1 – Just wondering

How many times can you speak to your ball during the same hole? Can you ask it to “kick hard left” off a mound guarding a bunker to the right of the green, then, after getting that break, are you out of line to also request that the ball slow down as it rolls toward the hole?

2 – An opportunity for focus

Forget playing beach volleyball in front the Eiffel Tower. They should have loaded buses of Olympians and driven them four-plus hours to real beaches. The ones in Normandy. No silly games. Hours of somber perspective.

3 – Ah, but those outfits

Scottie Scheffler became the first Team USA golfer to win a gold medal while playing in what appeared to be pair of Captain America pajamas.

4 – A & Q time

The answer is: Long par 3s that lack imagination. The question is: What are the worst holes and laziest designs in golf?

5 – Let us offer proper respect

Ball washers are vastly under-appreciated.

6 – Looking to go back-to-back

According to the National Golf Foundation, last year as a golf citizenry we set a record for rounds played – and through June of ’24 we are ahead of that record pace. Just wait till my wife hears that I am contributing mightily to a national movement.

7 – At least we’re consistent

You’ve heard stories about players who hit it poorly on the range, then light it up in the round. Or players who hit beautifully on the range, then shoot a million. In my world, we hit it some shanks and chunks on the range, then take that same swing to the course.

8 – Back to the LIV party

Hey, if you’re looking to put behind you the crushing disappointment of letting an Olympic medal – gold, then silver, then bronze – slip out of your hands, can you imagine a better consolation prize than teeing it up at The Greenbriar Aug. 16-18. All yours, Jon Rahm.

9 – So much to do

Speaking of the Greenbriar, will the motto for the week be Falconry, Only Louder?