Augusta National Course Changes
Frank,
Thank you very much for looking out for us weekend golfers. If the USGA is concerned with the ease tour players are having in getting out of the long grass, the simplest solution is to make it harder. Prior to my golf addiction, I had the opportunity to visit the 1997 US Open at Congressional. Not knowing anything about golf, I was struck by the multiple cuts along the fairway. Either make each tier higher or go to a no tier strategy.
Look what Augusta National did when Tiger came on the scene. They felt a need to "Tiger proof" the course. And what have they done this year? Shorten the course and brought back some of its charm.
Kind Regards,
--Mark
Mark,
Thank you for your support and kind comments.
I agree with your approach to the groove problem (see my article last Sunday in The New York Times) i.e. to deal with the problem where it exists and not burden the majority of golfers with a questionable solution until there is evidence that the change will be good for the game. The problem has not been clearly defined and certainly no evidence exists to indicate that the rule change will resolve the perceived and undefined problem.
With regard to Augusta and its shortening of the course, I think this is a move in the right direction. It has not been shortened by much (only 10 yards) but it has certainly not been lengthened which is an indication that there might be a change in the air moving toward a more strategic course setup. If we want to identify the true champion, we need to test all of his skills, not the ability to overcome distance alone.
Augusta National Golf Course has changed over the last 28 years by lengthening it by about 500 yards and now adding trees etc to place more emphasis on accuracy. Some light rough has been added but not anything like the US Open rough. I believe that moving toward a more strategic course setup including shortening the course, will bring back some of the charm and the challenge worthy of the Masters and will better identify a true champion not just one who has managed to survive.
I believe the decision makers at Augusta are moving in the right direction and congratulations to them.
Frank