Opinion & Analysis
The PGA Tour should blood test everyone for both drugs and wellness
In a gentlemen’s game that has always policed itself, the policy of drug testing is tantamount to putting a square peg in a round hole. It just feels like it doesn’t belong and like it could be administered in a more tactful manner. As it stands, the practice seems to diminish an element that is critical to any strong relationship: trust. There’s a better way.
Recently, a lot has been made of the peculiar case of Mark Hensby. He did not take a urinalysis and was subsequently suspended by the Tour for a year. The suspension seemed to be more of a story of confusion and crossed wires than anything else, and Hensby offered a heartfelt apology for his actions. In the apology, Hensby mentioned that he had previously taken, and was expecting to take, a blood test.
Moving forward into the 2018 PGA Tour season, blood testing will become more and more prevalent on the PGA Tour. This gives the Tour a better way to test for HGH and other drugs that a urinalysis won’t catch. But it could also be a big opportunity for the Tour to improve the life of players and even the fans. Seems odd, but it’s happened before.
Years ago, I was at a golf course and overheard two retirees on their way out of the parking lot. “See you tomorrow,” one man said to his friend. “Nope. Arnie says I’ve got to get my prostate checked. So should you.” Arnold Palmer’s positive diagnosis for prostate cancer in 1997 became the lunch pad for a prostate cancer awareness campaign that saved lives.
The Tour should once again be looking to ring that same bell of health awareness. It might not be prostate cancer, but it could be pre-diabetes, testosterone, vitamin deficiencies, cholesterol management and immunization strength. All promoted in a positive and proactive light. Some privacy issues obviously need to be addressed, but imagine Champions Tour players talking about how healthy and legal testosterone treatments have improved their game and overall quality of life. Or a player finding out through the mandatory blood work that he is pre-diabetic and how the changes he made in his life have had a positive impact.
Let’s test for more than just drugs; let’s test for wellness. Some employers are already doing this using online lab services to give employees drug and wellness tests. These tests are available to anyone who is interested in a healthier life, which a lot of PGA Tour fans are. The fatigue we may feel on the closing holes may be less about cardio and strength and more about vitamin or testosterone levels. Insights like these are available to all of us now — not just the Tour players — and they’re valuable. But the unique ability to raise the awareness of holistic wellness for players and fans belongs to the PGA Tour.
We are all familiar with the These Guys Are Good slogan. Now let’s add These Guys Are Getting Better.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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Mikele
Dec 22, 2017 at 8:46 pm
Drug testing via blood work is good. There rest of it is not the Tour’s business or anyone else’s business other than the individual. The idea that the tour should stick its nose into this area of a players personal life is reprehensible and an inappropriate intrusion beyond the workplace. I wonder how many advocates of this rant and rave about government interference in people’s personal lives and regulation.
Laz Versalles
Dec 23, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Consent would definitely be a part it. If a senior tour player found out via blood test that he had a vitamin deficiency, it would give that player on opportunity- totally up to them- to share it with fans. Hence the example of Arnie’s prostate cancer campaign. Nothing reprehensible and inappropriate about health awareness.
Robin
Dec 22, 2017 at 11:45 am
Tim Finchem was scared to test Tiger Woods. Especially after the sports illustrated article where %25 of Pga pros thought TW was on some type of peds.
Hate WRX Trolls
Dec 22, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Pure BS. Tiger was regularly tested. I worked for the Tour when he was at the height of his career. I know it to be fact. You’re just another rumor mongering tool. Now go back and read the actual article you cite and come back when you understand what it says and the discussion of facts.
steve
Dec 25, 2017 at 1:46 pm
tiger was never tested and was he not suspended on this last incident were there was 3 drugs in his system for which he had no prescription for I know this for a fact
FG
Dec 21, 2017 at 4:49 pm
It’s still illegal to get testosterone treatments on any tour, regardless of the doctor’s permission and patient’s condition…
SK
Dec 23, 2017 at 3:11 am
Testosterone shots in the rear end may boost your testosterone levels for a few weeks and then you need another shot…. and then it get’s dangerous. As you age your testosterone levels drop and there’s nothing much you can do about the decline.
Laz Versalles
Dec 23, 2017 at 12:14 pm
There’s more than one way to treat low T. Unrelated: I played a round a day after getting a B-12 shot and it was eye-opening. Super tuned in and focused. Still three-putted four times, but they were aggressive run-it-by-hole three putts.
roger
Dec 23, 2017 at 2:40 pm
High Testosterone and prostate cancer are related. As you age your prostate goes through a buildup of cancerous cells, and getting testosterone shots may accelerate prostate cancer. If you are desperate in your golf game do you want to risk your long term health just to knock off a few handicap points?
Laz Versalles
Dec 25, 2017 at 2:16 am
Yes, Roger.
DoubleMochaMan
Dec 21, 2017 at 12:03 pm
That sounds like a good idea… for the health of the players on tour. Everyone with a PGA Tour card or those who play in a PGA Tour event without a card should take the test. All results should be strictly private. It’s a win-win, unless I am overlooking something. And if a pro does not want to know the results that is okay, too. Unless the result is the presence of banned drugs in their system. That, too, remains private, but corrections are requested.
Laz Versalles
Dec 21, 2017 at 6:50 pm
It’s a heck of an eye opener. I’ve recently made a big push towards living a healthier lifestyle and knowing where you stand from a blood work perspective helps. Example: I took a vitamin B-12 shot yesterday and have felt great all day. Probably going to do it ever 2 weeks or so.