Jay Busbee knows a lot about golf. So much so, Yahoo Sports is paying him to party at The Masters all week. Well, of course, it’s not all just one, big party. There’s some work to be done too. For instance, answering my rapid fire questions about the game.
Here’s what Busbee had to say about Tiger Woods, Augusta, why men aren’t playing as much as they used to and why you should always have a brewski while hitting the links.
Tiger Woods
Josh: We really have to start with Tiger. Everyone still wants to see him play. How does he look?
Jay Busbee: He looks happy and relaxed, more so than he has in years. But will that translate to quality play? Doubtful. There are too many things wrong with his swing in too many areas right now. He needs either a lot of work on the course or a lot of time away from it, no middle ground.
Josh: Will Tiger ever win another major?
Jay Busbee: I think so, yeah. Augusta or the British Open are really his best chances, but he has to improve his putting in order to have a prayer in either. He used to be dead-bang automatic from inside 15 feet; now it’s maybe 15 inches.
Augusta
Josh: Who do you like this year in The Masters?
Jay Busbee: Oh, so many guys. The field is as deep as it’s ever been. That said, I like Adam Scott’s chances because he knows the course and is playing confident golf. Bubba Watson and Jason Day are also solid plays.
Josh: Is Augusta as magical as they make it out to be?
Jay Busbee: Yes! Unicorns roam the woods and rainbows arch over every fairway. Seriously, it’s an unbelievably — literally, as in, you cannot believe — beautiful place, with greener-than-green fairways and perfectly manicured azaleas. You remove the cell phones and you drop the beer prices at any location and you’ve got something special, but you add in how gorgeous Augusta is, and you’ve got something on the next level.
“Golf’s in a lot of trouble”
Josh: Golf courses are closing all over the country. The average golfer continues to age. What’s going on with the sport?
Jay Busbee: Golf’s in a lot of trouble, honestly. It’s expensive and takes too long. Which is a shame, because it’s an exceptional bonding and competitive exercise. But it’s also hogtied to traditions it can’t, and won’t, shake.
Related: The Masters Interview: Jack Nicklaus On Creating A Golf Course
Josh: Why aren’t younger people playing as much as they used to?
Jay Busbee: Because most young people don’t have the disposable income and/or free time and/or desire to spend 6+ hours on an expensive golf course. Plus, the rules of golf — and there are many, so many — don’t mesh well with the millenial mindset. There has to be change on both sides, but it’s especially important that golf’s establishment recognize that the end of the road is within sight.
How to make golf young again
Josh: What needs to change?
Jay Busbee: Shorter times. Nine-hole golf needs to be emphasized and encouraged. Golf isn’t out-of-reach expensive for the most part, but the time commitment seems to me to be the greatest hurdle. And when you can literally cut that commitment in half, I think that’s an approach you should embrace rather than shun.
Josh: For those 30 and younger, give me a reason they need to pick up the game of golf. How do you get them hooked?
Jay Busbee: Get out there and play with three of your best friends on a course where you won’t be rushed, a place where you feel welcome and at ease. There’s a place for the tweedy, uptight, arrogant, condescending golf clubs, but it’s not where a beginner needs to start. Enjoy the game, enjoy the time out on the course, and the rest will take care of itself.
Josh: Golf is expensive. If someone wants to get into the game on the budget, what’s the best route to take?
Jay Busbee: Borrow clubs. Seriously, start out by borrowing someone’s clubs, either from a buddy or as a rental at a club. Even budget sets are going to set you back a couple hundred, and that’s a lot to spend if you’re just dabbling. Get a few dollars together for a decent public course, and make sure you can gather three friends. Nothing will kill your love of the game faster than an awful playing partner or three.
Have a drink … or two
Josh: I have buddies that like to drink while on the course. Is this legal?
Jay Busbee: Hell yes it’s legal and encouraged. (Within reason, of course.) A cold beer on the golf course with your friends ranks at the top of the reasons to go play golf. Actually playing golf ranks about 20th on that list.
Josh: Craziest thing you’ve ever seen on a golf course that has nothing to do with golf?
Jay Busbee: A guy in our foursome once hit the cart girl with a shot, which was really unfortunate because she never came back. I myself have helicoptered a few clubs in frustration before finally realizing that I wasn’t good enough to get that mad. And, while it’s highly not club-endorsed, anything you can do with a golf cart other than playing can make those long drives between holes go a little faster.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Read more of Jay Busbee here.
Photo Credit: Getty
