Upon Further Review: Tempers flare in LPGA
Golf has always been thought of as a game of etiquette and professional integrity.
Every player on the professional tour holds the utmost respect of the unwritten rules of etiquette towards their playing partner. But when you mix amateurs with professionals, sometimes the rules of etiquette will be pushed to the limit — or should I say “stepped on.”
This past weekend, 13-year-old Michelle Wie got a taste of just how serious professionals are about golfing etiquette.
Wie was playing in the U.S. Women’s Open this past weekend as an amateur, with her dad by her side as caddie. Wie was paired with veteran golfer Danielle Ammaccapane on Friday. On the 14th hole, Wie’s dad made allegations that Ammaccapane made physical contact with his daughter by pushing her after Michelle Wie walked in the line of her putt.
To make matters worse, Ammaccapane gave the 13-year-old a good old-fashion tongue lashing in the score tent.
This is where things get a little interesting.
On Saturday, Wie’s dad retracted his claims and said there was no physical contact. Ammaccapane did give her a good talking-to and it wasn’t in a calm cool voice. Wie apparently walked in the line of Ammaccapane’s putt, but it was beyond the hole. Players don’t want that part of the green stepped on either, in case they hit it past the hole.
First of all, Ammaccapane could have handled this whole matter just a little bit different. She could have walked down the fairway with her on the way to the next hole and explained the situation.
But from what I saw as I watched the tournament, maybe some of this stemmed from Wie’s dad. He was always talking to her and trying to coach her as she played. Even us weekend hackers get a little irritated when some of our fellow golfing buddies runs their jaws just a little too much.
Parents should not be allowed to caddie for their children. Sometimes parents can be over-protective, and it just doesn’t make for a good mix out on the links.
This isn’t the first time professionals and amateurs have had problems. I can remember a few years ago, when I believe it was Tom Weiskopf who blew a gasket when his amateur-playing partner didn’t mark his ball with a non-reflective coin.
So whose fault is it? When the field of amateurs keep getting younger every year, it’s hard to say. How much are these kids expected to know?
Kids 13 and 14 years old are just starting high school. Knowing all the rules of golf etiquette would be equivalent to my going out and shooting a round of 68.
Maybe the PGA and LPGA should have a rule, which mandates all amateurs to use a professional caddie. This would do two things: Keep parents of the bag, and give these youngsters an opportunity to learn some of the do’s and don’ts out on the course.
Golf is a game of integrity and etiquette, but kids will be kids. And as long as teenagers are out there mixing up with adults, tempers are going to flare every now and then.
Now for the professionals, they’re out trying to earn a living. And when one stroke could cost you several thousand dollars, you can understand why they get a little over-heated about things we see as being insignificant.