"You Are Who You Pretend To Be... So, Be Careful Who You Pretend To Be."

Kurt Vonnegut

Everything counts, every thought, every action, every word leaves a mark. This applies to the pillars and the dredges of society equally. Some may pretend that certain things  don't matter. Some may pretend to be unaffected by other things. In the end, every thing matters. Okay, a bit "deep" isn't it? Perhaps, but now consider Tiger Woods and his mysterious accident.  Tiger can pretend that this is a private matter. Tiger can pretend that he is above those human moments. Tiger can pretend that it doesn't count.

I understand Tiger's obsession with having a great deal of control. It is that obsession that enables him to be dominant on the golf course and an iconic figure in sports. I also recognize his capacity to get upset. Anger has long been a branch of his tree. The events of the past few days have everyone digging into those things that Tiger pretends do not count. But rather than jump into that great unknown, why not just leave it at "Everything Counts?"

PLEASE...JUST SHUT UP!

One of the joys of golf are the variety of characters we meet along the links. Sometimes, lifetime friendships are forged during those precious hours on the links. These chance encounters are a large part of the allure of a game that is otherwise exasperating and difficult on days when we are at our best. On days when we are less than our best, meeting new people can be a crap shoot, teetering on the edge of enjoyment and annoyance.

Yesterday, I got to play a local, private course on the outer border of Las Vegas. I had been looking forward to playing the course with a very good friend whom I had not seen in a few months. I was returning to the site where I had to be taken off the course because of physical problems. I was excited and a little anxious about playing there. The weather was beautiful and after the nasty wind and cold temperatures the day was like a gift from the Gods.

The first 5 holes were terrific. The conversation was light and enjoyable. My host, one of my best friends, and I, carried on lighthearted conversation. I birdied the first two holes and had fallen into a relaxed and confident tempo. We were playing golf at its best and loving the day.

On the sixth hole we were joined by two other club members who were acquaintances of my host. Lets call them Paul and Brad...their real names have been changed to protect, well...everybody. I had met Paul before. In fact, I had met Paul during my "medical emergency" round and found him to be good company. Brad, his playing partner this day would ultimately provide another lesson from the links.

No more kidding myself...

I've been "off-golf" for about a month now. When I say "off" I mean not playing, not watching, not reading about, not daydreaming about, not practicing, not walking around the house with a club in my hand... you get the picture. How ever you examine it "off" is exactly wht I've been.

Grooves may matter more than we think...

A golf industry "insider" who I will not name (although I will say "Titleist) gave a Golf Pro friend of mine a little info this week. According to our source, the World's #1 Golfer may have an even greater advantage over his PGA peers in 2010.

The tale goes something like this: As any avid golfer knows equipment manufactuerers have been scurrying around trying to retool thier club (and ball) designs to conform to new USGA parameters (V Grooves) by the 2010 deadline. The revisions to the Rules of Golf being mandated by the USGA are designed to restore the challenge of playing shots from the rough by reducing backspin on those shots. Current U and square grooves, which allow for any player to impart additional backspin and therefore make an errant shot into the rough less penal. I won't go all technical on you, if that's something of interest to you, visit USGA.org and you'll get as much tehno-babble as you need. The bottom line is that shots from the rough, which used to check up on the green, will now be likely to roll farther. The intersting part is the rest of the story.

Tiger Woods has never played the "new" grooves which are being banned. For his entire career, he has played V-grooves which are already conforming to 2010 standards. So, follow this thought further. While all Tiger's peers are struggling to adapt to new equipment and learn new shots, Tiger will be using the same specifications that he has always used. The man won six times this year, does he need any bigger advantage. The insider scoop seems to be that we could see even more Tiger victories in 2010 and by some lopsided margins!

I'm not certain that the groove issue will give Tiger an advantage for very long, if at all. These guys are still good and should adapt pretty fast to the new specs. But, another school of thought says that this will have a greater effect on the shorter hitters. Imagine a Steve Stricker or a Heath Slocum, each of whom is considerably shorter in driving distance than Tiger. In 2010 their approach shots will still be well back of Tiger. Should they miss a  fairway and have 175 yads to a green and Tiger misses the same fairway, Tiger will be left with 120 yards. Hmmm, pretty easy to see that there might be a big advantage to being Tiger...not like there wasn't already.

I'm not sure I by in to the "Tiger advantage," but it is certainly worthy of a few moments of thought. What do you think?