pumps, the General achieved many victories.  His army of fans knew that their leader would always be “in the fight.”  His minions of loyal followers trusted in his ability to be a good leader and role model.  Kids everywhere, grew up wanting to be “just like Tiger.” 

Over the 2009 Thanksgiving weekend, Woods’ troops all over the world came to a rude awakening.  To their shock and disbelief, they learned that their fearless leader was a deserter.  Their General wasn’t the hero he made them think he was.  The General left his post and deserted his army.  The image he and his handlers tried so hard to portray is now in flames because of his alleged adultery.  Too bad for his fans who loved the guy, too bad for the game of golf and most of all, too bad for his wife and kids . . .

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