Have They Improved The Masters Golf Championship?

Bobby Lopez, past touring professional and swing guru says, I Don't Think So.

Bobby Lopez goes on to explain, I can t tell you how disappointed I am in the powers to be at The Masters Golf Championship. They ve ruined my favorite golf tournament. I m quite certain that Bobby Jones is turning in his grave!

He sights the Master s decision to lengthen their golf course to the point that 90% of the field doesn t have a prayer in competing for the opening major championship of the 2006 season. Everyone concerned feels that Master s officials certainly should have concern for their championship being won by a score like 22 under par. Compared to the US Open, known for it s difficult conditions, making even par a winner score again, the Masters at Augusta National with it s wide rolling fairways and light rough became outdated in today s long ball hitting environment.

Lopez, claims, The same long hitting lineup is hitting it long at the US Open too but it s not just the length that s causing the higher scores. It s the super fast greens and tight fairways with considerable rough that makes it very difficult for any player to reach the green in regulations once in deep rough s grasp.

At the Player s Championship, we watched the best PGA touring professionals in the business agonize over a par three of only 123 yards. You have to question what made the Masters committee decide that only a 240-yard par three could tame today s long hitting bullies?

Bobby Lopez says, Tighten up the golf course I say, don t lengthen it. Add a vicious intimidating rough that would make even the longest hitters reach for their 1 iron or a three wood to not risk hitting their drive in the rough and lose a stroke, (or maybe even your ball) to a deep club swallowing hazard.

This adjustment Not only would have the scores go up but at the same time you would bring more players into contention and in Bobby s estimation bring out the best ball strikers not just the long knockers.

You can think of it like NASCAR. Doesn t this sport do the same thing? Look at how successful NASCAR is! They control the speed of the cars so that more competitors are bunched up at the finish to create a more exciting race.

Maybe the powers to be at The Masters, with all their glory, high income power brokers, members of the powerful business clicks, don t have as much sense as a bunch of rednecks with a beer in their hand watching a Chevy go around in a circle. Could it be true? The numbers don t lie NASCAR has the largest audience in the sports business and golf is losing popularity and participation.

By: Patrick Porter - Visit the Golf Swami and let him straighten out your swing. Patrick Porter, Ph.D. works on the inside of golf he can be contacted at Mental Golf Coach

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