Heard on the Driving Range

What is with Bubba Watson and Michael Sim laying up with the tournament on the line the last two weeks? Just two more reasons why we need Tiger Woods back on the PGA Tour.

You can bet your black book Tiger wouldn’t lay up when he has a chance to win. Don’t these guys know how difficult it is to win when Woods is in the field and how much easier it is when he isn’t?

That’s one of the problems with the PGA Tour. It isn’t about winning, but how much money you can lose.

- When Tiger does return to the Tour and starts knocking down flags and winning tournaments, how many other players are going to opt for sex therapy?

- Phil Mickelson is not cheating by using an outdated wedge, but he is bending the rules.  But he is neither cheating nor bending the rules with his driver. That’s the one club in his bag that needs some tinkering.

- The most amazing player in golf right now is Tom Watson. He gets better with age. Aging isn’t for sissies, and Watson is winning tournaments at 60 years old.

- The weatherman hasn’t been a great partner for golf courses so far this year. Cold, wind and rain  have slowed play. With Easter early this year, the lucrative winter season has been short-circuited.

- The Groves, a public course at The Meadows CC, has become a popular place for golfers. Why?  It's a short-course (par 65), in great shape, fun to play for golfers of all  levels and the price is right.