The PGA Tour resumes in Hawaii this weekend at one of the most telegenic stops on the circuit, dreamy Kapalua on the island of Maui. While we’re on the subject of fantasy, here are things we would like to see more and less of this golf season. More Tiger Woods » He played only six major championship rounds last year — not enough. When Woods captured the Chevron World Challenge last month, he made clutch putts on the last two holes, a sign that he is back and his head is finally right. He opens his season late this month at Abu Dhabi.
More Brandel Chamblee » A sane version of Johnny Miller, the Golf Channel analyst has become the most candid and insightful voice in the sport, one of the few TV talkers willing to take on Tiger. Let’s see more of him and less Nick Faldo and Gary Koch.
More Bubba Watson » Golf needs more distinctive characters. With his homemade swing, prodigious length off the tee, stylish clothing and unhinged demeanor, Watson could succeed where lovable but slumping Boo Weekley failed.
More Lexi Thompson » Women’s golf has a new superstar in Yani Tseng, 22. But even with an engaging personality and more majors (five) than Woods at a comparable age, few fans know her. Women’s golf needs an American star. The 16-year-old Thompson has the right stuff.
Fewer long putters » Nothing against Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, but when guys in their mid-20s are using belly putters to win tournaments, it’s an indicator that this is an irreversible trend. It needs to be legislated away.
Less Luke Donald » From all accounts, Donald is a fine fellow, but shouldn’t the world’s No. 1 player have a major on his resume or at least some pizzazz in his game? It’s time for a major player to take over.
Less Sean Foley » The downside of Tiger Woods resuming his dominance would be the attention focused on his video camera-toting swing coach. With his obsession with mechanics, Foley has turned the golf swing into trigonometry homework.
Fewer comfortable shoes » For middle-aged suburban dads, Fred Couples is the coolest cat in the universe. But he started a horrible trend with his earth-glide shoes. Even the otherwise tasteful Woods has taken to wearing golf sneakers. UGG!
– Kevin Dunleavy
