Stacy Lewis Pushing For Firmer, Faster LPGA Courses

In another I'll file under "how far pros have come" in the last five years, it was fun to see Stacy Lewis yearning for firmer, faster conditions and not just declaring today's players superior to their predecessors.

I could do without her love of rough, but two out of three is still amazing.

And it's her reasoning that may be the best part. Randall Mell reports for GolfChannel.com from Mission Hills as the ANA Inspiration is about to begin:

Three of the year’s first tournaments were won with 72-hole record scores. The average winning score this year is 20 under par. The LPGA’s last major, the Evian Championship, was won by In Gee Chun at 21 under, the lowest score by a man or woman in major championship history.

“I definitely think play has gotten better, but I’ve also noticed over the last year and a half that our golf courses have gotten a lot softer,” Lewis said. “Softer golf courses mean you don’t have to think as much. You can be more aggressive and you can go at pins. There’s not as much penalty for a bad shot.

Comments

[Don]

They do it because they think birdies = viewers.
It's been going on for years but 2016 ratings were up like 30%. They won't change anything unless they get berated by a practically "Men's Only" golf media. (Who just love golf and twitter SO MUCH...unless the ball is hit by....a woman.)
But it's more disservice to hardcore golf fans from an industry that would sell us all down the river for 1 TV swing viewer.

[Tighthead]

There's only two things in life that make it worth livin' - that's guitars that tune good and firm feelin' courses.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I agree with Stacy.

[KLG]

Tighthead FTW. Waylon would approve!

[PG]

Any chance the ANA Inspiration changes dates if Players & PGA move up?

[PG]

http://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/golf/ana-inspiration/2017/03/28/long-rough-tough-conditions-define-major-championship/99710184/

[PG]

http://www.golfchannel.com/video/top-5-most-memorable-leaps-poppies-pond

[PG]

http://www.golfchannel.com/video/hard-course-conditions-determine-real-champions

[Tom Morris]

Does that mean we are heading for artificial courses and greens - will that be the real cost - if so how can we calibrate all the aspects that makes the game, Golf?

[Mark]

Would be good to see. If you see old videos of Betsy King, Patty Sheehan, and Nancy Lopez they had to hit the fronts of greens because of the run from the greens, and that was 30+ years ago. Much more interesting play, and way better players. The putting on the LPGA has been embarrassing, so I can see why they have been softening and weakening of the courses. Do not want to go to the unspoken issue of the Goat Ranch that is Moon Valley to discuss the absurdity of the only 59...

[digsouth]

Pretty much all +1 's

Moman and Emmons would approve as well, KLG....


I right (sic) the songs, truly yours,


dig

[Mike Clayton]

Bit rich coming from a player who said 'Royal Melbourne doesn't reward good shots'

She might want 'firm and fast' so long as its not truly firm and fast.

[Mike Clayton]

Plus the courses I've seen are all far too short. LPGA = Lob Wedge,,Pitching Wedge, Gap Wedge All day.
Ultimately it is a big reason the scores are so low.

[PABoy]

Rustic Canyon looked firm and fast on Facebook Live.

[PG]

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/lewis-skipping-evian-shell-be-happier-not-playing

[Tim in hoylake]

P.s. is lydia washed up already?

[Hardy Greaves]

Shorter LPGA course set ups is the "Lydia Ko effect". They thought they had a marketable personality, and they set up courses accordingly - short.

Longer courses would favor Brittany Lincicome, Lexi Thompson, Ariya Jatunagarn, and my favorite, In Gee Chun.

(Brooke Henderson is also a favorite.)

[Mike Clayton]

Hardy Greaves

I watched Lydia put on a clinic at Royal Melbourne in 2015 - a course many including Stacy Lewis thought was far to difficult - and win the Australian Open by 7. Ariya was in contention the last day and shot 76.
It was a difficult test and it played as long as any LPGA course i've seen. Lydia can play anything - and arguably long courses suit her because she is so accurate with the long clubs.

My guess the courses are short to keep short hitting Americans in the game against the dominant Koreans.

[Fanofseri]

Stacy continues to embarrass herself and the United States. Fortunately young players can look to In Gee Chun, Sung Hyun Park and Lexi Thompson for inspiration. Hopefully Ms. Pouty Face' s husband will knock her up asap so she will get out of golf for good.

[Fanofseri]

Stacy is right. Fast conditions and deep rough identify great players. All of Stacy's wins in the US Open are a testament to her greatness under the toughest conditions.