NY Times article from August with various player quotes on this subject. (requires quick and easy registration)
Quote:
In interviews with several professional golfers and officials, none said they believed that professional golf had a steroid problem. But many recognized that their sport does not exist in a vacuum despite its being perceived as a game of honor.
Quote:
“We market the long ball,” said Joe Ogilvie, a PGA Tour professional and member of its policy board. “We market the guys who hit it 300 yards. If that’s your message, and people see that beginning at the high school level, I think as a tour it is very naïve to think that somebody down the line won’t cheat.
A vague connection is drawn by the Times between the lengthening of courses and the possible use of drugs with a chart displaying the ever-increasing distance of courses used for major championships, e.g., Winged Foot was 6,987 yards long for the l997 PGA Championship and 7,264 yards for this year's US Open.
Courses have been lengthened and otherwise made more difficult for one reason - to keep the scoring as it was in the past. The US Open at Winged Foot was considered successful because the winning score was 5 over par, essentially the same as the 7 over par winning score at Winged Foot in l974.
Distance has shot up not because of a new species of "fitter" players nor drugs but because of an abject failure by the rules-making bodies. The United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club refused to deal with livelier clubs and balls because they were afraid that if they banned a club or ball already in use there might be a revolution.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned, don't some drugs increase stamina? (no Viagra jokes, please! ) IMO, that would be the real advantage to taking them in golf. I am no medical expert, but when Landis was accused of doping on the TdF, some of the doctors were saying that some "performace enhancers" don't necessarily build muscle mass, but simply give more endurace. Many have stated that the reason Tiger is so dominate is his physical build and the fact that he isn't tired at the 18th on Sunday. I think that this type of drug may have the possibility of being introduced on tour, although I'm honestly not in the least concerned about it. My
Tiger seems awfully quick to say that testing should be done. I think he might have some first hand knowledge of what is possible with enhancements and is cowardly trying to distance himself from future contenders from achieving his status.
Tiger seems awfully quick to say that testing should be done. I think he might have some first hand knowledge of what is possible with enhancements and is cowardly trying to distance himself from future contenders from achieving his status.
He's pretty much been the first to jump on board with any calls for club testing, drug testing, etc too...I'd say that's more a guy looking out for the good of the game than trying to cover his own tracks.
What gives you that impression and how is Tiger "cowardly" doing anything? The only distance involved here is the vast distance between Tiger and the rest of PGA Tour. Your post insinuates that Tiger may have once been or is currently familiar with performance enhancing drugs. Come back when you have proof. Until then find somebody else to spew your venom at. We ain't buying your story here.
It's just an observation and an obscure opinion to seed the posibility that his dominance is more than just a freak obsession to superhumanly dominate a fun game like golf.
It's just an observation and an obscure opinion to seed the posibility that his dominance is more than just a freak obsession to superhumanly dominate a fun game like golf.
Question for ya. What would steroids do to help a guy who has always had a 125 mph clubhead speed, even while being 150 pounds? No one would dare accuse Sergio of it given how skinny he is, but Tiger was actually just as skinny (perhaps even skinnier) about 10 years ago when he first came on Tour. Since that time, I think his swing might have actually slowed down some for more control despite him gaining about 25-30 pounds of muscle. Equipment advances have him hitting it a bit further than 10 years ago, but the actual clubhead speed is typically slower now for him than it once was.
The mental game is where Tiger is tougher than anyone else. He's a very clutch player, especially with his putter. I don't think steroids would help someone on the putting green. In fact, a couple of guys considered scrawny by stereotypes (Faxon and Crenshaw) are considered two of the best putters in the last 30 years or so.
October 29th, 2006, 01:16 PM
Shade
) IMO, that would be the real advantage to taking them in golf. I am no medical expert, but when Landis was accused of doping on the TdF, some of the doctors were saying that some "performace enhancers" don't necessarily build muscle mass, but simply give more endurace. Many have stated that the reason Tiger is so dominate is his physical build and the fact that he isn't tired at the 18th on Sunday. I think that this type of drug may have the possibility of being introduced on tour, although I'm honestly not in the least concerned about it. My 
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