Weeks In Review: Feb. 12-25: Nissan Week

With L.A. Open in progress I was unable to do a week in review, so here's just some of what has been posted the last two weeks.

We learned that pro-technology Acushnet is seeking a patent for a reduced flight ball, prompting reader Jonathan Cummings to ask "why in the world is this so hard? Developing a shorter ball is child's play from a technical standpoint."

Frank Hannigan analyzed the Jim Vernon speech that made many manufacturer lawyers salivate.

I obtained another exclusive transcript of those wacky PGA Tour Policy Board meetings.

David Fay's recent comments questioning the importance of governing the game for elite players elicited this from reader JPB: "The answer is the USGA governs for all players. Golf has gotten to this point because there have been rules on equipment, rules on amateur status, and a sense of etiquette and sportsmanship. Pro golf has profited because of these things, and so has the USGA. The answer is not to abandon the rules and tradition, but to celebrate them and strengthen them. Pro golf can thrive, as can amateur and recreational play."

Speaking of the USGA, they debuted a super cool new search engine this week, though reader MacDuff reminded us that it's not quite so cool for those using dial-up.

News of The Country Club's interest in the 2013 U.S. Open prompted Ned Ludd to say the USGA shoudl forget the Composite Course and "combine the Clyde and Squirrel in their entireties into one 14000 yard course. Will make for some really weird doglegs, but we are assured it will identify the best flogger...er...I mean golfer. Gas up the jet, Walter, we're goin' to Beantown!"

The Nissan Open at Riviera was kicked off with a look at the most recent course meddling, name at the 3rd, 9th and 12th holes.

I offered up daily reports from Riviera. Here they are should you want to relive this great moment in blogging history. Vol 1, Vol 2 (which included the J.B. Holmes press conference where he talked about how he doesn't work out), Vol 3, Vol 4, Vol 5, Vol 6, Vol 7 and the wrap up.

We learned about Ernie Els' bizarre trip to Hawaii in between the match play and Nissan, prompting some interesting remarks from you all.

At the Nissan, Rory Sabbatini nearly created the early frontrunner for wacky story of the year by deciding to change irons before the final round.

My Nissan Notes column for Golfobserver.com looked at the effort by Mrs. Sabbatini, the 10th hole and other assorted bits from the event. I also looked at the 12th hole courtesy of ShotLink.

Steve Elling looked at the USGA's rough plans for Winged Foot.

And I followed up with some photos of two holes that will not feature the new "tiered" rough.

Just as things were seemingly going well for the LPGA Tour, they decided to pick a fight with the media, a move which Robert Thompson summed up nicely when he said, "I don't have any sense of why the LPGA, at this critical stage in its development, would wade into a copyright issue that it can't win. AP brings coverage of its events to all those papers in small and mid-sized cities through the U.S. and Canada -- why mess with that? I suspect this has something to do with Bivens' background in advertising and the general disdain that many in advertising have for the editorial side of the equation."

We learned that Cog Hill is going to be Rees-tored soon, prompting Smolmania to write: "My only fear about this whole process is the horror stories which have been documented about Torrey Pines. It seems that many (most?) long-time players don't enjoy the renovations to the South Course, and now we've got Mr. Jones in charge of our local gem. I hope that in the search for acceptance by the USGA -and isn't that a scary concept - that Joe Lee and Joe Jemsek's goal of a country club quality public course doesn't go by the wayside."

I made my usual plea for the stymie to appear in a big time match play event and was met with the usual jaded responses. Where's your sense of fun?

And finally, things in golf got back to normal with a  commentary from someone at Titleist about the evil media, prompting Sean Murphy to share an interesting perspective on the golf ball and the transition to a power game that you won't want to miss.