Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Golf Embraces Anti-Doping

Golf is taking doping seriously. And about time too. Professional golf has taken another step away from its antiquated past when the worlds major tours decided to introduce drug testing at the highest level of the men’s game next year. The assertion that there are drugs in golf has gone from widely ignored to attention stealing headline in recent years with this move seen as admission something has to be done about it.



This move is seen by some as opening the door for golf to become an Olympic sport, however the European, PGA and Asian tours have not adopted the full list of substances proscribed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, including human growth hormones. At first we thought this was not a big enough step but golf has argued that HGH testing is in it’s infancy and is not regarded as infallible. We think this is a reasonable stance. After all we don’t want a golfing Marion Jones on our hands, where one of the games top players is falsely accused of gaining an unfair advantage. Incidents like this unfortunately colour public opinion about the player and raise doubts about the validity of testing.

But the fact that some drugs are tested for and others not got us thinking. Should testing be about performance enhancing drugs or drugs full stop? Is it up to sport to set an example that it will not tolerate the use of illegal drugs or just to catch people who use drugs to cheat?

We’d love to know your thoughts. Either vote, post a comment or join the debate on the GOLFPUNK Forum thread Drugs In Golf.

Or post on anything else at www.golfpunkonline.com/forum

For more on drug testing in golf click here…

Five Things We’d Like Added To The ‘Banned’ List.

M&Ms – It may spell the end for John Daly but at least Marshal Mathers won’t be the new Tarby.

Belly Putters – If taking Nandrolin is cheating these pendulum putting monstrosities deserve at least a caution.

Tiger’s Trousers – They are bound to put his opponents off.

Fans Screaming “Get In The Hole” No Matter What – No further explanation needed. We need this blight out of our game.

The Leather Wedge – (It is – Rules Ed)




9/19/2007 2:02:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [3] 

9/19/2007 8:34:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
Depends on the kind of drugs they're testing for. Steroids in golf? You're joking right? What steroids is John Daly, Calc and others taking?
10/2/2007 1:12:32 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I think it was about time that the major associations adopted this measure. When events around the world offer a great amount of prize money it is natural to assume that there will be players who will try and bend the rules to gun for victory. Perhaps what I have said might not go down well with a lot of people after all golf is a "gentleman's game". Fair enough, after all there are not many other games which boast of players calling a penalty on themselves and this is one sport where many players have followed this “unwritten rule” right from the days of Bobby Jones. But sometimes one just has to be pragmatic. There is no point in holding Gary Player hostage and asking him to spill the beans as to who he is referring to when he talks about doping in professional golf. He has merely stated what would be a rather obvious point if you follow common sense.

Of course the point Tiger has made should be taken far more seriously. Those caught should be handed the strictest possible penalties for they are the ones truly tarnishing the reputation of this beautiful game and not the ruling body which is merely trying to keep a watchful eye on all the happenings in the game. Punish the offenders, don’t scoff at those trying to fish out the terrible elements from this game

Andy Brown
10/2/2007 2:19:35 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I like your list of proposed banned substances. Very humorous. It seems ridiculous that there would be a need for drug testing in golf. I know that everyone is open for poor decision making, but seriously, they wouldn't be where they are if they weren't incredible golfers. Can't anybody just play the sport they've got the talent for with integrity?
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