PGA drug testing..

[Rocknronny]

I just had to post this.:rofl:
http://www.picvault.info/images/537054560_pee%20cup.jpg

[nearace]

what kind of drugs would they be testing for?I have only heard of beta blockers and dont know what they do,I think they calm the nerves but not sure.

[hamiltonhacker]

In the October Golf Digest, the one with Nicklaus on the cover, there is a good article about which drugs might help a golfer and why.

[xander.uk]

Most "illegal" drugs are used for legitimate purposes............beta blockers are used to calm peoples nerves/anxiety,stop panic attacks and ease breathing in pressure situations ( so your not gasping for air ).

They could be useful for golf in pressure situations.

They would also test for steroids............they increase muscle mass and allow you to train longer and harder with shorter rest periods in between.

Similar jobs are done by human growth hormone in terms of unaturally increasing muscle mass.

i am not saying its not natural but notice how alot of golfers now are big strong guys who hit the ball miles?....its POSSIBLE that some of them have used these substances instead of spending hours in the gym.

Of course its more likely ( imo ) that given the money involved in professional golf they work hard!

These would be the "cheats drugs"

There is also the recreational drugs............cocaine etc
These would also be banned.

Then there are masking agent drugs..........diuretics ( make you drink lots of water and pee alot to cleanse your system ) or others that simply hide the prescence of other drugs.

The problem with these is that they CAN occur naturally in the body so finding them ISNT proof of cheating......depending of the levels/concentration they are found in.

I HOPE golf is clean as it is a sport which relies heavily on the honesty of players.

Sadly i am sure some people will be caught cheating :( because of the amount of money golfers can generate in winnings and sponsorships.

The sad thing is that SOME people will be caught and labelled as cheats simply for taking cough mixture or a cold cure ( as many banned stimulants are found in these remedies )

Unfortunately some of these drugs can be used to cheat ( in larger quantities than you find in cold cures) but it is impossible to tell for sure wether they are cheating or simply had a cold.

It will i am sure be difficult for players to adapt to the new rules.but lets hope they do so quickly and without many suspicious cases being found :)

[nearace]

Drug Testing to Arrive on TOUR in Summer '08 as seen on the golf channel

[hamiltonhacker]

Saw a quote recently that I believe was attributed to the head of the LPGA Tour. When asked about testing on the men's tour he said
"As long as Tiger tests negative, who cares what the rest of the field is on." :eek::eek:

The quote of the month I would say :rofl::rofl:

[nearace]

With drug testing on the tour on the immediate horizon, it seems that the rank-and-file of the PGA Tour hadn’t really considered all the implications. Banning substances intended to give a player an edge makes sense; the full range of products on the World Anti Doping Association list borders on the absurd. A recent Associated Press article highlights the frustration of players as reality is setting in (http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3220777):
(Frank) Lickliter doesn’t understand why the tour adopted WADA guidelines for golf, noting that Vick’s Vapor Inhaler is prohibited.
‘’If I use Vick’s nasal spray three times, they can kick me off the tour forever,’’ Lickliter said. ‘’Now, do you think Vick’s nasal spray is helping me compete out here? Half the stuff they’re testing for doesn’t help golfers. These so-called experts are not experts in golf.’’
And then there’s the issue of products that might seem innocent, but contain substances that are on the banned list:
‘’The only thing disconcerting is that you’re totally responsible for what you take,’’ Charles Howell III said. ‘’You might take a product, and there’s nothing on the label that’s illegal, yet you don’t know if there’s cross-contamination.’’
Others are worrying about the actual collection procedures:
Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger was indignant over having a ‘’collector’’ accompany him into the restroom to watch him drop his pants and lift his shirt to make sure he didn’t have a urine sample taped to his side. And when it was mentioned that ‘’anywhere’’ could include coming to a player’s house, Frank Lickliter suggested in so many words that the drug official bring a warrant.

[rbaker]

Maybe a good Sedative would help on the fast greens.:hyper:

[nearace]

SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Drug testing at the British Open at Royal Birkdale will be delayed a year because some international players have not been exposed to doping education programs.
Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson said Tuesday the British Open was not ready to begin the testing program because of the tournament's international qualifying system. He expects anti-doping controls will be in place for the 2009 championship at Turnberry.
The professional game adopted an anti-doping policy in November and testing was expected to begin on the PGA and European Tours in July. It had been expected that testing would be conducted at the British Open from July 17-20.
International qualifying events have already been held in Asia, South Africa and Australia, and the players at those events have not had the same doping education program open to those in Europe and America.
"We have decided that drug testing will not take place at this year's Open, but we very much plan and hope, and intend, that it will take place next year," Dawson said at a news conference. "Slightly unsatisfactory that. It is a function of timing."
Dawson said the R&A, which runs the British Open, had played a big part in the new anti-drug stance.
"The PGA Tour and the European Tour have both announced that they expect to start drug-testing round about July of this year," he said. "Both Tours are engaged in quite extensive and very important player education programs. It is very important that players understand what drug testing is all about.
"If the Open was in October we would probably be drug-testing this year," he said.
Even with no actual testing this year, the R&A has a "no drugs" clause in the championship entry form.
On the eve of last year's championship at Carnoustie, three-time winner Gary Player made headlines with claims that a number of players were using performance-enhancing substances.
"I know for a fact that some golfers are doing it," the South African said last July. "And the greatest thing that the R&A, the USGA and the PGA can do is have tests at random. It's absolutely essential that we do that.
"We're dreaming if we think it's not going to come into golf."
Under golf's doping program, penalties for a positive test range from a one-year suspension for the first offense to a lifetime ban if a player is caught three times.

[Golfing in Ottawa]

what kind of drugs would they be testing for?I have only heard of beta blockers and dont know what they do,I think they calm the nerves but not sure.

Thought I read somewhere that the PGA and Players are still not in final agreement on all banned items.........

I am sure they do not want as tough a list as the LPGA has.....
See banned list: http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?pid=10100&mid=4

List includes:
Cocaine as a banned stimulant...............and cannabinoids (eg. marijuana) which are considered to be performance enhancing when administered to induce a perceived calming effect.

Apparently PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem will have some discretion on some offenses, especially if any positive tests are from recreational instead of performance-enhancing drugs. But he said ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2007-11-13-630332920_x.htm


Could you imagine if the NHL had the same banned list as the LPGA..........;)

[Merlot]

I am sure they do not want as tough a list as the LPGA has.....
See banned list: http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?pid=10100&mid=4

List includes:
Cocaine as a banned stimulant...............and cannabinoids (eg. marijuana) which are considered to be performance enhancing when administered to induce a perceived calming effect.


Doesn't work in the long run, trust me on this one.:eek: Percieved is the key word.



Could you imagine if the NHL had the same banned list as the LPGA..........;)

We could get back down to 6 teams for a year or 2.:eek:

[Golfing in Ottawa]

We could get back down to 6 teams for a year or 2.:eek:

NHL might even have trouble dressing one team..........:rofl:

[Smully]

:cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: Whos, gonna test the Judges:cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: NHL might even have trouble dressing one team..........:rofl:

[davepratt]

what kind of drugs would they be testing for?I have only heard of beta blockers and dont know what they do,I think they calm the nerves but not sure.
They are quite commonly used by professional musicians and to treat high blood pressure. They would definitely help the leader get through the final few holes of a major. So what will the tour do if a pro uses them as prescribed by a doctor to treat high blood pressure? I say let's just skip the testing and let everyone do what they want.

[Merlot]

They are quite commonly used by professional musicians and to treat high blood pressure. They would definitely help the leader get through the final few holes of a major. So what will the tour do if a pro uses them as prescribed by a doctor to treat high blood pressure? I say let's just skip the testing and let everyone do what they want.

Supposedly Nick Price adn others used these. Price said they do not help you score better overall. Never tried them myself.

:cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: Whos, gonna test the Judges:cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo: :cookoo:

Who tests the judges that tests race horses? I heard Bob McCowan(from bob on his radio show) had a standard bread that he finally got rid of awhile back due to poor performance and a diagonosed fractured leg or some sort.

Now that horse has set all time records if I heard correctly. Bob didn't hire the right trainer or he didn't hire the right 'chemist'? :rofl:

It seems atleast humans have some what of a choice on whether the want to take performance enhanciing drugs or not.:(

[dekker]

I don't see the point of instituting a drug testing program unless it follows the same outlines as the olympic model.
Otherwise you create custom drug lists tailored specifically to a group.
The seperate list for the LPGA illustrates this problem perfectly since the PGA is not subject to the same limitations. This makes testing and enforcement impossibly complex and costly.

It's the old goose and gander story for the USGA with the egg ready to drop in their faces.


The real reason that they want to comply with a testing program is that they hope to control their own testing should they ever be welcomed back into the Olympics .