Tinker
Not really. Tiger's been back only 2-3 tournaments. This problem goes back further than that. And I think that the popularity of the Phoenix Open and the "anything goes" at that tournament has sorta bled into a lot of other tournaments.
And I'm not against serving alcohol. Hey - I enjoy a beer or three when I attend an event in person. But at the same time - I also follow golf, am a fan of the sport, and understand what is expected of me as a spectator at that level.
I agree that alcohol isn't the real crux of the issue. The real issue is that non-golf fans show up, see it as a social drinking party with their buddies, and then want to be part of the act. And again - the Phoenix Open is the standard to what they think pro golf should be like. I would wager that half of these problem fans, maybe even more, play less than a handful of times each season. Their marquee golf experiences those handful of times is the company beer scrambles they participate in.
Ultimately this isn't about the fans. It's about an outright unwillingness for the PGA Tour to enforce their standards as it relates to fan behavior. No rule says a fan can't root and cheer. But I'm pretty certain that a rule does exist as it relates to providing these players an ability to perform without distractions.
Golf isn't football. It's not basketball. It's not baseball. It's not soccer. It's a game that requires a huge degree of focus and attention.
If I worked in an office setting, and that's how I made my living, sending out contract offers, bids, trying to increase sales, etc... I wouldn't appreciate someone in my office shouting and screaming at me while I'm working and trying to devote my time and attention to doing the things I need to do to earn a living. I wouldn't appreciate that, nor would you.
I don't see golf (at that level, with so much money on the line) any differently.
