From the Gallery

Golf Digest, May, 2002

A golf original

March: The Golf Digest Interview, Jim Thorpe, with Pete McDaniel

I was the walking scorer for Jim Thorpe at The ACE Group Classic, and he was a pleasure to be around. He was the last to go through the score checkout. The others in his group got up and left, but he stayed a moment and I said, "I really enjoyed walking around with you today." He stuck out his huge hand and said, "Thank you." He was a straight-up guy and a gentleman.

If Tim Finchem wants to make the senior tour more popular, then he should get the other pros to emulate Thorpe's demeanor.

Font Kremer, Naples, Fla.

Because Jim Thorpe "never looked at black and white" (good for him!), why would he be hurt when Tiger Woods refused to say he was an African-American (good for him, too)?

Tony Percy, Southport, N.C.

Pace of play

March: Tiger Tips, Preshot Routine for Putting under Pressure, with Pete McDaniel

I want to thank Golf Digest for the extra 30 minutes you will cost me on the golf course this coming Saturday. Now every 20-handicapper will spend mornings looking at putts from all four sides because Tiger Woods said it was a good idea. You could have at least included some tips from pros like Andrew Magee on how to whistle, so that I will have something to do while I stand in the fairway with nothing but time on my hands. Pace of play is the biggest problem with golf, and while tips like this are intended to help the average player, they actually slow down the pace of play.

Peter Cop, Valencia, Calif.

Editor's note: Tiger makes the point in the article that this routine should not slow down play. "I do much of my preputt routine unobtrusively, while others are putting. That helps speed play and is a good practice to emulate."

The hunt goes on

March: The Grillroom, with Bob Verdi

Frank Lickliter either ignores or fails to appreciate the distinction between hunters and "trophy hunters." Many (if not most) of the former hunt because it provides a cheap source of meat. The latter hunt out of vanity--killing something big strokes their inflated egos. Please, Frank, stick to golf. Debating social issues is not your strong point.

Keith Button, Linesville, Pa.

A Bronx beauty

February: Historic Golf in Gotham City, by Ron Whitten

I read the article on Van Cortlandt Park Golf Club and I, as a regular at "Vannie," want to thank Ron for a great piece on a grand old course. On what other course can you play with an ex-mayor, or have coffee with the president of a major corporation in that old, old clubhouse?

Murray G. Singer, New York City

First things first

March: To Our Readers, by Jerry Tarde

I found your column to be rather amusing. It's all about the money and the marketing in golf these days. Although I agree with you that U.S. Golf Association officials have "their hearts in the right place," they should know by now that the driving force behind golf is nowhere near the heart. It's in the wallet. Technology has taken us to this point. Until the USGA can come up with set limits on ball distances and driver heads it can enforce, I'm afraid their governing abilities will be very limited.

Bob Aiello, Nashua, N.H.

RELATED ARTICLE: What you're thinking: Golfdigest.com survey

What comes to your mind when Sergio Garcia is standing over the ball?

Hit it, already!                63.5%
What concentration!             16.5%
Where's the remote?             16.1%
Wow, is he unsure of himself     3.9%

RELATED ARTICLE: Question of the month

What is it about golf that keeps drawing you back to the game? Send correspondence to: From the Gallery, 5520 Park Ave., Box 395, Trumbull, CT 06611. Fax: 203-371-2162. E-mail: editor@golfdigest.com. All correspondence should include the writer's name, address and home phone number.