Fed up with new technology reducing the fabled Augusta National to a pitch and putt, Augusta Chairman Hootie Johnson apparently is ready to impose a standardized “Masters’ Ball” in future tournaments.

The Telegraph even reports that the thing already has been designed.

I say bring it on. In fact, maybe the PGA Tour ought to take a look at it. I don’t want to see a future PGA Tour that ends up like Formula One Racing, where the technology used by the team is more important than the human factor.

I just heard on the radio that Jack Nicklaus will tee it up on Thursday at Augusta. He apparently is responding to a request by Augusta National Chairman Hootie Johnson to make one last appearance.

Jesper Parnevik remembered to bring his outrageous outfits to Augusta—but he forgot his clubs.

No. Really. Fortunately he was bailed out by Tiger Woods, who swung by the Parnevik’s garage an picked them up.

Tiger as Bag Boy?

I still wonder. How do you get to the Masters’ without your clubs?

The hype for this year’s Masters tournament is huge. Here are just three of the dozens of columns out there on the impending showdown between Golf’s Big Four of Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.

PGA’s Elite Aiming To Master Augusta

All Eyes On Masters As Top Names Collide

Its The Mickelson v Woods Show

The likable and thoughtful David Toms talks to Scotsman columnist John Huggan about being a relatively short hitter amongst bashers and of his chances at the Masters.

In an article in the Baltimore Sun, Don Markus examines whether Phil Mickelson’s Masters’ Victory from last year was a fluke—or whether is was a signal of something greater.

Consider this: The last five Masters champions were a combined 58-under-par on the par 4s and 5s at Augusta. None broke par on the 3s. You can take a tour of these deceptively simple holes at MSNBC.