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57, 58, 59, 59, 60, 63

What do these numbers have in common? They were all rounds shot at pro tour events this season by much better players than I ever hope to be and likely better than you, too. However, as a result of these low scores, golf's governing bodies, along with the media, are in a frenzy to roll back the ball, limit distance, throttle technical advancements in equipment, and find other ways to prevent low numbers.  (more)

Across the country, heat and humidity are wreaking havoc with golf courses and giving superintendents panic attacks as they try to keep turf alive. I'm sure many supers are sitting in their offices at day's end wondering if there are any jobs open at the local McDonald's.

Here are some suggestions for golfers and supers for surviving one of the hottest summers on record-and having some fun along the way.

 

True, firm, and fast course conditions are to be expected at The Open Championship and nowhere should this be more evident than at The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, this week.

By definition, links is "sandy, level to undulating land built up along a coastline, usually bordering an ocean or lake." Sounds like St. Andrews to me. Remember the running-on-the-beach scene at the opening of "Chariots of Fire?" That was shot in St. Andrews, on the sands abutting the Old Course. You can get a similar feeling in the U.S. at a few notable courses such as Shinnecock Hills, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and The National Golf Links, probably our best examples of links-style courses.

Over the last few weeks, the commentators covering the tennis matches at Wimbledon have noted that there had been no substantial rain in Great Britain for six months, a concern echoed by Gordon Moir, Director of Green Keeping for the Links Trust, which oversees the courses at St. Andrews. The forecast for the Open is more what we think of for British golf-cool, wind, and rain. But if things remain atypically dry, what can the players expect? Just like the runners in "Chariots," it will be like playing on a beach-undulations and dry sand. Very different conditions from what they face nearly ever other week of their season.

This week, the best women golfers in the world head to Oakmont Country Club for the U.S. Women's Open and a course set at a challenging 6,613 yards (par 71). Besides providing some exciting action, this event provides superintendents, committee members, and everyone else involved with golf maintenance, set-up, or management a reminder that it's important to consider what the average woman golfer wants from a  course.

Slightly more than 20% of the people currently playing golf are women. That may not sound like a lot, but women play a vital financial role on course and off, so it's high time we listened to them. I recently spoke to a number of prominent women in the industry, askingfor their input. The following suggestions are a compilation of their remarks.

After watching a week's worth of U.S. Open coverage, all I can say is that if the time spent analyzing hole locations had been given over to the BP oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico would be spotless by now.

It boggles my mind how much fuss can be made over placing a 4-1/4-inch hole in the ground 8 to 10 inches deep. And how many people are needed to do so.

From my days as an assistant superintendent through 23 years helping position holes for major golf events, I thought I'd seen every possible method of picking locations. Once upon a time, the legendary PJ Boatwright of the USGA would throw his pocketknife in the air, watch it stick in the green, and ask me, "How does that look?" The galleries were almost as stunned as I was.

 

The U.S. Open is on next week, which means the eyes of the golf world will be looking closely at Pebble Beach and the USGA's new mantra, "Brown is the New Green."

It is certainly true that golf courses can be wiser in their water use. Many people think courses waste water and should be more tightly regulated. In fact, most golf facilities in this country are pretty good stewards of land and water. "Water is the new oil" so those of us who care for courses must be judicious in our water use and actions.

The previous installments of "Golf Course Confidential" dealt with agronomy, which is the heart of my business. However, I occasionally will use this space to discuss other issues in the game. Feel free to send your reactions to these articles as well as ideas you might have for future columns.

I currently serve on the New Jersey State Golf Association's tournament committee, sometimes officiating at NJSGA and other events. These help me keep sharp on the Rules of Golf and give me a break from turf and trees. I also recently worked with the recent Big 10 Championships, held at Windsong Farm GC in Minnesota, and the Carolinas Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship, held at Forsyth Country Club.

These events attract many good players so I always learn something. For example, while at the Big 10 Championship I learned that top college players are nearly incapable of making decisions on their own, rely too heavily on their coaches, and, as a result, play extremely slowly. I suffered through rounds that lasted 4:45 to 6 hours-twosomes and threesomes! (for more - click on title above)

 

 

A golf course is a living, breathing thing, constantly changing and in need of regular care. The person in charge of its healthy existence is your course superintendent, who has to be alert 24/7 to problems both natural and manmade. I strongly suggest golfers become familiar with their course's unique problems and needs, which means talking to their superintendent. That said, here are simple answers to some of the most common questions supers are asked. Your course likely has other issues, but a basic understanding of what's happening above and below ground will help you all-golfers, grounds crew, and the course-get along better.

As I explained last week, it's likely that your favorite golf course isn't in very good shape after a winter of unusually severe rain, wind, and snow. But if the club is open and you're willing to put up with shaggy lies, slow greens, and soggy bunkers for a few more weeks, the ragged state of affairs actually can be good for your game.

Here's how to make the most of the early-season mess and make yourself a better player.

Every week, Tim Moraghan - long-time golf industry insider with a 20+ year tenure at the USGA and "inside the ropes" access at over 100 national championships - offers an over, under, and on the ground look at courses, conditions, architecture, and how to play the game.

This is a big week for games played on grass. Besides The Masters teeing off - beginning the golf season for most of the rest of us, too - the baseball season has begun, people are out playing tennis, even Easter egg hunts depend on green lawns and warm weather. However, almost every part of the country is still recovering from an unusually cold, wet winter. As a result, you should be prepared for less than ideal conditions when playing your favorite golf course over the next few weeks.