King of Golf

If I was the king of golf and could do anything to the sport, I wouldn't do anything to rules or youth programs but I would change the prices of equipment.  Clubs in todays world are way to expensive and the sport in general is very expensive.  Clothes, clubs, golf balls, golf bags are all incredibly expensive now a days it makes a problem for people to be well equipped to be able to play.  The price of new driver cost around $500 when it was made at a cost of around $50- $75.  They charge way to much for clubs and I feel that this is a reason that more people don't play golf.  People see that the sport is expensive and they don't have the money to play it continuously.  Golf clothes now are getting pretty expensive, Nike charges around $80- $100 for a golf polo and for pants also.  I feel that cause golf charges an arm and a leg for either clubs, clothes, or even to play, that people don't want to use their money for those things.  Especially in youth sports, for parents to have their kids play in tournaments they would have to play in the hundreds of dollars for them to just play.  That's not including the cost of their clubs, clothes, and other stuff that is need for them to play in a tournament.  If I was the king, I wouldn't change the rules of youth golf or change the promotion but I would change the price of the sport as I feel that the prices of equipment is the reason that more people do not play. 

Conflicts of Interest

Back in 2009 the editor of golf digest was also the editor of tigerwoods.com and to some people that seemed like that could have been a conflict of interest.  People thought that since he is the editor of both golf digest and tigerwoods.com that he would either favor Tiger Woods or cover up his wrong doings.  Some people think it is a problem as seen in the following quote, "It seems that Mark would only edit pieces for Golf Digest that were bylined by Woods himself, which seems a little disingenuous on Golf Digest‘s part."  There has also seemed to have problems with Tiger Woods and his pay roll.  With parent company Condé Nast making so many staff cuts, they somehow still have room to keep Tiger Woods’ personal editor on the pay roll.  People feel because it's Tiger Woods that he gets special treat even with his people that work for him.  So if Tiger had something good that happen to him , people feel that if that happens golf digest will cover it for the longest time and build it up bigger then it is.  But if Tiger did something against the rules or made him look bad, they might try and cover it up as best they can.  So there is that feel of conflict of interest as the editor of Golf Digest also works for Tigher Woods.  

http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/tiger-woods-scandal-provides-journalistic-conflict-of-interest/14235

Youth golf

With the new addition of the Drive, Chip, and Putt Championships, youth golf has been on the rise. PGA Junior League Golf has expanded from 1,500 youth participants in 2012 to 8,900 in 2013, a 490% increase. In 2014, participation doubled (18,000 kids).  Youth golf has started to slowly but surely increase in participation which I believe is because of younger guys winning on tour like Jordan Spieth and Rory Mcilrory.  Young kids see these players win and that makes them want to be like them or do what they did.    Even though there are people who say that the pace of play and the level of difficulty of the sport is pushing people away, younger kids are playing more and more even though the increase isn't a large number.  The DCP Championships are also a big help for youth golf. They have created a format that has three types of shots the players must hit making the game sorter and easier.  These players can with tournaments that will give them the opportunity to play at Augusta National where the Masters is held every year.  This gives young players a taste of what kind of courses the pros play at and gives them a different experience of the game of golf.  The popularity of PGA Junior League Golf has skyrocketed over the past year, as a record 8,000 boys and girls nationwide have registered for the 2013 season, representing an approximate 345 percent increase in participants. As a result, more than 700 teams across 33 states will be filled nationwide—a five-fold rise in PGA Junior League Golf teams over last year.

Reform in NCAA

There are no need for reform with the NCAA and sports.  Players should not receive money for anything, and the thought that these players think they should receive money is ridiculous.  People think that they should be paid because this might be categorized as "labor", and this thought is just stupid.  Playing a sport is no where near labor, we watch sports for entertainment for a reason.  You don't see us watching construction works on the TV because that is actual labor.  A sport is nothing like anyother job, it's a game.  It's a form of entertainment for the both the viewer and the player.  I do believe though that student atheletes shouldnt pay for anything, thing like food, housing, and other necessities.  But other then that I don't not think college atheletes should e paid.  Think about it, if you give a 18,19,20 year old kid money for playing their sport, you don't know what they could do with that money.  And the more money they receive the more they become unpredictable.  NCAA should not pay their atheletes money since these atheletes are amateurs in their sport.

Amateur Golfers

An Amateur golfer is define as, "one who plays golf for the challenge  it presents, not as a professional or for financial gain."  Rule 3 of the Rules of Amateur Status prohibits an amateur golfer from accepting prize money.  Those who choose to take the money forfeit his/her amateur status.  That's why you never see college players take any prize money.  They can play in tournaments where prize money is available but they have to waive their right to take the money so they don't get in trouble with both the NCAA and the USGA.  That's why you see some college players in some Major tournaments with an (a), next to their name to let everyone know they are an amateur.  There was a story back in 2011 where a Freshman in high school won a charity putting contest for $5,000 and did not accept the money.  And people might be thinking this kid is crazy but he did this so he wouldn't mess up his amateur status.  He refused the money and still kept his amateur status.
I believe this is how all sports should be played.  Golf does a very good job distinguishing between amateurs and professionals.  It's simple once you accept any form of money for play golf, you are a professional not an amateur.  Although amateurs in golf who are playing in tour events, may receive finical aid for the expenses for that tournament like transportation, food, housing, etc. 
The Rules also allow an amateur golfer to receive financial support directly from anyone for an individual competition where the expenses are $300 or less.  Once the amount exceeds $300 dollars, he/she may still receive finical support from sources other than family members but it has to be approved by and paid through the golfer’s state or local golf association.  But amateurs may not under any circumstances receive money for playing golf.  I believe these rules are fair and do a good job with separating the amateurs and professionals.







http://www.usga.org/rules/amateur_status/amateur-status/




http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/golf/teen-golfer-garrett-sauls-wins-putting-contest-turns-down-5000-prize-to-avoid-risking-amateur-status/2011/06/01/AGD2WXWH_story.html
 

16th Hole at The Waste Management Phoenix Open

The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is one of the most iconic and loudest holes in all of golf.  With stadium like stands all around the hole it creates a different feeling for golfers and the fans too.  This hole alone has grown bigger and bigger every year.  But for the past two years the PGA tour has establish new rules that limits how much fans can interact with players and how much players can interact with fans.  Other then the last 3 seasons the 16th hole had players and even caddies entertained fans.  Players would toss balls, hats, and even start throwing some footballs since the Super Bowl was on the same Sunday as The Waste Management.  Caddies however would participate in caddie races where each of the opponents caddies would race to the green with golf backs on their backs.  Three years ago, the tour discontinued caddie races for the safety of the caddies.   The PGA Tour also put out a notice to players and caddies stating that, for fan safety reasons, players and caddies are prohibited from throwing, kicking, or otherwise propelling items into the crowd on the 16th hole.  They felt that fans could have been harmed by the things that were thrown in the crowd.  This past year, a golfer named Ryan Palmer, would throw balls with 10$ bills wrapped around them so that the fan could enjoy a "drink on him."  Even thought the PGA Tour did not approve of this he still did it.  Here's the truth, The Waste Management Phoenix Open loved the caddie races and loved having players interact with fans on the 16th hole, throwing hats, T-shirts, candy or whatever into the crowd. It's part of what makes the hole the greatest show on grass.








http://espn.go.com/golf/blog/_/name/golf/id/12162851/pga-tour-taking-fun-waste-management-phoenix-open-16th-hole-golf

Fans

Throughout the history of golf fans have been watching the sport with great enthusiasm and interest.  Fans have been showing the same etiquette and respect as player have. Golf fans do have certain rights or duties while watching their favorite player hit the ball 300 yards down the middle of the fairway.  The game of golf has been about respect, etiquette, and enjoyment.  Players have to show respect to the course and their opponents.  They also have to show a good attitude for the fans so they can be a good role model and a person to look up to.  These fans have to show the same attitude back to the players so they do not disturbed them while they are playing.  Fans have to be quite while players are preparing to hit a shot.  This let's the players play their games.

As this game has evolve and has attracted a much younger crowd , they have became alitte louder one could say. With these new younger players winning on tour it creates a new type of energy throughout the golf world.  After every shot you hear someone yells "GET IT THE HOLE" or "BABABOOIE".  And in the 2013 U.S. Open Championship you heard someone scream "King of the North" whenever Justin Rose hit a shot.  So it's safe to say that the game has gotten a lot louder and the 16th hole at The Waste Mangement is an example of that. That hole has turned into a stadium. It is the loudest hole in golf, which I think it is great. It creates a feel like football and basketball where the fans give the players energy and help boost their games.  Now a days, players love that stuff as the younger generation of players are all about energy and using the fans excitement to their advantage.










http://espn.go.com/golf/blog/_/name/golf/id/12162851/pga-tour-taking-fun-waste-management-phoenix-open-16th-hole-golf