Golf's full monty

Golf Digest, August, 2004 by Molly Meyer, Lebron Little, Kathy Lewis, Joe Costanza, Greg Vogts, Orrin Vincent, W. Michael Hafner, Josh Rivers

June: The New Golfer-Athlete, by Tom Callahan; photographs by Joe McNally

I am a longtime subscriber to Golf Digest and have enjoyed the magazine. However, I believe you stepped over the line in the June issue. The article, The New Golfer-Athlete, was very interesting and would have been appropriate if the centerfold had been eliminated. The photo with the baskets of golf balls covering the players was entirely inappropriate. The article and remaining photos were very entertaining and emphasized conditioning, which should have been the point of the piece. It was not necessary to display the men as you did. I don't believe golf needs to move in that direction.

Molly Meyer, Lakewood, Wash.

Editor's note: The centerfold photograph of the UCLA golf team elicited a blitz of responses. This month's From the Gallery is devoted to a sampling of opinions expressed by our readers.

I was shocked. I know it was done in fun, but it was in bad taste.

Lebron Little, Alamogordo, N.M.

This is the first time I have ever written a complaint. Normally, I avoid the product if I am offended. I respect this magazine enough to write and complain first.

Kathy Lewis

I want to compliment you on the great photos displaying fitness of up-and-coming players. I realize some have expressed displeasure with the photos, but I've seen underwear ads that were more prurient.

Joe Costanza, Eagle River, Wis.

I started reading your magazine about the same time I took up the game of golf, around 1992. At that time what I needed was instruction. Lots of instruction. How to grip the club, how to hit down on the ball to make it go up, etc. And your magazine did that very well. It gave me everything I was looking for, and I started to improve.

Then I was looking to replace the old clubs my father-in-law had given me. I wanted information on the newest clubs. What will be a forgiving iron for the 20-handicapper, what driver will find the middle of the fairway every time, etc. Your magazine did that very well, also. I was able to research irons, drivers, putters, you name it.

When my children were born I couldn't find time to read a magazine each month. After all, I had to find time to play. So I let my subscription run out. Well, now my kids are a little older and actually sleep through the night. They also go to bed early enough that I get to read.

When my in-laws asked me for a Christmas wish list, I put a subscription to a golf magazine on it. For the most part, your magazine was like an old friend you haven't seen in a while, but when you get back together on the course, you still fall back into quoting lines from "Caddyshack."

Then came my June issue. I was looking through the article on the future of golf. It looked OK. Talking about college players and how they are better, stronger, faster. Then I came to the foldout. What were you thinking? I understand the need to "take chances," to "think outside the box," to "push the envelope." But I also know the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and I'm not that squeaky about many things. But when an old friend starts heading down the wrong path, that's when I step in and let them know they are making a mistake.

So, what do you say old friend, should we hit the links?

Greg Vogts, Overland Park, Kan.

My son is the UCLA men's golf coach, and his team was featured in the centerfold. Great stuff. These are the things that keep Golf Digest on top.

Orrin Vincent, Fall City, Wash.

To quote the often-maligned John McEnroe, "You cannot be serious!"

First off, I am an avid fan of Golf Digest, but I was absolutely disgusted when I opened my June issue. Therein, I found an interesting article about how the younger golfers in our society are taking physical fitness to heart. Many of them are looking more like true athletes than the old beer-belly patrol of years gone by.

An interesting contrast, as the author points out, is that some pros actually might perform better with a few extra pounds on them. How ironic that a man who has not won on the tour in 14 years was singled out in the article ("Nobody knows the true circumference of Joey Sindelar") even as he was winning the Wachovia tournament. Are we seeing Tiger get tighter and worse at the same time? An interesting article and one to consider, but the picture of the UCLA golfers was beyond unnecessary.

W. Michael Hafner, Katy, Tex.

I loved the article about how weight training and an emphasis on athletic ability are transforming the game. I would like to read about the complete workout of one of the more fit tour players.

Josh Rivers, Severna Park, Md.

(Editor's note: For Tiger's workout, see page 104.)