Tiger Woods suggested that the PGA be proactive and start drug testing. He did not imply that anyone was using performance enhancing drugs, but he suggested that it could happen and that the PGA should take the lead and prevent it from happening rather than react to it when it does happen. Tim Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner, said that he sees no reason to start testing for PE’s. I would have to agree with Mr. Finchem and here are my reasons:
1. To my knowledge there are no performance enhancers which help with hand eye coordination. Golf is a funny game. Players can be as lumpy as Tim Herron or as bulky as Craig Stadler and still be successful. Others players are as small as Corey Pavin and still win tournaments. Size has nothing to do with success on the PGA and steroids which help a player bulk up could actually be counter-productive. Hitting the ball further is more of a function of "swing speed" and not muscles. That is why a guy like Camilo Villegas can hit the ball 300+ yards when he is only 5'8" and weighs less than 150 lbs.
2. Performance enhancers like EPO help cyclists by giving an oxygen boost to their tired muscles. Cyclists and marathon runners need this boost to help, but not golfers. I am sorry, but walking 18 holes o####olf course at a snail’s pace while someone carries your clubs for you and you suck down a Dasani does not qualify as aerobic exercise. The body is not taxed enough to need a “boost” and therefore EPO would not benefit any golfer enough to make them risk using this type of enhancer.
3. The last category of enhancers would be “speed” or amphetamines. While some players may be using this form of PE, the chances are they are using them more as an illegal drug than to help them golf. Amphetamines are sometimes used as weight loss drugs or even for ADD. So this category might be something that you would find in some PGA golfer’s bloodstream it is highly unlikely that he would be using it to do better on the tour. If anything the player might develop the “yips” while putting while on “meth”.
So while Tiger Woods says all of the right things and encourages the tour to be proactive, I think Commissioner Finchem is on the right trail. It might be unpopular and politically incorrect, but I do think he is right when he says the PGA does not have a problem in the realm of “performance enhancers.” The real question is should they test for sedatives to calm the nerves of golfers as they look down the line of a three foot putt at Augusta.
1. To my knowledge there are no performance enhancers which help with hand eye coordination. Golf is a funny game. Players can be as lumpy as Tim Herron or as bulky as Craig Stadler and still be successful. Others players are as small as Corey Pavin and still win tournaments. Size has nothing to do with success on the PGA and steroids which help a player bulk up could actually be counter-productive. Hitting the ball further is more of a function of "swing speed" and not muscles. That is why a guy like Camilo Villegas can hit the ball 300+ yards when he is only 5'8" and weighs less than 150 lbs.
2. Performance enhancers like EPO help cyclists by giving an oxygen boost to their tired muscles. Cyclists and marathon runners need this boost to help, but not golfers. I am sorry, but walking 18 holes o
3. The last category of enhancers would be “speed” or amphetamines. While some players may be using this form of PE, the chances are they are using them more as an illegal drug than to help them golf. Amphetamines are sometimes used as weight loss drugs or even for ADD. So this category might be something that you would find in some PGA golfer’s bloodstream it is highly unlikely that he would be using it to do better on the tour. If anything the player might develop the “yips” while putting while on “meth”. 
