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 . . .

Tiger’s Dilema

photo credit: Keith Allison   As the Woods controversy unravels, Tiger finds himself hunkered down in his home near Orlando, Florida like a bear in hibernation.  What some would call the world’s greatest athlete is in hiding and refuses to answer to police or the press after he was found unconscious lying next to his wrecked SUV.

Woods is used to being coddled by the press, his fans and his sponsors, why then should he expect anything different now?  After all, he’s only a stone’s throw away from being the first athlete billionaire.   

His sponsors (10 and climbing), and the press, consider him their cash-cow, who can do no wrong.  The time has come for everyone to get to know the real Tiger Woods and we may not be happy with what we see !

The Big Break Review

photo credit: Ha-Wee   The series called The Big Break which is aired on Golf Channel on a seasonal basis, has to be one of the most boring programs on all of television.  If you can manage to stay awake during this golf reality show you are a better person than I. 

In baseball (usually a two to three hour game), someone timed how long the ball was actually in play and it clocked out to about two and one-half minutes.  One of these days someone should do the same with The Big Break, I’m sure it would be less.  If you can stand hearing a lot of gibberish and back-biting  from the contestants, this show may be for you.  As for me, I’d rather sit and watch grass grow !

Corporate Endorsements

photo credit: Blogger Dude   Recently, an article in GOLF MAGAZINE stated that the average PGA Tour player can make $300,000. to $500,000 per year from endorsements.  It stated that logo’s on a hat pay $200,000., chest logo’s pay $50,000. and bag logo’s pay $50,000.  I think making that kind of money just to wear a company name is ludicrous.

What’s even more depressing is that people flock to buy hats, jerseys, t-shirts, swimwear, sweaters, pants and yes, even undergarments with company logo’s on them.  As far as I’m concerned, the people that wear company logo’s should also be paid for doing so.  Why should anyone pay top dollar for a piece of clothing that is a advertising billboard for some fortune 500 company?  As for me, forget about it, Ill remain “square” and go logo-less !!

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