But Sometimes Norman Makes Sense ...

by Mulligan Stu on Feb 4, 2007 1:01 PM EST

I mocked Greg Norman not too long ago for suggesting that he would give Tiger Woods a run for the money if the two were playing head-to-head in Norman's era. And there's the post right below about Norman, Chris Evert and Woods.

But when Norman's not talking about Tiger, he can actually sometimes make sense.

greg norman Recently in The Scotsman, John Huggan wrote a column/profile of Norman, in which Norman shared some very interesting opinions.

For example, on the question of the impact that today's equipment is having on the game, Norman said this:

"Because I grew up in an era when we could manoeuvre the ball maybe 60 feet in the air either way, I wonder at the game today," he sighed. "You don't see that any more. There were a lot of shot-makers in my day. And now, even though the very best players still come through, technology has bunched the players up. Tiger, of course, is the exception that proves the rule.

"I see so many players making a lot of prize-money without ever winning a tournament. In my day, you could make the cut, and still not win any money. You had to play hard to get anywhere. I realise people don't like hearing the old war stories about what we went through, but the powers that be in golf - the USGA, the R&A and the PGA Tour - should put some restrictions on the equipment used by the best players in the world."

Thankfully, given the general ineptitude seen at golf clubs the world over, Norman takes a gentler view when it comes to the clubs and balls that should be made available to the likes of you and me. He knows that bad technique needs all the help it can get.

"I do feel that the technology available should be opened up to the masses," he smiled. "They need help."

On the impact of long-bomb golf balls and their effect on golf courses, Norman said:

"I would rule the golf ball back to 1996 specifications, number one," he declared. "It's a crying shame that so many of the world's great courses have been lengthened by 400-500 yards for one week a year. The cost of that is just ridiculous, especially when you multiply it 30 or 40 times. That money could be better spent elsewhere. Golf is too expensive, and getting more expensive.

"I look at the Open at St. Andrews two years ago. There were four tees there not even on the golf course. And I think of golf courses like Merion or Inverness. There is a long list: Royal Melbourne and Royal Sydney in Australia. The men who designed those great courses must be rolling over in their graves. I know I would be, in their position."

Norman also admitted that he received appearance fees to play in PGA Tour events, scoffing at those who pretend that appearance fees only exist for overseas tournaments.

And he saved some words for PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem. Recall that about 10 years ago, Norman suggested an international series of tournaments featuring the top players from all the world's tours. Finchem went nuts, accusing Norman of trying to ruin golf. Then, withing just a couple years, Finchem spearheaded the World Golf Championships series, something almost identical to what Norman had been suggesting.

"I can't fault Finchem in some respects," said the two-times Open champion in Dubai. "You have to say he has done a good job in getting prize- money up in America, so that players from all over the world are going there to play. But when you are the leader of the free world, as the United States is, you have responsibilities beyond that. President Bush has global responsibilities on his shoulders, whether he likes it or not, because of the power of the position he is in. It is the same for Finchem.

"He has a responsibility not to forget the rest of the world. He must support the likes of the European Tour, the Australian Tour and the South African Tour. Which has not been happening. Finchem has to be aware that every decision he makes has an impact around the world. Sadly, he doesn't pay much attention to that, and never has."

Of course, it wouldn't be Norman unless he threw in some oddball comments, too. He said he'd like to see the Ryder Cup champion and Presidents Cup champion play off against each other. Um, Greg, there's one team - the U.S. - that plays both Cups. If the U.S. won the Ryder Cup, then won the Presidents cup, would America play itself? Granted, that's not much of a danger these days, but still ...

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