Golf Improvement Blog

After watching a segment on Elk vs. Bubba on TGC I had a few thoughts of my own.

For background, Elk (Steve Elkington) apparently was walking while Bubba (Watson) was swinging during a round (I believe Friday) at New Orleans. Bubba then happened to throw a fit which TV cameras happened to capture. I am not sure how much of it Elk caught, but it was not very gentleman like for Bubba to respond in such a way. Elk is not without blame either and walking during a players swing where Bubba can see with his peripheral vision is not proper etiquette. After all, the gallery is asked to stand still, why not Elk?

At the end of the round, Elk simply walked off the 18th without sharing a handshake with either Bubba or Shigeki Maruyama. Cameras then caught Elk and Bubba arguing in the scoring shack. This is a bit more private, but they could have waited until they each got to the clubhouse where they could air their grievances man on man.

Frankly, if I were Finchem, I would fine them both 5k for not acting in accordance with tour values (not sure if that is the proper language, but I am sure there is a rule for players out there Finchem could use). I find both of their behavior in poor taste and they do a disservice to the Tour.

From what the commentators were saying on TGC (The Golf Channel), neither are well liked on tour and after a display like this it is easy to see why.