PGA President talks bifurcation

What is bifurcation you ask? Well, the short answer is it's changing the rules of golf. We haven't heard much about it since the original announcement to ban long putters and anchoring, but it's going to pop up quite a bit from now until the rule most likely goes into effect in 2016. 

Somehow, 63% of polled club pros are concerned over the anchoring/long putter ban. This is perplexing because, honestly, it's not a huge deal to switch putters and it can be written into the rules that golfers with conditions could still use them. It doesn't have to be so black and white. 

Ted Bishop, PGA of America President, is one name you'll often see in any article that talks about bifurcation. Bishop is most concerened about what rule changes are going to do in terms of driving golfers away from the game. He said the game "can't afford to lose one player, (or) one round of golf at our facilities."

I'm not sure who is going to quit the game over any of this, but he does have a point. Golf is not football, which holds well over the marketshare of sports television viewers. However, as head injuries and concussions become a more prevelant topic in years to come, I would expect a higher number of parents steering their children to golf over contact sports. 

There is discussion about whether there should be two different sets of rules for pro's and amateurs. Why this is an issue doesn't really make sense to me. There are different sets of rules in all of the major sports when it comes to pro vs. amateur. Metal bats vs. wood bats in baseball. Clock stops on a first down in college football, not the NFL. Three point lines are different distances in the NCAA than NBA. 

I don't understand why the governing bodies don't just ammend the rules as needed to make the game the best it can be, on every level. Stop taking polls and debating. Start focus grouping ideas and making things happen. 

PGA Merchandise Show 

If you didn't get a chance to go to the PGA Merchandise Show, check out coverage of it here. One day, I'd love to go, but for now, I'll send you to an even more impressive display than anything you'd have seen in Orlando. Boom.

Phil Mickelson apologizes about tax comments

This is how you handle a mistake correctly through public relations. Athletes take note. 

Marshall Faulk is at the tee box, the fairway, the bunker, the fringe, green, cup, TOUCHDOWN!

Why was this necessary? It's fine and all, but I don't think putting Marshall Faulk in a golf video game is going to help any in the sales department. 

Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines - Round 1

Round 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open is underway. Tiger is in the field. Check it out.