Golf Nut, I read recently where Tom Lehman may qualify with enough points to be in the top 10 and to “qualify” to be a playing coach in upcoming Ryder Cup. What are your thoughts on this? Should Lehman leave his golf clubs and golf swing at home or can he play and coach effectively at the same time?

First of all, I think that it should be noted that it’s a great feat for Tom to even be in this position. I can’t remember the last time a pro golfer had this choice based on points. That being said, I am not an advocate of a playing captain for the Ryder Cup.

It has nothing to do with how solid Tom’s golf swing or golf game are right now. It has to do more with the nature of this particular competition. The Ryder Cup has in recent years, in my opinion, turned into a media created frenzy of “us versus them”. Granted, some golf fans behavior has not helped this. But it has almost changed from a golf competition to an international circus.

But the main point is I think that this would have been doable several Ryder Cups ago, but not today. The Captains’ job at this point is too big and too stressful to allow the added distraction of competing at the same time. Picking the pairings (with all the personality issues) and dealing with the media coverage and pressure are almost two full time jobs just by themselves.

I think that Tom could probably handle it as well as any golfer out there. But it would be a disservice to the team and, maybe more importantly, to Tom himself to do this. And I also think this particular Ryder Cup is critical. It’s time for the American golfers to show what they are made of. I am glad that the competition has evened out and it’s no longer a cake walk. But my pride in my country also says it’s time to win and win convincingly.

I would love to hear from you golfers out there on this one. It’s a great “Golf Nut” type of question.