Course Setup For LPGA Events

[Phil Benedict]

Someone made an interesting comment on another thread (hint: the original subject of the thread was Michele Wie winning her local US Open qualifier) about the way LPGA Tour courses are set up.  Issues are:

1. Has the LPGA adapted to the new technology the way the PGA tour has?

2. Are LPGA courses dummed down because the standard of play is too low on average?

3. Are superior players who have power and accuracy penalized because LPGA Tour setups are too short and too easy?

I don't know whether this topic will go anywhere, but the discussion was pretty much buried in the other thread.

[ChasLawler]

Like I said in the other thread....

My initial thought is that the LPGA should be doing everything possible NOT to lengthen their set-ups.

The men's tour is already letting it get out of hand. Do we really want the women to follow suit?

[Craig Sweet]

I believe I made the point that Michelle Wie might be the beginning of a trend toward longer hitting, more athletic women, turning to golf.

We talk about "Tiger Proofing" a course, will we someday talk about MW proofing?

[Phil Benedict]

I believe I made the point that Michelle Wie might be the beginning of a trend toward longer hitting, more athletic women, turning to golf.

We talk about "Tiger Proofing" a course, will we someday talk about MW proofing?

How would they make a course Michele proof?  Don't you think the typical LPGA setup (6300 yards or so) is a form of Michele proofing, albeit unintentional?  Keeps her power under wraps.