Winter Rules

 

 

I am still waiting for Sergio to comment, he’s gotta be steaming now . . . and “Thurston” Howell III, too . . .

Augusta Changes

Illustrator Chris O'Riley drew up changes to Augusta National through the years for Golf Digest a few years back. He gave us permission to re-run some the illustrations.

We're going to use them to show you how the course has changed.

As a reminder of why the course was altered, here's Tim Rosaforte in 1997 describing Woods at Augusta National: "Woods reduced this once mighty track to an executive course. He was reaching the par 5s with wedges and driving it pin-high at the 360-yard third. All he did was go 18 under, set the tournament record, win by 12 strokes and turn Augusta into Indian Wells."

Woods was just the first of a generation of long hitters aided by improvements in technology. If Augusta wasn't made longer, the course would be a joke for pros.

The first changes in 2002 didn't really work. He won twice after those changes. The second changes in 2006 worked. He hasn't won since.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-augusta-national-has-changed-2013-4#ixzz2Q2lbvjIh

 

Tiffany and Brittany

Tiffany and Brittany are standing on the 18th tee at their Country Club. They are the final twosome in the Women's Country Club Championship and are tied for the lead. The 18th hole is a beautiful par four with a deep valley descending down to a dogleg right.

Both Tiffany and Brittany hit long, straight tee shots which disappear down into the valley. A short time later, the fore caddie appears at the top of the hill and announces that both balls are within a foot of each other, but there's a problem. Both of the golf balls are Titleist #4s.

Tiffany and Brittany look at each other and realize that they had not informed each other as to what kind of ball they were playing, nor its number. They quickly descend into the valley and, sure enough, their two Titleist golf balls are right next to each at the bottom of the valley in the middle of the fairway.

Britt looks at Tiff and says, "We had better get a ruling from a tournament official to straighten this out." "This is the Women's Country Club Championship and we don't want to be disqualified for making a mistake and hitting the wrong ball." "After all, we are tied for the lead."

Soon after, a rules official appears and examines the two #4 Titleist golf balls. He then looks up at Tiff and Britt and says,

"Which one of you is playing the orange ball?