More Time For Golf In 2019!

Unless you live on another planet, you have now probably witnessed first-hand or via video replay the officiating debacle that happened in yesterday’s NFC Championship game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams.  In short, the Rams were guilty of a pass interference infraction that wasn’t called, which would have likely wrapped up the victory for New Orleans.  As it was, the Saints lost, and now there’s a new report that the NFL may add pass interference among other penalties to the ala cart menu of instant (sic) replay items – to help slow down the game even more.

The purpose of this diatribe is not actually golf related, but to point out that if the NFL pursues this endeavor, I’m done with them.   That would free up a whole lot of time on Sunday afternoons for golf in the Fall.  I’m almost half hoping they pull the trigger, so I can bail.  I’ve been teetering on the brink as the quality of the product continually slips and has been a huge time suck for my afternoons, as it has been for the last decade.

The NFL has tried to become too perfect in their use of instant replay, and they keep pushing the human element farther out of the game.  Bad calls will never be eliminated from organized sport as long as humans are refereeing the games.  Some folks would love to take the human refs completely out.  Think that would solve anything?  Can you imagine watching a game with nothing but automated officiating? The more we add automation to the review of officiating, the worse the human officiating becomes.  It’s basic human nature.  We’ve seen it for years with this burgeoning monstrosity.   The less you make the humans responsible for, the less they are going to feel accountable for the quality of the results.  You couldn’t pay me to referee in the NFL – it’s the worse job on the planet.  Want to improve the officiating?  Kill instant replay.  Empower the refs.  Of course, you’ll still get bad calls, but wasn’t replay designed to eliminate the effect of bad calls ever impacting the outcome?  Wonder how that’s playing out in New Orleans.

So, go ahead NFL.  I’m tired of being punished for my loyalty.  My golf game is waiting!

Managing Golf Burnout

thechallengesofmentalillness.com

Most of us absolutely love golf and can’t seem to get enough.  But have you ever burned out on golf because of too much play or practice?  I was last burned out a long time ago.  1986 to be exact.  I was working as an assistant club professional and my typical work day started at 6:00 a.m. and ran through 3:00 p.m (Tuesday -Sunday).  Every day after work, I’d  play with the members until dark, so I was at the course for 13-14 hours.  On Monday, my one day off, I spent my day practicing.  The over-saturation was suffocating and I was so spent that I hated the game for a period of time.

This week, Phil Mickelson hit the point and withdrew mid-tournament from the BMW Championship siting mental exhaustion.  Sergio Garcia skipped the Deutsche Bank Championship to stay fresh, even though it’s the middle leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.  Martin Kaymer has articulated how difficult it is to play for six consecutive weeks and how he dislikes living on the road for so long.

If top players can skip events because of burnout, and remain in overall contention, you are jeopardizing the integrity of your competition.  Imagine a star NFL quarterback skipping a playoff round because he was mentally fatigued – it would never happen.  I share The Grateful Golfer’s call for a format change, and to be honest, wouldn’t mind if they eliminated them all together.

The tour has taken it’s lead from the NFL and is attempting to make competitive golf a year-round cash cow.  The FedEx Cup transitions smoothly into the overlap schedule which is the start of the following year’s Tour schedule, complete with official money rankings.  This time used to be called the “Silly Season” and top pros still regard it as such.  Sorry, but my interest level drops after The PGA Championship is contested, and top players pulling out because of burnout should be a warning to the PGA Tour that they’ve exceeded the point of diminishing returns.  Their season is too long, they’re cheapening their product, and they need to scale back.

As mentioned, I haven’t been burned out for many years, but occasionally will lose a level of focus and desire.  It usually coincides with the start of football season (now) and it’s a sign for me to take a few weeks off – usually until I start to miss the game.  That’s exactly where I’m at right now and will taking a break until early October.

Have you ever been truly burned out on golf?  If so, how did you handle it?