The Olympics & Why Golf Shouldn't Chase Growth

PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem has made it known that he'd like golf to be an Olympic sport as soon as possible. Even Phil Mickelson is worried that golf is on its way to being as widely played as, I don't know, badminton. Lefty was quoted as saying, "We seem to be stagnant in growth. We lose as many golfers as we gain each year in the United States. If we could make this an Olympic sport, I think golf could really grow." It took about a minute before this really sunk in. The head honcho of a professional sports organization, and the number 2 professional on the planet think that golf needs the Olympics. The rally word is always the same, growth. Growth is what golf needs to do and it needs to do it now.

But does it really?

Since when is it the goal of the Olympics to help a sport grow? In fact, the summer games are clogged with sports that likely haven't and won't be growing appreciably anytime soon such as handball, the modern pentathalon and archery. But, the real question is why does the PGA Tour think it's OK to use the Olympics to advance their goals, and what are their actual goals for this gambit?

Golf has been a minor sport for a lot longer than it's been a major one. Very recently, it was a game for non-athletes, geeks and country club clowns. Check out pictures of high school golf teams from anytime before 1997 to see how cool it was just a decade ago.

Though ultimately geeky, golf is still a great game and it has endured. Endurance is a far more significant goal than growth, especially in an individual sport. People will continue to take up and give up on golf because it is so devinely humiliating and unrelentingly difficult, but that's OK. That's the way our game works best.

Even in the pre-Tiger, post-Jack days from the late 80s until 1997, golf was OK though far from booming. I believe that provocateurs like Finchem are really desperately trying to get their ducks in a row before Tiger says his effective farewell, but that's a subject for another article.

The most disingenuous part of Finchem's plea is the time honored idea of the glory of competing for one's country. Gee, isn't that what happens in the Ryder, Presidents, Solheim, Walker and Curtis Cups along with a bunch of other cups I've never heard of? Are tour players really grousing among themselves about never having the chance to go mano a mano with the national team from the Republic of Uzbekistan?

When it comes to organizations like the PGA Tour all you have to remember is follow the money but, hopefully, not to the Olympics.

The Relevance of Balance

It is no secret that the greatest concentration in the mass of a golf club is found in the club head, as little as 200 grams or so in a driver to well over 300 grams in a putter. With shafts ranging anywhere from 30 to 40" or longer it is easy to see where the image of golf club as pendulum came from.

But, what about control? What has been done to enhance the player's control over the swinging club head? Of course, with longer clubs the player is looking for speed. Can a club's balance point affect a player's ability to create speed? And if so, how? And has the effect be studied or quantified?

Before 3D video, before launch monitors and even before the swing weight scale there were real club makers. They were professionals who made money from building and maintaining golf clubs. This was the work of artisans, men who could understand a club's usefulness and create exclusively by feel. Oh sure, there were scales to weigh clubs with but for the most part clubs were matched by this largely subjective method.

The clubs of Bobby Jones had been selected by him, one at a time, by hand. Only years after he stopped playing competitively did he find that he had assembled a set that was nearly perfectly matched, all but one. Upon learning this, he confided that the mismatched clubs had always felt a bit off.

As interesting as this story is, there is yet another question. What is a matched set of clubs? Most people know that, through the set, there is generally a one half inch difference in length from one club to the next in the series. So, it is logical that the club head of each longer clubs will be lighter than the shorter club but some X-Factor value. But, before we consider that question we need to talk about how a club's feeling of heft (different than its static mass) is measured.

We all owe thanks to a now long forgotten inventor named, R.W. Adams who patented the first, and still widely used, Swing Weight Scale in the early 1930s. The Adams Scale, along with the advent of steel shafts, brought about a quiet revolution in golf clubs. Adams' scale allowed club builders to assign an alphanumeric designation that conveys the club's swing weight, which is essentially its comparative heft as derived from a fulcrum set 14" from the end of the grip. So, now it was quite simple to create complete sets of clubs that all shared a matched swing weight, or feeling of heft.


Now, I have no quarrel with the swing weight scale and in fact I am pretty much of a stickler for my irons to be well matched in that regard. The question for me is whether there is any relevance to swing weight for clubs outside of the sequenced irons? I am coming to believe that the answer is a resounding no and I may have found an ally in Balance Certified Golf. They have created a weighting system that is designed to optimize the weight balance of golf clubs.

The BC system is very easy to use. Just cut a hole in the end of the club's grip using their handy-dandy tool and drop in the appropriate weight. But, wait a second; How do you know which weight to use? OK, this is where things get a little bit more tricky. At the BC web site they say, "Positioning mass above the hands counter-balances the head of the putter. This balance gives golfers the ultimate feel while putting. The best balance requires the correct amount of weight in exactly the right places. Optimizing these weights to achieve the proper feel and balance is what balancing putters is all about."

Now, that may sound simple enough but it is not. Since there is apparently no formula to rely on, BC believes in fitting players to determine this most elusive balance point. It would be an relatively easy matter to totally top load a club, situating nearly all of its mass in the grip, or even above. There is a longstanding presumption that there's an advantage to having a sense of mass in the club head (a pendulum ceases to be a pendulum if all of its mass were to be found at its pivot). I am not questioning the efficacy of the BC products but their lack of a stated criteria for determining specific weight values is a bit vague. I am hoping that they will expound on this in their reply to this article.

Swing weight, while relevant, becomes far less so when you're talking about clubs like the putter and the driver, and maybe even the short game wedges. Why? In the case of the putter swing weight is totally meaningless. Really, I cannot imagine anything that could matter less. Putting is an alchemy and the more that some try to make it into a science the more mysterious it becomes. One of my colleagues recently worked with Jim Furyk and found that he aimed no less than 5" right on a 10' putt. Do you truly think that he will act to correct his faulty aim if he believes that he'll make putts with it?

The reality is that the weight of the putter, the swing weight of the putter and even the weight of the golfer are all swamped by the myriad of variables that are quite simply beyond us. How about the fact that the ball is rolling on living grass? How about the fact that the grass is seldom level, or even cut at a consistent height? How about the fact that the golfer had an extra cup of coffee, missed his coffee or went to bed late the night before?

Putting is an odd blend of optics, balance, confidence and control of one's nerves. Nothing can change any of that, but I have found that BC inserts can serve to almost balance the sense of mass in my putters that may be slightly longer or shorter, lighter or heavier and this is a critical advantage to me. It allows me to move from putter to putter and to maintain a continuity of feeling that makes me more likely to make putts. Best of all, I can change the change, if you will. My hands don't feel the same on my clubs from day to day so the BC inserts let me adapt more readily but then again, I know my stroke and not everyone does.

I have yet to evaluate the other products from Balance Certified but I am very much looking forward trying their inserts in my strong sand and lob wedge since those are very much feel clubs like the putter. Anything that enhances feel has the potential to enhance results. Balance Certified has enabled me to improve the most feel-centric club in my bag. It's an improvement that only takes a minute and last forever. Do yourself a favor and visit the BC website, or give them a call, to learn more.

Manufacturer's Comment:

My intent for blogging on this subject is to add clarity to the information presented about Balance-Certified and its back weighting system. My 9 years in the golf business has taught me at least a few things and one of them being to clarify definitions. What the golf industry in general says about technical things is often steeped in golf folklore, opinions of golfers, and lots of “sizzle” but little “steak” not scientific experimentation and results. Our goal at Balance-Certified Golf is to use the laws of physics and quality manufacturing to the golf swing and equipment.

John Cranston
Balance Certified Golf

Nickent ARC Wedges: Ready to Play with the Big Boys

Until now, the wedge market has been dominated by two wedge makers. Sure, both companies make a solid product but let's just say that there hasn't been the same spirit of innovation in wedge design as there has been with drivers or putters.

Nickent Golf is doing their best to bring innovation to short game clubs with their new ARC technology. ARC, short for Accelerated Rebound Core®, is a technology consisting of an internal core that positions a high-rebound elastomer directly behind the strike zone, delivering a lively, solid reaction from the face to the ball and eliminating vibration.

Since the elastomer is much lighter (one seventh the weight!) than the surrounding steel, the technology creates the playability of a cavity back with the look and feel of a traditional blade wedge.

When it comes to wedges and putters look and feel are everything. Short game shots require the player to blnd their sense of feel with their vision for the shot that's needed, and a clean, elegant wedge can help with the process.

Now, when I requested these wedges I wasn't really sure what to expect. I knew that Nickent had taken the professional tours by storm with their standard setting rescue clubs, but who knew what they could do with a wedge?

The Nickent ARC wedges are very impressive. Their lines are pure and clean and the wedges sole beautifully behind the ball whether set up square or open to the line. As you can see from the picture, the wedges are ground along the length of the sole's trailing edge to allow them to open a bit more readily.



I worked quite a bit with the ARC wedges and can tell you that they feel and sound fantastic. They are silky smooth on pitches and chips and have a great impact sound that minimizes the clackiness that we sometimes must endure with modern golf balls.

One great design detail of the ARC is the presence of the designer's (John B. Hoeflich) initials discretely engraved into the back of the hosel. It is just a subtle touch of class to an already fine product.


It pleases me no end to see companies like Nickent challenge the Big Boys of golf and do them one better. With their new ARC wedges, Nickent shows that they have more to offer than just rescue clubs. In fact, I have just received one of their latest drivers and am anxious to see if it measures up to their ARC wedges. Based on the quality of the ARC wedges I am getting ready to be impressed.

The golf season is just getting started in most of the country, so check your wedges; Are the grooves looking a little tired? If they are do yourself a favor and check out the ARC wedges from Nickent. Just don't be surprised if they knock your made by the Big Boys wedges out of your bag. Hey, it's all about scoring!

Ernie Els and the Dumbing Effect of the World Rankings

The golf world is lucky that the supremacy of Tiger Woods is so unquestionable. If the world rankings really mattered, people would be seriously dismayed. Let's consider Ernie Els. Sure, the networks and the Golf Channel know it makes good copy to hype The Big Easy as a genuine Tiger Challenger. But, the reality is that his place in the world rankings is simply more proof of just how worthless the system truly is.

Els' win at the Honda Classic over Luke Donald (#18) and Mark Calcavecchia (#37) reminds us that Els has been trespassing in Jim Furyk's spot; Furyk has won four times on the PGA Tour over the same span that found Els coming up short again and sgain. Or, let's talk about K.J. Choi way down at #9. Choi has also won four times during Els' PGA Tour victory-free era in addition to winning already this year's Sony Open.

Of course, some will point to Els' wins on the European Tour but counting them would be like counting Nationwide Tour wins. Let's face it, the fact that Els said his Honda win was a "relief" proves that even he see the undeniable disparity between a PGA and a European Tour victory.

Since the battle for the next decade or so is pretty much going to be for second place, I figure the powers that be have about that much time to figure out a world ranking system that makes sense and awards the most relevant period of a player's record; What has he done lately and where has he done it?

The Three Ghosts of Aaron Baddeley

I have enjoyed watching Aaron Baddeley since he first hit the PGA Tour in 2003. His swing is quick, short and purposeful and reminds me of Nick Price. On the greens, he leaves Nicky behind with a superb putting stroke. To this day I am amazed at just how quickly Baddeley pulls the trigger on putts once he is over the ball. But, as much as I enjoy his play, Aaron has yet to fully exorcise three golfing ghosts from his memory.

The first occurred with the slamming of a Porta-Potty door in the middle of his back-stroke while dueling it out with Ernie Els at the 2003 Sony Open. It was a really lousy break and Baddeley never fully recovered, losing to Els in a playoff. Some players would have been pleased with the second place check and moved on but the loss seemed to knocked Baddeley slightly off course for the next year or so.

The next haunting came at the 2007 US Open when he was famously paired with Tiger Woods in the final round. Now, Woods has done plenty of haunting all by himself but adding a dose of classic US Open pressure had Baddeley looking ashen on the first tee and he didn't look much better after shooting 80.

Never let it be said that Aaron Baddeley is anything less than a superb player. He is long enough, good enough with his irons and has a nifty short game to complement his oft' magic putter. But, during his third round match against Tiger Woods Baddeley was again visited by a ghost that he must expel, and soon.

From the 5th hole on Baddeley flat outplayed Woods. And, this was not a Tiger Woods who was wild off the tee or lipping out putt and after putt. This was a Tiger Woods who was as on his game as I have seen of late. Baddeley had makable putts that would have won him the match on the 18th and 19th holes. He hit great putts both times, but it sometimes takes more than great putt to find the bottom of the hole. This most recent ghost may have been the very same one to haunt Steve Scott when he had a chance to finish Woods in the 1996 US Amateur.

The lesson is that you had better beat Woods in regulation. Back in 1997 when Tom Lehmann became one of Wood's first professional match play, extra holes victims at the Mercedes Championships Lehmann said after the match that there was a sense of inevitability about Woods eventually slamming the door with an amazing shot.

Aaron Baddeley was still in high school when Woods kick-in tee shot kicked Lehmann into second place, but you know he was paying attention. And, he was paying attention during the Accenture.

Baddeley doesn't need to beat Woods head to head to get rid of those ghosts. They will purge themselves from his being the very second that he wins something big, a major, and elite field event, whatever. Until then, you'll see those ghosts sitting on his shoulder whispering doubts that he shouldn't be hearing at this stage of his career.

I think he's going to do it. Aaron Baddeley will win a big one and he'll do it this year. There will come a day when the lessons of today's painful loss become a source of resolve that makes him able to win that kind of event. Here's hoping that day comes soon.

Is Lorena Ochoa Hearing Footsteps?

She better be, because it's pretty clear that Annika Sorenstam is back. I'm sure Ochoa is ready and that points out one of the most significant differences between the PGA and the LPGA tours. You can rejoice in the fact that 17 of the top 20 players in the world teed it up at this week's Northern Trsut Open, but which other top player is chasing Phil Mickelson? The answer is none. He's chased by the likes of Jeff Quinney, D.J. Trahan and Scott Verplank. I'm not sure but I don't think that a Quinney/Michelson duel is what the average PGA tour fan is wanting to see.

But, this piece is about just how compelling the LPGA tour is by comparison. This year, we have Annika back at full strength. We'll get to see her face off with Ochoa, but you cannot forget about Suzann Pettersen. She is not likely to shrink from the challenge that Sorenstam and Ochoa present. But wait; What about the Americans?

Surely young guns Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis will continue to improve. You also have to believe that battle hardened players like Cristie Kerr aren't just going to take their clubs and go home.

Why do the LPGA player play harder, and play to win? I believe it's because they have to. Their endorsement money is less, the number of tournaments are fewer so they simply have to go for it when they have the opportunity.

But, the real story is Sorenstam. Ochoa will have to step it up to maintain her hold on the number one spot. Not taking anything away from Ochoa's play in 2007, but she did what she did without having to deal with the most complete player in the history of their tour. Comparing the two head to head comes out this way: Off the tee, it's pretty much of a tie. Ochoa may be a tad longer but she is not as straight. Sorenstam's irons are better than Ochoas from virtually every distance. Neither player has a great short game but Sorenstam is able to see and play more shots around the greens. Ochoa has the edge in putting but if Sorenstam sees a few more fall like the one at 17 at the SBS she may be off to a different kind of putting year than we have seen in quite a while.

It's going to be a heck of a ride this year on the LPGA circuit and my guess is that it will be Annika Sorenstam who once again reigns supreme. There was something about that 70th victory that makes me believe that she'll be gunning for Kathy Whitworth's mark of 88 titles with renewed energy. When Annika wins, she wins in bunches. No matter what it's going to be a great season.

A Golf Time Capsule: Ernest & Caryn

On Sunday afternoon, my brother and I played one of our favorite courses, El Cariso in Sylmar, California. This is a course of last resort for most but not for the usual reasons. It is one of the toughest yet most playable short courses I have ever played. Even better, you can usually get on without a starting time, which is why we found ourselves there on such a glorious afternoon.

We arrived about 1:30 and were on the 1st tee a few minutes later. About the time we were ready to hit our drives, a twosome approached. Knowing it would likely be a slow round (many of El Cariso's faithful play the game at a somewhat leisurely pace) I figured I'd invite them to play along with us.

They were an obvious husband and wife team in their 40s. As they accepted my invitation the woman said that she was sure they had played with me before. I said that was a distinct possibility as I used to play the course quite a bit.

My brother and I immersed ourselves into our usual 18 hole match and I really didn't think much about the couple. They seemed like pleasant folk and treated each other well. It was clear that they played a lot of golf together and enjoyed both the game and each other's company. That was good to see given my own checkered history of playing golf with my wife back when I was married.

Up two after 9 holes (I would squander the lead later, don’t worry), I suddenly remembered Caryn and Ernest distinctly. I had played with them, one round, maybe 5 or 6 years before. At the time, they had just started to play and were pretty clueless but they were obviously intent on learning to play the game properly. Back then, they had the wrong clothes, both in jeans and tee shirts. Worse, they each towed geeky pull carts, one of the most basic giveaways of being painfully new to golf. Even then, it was clear that Caryn was the better athlete. She must have played softball because she stood to the ball with what I like to call evil intent. Ernest, like most husband golfers, was quick to offer an ill-founded bit of advice. Even so, then as now they just seemed to enjoy being on the course and with each other.

Time and countless rounds had transformed them both into grizzled veterans of the links. They both had carry bags and decent clubs (though they still used club covers on their irons). They also dressed the part with Ernest in standard issue golf shorts and golf shirt and Caryn respledent in dark blue golf skort and light blue top.

Late in the round Ernest confided to me that Caryn simply adored golf and was constantly buying him the most stylist golf togs. He said that he would protest, just a little, saying, "Sweetie, I suck. I'm not supposed to look too good on the golf course." It was easy to see that her passion for golf meant a great deal to Ernest and that he would stop short of doing or saying anything that might take any of the fun out of Caryn’s golf experience.

It was easy to see that Caryn had worked on her game, and just as easy to see that she'd gotten some strange ideas in her head. She stood far too tall to the ball, likely in response to someone telling her that she was too crouched. To paraphrase Harvey Pennick, she had taken the hole bottle of aspirin when all she needed was two.

This position created an odd and inefficient motion to her swing. The verticality of her stance led her to lift the club immediately as it moved away from the ball and to keep on lifting after that. Since she has the kind of flexibility that only women and PGA tour players seem to possess, she could actually stay in her swing throughout her long and tall move away from the ball and make fairly solid contact. The problem was that the resulting downswing took her club on a descending path into virtually every short costing her at least 30-40 yeards on her drives. Even still, she could hit the ball easily as far as her faithful beloved.

Ernest was another story. He had traded his old armsy swing for an abbreviated swing that I am sure he hoped was tight and compact. In contrast to his wife, Ernest never hit the ball squarely. He bailed out of every swing and the resulting ball flight was way too high and pretty weak.

Ernest and Caryn are almost like a golf time capsule. In so may ways they are still the people and players they were years ago. But, they are also very different. They have learned some lessons though not all of them good. They play the game seriously but are of admirably good humor about their shortcomings. They play the game for all of the right reasons and you can clearly see that it has come to mean the world to them. As I strode off the 18th green into the quickly darkening skies, I realized that I had learned a great lesson from Caryn and Ernest: Golf is a game and none of us are its master. The sooner we learn this most elusive lesson the sooner we can really start to enjoy ourselves and honor the spirit of the game. I hope it’s a lesson that sticks.