Am I right or wrong in saying, “Only in America!” and hoping like crazy it does not catch on in the rest of the world?

Jeff Ritter headlines his post, “Let the big dog eat! Myrtle Beach course extended to 8,100 yards” and then proceeds to advise his readers, ” thanks to a new set of elevated back tees (dubbed "perch tees") at Eagle Nest Golf Club in the Myrtle's Little River district. It's the first 8,000-yard course along the Grand Strand.”

Are you ready?
Jeff writes, “As players launch the ball farther than ever, courses around the world are being stretched and extended. But is the sport ready for an 8,000-yard track?
One spot in Myrtle Beach is betting on it,” and is owned by Rick Elliott, and his mother, Anne who it appears to enjoy the prospect of a visit by DJ.
"Now all I (Rick Elliott) need is Dustin Johnson to step on the first tee of the perch tee boxes and see what he can do with it."

Just gimme the facts!
“The course's par-3s will measure 283, 199, 248 and 266, which is the course's closing hole over water to an elevated green, for a total of 996 and average of 249 yards. (Yikes!)
- The course will begin with a 645-yard par-5 and the other par-5 yardages are 573, 683 and 603 for a total of 2,504 yards and average of 626 yards. (Double yikes!)
- Seven par-4s will measure more than 460 yards, capping out at the 506-yard second hole, which is one of two par-4s exceeding 500 yards. (Make it stop!)”

Link to Jeff Ritter

Quote of the Day
“Those numbers don't appeal to this 16-handicap” – Jeff Ritter

"Rickie Fowler's the nicest guy in the world. But you've got to get, and there's no other way, I mean you've just got to get a little meaner, and a little bit more arrogant.” That’s from Brandel Chamblee who’s suggesting that’s what Rickie Fowler needs to do to turn his list of  runner-up finishes into his first major title.

Is arrogance really the answer?
I’d suggest, ‘different strokes for different folks’ and nice guys like Freddie Couples have done rather well without being arrogant. Nevertheless I do agree with Brandel that, “We view arrogance with such disdain in our society. It's like, why? Why? If you don't believe in yourself, who the hell will? And arrogance in sport is a good thing. It serves you well. It may not make you the best dinner companion, it may not make you the greatest corporate push man. But it serves you well. And I hope that this finish at the Masters will make him, at least internally, more arrogant."

Wa’ll who’s gonna be second?
My very favourite professional golfer is the late Walter (The Haig) Hagen and his oft-quoted, “Wa’ll who’s gonna be second?” could be construed as an arrogant statement but no one reading of his exploits should be left with thought that it’s arrogance and simply symptomatic of the man’s self-belief. Who else but he would intentionally play himself into trouble for the fun of it and the  opportunity to display his showmanship.

And then there’s the Golden Bear
Most times when I think of what I consider arrogance in the context of golf and what’s said about it, I think of Jack Nicklaus’ statement.

Dan Hafner dateline March 24, 1990 writes, “Nicklaus Challenged, Challenger as Senior.
The (Senior) tour has grown quietly from two tournaments with a total purse of $250,000 in 1980 to 42 with almost $18 million in prize money this year.
 Then Nicklaus shattered the seniors' serenity, telling Golf Digest he really wasn't much interested in joining the old-timers. For one thing, he thought he could still win on the regular PGA Tour.
It was especially upsetting to many when he said: "Fellows who were marginal players on the regular tour are now doing quite well as seniors. I don't find it a challenge to play against the same guys I've beaten for 30 years."
(Dave) Hill was outraged.

"I always thought Jack was quite a guy," Hill said. "I don't any longer. He's an . . . I hope that some of us marginal players can hammer him at Scottsdale. I'm going to be doing my best.”

It appears that Dave Hill shares with me the thought that Jack was a tad arrogant but if so for sure it worked for him.

Link to Brandel’s thoughts  and Dan Hafner

Quote of the Day
"No one remembers who came in second." - Walter Hagen

How to “ace” your tee shots using Pete Cowen's signature 'Tennis Ball' drill.
I’m a big fan of Pete Cowen’s teachings. Damn shame this guy who’s showing us what to do
has a billboard featuring one of Pete’s ex pupils and given Danny’s dire current situation maybe he’d like to think about going back to Pete

“Tiger Woods may regard himself as the miracle man but he would not class success in this, the 82nd Masters, as the finest sporting revival story of all time,” or so the story goes according to The Guardian.

Gentleman Ben
Even Tiger calls him Mr Hogan
“As far as greatest comebacks [go], I think that one of the greatest comebacks in all of sport is the gentleman who won here, Mr Hogan,” Woods said. “I mean, he got hit by a bus and came back and won major championships. The pain he had to endure, the things he had to do just to play, the wrapping of the leg, all the hot tubs and just how hard it was for him to walk – walk, period. He ended up walking 36 holes and winning a US Open [the next year]. That’s one of the greatest comebacks there is and it happens to be in our sport.”

"Walking miracle"
Woods reiterated his phrase of being a “walking miracle,  his return from back fusion surgery. “The reason why I say I’m a walking miracle is that I don’t know of anyone who has had a lower back fusion that can swing the club as fast as I can swing it,” he explained. “That’s incredible. Some guys have said [jokingly]: ‘Yeah, I need to fuse my back so I can hit it harder.’ No, you don’t want to go through that.
“That’s why I say that. It is a miracle. I went from a person who really had a hard time getting up, walking around, sitting down, anything, to now swinging the club at 129mph. That is a miracle, isn’t it?”

And the winner is?
Geoff Shackelford picks the winner and some close callers
“Projected champion: Justin Rose. After losing in a playoff last year to Sergio Garcia, has played sparingly but when he does show up, almost always contends. Loves Augusta and should have been the champion last year but for one bad swing in the playoff on a hole where it does not take much to misfire. Veteran presence, smart caddie, length off the tee and improved putting this year make him the man to beat.”

“Where will Tiger finish? T-2. Because he won’t actually play blindfolded.”

Link to The Guardian and Geoff Shackelford http://golfweek.com/2018/04/01/fantasy-golf-expert-picks-2018-masters/

Taste of Yesterday
“Last year Danny Willett served up a traditional English fare that included a Sunday roast, Yorkshire pudding and apple crumble. And through the years Masters champions such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have all selected menus. Woods’ 2002 menu featured sushi and sashimi, prime porterhouse steak and more.” – Brentley Romine