Dogs That Chase Cars

2015 Masters odds and Masters lines

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 13:10:00 +0000

We are just days away from the start of the 2015 Masters, and if you're looking for lines, look no further. These, via Bovada.lv, are the most up to date lines around, and have Rory McIlroy the favorite to snag the opening major of the season and his third in a row.

The Masters 2015 - Outright Winner
Rory McIlroy 11/2
Jordan Spieth 8/1
Bubba Watson 10/1
Jason Day 14/1
Dustin Johnson 16/1
Henrik Stenson 18/1
Phil Mickelson 18/1
Adam Scott 20/1
Jimmy Walker 22/1
Patrick Reed 28/1
Justin Rose 33/1
Matt Kuchar 33/1
Rickie Fowler 33/1
Tiger Woods 33/1
Brandt Snedeker 40/1
J.B. Holmes 40/1
Lee Westwood 40/1
Sergio Garcia 40/1
Billy Horschel 50/1
Louis Oosthuizen 50/1
Brooks Koepka 66/1
Hideki Matsuyama 66/1
Jim Furyk 66/1
Keegan Bradley 66/1
Paul Casey 66/1
Angel Cabrera 80/1
Charl Schwartzel 80/1
Gary Woodland 80/1
Hunter Mahan 80/1
Ian Poulter 80/1
Martin Kaymer 80/1
Ryan Moore 80/1
Ryan Palmer 80/1
Victor Dubuisson 80/1
Zach Johnson 80/1
Bill Haas 100/1
Luke Donald 100/1
Chris Kirk 125/1
Graeme McDowell 125/1
Jamie Donaldson 125/1
Jason Dufner 125/1
Padraig Harrington 125/1
Russell Henley 125/1
Shane Lowry 125/1
Webb Simpson 125/1
Branden Grace 150/1
Jonas Blixt 150/1
Kevin Na 150/1
Marc Leishman 150/1
Steve Stricker 150/1
Ernie Els 175/1
Miguel Angel Jimenez 175/1
Brendon Todd 200/1
Charley Hoffman 200/1
Danny Willett 200/1
Fred Couples 200/1
John Senden 200/1
Joost Luiten 200/1
Sang-Moon Bae 200/1
Bernd Wiesberger 250/1
Cameron Tringale 250/1
Camilo Villegas 250/1
Geoff Ogilvy 250/1
Matt Every 250/1
Morgan Hoffman 250/1
Stephen Gallacher 250/1
Thomas Bjorn 250/1
Anirban Lahiri 300/1
Bernhard Langer 300/1
James Hahn 300/1
Kevin Stadler 300/1
Kevin Streelman 300/1
Robert Streb 300/1
Seung-yul Noh 300/1
Thongchai Jaidee 300/1
Vijay Singh 300/1
Ben Martin 350/1
Brian Harman 400/1
Erik Compton 400/1
Mikko Ilonen 400/1
Ben Crane 500/1
Jose Maria Olazabal 500/1
Trevor Immelman 500/1
Darren Clarke 750/1
Mark O'Meara 1000/1
Mike Weir 1000/1
Tom Watson 1000/1
Bradley Neil 1500/1
Corey Conners 1500/1
Gunn Yang 2000/1
Matias Dominguez 2000/1
Scott Harvey 2000/1
Ian Woosnam 2500/1
Ben Crenshaw 5000/1
Byron Meth 5000/1
Larry Mize 5000/1
Sandy Lyle 7500/1

(Via Getty Images)

Bob Barker and Adam Sandler give us our best shot at 'Happy Gilmore 2'

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 14:30:00 +0000

It was pretty amazing, considering how long ago the first fight happened.

Joining the incredible A-list "Night of Too Many Stars," Adam Sandler and Bob Barker gave us a fight for the ages (and considering the "old" jokes, 'ages' is probably spot-on).

Bob might not be as spry as he was back in 1996, but he still took it to Sandler. And we got Chubbs! And the alligator! And Abraham Lincoln!

(And, just for fun, my take from years ago about all the golf-errors in "Happy Gilmore," which actually makes the movie that much more hilarious)

Luke Donald Not a Fan of The TPC Boston Redesign (And Course Designer)

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 00:19:00 +0000

Luke Donald is one of the best golfers in the world. He's won a lot of the big events, seems to enjoy his life and his Twitter is one of the few fantastic ones on tour.

And because of that, he occasionally says something he didn't want. Like on Saturday, after a bad bounce on the final hole forced him to make bogey on the par-5 18th that was redesigned before this year.

Donald complained after about it, but it was the mis-direct message that had people laughing.

"Gil Hanse is a cock," Donald tweeted before immediately deleting it.

I wasn't sure I could love Donald more, but this might do it.

h/t @devincgreen

Site news.

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:21:00 +0000

As you have probably noticed, this page has become a ghost town. There are a number of factors for me taking some time away from DTCC, but it isn't that fair to people that enjoy it (I know you're out there!), and I've been batting some ideas around for what to do with this page that would be different from my current gig over at CBS Sports.

To be fair, it was never that much fun writing the same story over AOL/Yahoo/CBS that I did here. I had to come up with different, random ideas that were sometimes fun, sometimes stale, and occasionally informative. I also made sure the last year to focus on newsy stories over here that the company that I advertise with, Yardbarker, would throw on the front page and gain me some traffic.

But alas, the honest truth is I'm simply burnt out with double duty golf blogging. I've been doing this job for more than five years, and it as much fun as it is to write dumb things about Tiger Woods, it sometimes gets old when you have to tag-team the lede.

So, per a request from a reader, I'm changing Dogs That Chase Cars. This site isn't going to be golf news anymore. It's going to be Shane news. No, this will not be a Facebook news feed ("Just ate Sushi .. delish!"), but it will be a golf blog about my golfing. For some odd reason, I was gifted with a pretty damn good golf game, and while I know how to golf my ball around, I sometimes lack in the motivation, and confidence, needed to really push myself to new level. Hopefully being able to put what I'm doing with my game on paper, per se, will help me work and become better.

But first, a few Q and As that I'm assuming you're wondering.

Q. Will this be one of those websites where you chronicle your works at becoming a pro golfer?

A. Umm, hell no. I've been down that road, and realized long ago that I had a better chance of owning Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket than I do at a green jacket. I won't play in a PGA Tour event in my life, and at 28, I'm okay with that.

Q. So if it isn't' that, what are you going to be talking about?

A. Well, my game. What I did that day. What my thoughts where. How I was dealing with nerves when I had a birdie putt to win $50, $100 or $400. What the range was like and how I'm working on different things to improve this or that. If I'm hitting it all over the place off the tee, what the hell can I do to make that stop? And I'm going to go back to working with an instructor to improve my golf game. My goal is to find someone that will be okay with me posting pictures, and tips, that he has about my game. I need to find an instructor as excited about me becoming a better golfer as I am. Sadly, that is hard to find, but it isn't impossible.

Q. Why would I read this?

A. Honestly, I don't know. Would you? I think golfers like to hear about other golfer's goods and bars, and that is what this will be. There will be sad stories about my game falling apart when I needed it the most, and times when I close birdie-birdie to post a nifty 67. There will be times I want to quit the game, and times I wish the sun was out 24 hours. It's the game we all love, and why you came here in the first place (well, except you, mom, you had to), and I want to give you a look into my golfing adventures as I hope you do with mine.

Q. How are we going to do that?

A. Well, that's the fun part. You have a good golf story? Share it with me. Email it to me (email is under my profile over there on the right), and I'll post it. No, I probably won't post them all, but if it's good, it'll go up. This is a forum of sorts, and I want everyone to enjoy it.

So, yes, that is it. Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

The projects starts July 13.

The British Open or Open Championship ... A Plea

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:44:00 +0000

So, right around this time every year (Every. Year.) readers and followers and golf fans from across the pond (And some in the US) start the incessant plea for the rights to name the third, and oldest, major championship.

The true name of the British Open, as we call it over on this side of the pond, is the Open Championship. I completely agree. It IS the Open Championship.

The thing is, we in the media world have to write for a mass of people that might not know that. They may think we're talking about the U.S. Open or the British or the Canadian or, hell, the Phoenix Open. While it is the proper name, it's a little confusing (the same reason Europeans call the PGA Championship the US PGA Championship).

But, it's confusing ... so we call it the British Open. That just makes more sense over here so that we don't have to explain what the hell we're talking about (Breaking news: a lot of Americans aren't exactly world travelers).

Now, THAT SAID, during the week of the British, I will happily call it the Open Championship.

Honestly, links golf is my favorite golf in the world. I've lived in Scotland, caddied at the Old Course, spent hours on those golf courses hitting fun golf shots that do all sorts of different things a yard here or there. I've knocked back scotch at Cruden Bay, a Tennents at the Whey Pat, and dragged my dad across the pond to check out as many of those beauties as I could.

But logically, it just makes more sense this way. So, agree? Agree.

Video: Guy Runs on the Green and Interrupts U.S. Open Trophy Ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 03:42:00 +0000

No real words here, just a guy running out and getting tackled by Mike Davis. Pricele

The Most Fun Game of the Week - Is Tiger Woods Playing Good This Week, or Bad?

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 20:32:00 +0000

You probably have watched some of the U.S. Open. It's been great TV. But do you know if Tiger Woods has played good golf, or bad golf? Let the pictures guide you, and then guess at the end. Good luck! (All photos courtesy of the great people at Getty Images)

And just for fun, my favorite Rory McIlroy picture from a tough week.

Getty Images

I Do Not Care if Tiger Woods Ever Does Another Press Conference Again

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:30:00 +0000

In a few hours Tiger Woods will, for the second time this year, bypass a pre-tournament press conference to tool around on the Internet and interact with friends. His first, rightfully nicknamed the hostage video, was Tiger reading, rather blandly, questions from fans while sitting on what appeared to be a set from Ikea.

On Tuesday, the interaction will take on another face as Tiger and Google+ have teamed up to give us some sort of social interaction that is live to all the golf fans across the world. And by doing this, he isn't going to show up and chat with the media before the Memorial, a tournament he's won four times.

And I do not care. One bit. I don't blame Tiger for skipping the press conference just like I don't blame media members for being upset that the most popular figure in the game won't sit around and act like he's answering questions.

Tiger Woods hasn't answered a question in years. He sits in front of cameras with that blank stare on his face and talks of his golf game and his swing and how close he is to being great again, but nothing is every groundbreaking. He isn't speaking of his personal life or his business or his future plans. He doesn't really talk about other players or his ever-changing golf swing or the fact that he doesn't win that much anymore.

And I know that Tiger's approach to press conferences could one day change the whole landscape to this in the golf world. Think about it; if you're Rory McIlroy, and you see that Tiger is never going to do another pre-tournament press conference, why would you? Sure, some people actually enjoy talking to the media (I'll wait for you to get back into your chair), but if I was a pro golfer and the most famous guy in our sport was bypassing an obligation for another means of chatting with the public, it wouldn't take me long to follow suit (think of this as golf's version of the Louis C.K. experiment).

I watched the 1999 U.S. Open a couple of weeks ago, and saw a much happier Tiger Woods strolling the fairways. He wasn't going to win that tournament, but he smiled at fans and looked like he generally was enjoying himself out on the golf course and was interested in the competition. It struck me as odd because that is so far from what Tiger looks like now when he's playing golf. He might still enjoy being in the moment and all that jazz, but when he plays bad golf he really looks like he hates what he's doing. I can relate to that. Playing bad golf sucks, simple as that, but it was fun to see a smiling Tiger Woods back in those days trying to get a leg up on history with a second major championship.

Tiger now would like to play the game and that's it. If he wants to interact with his fans instead of the media, I'm totally fine with that. If he doesn't want to talk to anyone at all, it won't hurt my feelings. This game of golf has always been an independent contractor-type situation, and Tiger can do whatever he wants whenever he wants and as long as he shows up and attempts to play solid golf at events, I'll be totally fine with that.

Nobody in this business is ever going to have a relationship with Woods now. He might as well try to get in better with his core group and not so much with the scribes that love to bash him.

Golf has and always will be Tiger's world. This is just another step in that direction.

Our Own Cool/Not Cool Golf List

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Golf Digest recently rolled out a list of the ten cool and not cool things on a golf course. The article nailed a couple of them (yes, it is uncool to wear red on Sundays like Tiger Woods, but it is also uncool for Tiger to do it), confused with a couple (why the heck is an eraser on a pencil uncool? You think golfers are good at math?!), but generally did what is asked of an article to start a discussion.

So here is our list of cool, uncool things to do on the golf course.

Cool / Not Cool

Cool: Bringing a music player and jamming to music in your cart
Not Cool: Getting mad that someone is enjoying some music and asking them to turn it off (News Alert: it isn't the reason you're sucking).

Cool: Buying drinks from the cart girls/halfway house
Not Cool: Sneaking beers in your bag to the course, you cheap bastard

Cool: Kids in flat-brimmed caps
Not Cool: Anyone over the age of 30 in flat-brimmed caps (via @shosheak)

Cool: Matching your belt with your outfit
Not Cool: Same belt you wear to work is also your only golf option

Cool: Having a coin in your pocket before you get to the first tee
Not Cool: Sticking a tee in the ground for the first nine holes because you "keep forgetting to get a mark"

Cool: Understanding and comprehending how far your hit the golf ball
Not Cool: Waiting for the green to clear when it is literally impossible for you to get there even if you hit the shot of your life and a dust devil picked your ball up mid-air and blew it towards the green

Cool: Offering to buy your playing partners, even if they're total strangers, the first round
Not Cool: Getting a free round and then shying away when the cart girl pulls up

Cool: Desert rules
Not Cool: Re-tee, re-tee, re-tee, re-tee, re-tee, re-tee

Cool: A confident smile after a good shot
Not Cool: "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again."

Actually ... Not Cool: Any golf cliche you have ever heard or have ever said or have ever thought. Everyone hates them. Everyone.

Cool: Saying hi to a left-hander
Not Cool: "Hey, you're hitting from the wrong side of the ball!"

Cool: Waiting until your playing partner is standing over his putt to tell him it's good.
Not Cool: Asking, or begging, for a putt to be given.

Cool: Water slapping a playing partner on a hot day (walk up and throw a small cup of cool water in their face without them knowing it)
Not Cool: Undoing the bag strap on the cart so their clubs fall off when they drive.

Cool: The Club Twirl
Not Cool: The Putter Raise

Cool: A nice, light golf bag
Not Cool: Using a staff bag if you are in fact not on staff with anyone

Cool: Playing fast
Not Cool: Slow play

Giants Plan Rory McIlroy Bobble Head Day, Misspell Own City's Name

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:44:00 +0000

Well, that's unfortunate. The San Francisco Giants are having a bobble head day during U.S. Open week honoring Rory McIlroy, the defending champion of this nation's championship. This year's tourney is out in the Bay Area at the beautiful Olympic Club, and so Rory bobble head day is set for that Tuesday, June 12.

Sadly, the Giants went with the Irish spelling of their own city, typing San Francsisco instead of the traditional San Francisco that most usually go with.

Hey, don't feel bad, guys, you got the part of the bobble head brochure correct that means the most - "pregame Irish entertainment," which I'm assuming just means "pregame drinking."

Mini Tour Players Posts 16-under 55, Makes Me Throw All My Clubs Away

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:41:00 +0000

There are moments when professional golfers do something that the home viewer might think, "I could have done that!" This is not one of those times.

A 26-year-old Australian named Rhein Gibson shot a 16-under 55 last week at River Oaks Golf Club in Oklahoma, and yes, you read that number correctly, and yes, I'll give you a minute to pick your jaw up from the ground.

Gibson actually started on the back nine, playing No. 10 first, and after a par on the first hole, played the next eight holes 10-under, with two eagles and six birdies. He turned at 10-under, made six birdies over his final seven holes, and posted a score that is said to have tied the lowest ever in the history of the game.

The scorecard above, via Reddit, gives us full proof that Gibson actually did it, but wow, 55 is absolutely incredible. Most of the time, 16-under wins four-man scrambles, so to think one man could do something like that is insane.

One of his playing partners, Ryan Munson, wrote a full account of the round, and it's quite good, but that is one heck of round of golf.

Nothing like saying after you putt out on the 18th, "I only made four pars ... but no bogeys."

h/t Eye on Golf

Prankster Zings Famous Irish Golf Course With Hope of a Rory Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:33:00 +0000

There are few golf courses in the world as beautiful as Ballybunion, the pinnacle of Irish golf set off the western side of the island, and there are few golfers as famous as Rory McIlroy, the young Northern Irishman with a major under his belt and potential as long as his soaring drives.

So what would happen if the two planned a get together? That was the plan in late April, or so the Ballybunion course thought. A prankster called the golf course posing as a manager to Rory and Mark O'Meara, letting the course know that the two would be swinging by the famous links on a Saturday before a big rugby match.

Ballybunion went all "the queen is coming over for tea" on the course, only to find out they'd be duped.

From the Irish Independent ...

Well used to VIP visitors, Ballybunion saw nothing amiss and swept into action with their preparations. Extra catering arrangements were made, caddies took precise measurements to ensure their yardages were spot on, and the Old Course was in pristine condition for Rory and his entourage.

Except they never showed - much to the disappointment of up to 100 young fans, club members and local media who had gathered from 7.30am. Most waited patiently until 11.30 when it became clear that McIlroy was a non-runner.

Maybe it's just the Irish mentality to be lackadaisical in double checking these sorts of things, but if I called out to Whistling Straits telling them Bubba Watson was going to swing by for a quick 18, I feel like they'd check with a manager or something to confirm.

And if nothing else, it gives me a chance to post one of my favorite commercials that has come out recently, because I'm assuming the level of disappointment on those little kiddos' faces rivals these expressions.

Tiger Woods Delivers the Pinnacle of Tiger Woods Press Conference Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:39:00 +0000

From Tiger Woods' press conference on Tuesday at the Players Championship ...

"Well, I think it's a process, and I've said this numerous times, is that you keep building. And there's certain times when, yeah, you make great strides forward, and there's other times where you're going to take a stride or two backwards. It's a process."

That was his final quote of the day, btw.

And, obligatory video ...

Peter Alliss' Hall of Fame Speech Seemed Entertaining

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:27:00 +0000

I must admit, I don't really get that involved in the whole "World Golf Hall of Fame" thingy. Normally it is people that you already know a ton about, and I always seem to think, "Wait, they weren't already in the Hall of Fame" when I read the list of inductees.

But, boy, I wish I had seen the Peter Alliss speech. The picture above, courtesy of Shackleford's site, had Alliss giving the bird to the crowd, and the reasoning is below.

Alliss: "So it's time to‑‑ I could waffle on for another four or five hours. I just want to say this: I think of it often because I did leave school early. I was quite bright, but I remember my last report which was sent home.

We had a headmistress that my modest school was called cross by house school. She was a Mrs.Violet Weymouth, and she was a short Welsh woman. She always had a cigarette dangling out of her mouth and the smoke used to trickle up here, and you could see where the smoke went. There was sort of a brown line up there. But she was‑‑ you didn't mess about with Mrs. Weymouth, I can tell you that. I'm always staggered today where I read that children go to school and beat up the teachers. They wouldn't have done that in my day, I'll tell you. But I remember the last report she sent back to my parents, and it went something like this: 'Peter does have a brain, but he's rather loathe to use it. His only interests appear to be the game of golf and Violet Pretty', a girl I liked. She never knew about Iris Baker, but they were the two that introduced me to some of the ways of the world, for which I'll be eternally grateful. And although we were very young, I wish to God we could do it today.

'I fear for his future' were the last words she wrote on my report. So mom and dad died a long, long time ago, and if there is such a thing as heaven and if people do look down, well, Mom, Dad, here we are. Look at this lot. Look where I've been, look what I've done. Never worked very hard at it. But it's all fallen into place. Lovely family, lovely wife, looks after me, shouts a bit occasional. But they are remarkable. They put up with all my nonsense, and I love them dearly.

And Mrs.Weymouth, if you're there, (holds up middle finger)."

Well played, Peter.

Other related golf news and articles:
-- Phil Mickelson jabs Tiger Woods during press conference
-- Rory McIlroy hits a golf shot like Happy Gilmore

OMG, OMG, OMG, TIGER'S SHIRT!

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Fri, 04 May 2012 02:18:00 +0000

Does anyone else find it incredibly odd that for a guy that dresses so well on the golf course, Tiger Woods always looks like the guy that has Castaway fashion sense*?

The above shirt was from his Tiger Jam thingy and, really, I have no words. It looks like he's wearing a Magic Eye book. Tiger, please, stop shopping in the MGM Grand shop.

* -- Castaway fashion sense is someone that dresses like if they got stranded on an island for five years, was found, and came back to find five year old clothes in his closet that are well outdated

Getty Images

Phil Mickelson is Funny

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:51:00 +0000

It has always been a rather rocky relationship between myself and Phil Mickelson. Not personally of course, Phil couldn't pick me out of a lineup of random 20-something white guys, but as a fan. Back in my day, Phil was my guy. He was the lovable loser and also left-handed, which was an obvious pull for a southpaw kiddo hoping to make it in the big leagues.

But for some reason, after he won that first Masters, his appeal dropped. I didn't love him as much. I got sick of his cheesy smile and constant thumbs ups. His positivity ate away at me. But slowly, I've come back to Phil. Sitting in press conferences of his make it easier to like the guy. He's genuinely funny, and seems to actually enjoy the press even if that is just a complete facade he plays to because he knows it's a part of the job.

And he has a little fun with it. Like on Wednesday at his Quail Hollow press conference. Phil walked into the press center to address the media but opened with a rather simple, but incredibly clever, joke.

"Didn't you guys see my video?," Phil said with a smirk.

The joke was obviously pointed at Tiger Woods' hostage video from Sunday where he awkwardly answered questions from fans in front of what looks like the second floor of the Dallas Ikea. The thing seemed strange before the video began, but Tiger sits for 14 minutes and answers questions. It was strange. Phil knows that. He made a joke. Well played.

I like the idea of an underlying Phil and Tiger rivalry. I think it's good for the game and actually good for both players. I think they are friends deep down, but I think both don't really get the other, and both want to beat the other really bad, which is how it should be. This era will be remembered because of those two, and I like that Phil pulled out the rubber snake and flung it towards Tiger's direction.

Related articles:
-- Ten questions that we would have loved Tiger Woods to answer
-- Watch a video of Rory McIlroy hitting balls like Happy Gilmore

Getty Images

Ten Questions I'd Like Tiger Woods to Answer on Monday in His Pre-Recorded Video

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:46:00 +0000

As you've probably heard, Tiger Woods is planning to post a pre-recorded video on Monday from questions fans asked him on Twitter and Facebook. All of them will be softball questions, but here are ten I'd really like to hear him answer.

-- If you had to pick one way to destroy a copy of "The Big Miss," what would you go with?

-- If you had to project, how many times in your life have you used the phrase "I'm close," and yes, personal moments should be counted?

-- Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Rich Beem -- f, m, k ... go.

-- When you get really old, will you buy orthopedic shoes or just drag some of your current golf shoes out of the closet and wear them?

-- Be honest with me for a second ... Crest White Strips?

-- How many minutes did it take you to stop laughing when your agent suggested you do a video blog answering questions from fans, and how long until you realized he wasn't kidding?

-- If you had to compare yourself to one professional athlete, past or present, that isn't a golfer, who would it be and why?

-- Do you still own that outfit you wore when you won the U.S. Amateur at Sawgrass and if so, how often do you put that hat on and just sit around in your bathrobe?

-- If I said I could promise you you'd win five more majors, but you had to publicly announce that your new girlfriend was Lindsay Lohan, and date her until the five majors were complete, would you take me up on my offer?

-- When is the last time you had to pay for a round of golf?

Okay, that's it! Give me your best in the comments.

Tiger Woods to Increase His Interaction With Fans in Most Tiger Woods Way Possible

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:49:00 +0000

If there is one thing that Tiger Woods and his camp knows, it's how to entertain the masses, and they're really outdone themselves now with the announcement that on Monday, Tiger will post a pre-recorded video on his website answering questions from fans.

Yes, in a move that shows Tiger's golf swing isn't the only thing stuck in 2007, Tiger will take questions from his Twitter and Facebook account from fans and post that video online after his agent, Mark Steinberg, announced they're trying to do more with social media.

Via Bob Harig's story on ESPN ...

"We've been thinking about this for a couple of months now," Steinberg said Friday night. "We wanted to have a little bit more direct interaction with fans, and they've been very good to him over the years. We're probably a little bit behind with social media and this is a way to do that."

Ehh, is it really a way of doing that, Mark? Posting a pre-recorded video on the website you own?

In a time when certain professional golfers have appeared on the Bill Simmons' podcast, used Twitter to gain a serious following, and even done a AMA (ask me anything) chat over at Reddit, it seems this move isn't anymore "social media" as the fact that Tiger's Twitter account (obviously not run by him) has done just 12 updates in the month of April.

I commend Tiger and his team for at least trying something new, and any steps is at least progress, but is that entire office so clueless that their idea of moving forward is pre-recording something? Pre-recordings are to the current Internets what a Q and A via Morse Code would have been in the late 1980s.

I will say this ... it might be nice to see Tiger answer questions without staring blankly at media members like he normally does in press conferences. And hey, my coworker Steve Elling might actually get one of his questions for Tiger answered this way. You've got a 1 in 2.11 million shot, buddy!

Video: Lexi Thompson Wants a Prom Date

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:42:00 +0000

Yes, Lexi Thompson is still very young, but that doesn't mean she isn't aging very well in PR years.

The LPGA star went to YouTube to ask a military man between the ages of 18-20 to go to prom with her on May 18. Lexi is still 17, but I like the idea and the initiative.

Video: Rory McIlroy goes Happy Gilmore and other pro golfers being awesome

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

I don't post a lot of trick shot videos, but holy mother of everything, skip to the :54 second mark and just enjoy someone doing something absolutely incredible.

Also, an added bonus; Rory McIlroy and Jason Day going all Happy Gilmore in this spot.

via Golf Monthly

Jerry Rice, PLEASE STOP!

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:11:00 +0000

I have never met Jerry Rice, the former NFL superstar turned hack professional golfer. I don't know him, know his golf game, know his objectives as he approaches these Nationwide Tour events. All I know is that the man must stop doing it. Like, now.

Rice has now played in three Nationwide Tour events. The first was a two-day total of 17-over par, finishing 151 out of 152 golfers in the field. The second ended when Rice inexplicably pulled out a range finder DURING COMPETITION, getting disqualified as any golfer with a balata of sense would know was about to happen.

Now, Rice has withdrawn after an opening round 86 at the TPC Stonebrae Championship and a weather delay that had the former wide receiver open with a 42 on his first nine holes before pulling out early.

There are so many things wrong with this, I don't even know where to start.

He's taking a spot away from an actual professional golfer trying to make a living.

He's not good at golf.

He continues to try to hit the piñata, not understanding that he will never, ever, ever make contact.

I don't care if Rice is doing this for charity. I don't care if every time he tees it up an orphan finds a home. All I care about is the fact that Jerry Rice continues to disrespect the game of golf and it needs to stop.

Why the hell is the Nationwide Tour giving this guy exemptions? Can someone explain that to me? Is it because it forces guys like me to write about the tournament? is that the exposure you want for a tour event?

Jerry Rice's golf swing isn't bringing people to a golf tournament, much like Tiger Woods' jump-shot wouldn't have basketball fans rushing to a Harlem Globetrotters game. Sports fans, the real, true sports fan, wants to see talented people play the game in a way they can't comprehend.

Rice doesn't do that. He goes out and makes a lot of double-bogeys, not many birdies, and posts a score similar to what you or your dad would post at an event like this on the courses the Nationwide Tour plays.

And the biggest issue? The Nationwide Tour is a much bigger deal this year. Guys with a weak status could really use a boost at this event or that one, because playing well means a lot more in 2012 than it did a year ago.

Rice needs to give up on this dream. He's simply not good enough to make it. It was fun once. It was annoying the second time. Now, it's downright disrespectful.

When Alligators Attack! (Caddie Edition)

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:50:00 +0000

I know, I know, most "alligator on golf course" videos are extremely lame, but not when it's a PGA Tour tournament and the caddies are trying to scare one away so that a pro can hit his shot.

That's what happened at Harbour Town on Thursday as Brian Gay was trying to play his shot with an alligator sneaking around near the bank.

Caddies are tough people, but even this was a bit crazy for me, no?

Video: Bubba Watson Hits Best Shot Ever at the Masters

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:42:00 +0000

I thought I'd get this up while it's still around on YouTube, just because, damn, that's a cool golf shot. Here is Bubba Watson's shot that won him the green jacket. Enjoy it again.

Paul Azinger Not a Huge Fan of Tiger Woods' Attempted 9-Iron Field Goal

noreply@blogger.com (Shane B.) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:38:00 +0000

On Friday at the Masters, Tiger Woods did not play very well. He played so poorly, actually, that on the 16th hole, his frustration came out in the form of a 9-iron kick that had a lot of fans rolling their eyes and mentioning Tiger's supposed changes that he mentioned two years ago at an infamous press conference.

Tiger is of course human, and every golfer gets frustrated at times (just ask a 56-degree wedge of mine), but critics are critics and they come in the form of Paul Azinger.

The former PGA Championship winner spoke to Mad Dog Radio and had this to say about Tiger's behavior at the Masters last week.

"Tiger's antics this week were an embarrassment to the game, to the membership at Augusta," Zinger said. "I was really disappointed to see him carry on that way. He's not trying to endear himself to anybody. And after he won Bay Hill I thought, ‘here we go again, this is going to be Tiger just kicking butt and taking names.' I don't know. I thought he acted like the south end of a northbound mule."

First things first; that is a hilarious way for Zinger to put it. Yes, Tiger acted childish and all that, but to basically say the dude was an ass at Augusta National? Almost seems too good to be true.

And frankly, Azinger is right. Tiger did act poorly. So much, actually, that he apologized (Well, sort of apologized) on Saturday after his round.

Woods' frustration, in my opinion, came because the guy expected to tear it up and failed to do so. It was more anger at himself than anything else, and for once, he couldn't blame it on the course or the fans or the cameras or the greens. He, simply, played like a dog. Or an ass. Either way works.

Getty Images

Louis Oosthuizen hits the shot of his life at the Masters ... but still ends up losing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:36:00 +0000

What is it about the Masters that brings out the best in players? Seriously, guys just show up and hit career shots each and every year, and for the most part, most of us never bat an eyelash. You just expect guys to up their game when they come to one of the most special places on earth.

Louis Oosthuizen hit one of those career shots on Sunday at the Masters.

Standing over his second at the par-5 second hole, the South African eyed a green light situation from 260 yards out. Knowing the back right pin was for suckers, Oosthuizen did the smart thing, throwing in a picture-perfect shot that hit a ridge and funneled right to the hole ... and then it dropped in the cup for a double-eagle.

We've seen some incredible shots at the Masters, but this one has to rank right up there as one of the best.

The craziest part of all? Oosthuizen threw his ball into the crowd. One of the most historic shots in tournament history now belongs to a golf fan. It would have been a bigger deal had he won the tournament, but even with his second-place finish, the shot will still go down as one of the greatest we've ever seen. Well done, Louis.