Remnant

I fully recognize and understand the tradition that has evolved out of the Ryder Cup becoming a main sporting event over the past decade or so. For the longest time it was more an exhibition match... the American PGA tour against the British PGA Tour. Then later against the European Tour.

And it should have stayed that way. Let's be real, it isn't near that way anymore. Yes, European players make up one side of the team, but honestly those guys play the PGA tour the vast majority of time. In fact, some have homes in the US, many played on US college teams, and many have American wives. Sure, they play a couple of European events, but let's admit, they are not by definition European Tour players. I think even Samuel Ryder would admit the event has changed out of the original intent.

The other thing, the format is out of whack. The alternating shot format is more a Scottish thing than international to the game. How many American golfers frequent a golf course and play alternating shot? But in Scotland it is normal. Collectively, most Americans will tell you they hate to play this format, instead they would say Scramble is more in keeping with the game. Each player is hitting the next shot.

Another aspect is that the Ryder Cup is a difficult event to attend. Basically, the matches are encompassed in just a few holes instead of the entire course being occupied at one time. People I know who have attended complain about not seeing much of the match; following a group is sometimes 5 or 6 persons deep in the crowd. It is good for TV, but not if you want to attend.

Here is what I would change. Anyone that plays on the European side has to play at least 9 tournaments in Europe per year and make the cut. Instead of 12 players per team, increase the team size to 20... and everyone plays in every match. No substituting or sitting out, if someone is injured or sick, then one of the team co-captains steps in to play.

I would change the matches to be this way: Match 1 - individual one on one match play. Match 2 - Two player team (their total 18 hole score against the other team). Match 3 - Two player team scramble match play. Match 4 - Two player team best ball match play. Match 5 - Two player team alternating shot match play (okay, I will let this in though I hate it). Match 6 - individual one on one match play. Stretch it out over four days, not three.

I would also give out prize money for each individual match, winner only gets the prize (and the caddy gets a cut), loser zip. Don't go overboard with this, just enough to make it interesting and motivating for the players who normally play under this situation.

Then, let's see who has the better team. Plus, attending would be a blast rather than an inconvenience. Otherwise, golfing fans are eventually going to stop caring about this event because it isn't truly a US vs Europe event played for National pride. It just isn't and will eventually die out because of that and its lame format. I watched day one of the last match and then opted out, and I don't think I was the only one.

The process of a recall is to give the citizens a right to "recall" an elected official for reasons of incompetence, moral failure, or mental issues (i.e. OK Long). Trying to use a recall because you disagree with someone's politics or policies is bad form. If you don't like someone being Governor, then run a candidate against them in the next election. Let the system work and let the voters decide.

Landry is neither incompetent, had any moral failures, or is out of his mind. In fact, he had done a rather decent job for the state. This recall is because he is of a political party some people don't like or agree with. And that is bad form.

Keep in mind fair play. If one day a democrat gets elected, then what is to stop a recall effort to get rid of that Governor because of their political affiliation. It just becomes one vicious cycle after another. There are better ways to handle this.

Wait for the next election cycle and let the voters decide. And then live with it. System isn't perfect, but there isn't a better one anywhere else.

If you were hitting a fade before, it was likely your timing was built more with you leading with your left side into the impact and follow through zone.

To suddenly go to a low draw, two things are probably happening. Your left side is decelerating a touch and you are rotating your right hand a bit too early. And this can be affected by aiming too much to the right, this causing you to take more of your take away inside than usual.

Do this: In your set up, flair your left foot open a bit in order to align your hips up more to the target. Work more on the first 18 inches of your take away to be straight back... make your left shoulder push your left hand instead of being too wristy too quick in the take away. Then, when you get back to the impact area, lead just a bit more with the left hand... and then let the right hand rotate toward the target finishing with your hands next to your left ear. You want a fade, not a slice.

One other thing to check, your left hip should be well timed with your hands at impact, be careful you aren't diving your right knee and dropping your right shoulder too much through the down swing.

A good deal of players may be unaware of how Pros on these tours get their game ready for Spring and Summer.

Surprisedly, they start off slow on the practice tee and work mostly with just three to four clubs: pitching wedge, 8 iron, 4 hybrid, and their Drivers. They don't spend hours grinding, not yet; it is more like warming up or a slow relaxed practice session.

Where they spend the bulk of their time practicing is with chipping, pitch shots inside 50 yards, and putting.

The full swing process is more about getting a proper swing path, proper tempo with the take away and downswing, then good balance and timing at impact and the follow through. With the short game, it is more about finding a go to motion around the greens, more a tick tock motion, less wrists and more shoulder and arms together. With putting, they work on distance control instead of trying to make every putt outside 30 feet. Then they spend time on three footers. They also work on using the putter from off the green where lies are tight.

Their objective, do the things that will save a round from high scores on certain holes. Develop helpful swing thoughts when playing. Stop trying to be gimmicky or another version of Phil Mickleson. Start slow and build momentum.

As I seem to recall, BREC courses are open all day long every day of the year except for two holidays. Access is a main goal of municipalities, so if they have to use a shoehorn to get more golfers on the course, consider it part of their mission statement. It wasn't too long ago that the news was that BREC golf courses were losing money... well, now they aren't.

My understanding is that taxes you pay to BREC go to the organization as a whole, not just to the golf course. Thus, they charge you fees to play to compensate for their entire budget. Of any department within BREC, my understanding is that golf has the highest level of self-sufficiency... that seems to be a fairly decent job of using your tax dollars.

One other thing has happened in the golf industry; fewer people have gone into college and certification that then filtered into the golf business.
Most now are in the lawn care business or peripheral golf entertainment. It is an uphill battle for golf courses to find qualified help.

Having worked in a golf maintenance group at one time, I got to the golf course at dark, worked the opening holes in the dark. I always had to hurry and try to finish up just basic stuff before the first few groups caught up to me. Crowded courses are good, of course, it is why BREC can keep their prices where they are. Reduce rounds and up will go your fees.

As a golfer, I want to see better conditions, people taking care of the course properly, a four-hour round of golf... but if I want to see that, then maybe I want to get involved in making my voice heard in person to the people who want to hear your opinion. Might be surprised what that will do. Don't give up just because one person doesn't respond. Keep at it.

I think the notion is in the mix because Baton Rouge Area golf courses are getting overwhelmed with play... another public golf course would gain traction without really hurting the business of the other public courses. But it needs to be a reasonable drive for people to get to, the problem with that is available land.

I have been to the Player's Championship at Sawgrass. I have also been to Augusta and have played in US Open Qualifiers. Sawgrass is really different, I would venture to say it is the hardest of all "major style" golf courses.

I am not necessarily a fan of Pete Dye... I think he delighted too much in punishing golfers. At any rate, Sawgrass has very limited landing areas. Water is everywhere. I will at least say it is a perfect spectator's course, even if you are 8 people deep, you can still see.

It is long too. TV does no service to it, just like Augusta, it doesn't show you the true dimensions. I remember getting my first look at 17 and thinking, "Ah, it isn't that hard of a shot". Then I walked up to the green and my opinion changed immediately. But that was nothing like standing on the 18th tee box.... that is even harder to play than 17. And it is really long and narrow.

I would say the severity of that course puts it in a major category... it should be a major, but I think it should be the last tournament of the year. Get rid of the Fed Ex Cup, and make this the 5th and last major of the year. You can still figure out a point system to determine Player of the Year and have this tournament play a big part in determining that.

Anyone who has played sports at a high level knows that team players try to build momentum and peak at the right times. Since our players aren't robots, rough spots are going to happen. I still like how batters try to go deep into the count, players hit the cut off man, they know how to lay down a bunt, and knowing when to be aggressive on the bases. And consider how juiced up opponents are when playing a high caliber team like LSU. Sometimes I am amazed the team does as good as it is able. Keep it reasonable and enjoy it for what it is.

Either you haven't played there in a while or else you are indulging yourself with too much whatever. They just held the Course Championship there and the best players in Baton Rouge played, in fact there was a waiting list. That ought to tell you something.

On one level, I can appreciate any effort to improve City Park. But it needs to make common sense. Why, when the golf course pulls in over $300,000 annually would you suddenly take all that away. A pitch and putt golf course, like was at LSU for a few years - but then they finally closed it down, wouldn't come close to that kind of revenue. Instead, they need to see why their idea makes sense to the tax payers... which, as of now, as a tax payer... their ideas appear self-serving than beneficial to the tax payers.