The Cut Line / May 6 Procrastinators, Trump, Tiger & more

They say patience is a virtue. If it is, I don’t have much of it. I have a low tolerance for procrastinators and time-wasters. If something needs done, I’d rather get on and do it than sit around talking about ‘the need to be innovative’. Just get on with it. Innovate already.

Golf, I’m afraid, is overrun with procrastinators. Worse still, it’s full of apologists for these procrastinators. Heads of organisations wax lyrical about the importance of ‘fresh thinking’, ‘changing attitudes’ and a desire to find the ‘best practice for affecting change’ – but those aren’t ideas, are they? They’re just neat little expressions straight out of a ten-a-penny management handbook.

Why the rant? In an interview with The Scotsman earlier this week, the chair of Scottish Golf, Eleanor Cannon, had this to say about the organisation’s ambitions.

“We have to be transformational,” said Cannon. “We have to really engage with the spirit of golf in Scotland and, by that, I mean both in terms of the clubs and elite golf.”

I’m sick of fluff and, sometimes, it feels like I’m the only one.

What the hell does that mean? Transformational how? What exactly is’ the spirit of golf in Scotland’?

With all due respect to Ms Cannon, I’m sick of fluff and, sometimes, it feels like I’m the only one. If I read one more time that ‘we need to help our clubs’, I think I might spontaneously combust. We all know we need to help our clubs, so let’s stop talking about it and, instead, start giving them some ideas. Actual, practical, implementable ideas.

In a guest blog on the Scottish Golf website last year, I presented some of my own (you can see them here) – but it’s not my job to do that. Instead, it’s up to the people whose job it is to start actually saying something when they speak.

Persistent David Brent-isms just won’t do.

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The new-look Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry opens in a few weeks’ time. From what I’ve seen so far, the changes look superb, although I’m perfectly aware not everyone will agree with me. However, before anyone starts with the “you shouldn’t tamper with tradition” garbage, take a look at the original layout from 1901.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

It changed again in 1906, 1909, 1938 and 1951. Trump and Co. aren’t messing with tradition. They’re making sure the course evolves with the times and changes to suit demand. Nothing wrong with that.

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The latest instalment of the superb Anonymous Player Poll was published this week by Sports Illustrated. It showed that, of the 150 professionals surveyed, three-quarters would rather putt like Jordan Spieth than drive like Dustin Johnson. If you haven’t already, it’s time you changed the way you practice. #puttmore

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This week I have been… trying to remind people that there are more female-only golf clubs in the UK than there are male-only golf clubs. Funny how nobody has an issue with that.

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And finally… Tiger Woods is outside the world’s top 500. The last time that happened, John Major was the British Prime Minister, Rangers had just won their eighth consecutive Scottish Premier League title and I was 12. Times change but greatness has longevity. Looking forward to seeing the great man back in action soon.

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Michael McEwan / The Cut Line

Log-on every Friday morning to read The Cut Line, a new weekly blog by bunkered’s Michael McEwan.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor