This decision of the PGA is just mean

Cp Coder

Last weekend at the PGA event in Bay Hill Bryson DeChambeau treated his fans to two unforgettable shots. On Saturday and again on Sunday he teed up on the par 5 6th hole. The hole has more than 300 yards of water between tee and green. The fairway runs around the pond and you're supposed to approach the green following the fairway's dogleg around the water. But DeChambeau had other ideas. He aimed for a spot just to the right of the green, facing a carry well over 300 yards over water. The ball left the clubface doing just under 200 mph. It was in the air for 347 yards, before it hit the fairway and bounced and rolled 30 yards more, to end up with a 376 yard drive. I have never seen a golf ball being struck that hard and well. It was amusing to see all other players who had a view of the tee, stop to watch his swing. His shot ended up 168 yards nearer the green than that of other players. Then DeChambeau announced that he would consider a similar strategy this coming weekend during the Player's Championship at Sawgrass. The 18th hole once again features a slight dogleg to the left around a pond. He mentioned that instead of going over the water he could go left of the water onto a patch next to the neighboring fairway, which would leave him a much shorter second shot to the green. This may be very unconventional but is perfectly within the rules. But the PGA did not like it, so they quickly declared the area where he would land his ball, an internal out-of-bounds! Nasty! Their reasoning: They are doing it for the safety of spectators and personnel. People are at risk at every hole at these events and that does not seem to bother them. In any case, they surely could keep spectators out of that area if it were so dangerous! Maybe the old fuddy duddies of the PGA doesn't like players to think out of the box and play the game differently! :mad: Players 2021: PGA Tour handcuffs Bryson DeChambeau with new rule that foils his bold 18th hole strategy[^]

Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!

W Balboos GHB

Might I add that I find the PGA, watching golf, and the entire system less interesting than counting sheets of bathroom tissue prior to folding but possibly more interesting than watching paint dry. And that's considering the PGA at its best.

Ravings en masse^

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

PIEBALDconsult

I also heard (many years ago) about golfers doing something similar in which they hit onto a neighboring fairway to avoid a dogleg. However, (as a non-golfer) I do feel that a player should be allowed the opportunity to hit a hole-in-one on every hole. So, if he is honestly trying for a hole-in-one but winds up in the rough, I'm OK with that. But intentionally hitting into the rough should not be allowed. Yet it has nothing to do with spectator safety. But mainly, they cannot change the rules of the tournament after people have signed up -- they would need to allow people to back-out and refund their entry fees. I might need to watch "Tin Cup" again. :sigh:

NotTodayYo

That is pretty frustrating. It's like telling Steph Curry he can't shoot the long shot anymore.

NotTodayYo

Cp-Coder wrote:

I have never seen a golf ball being struck that hard and well.

I have. Happy Gilmore. :-D

Cp Coder

I share your sentiments, not for golf but when watching baseball (or cricket). :-D

Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!

Cp Coder

Quote:

I might need to watch "Tin Cup" again

One of my favorite movies. I like stories about characters who have the brass cahones to "go for it!"

Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!

W Balboos GHB

Actually, I hate all professional sports. Playing can be fun but being a spectator? Possibly if one's kid is playing in the game, but beyond that? Classic Dr Who reruns are far more interesting.

Ravings en masse^

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

Cp Coder

Keep in mind that there are professional athletes who have little or no other talent to support themselves. Let them use the one good talent they have, to play some sport well, to get paid for it. They entertain the rest of us. They deserve to be paid. They make a lot of money for their sponsors. Let them get a portion of that back!

Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!

W Balboos GHB

No - unacceptable. There are people who do really good things for the world and don't earn in a lifetime what these slobs earn in a few months. They really produce nothing - entertainment by staring at others doing does not merit much above a minimum wage. Everything related to it is overpriced. So that some can live vicariously by wearing their logo? Better they should go out and actually do something to be proud of instead of taking pride in a bunch of overpaid strangers. Ditto, by the way, for Movie/TV actors/actresses. The lions share of the money should go to the writer. It doesn't. It's all part of an absurd scam where a person feels (and is?) left out if they can't recite scores and statistics that have zero worth.

Ravings en masse^

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

Forogar

I concur. Sports, especially professional sports, are incredibly boring to watch - I don't understand the extreme interest some people have in them.

- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

W Balboos GHB

It's a way to feel part of something without really being part of anything. Knowing lots of stats and data are then discussed with others in the same state. Team paraphernalia are another way to signal they're (self-perceived) insiders or members (and a way to relive them of money). You can hear it in hallway - or being discussed between stalls in a bathroom. Rivalries and, in order to feel truly bonded with a bunch of people who don't care if they live or die, they may bet on the outcomes to show true commitment. Honestly, I find it more exciting when seeds I planted emerge from the soil. Later on, in the summer, and without fanfare, we get to eat stuff we grew ourselves. Amazingly, I don't wear a hat or coat with a picture of what I'm growing so I can bond with other gardeners. Go figure?

Ravings en masse^

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

Mike Hankey

His decision must have offended the other players?, and we can't have that!

The less you need, the more you have. JaxCoder.com

Cp Coder

We'll have to agree to disagree.

Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!

markrlondon

Cp-Coder wrote:

Their reasoning: They are doing it for the safety of spectators and personnel. People are at risk at every hole at these events and that does not seem to bother them. In any case, they surely could keep spectators out of that area if it were so dangerous!

The safety of personnel/public/anyone has become an over-used pretext for meddling and micro-management. It is exhibited by all organisations with power over others. It's not healthy and it's not beneficial in net terms.

obermd

The PGA has a history of banning anything that improves golfer's game.

Greg Utas

They're doing it for the children!

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