LIV enhancements, TPC Sawgrass charges, golfer annoyances

Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular matters within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf.com. This week, we talk about LIV Golf’s second season and promotions occasion, a brand new DP World Tour eligibility class and TPC Sawgrass greens charges.

1. LIV Golf formally ended his season with its Staff Championship final Sunday. Our James Colgan just lately broke down, after Yr 2, what LIV has and has not completed to date. As LIV Golf enters Yr 3, what do you assume it must do to make the required strides subsequent season? And the way does it try this?

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): It seems that cash alone isn’t sufficient to attract viewers. For me, golf is at its most fascinating and entertaining when one thing apart from cash is on the road. LIV ought to in all probability do no matter it might probably to satisfy OWGR eligibility standards so there will be one thing else to play for, like a spot in a significant, that may be relatable to the final viewing public. 

Alan Bastable, government editor (@alan_bastable): There’s a purpose LIV and the PGA Tour have been on the negotiating desk. The Tour sorely wants funding, and LIV sorely wants aggressive credibility. Sure, the OWGR board’s choice to disclaim LIV factors was a blow, however the league has far greater issues to unravel, specifically with getting followers to care in regards to the outcomes of their occasions. Two years in, the tournaments stay principally unwatchable and devoid of any sense of gravitas. The gamers will inform you they’re competing for extra than simply money and champagne showers after the profitable putts drop, however as a golf fan, I wrestle to see it, or, extra to the purpose, really feel it. The workforce names additionally must go. Irrespective of how a lot expertise LIV attracts, followers won’t ever heat to the Crushers, Cleeks or Fireballs. Naming the groups for the captains — Mickelson, DeChambeau, Sergio, et al. — would immediately give squads extra of an id and assist to attract in followers. I don’t have any insights into how a Tour-LIV partnership would possibly remedy LIV’s woes however commingling Tour gamers at LIV occasions and vice versa could be begin.  

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): That’s effectively stated. I believe the straightforward reply is that there’s no easy reply. One potential strategy could be to shrink the schedule, lean in on the workforce factor, ditch stroke play all collectively and embrace no matter drama would inevitably fire up. I dunno. LIV is at the moment an enormous newsmaker and intriguing as a disruptor however the golf itself hasn’t captured a lot of an viewers, given its price range.

2. Talking of LIV, it introduced a “Promotions” occasion, a three-day, four-round shootout in December wherein a bunch of gamers will do battle for 3 assured spots on 2024 LIV rosters. Are you anticipating some well-known names to to enter the sphere (if eligible)? What do you consider the brand new occasion?

Marksbury: Q-College the place there’s some assured cash for those who get by means of? That must be interesting for a sure subset of golfers. I’d be actually stunned if any large names who’ve held out this lengthy would soar for a possibility like this, although I’m certain it’s an intriguing supply for gamers who don’t have standing elsewhere.

Bastable: Yeah, it’ll be fascinating to see who turns up. There appears to be a good quantity of disgruntlement from the Tour’s “working class” (i.e., these gamers who don’t benefit from the perks of the signature occasions) so it wouldn’t shock me to see no less than a couple of acquainted names make a LIV run. Right here’s the issue, although: What for those who’re a Tour participant who tries to qualify however doesn’t make it? Jury’s nonetheless out on whether or not the Tour would enable these gamers again, and, if it does, it will lead to a spot of awkwardness in participant eating, no?

Dethier: It’s an interesting and high-stakes event and there are many guys from decrease excursions who could be crawling over one another to play. However I doubt we’ll see large names; in the event that they wished to go to LIV they’d soar throughout free company, when extra money is theoretically up for grabs. I’m intrigued by which present LIV guys gained’t get re-signed and can find yourself within the combine, although.

3. The PGA Tour and DP World Tour introduced Monday a brand new eligibility class for PGA Tour gamers who would possibly in any other case lose their full playing cards, as gamers who end Nos. 126-200 within the FedEx Cup can now declare DP World Tour membership (though the variety of gamers who can begin per week through that class is considerably restricted). Why, or why shouldn’t, professionals take into account this feature?

Marksbury: From an American professional perspective, the one downsides I can see listed below are that the DP World Tour doesn’t pay as a lot because the PGA Tour and the event schedule is clearly worldwide, which makes it a bit more durable for professionals with U.S.-based houses and households. However for somebody is who simply missed out on a PGA Tour card and searching for tour standing and a spot to play every week, it’s a fairly glorious improvement and I’m certain loads of guys will probably be completely satisfied to take benefit.

Bastable: Love this feature! This isn’t primarily based on any empirical knowledge, however I’ve at all times believed gamers with in depth worldwide expertise have extra rounded video games as a result of they’re competing on a greater variety of programs (hyperlinks, parkland, desert, mountains, and many others.) and infrequently in additional making an attempt circumstances. Exhibit A is Brooks Koepka, who has often spoken of how his time in Europe was important to his improvement. Like all good symbiotic relationships, this deal can be a win for the beleaguered DP World Tour. Onboarding extra gamers from the U.S. would possibly irk European dreamers however it’s going to solely assist to make that circuit extra aggressive.      

Dethier: If I used to be a PGA Tour professional I’d be fired up on the likelihood to play the DP circuit — however I’d be nervous it may not assist me get again to the PGA Tour. Associated: I’ve had a half-baked thought marinating that the PGA and DP World Excursions ought to have a “examine overseas” program the place professionals who attain a sure standing on their respective excursions get to spend one 12 months with full standing on the opposite tour. Nice option to combine it up, strengthen ties, construct religion within the strategic alliance and get some guys taking part in different occasions. (There are many causes this gained’t occur however bear with me.) The easy fact is that the present system sends Europe’s finest gamers to the U.S. and now permits the PGA Tour’s backside into DP occasions. I get why DP guys wouldn’t love the reinforcement that they’re on a feeder tour.

4. The peak charge to play TPC Sawgrass’ famed stadium course went up once more, as the height charge has just lately elevated to $900 for a spherical on the residence of the Gamers Championship. Only for enjoyable, as a substitute of splurging on that one bucket checklist spherical, how would you divvy up that $900 on greens charges in a single U.S. vacation spot or area? (i.e. — 120 lawsonia, 350 Erin hills, 500 whistling, and many others.)

Marksbury: Confession: I STILL haven’t been to Bandon Dunes, in order that’s precisely the place I’m heading with that $900. The inexperienced price to play Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Previous Macdonald, and Sheep Ranch is $175 for resort company within the month of March in 2024, so I’d be thrilled to play all 5 for the worth of 1 spherical at TPC Sawgrass.

Bastable: The Sawgrass economics are wild. However arduous to knock ’em. Clearly, the demand is there. Makes you surprise what Augusta Nationwide tee occasions would fetch on Golf Now. I’m sinking my $900 into the par-3 course on the muni down the highway from me, the place the charges are 9 bucks. Give me 100 rounds there. Ought to cowl me for the subsequent twenty years.  

Dethier: I’m shopping for a flight to Eire and checking off a pair bucket-listers there. E book a ticket on the proper time and also you’ll get transportation plus golf for that worth…plus depart a couple of dollars for pints.

5. We requested our loyal readers to call essentially the most annoying issues golfers do on the course. That they had some robust opinions. What’s the No. 1 factor golfers try this will get beneath your pores and skin? 

Marksbury: I like to play quick, so my pet peeve is an excessive amount of dawdling on the tee. Since I typically play from the ahead tees, I often have to attend for my taking part in companions to hit first, that means I’m pressured to face round even once I’m able to roll. Perhaps I simply must work on my persistence. 

Bastable: There’s a particular place close to the River Styx reserved for golfers who insist on regaling you with hole-by-hole breakdowns of their rounds.

Dethier: I’m fairly anti-practice swing, so my pet peeve would in all probability be people who waste time, vitality and focus buzzing by means of a couple of of these. However I’d say my greatest message to golfers could be this: don’t be impolite! Particularly to individuals who don’t know what they’re doing. Golf is an intimidating sufficient place for learners with out being made to really feel like outsiders. I do know — the tee sheets are crowded. However we’re on this factor collectively.