BUNKER MENTALITY
Spitting
Tiger Woods was a serial offender but was only criticised for spitting on the 12th green at the 2011 Dubai Desert Classic where the cultural norms differ
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For a game such as golf so tied-up by rules and hamstrung with etiquette, spitting is a blight on the game. As the professionals mostly of the PGA TOUR variety - empty to contents of their mouth with impunity, impressionable youngsters inevitably mimic their heroes in what is at best, inelegant and, at worst, vulgar and distasteful, writes Mike Wilson.
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habit that is neither big nor clever. Firstly, there may be American cultural implications relating to the equally disgusting habit of chewing tobacco, something DJ, it is said, is wont to do during his round. Secondly, unlike football - association and American - and other intensely physically demanding sports, where removing excess saliva from the system is an essential part of the process, golfers do not need to clear their airways during a round of golf. Thirdly, all golfers are creatures of habit, of rout ine, of t he process. A nd once a spitting mannerism has been introduced to the technique, whether in satisfaction at a drive boomed long and straight or in anger as another three-foot putt lips-out, it’s hard to remove. But let’s also consider two other factors with two questions. First, ever seen an LPGA Tour player emptying the contents of her mouth on course, either in pleasure or displeasure? The answer, of course not; spitting is an aff liction of the male species, perhaps embedded in the old Spaghetti Westerns, a sign of masculinity, toughness, resolve.
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atching the world’s f inest male golfers go about their bu si ne s s c a n b e a confusing pastime one minute in awe of their raw athleticism, perfect judgment or subtle touch; the next being repulsed as they, all too commonly, spit on the tee, green, fairway, indeed anywhere they deem convenient. It’s nothing new. The ‘King’ Arnold Palmer was not beyond expectorating at a crucial moment. More recently, big, bad John Daly was often to be seen discharging the contents of his mouth, mainly in anger at a missed putt or wayward drive. In recent years, Tiger Woods, Sergio García, Keegan Bradley and now world number-one Johnson appeared to have increasingly aimed their spittle onto the field of play. World No. 1 Johnson was roundly - and correctly - criticised for his near-constant spitting during last year’s BMW Championship at Crooked Stick, which he won by three thanks to a gob-smacking second round 63. He may be one of the worst offenders, but he’s not alone. There are three mitigating characteristics to a
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final round at the 2012 Northern Trust Open, Keegan Bradley apologised for his habit of spitting before various shots on the course. Bradley said he wasn’t aware spitting had become such a noticeable part of his lengthy pre-shot routine. “I really had no idea I was doing it," Bradley said. "And I feel bad. It’s something that I’m going to work on.” Bradley was not officially reprimanded. T h e R & A a n d Un i t e d S t a t e s G o l f Association’s Rules of Golf do not mention spitting specifically, either on the green, or any similar action within the field of play. The etiquette section states in part, “All players should conduct t hemselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times.” Likewise, the PGA TOUR has no specific rule regarding spitting. However, the player handbook does state that players must, “Show respect for the game of golf” while avoiding, “Conduct unbecoming a professional golfer,” in any PGA TOUR activity. “A PGA TOUR player found guilty of conduct unbecoming a professional may be fined, suspended and/ or permanently barred from tournament play,” the handbook concludes,
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the Tour talking tough but acting lightly. Of course, other than the Woods fine in Dubai - not even petty cash to the wealthiest sportsman on the planet - no professional player has been sanctioned, nor have those charged with upholding the values of the game sought to act to remove this disgusting and increasing habit to the annals of history where it belongs. But, one man who has put his money where his mouth is on the great spitting debate is former European Tour winner turned coach and TV pundit Mark Roe, who is particularly outspoken on the matter. "It's an absolutely disgraceful habit," said Roe, adding "I saw Dustin Johnson spit on the first tee at Riviera before he hit his tee shot and it was disgusting. "The problem is they keep sticking chewing tobacco into the side of their mouths; I guess it's a country thing over there. It's something the Swedes used to do on the European Tour, but to the credit of the Swedes they weren't very often seen spitting on camera,” continued the Englishman, concluding, "It's got to be stamped out. It needs to become a fineable offence on both the PGA TOUR and the European Tour. But, like the issue of smoking during play,
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those responsible for golf’s governance view the rules - and their enforcement - and their fabled etiquette as a pick-and-mix box of chocolates, choosing the strawberry crème whilst rejecting the hazelnut nougat. However, there may be a shard of light at the end of the tunnel. Buoyed by the success they perceived the Olympics to have had on the value of their, ‘product’, the PGA TOUR has entirely - if belatedly - embraced the thorny issue of drug testing and the critical removal of anonymity for any miscreants. Of course, spitting is not the stain on golf that the drug-taking most insiders believe ha s h it her to been somewhere bet ween commonplace and rife in the men’s game. But it is a blot on the landscape - literally and figuratively - of the game and must be at worst discouraged and at best, banned. In the mass media world we live in, tens of thousands of young, aspiring male golfers will continue to leave a bad taste in the mouth of those who follow the game. And, thinking outside the box, perhaps there is an opportunity for Kleenex to become an official supplier to men’s professional golf?
Mark Roe (right), European Tour winner turned coach and TV pundit, is particularly outspoken on the matter of spitting
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American Kevin Streelman spits into his glove before hitting from the 9th tee during the first round of the 2008 U.S. Open
Second, ever seen an NBA star hawking on the court? Again, of course not, because, despite being a high-intensity physical sport, the field of play is sacrosanct. Sweat is causing court cleaners enough trouble without adding to the problem. Tiger Woods was a serial offender but was only criticised for spitting on the 12th green at the 2011 Dubai Desert Classic where the cultural norms differ. Having missed a par putt and marked his ball, the then sporting superstar turned his head and spat copiously on the green. He was later reprimanded by the European Tour, which issued a statement saying the tournament director, “Has reviewed the incident and feels there has been a breach of the tour code of conduct and consequently Tiger Woods will be fined,” estimated to be in the order of between US$400 and US$16,000. Woods later sent an apologetic Twitter post, saying, “The Euro Tour is right - it was inconsiderate to spit like that, and I know better. Just wasn’t thinking and want to say I’m sorry.” Woods was also seen spitting on the tee in a previous round and drew some criticism, but wasn’t officially reprimanded. Then, after reviewing TV coverage of his
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