Greetings Golfers,

People always ask me if I’m worried that I’ll run out of things to write about. Just the opposite – I don’t have the time to write about everything … especially about golf.

Big news floating around that Jack Nicklaus and the USGA are going to “roll back” the golf ball about 20%. How does that work? Golf companies will no longer make longer balls? Huh? Most people don’t care if the USGA demands that the ball be 20% weaker. They don’t play in USGA tournaments. If Titleist and other golf ball companies stop making what are now considered normal balls … well, I’d like to start my own golf ball company. I think I could sell more than a few golf balls.

Jack is right … the ball is too hot … for Tour players and US Amateur players. But, not for 95% of the recreational players. The PGA Tour and the USGA and the R&A have to recognize that golf is two games – Tournament Golf and Recreational Golf. Just like Professional Baseball and Recreational Softball are two different games. As I said for many years … MLB would be ruined if the players could use metal bats. But, softball would be much less fun using wooden bats. Same with golf. Time to face the music.

Speaking of the PGA Tour … it’s starting it’s Florida run leading up to the Masters. Tiger is playing. He missed the cut last week at Riviera. I don’t think he has ever missed two cuts in a row. (Let me know if I’m wrong). Padraig Harrington is a 2-time champion of this week’s event at PGA National. Padraig and Rory McIlroy sat down for an interview a few days ago with an Irish newspaper. It’s a must read … check it out at http://bit.ly/2orBLwP

See what I mean? There’s always a lot to write about … especially golf!

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM/Head Golf Professional