AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > January > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDoes PGA really need drug testing?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
And so we — speaking of the PGA Tour — move ahead into the second year of one cup and the first year of another. For a whole lot of golf interests the FedEx Cup is still on trial. The other cup is one that involves the somewhat unceremonious process of collecting urine. The professional tour has decided to plunge into the process of testing its players for drugs, outside agents that are thought to enhance performance. Works for racehorses and other professional athletes, so goes the presumption, so why shouldn’t it work for golfers?
At least that’s the apprehension of Tim Finchem, the PGA Tour commissioner, and so he has set the program. He held a press conference the other day, in company with David Fay, executive director of the U.S. Golf Association, and Steve Mona, once head of the Georgia State Golf Association, now about to become chief executive officer of the World Golf Foundation. Not an organization widely recognized, but enough for Mona to give up his place at the head of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Somehow or another, the idea that golf should find itself lumped into the sweaty world of muscle sports goes against the grain. Players being lined up to pee in a cup to be tested like grunt athletes comes across as offensive. Golf, known as “the gentleman’s game,” in which cheating is the most deadly of sins, and the use of enhancing drugs would be cheating. Golfers police themsleves, call penalties on themselves. Imagine, if you will, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus being called upon to prove themselves “clean.”
There is a difference between performance enhancers and substance abuse, though that wasn’t made made clear in the press conference. How, in heaven’s name, could drugs improve Tiger Woods’ performance? That’s a frightening thought.
As it came out in the invocation of the FedEx Cup, there is much yet to be done. “We haven’t worked out the details yet,” it was pointed out, a familiar phrase harking back to the prematurity of the FedEx planning.
Another puzzling observation came across. “We have never concluded that there are substances out there that enhance performance,” one of the panelists said.
Yet, in light of such, the program plods ahead. “Consultants” will be provided, so that players are not going to make a mistake that could lead to a positive test. Open locker-room discussions are planned so that no player leaves a question unanswered. All this is due to be put into effect by July, so it is said. In other words, this is a work in progress, so to speak.
Now, are we speaking of steroids here? Of cocaine, hashish, meth, or merely pot, either of which I know just enough to be ignorant. Just what advantage would drugs give a golfer? Steroids might add distance to tee shots, but no added advantage to putting and the short game. Might help their foot speed, but sprinting comes in handy only getting out of the rain.
What seems to come across is that this creates more questions than answers. Does one guy’s test show that he dabbles in “recreational” stuff, which refers mainly to marijuana, I think? And does that put him on the hit list, and then what?
From the other side of the ropes, seems to me that the Tour is exacerbating a problem that isn’t there. That may sound naive, but from close up, it would appear that drugs would create more of a disadvantage than advantage to the player on tour. Only players inclined toward self-destruction would get involved with the stuff. And as for those so inclined, good riddance.
That having been said, stand by for July, or until such time that it dawns upon the Tour that just because football, baseball, rasslin’ and such sweaty sports have a problem, does it necessarily spill over into golf?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Furman Bisher, Golf
Comments
By Kyle
January 12, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this
I think one of the concerns is beta blockers, so that they can control adrenalin and nerves - that would be perfomance enhancing, don’t ya think?
By awez
January 12, 2008 4:20 AM | Link to this
Adrenalin and nerves is what golfers thrive on. I honestly don’t see any of the top players using them, and if its the other players using them, then they’re obviously not working. I think its a little ridiculous, and hopefully the testing will prove that when no one is found positive of any drug. Look at all the crap John Daly has done over the years, none of it helped him on the golf course.
By hockeyman 3944
January 12, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this
I think that its an issue that deserves little attention. Unlike team sports that pay for collective effort, a golfer is out there alone, he gets paid what he shoots. PED’s in golf? Maybe too much coffee to wake up in the morning, but I can’t see it as a serious issue, they would only hurt themselves and a pay check that’s NOT guaranteed weekly.
By Count Bluntinstein
January 12, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Furmy, let’s think out of the box….I say we encourage marijuana on the tour for the participants and for the fans it is natural drug from mother-Earth, I’m not for roids but I believe in weed
By James McBean
January 13, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this
golfers are people subject to the same temtations as everyone else.one of the reasons stroids are attractive is its healing power with injuries.they allow players to get back on the field or practice.If steroids help Barry hit a ball farther why wouldn’t they help Tigar