By Iain Carter BBC Five Live golf correspondent

In the latest of his fortnightly reports from inside the ropes, our man looks at the impact of Michelle Wie's invitation to play on the European Tour, the challenges of Hoylake and also answers some of your queries.

Reaction to Michelle Wie being invited to play on the European Tour later this year has been less than enthusiastic among the players.

Wie is eager to make her mark on the men's tour

Only Jean van de Velde has stuck his head above the parapet but within the locker room there is a buzz of dissenting mutters.

The principle criticism is that Wie will deny another player the chance to play in the European Masters at Crans sur Sierre and potentially secure his card.

Mark in the US e-mailed this view to golfing gossip as well. It is undoubtedly an accurate observation, but in truth it is no different to an old timer taking an invite at the expense of a youngster trying to make his mark.

What the critics are failing to realise is that professional golf is entertainment. People will pay to see Wie, journalists will turn up to cover her appearance and the tournament will receive more coverage.

Wie accepts European Tour invite

It is a virtuous circle and given that she has now made a cut in a men's event her appearance in Switzerland has some golfing legitimacy.

The fact is that Wie is already one of the most recognisable faces in golf, a genuine star, and her presence can only enhance any tour on which she plays.

She has already come through local qualifying for the US Open, but the women's schedule militates against Wie trying to make it to Hoylake for the Open Championship.

As I noted last time, I was a touch concerned that the rough would not be penal enough when the world's best descend on the Wirral in July.

Happily (for us, if not them), I'm hearing that the areas bordering the fairways are getting a lot tougher and one pro I know who recently played lost three balls.

Donald is relishing the challenge of Hoylake in July

Jack Nicklaus and Luke Donald were also there this week as part of their deal with sponsors RBS.

Donald, apparently, is concerned at the number of fairway bunkers situated within his driving landing range - obstacles the big hitters will be able to carry.

Which brings us, once again, on to the long-distance debate. I am not going to say too much on it this time because we have done loads on it in previous weeks.

Here, though, are a couple of suggestions that have hit my inbox. Stevo in Bangkok reckons there should be a unified ball (get all the manufacturers to agree on that!) and the email of the week award goes to Steve in Qatar.

How about this for a suggestion? Simply ban the use of the tee peg. As Steve points out, golf is a game to be played on the ground. Interesting!!

Simon wonders whether there should be more internal out of bounds in tournaments to penalise wayward shots. Well, we will see it at Hoylake, particularly on the closing hole, which has o.b. all the way down its right side and may provide some great drama.

Personally, I see no reason why grandstands should not be considered out of bounds. It would create great excitement and would help the health and safety of spectators at the same time.

Ian wonders when Royal Lytham and St Annes will get another Open. David Duval was the last winner there in 2001 and the famous old links does not figure on the list for up coming championships.

There has been concern voiced in the local Lancashire media that the course maybe too short now, and there's little scope for it to be extended.

It would be a great shame to see such a magnificent layout rendered obsolete, but in the mean time we do have the Weetabix Women's British Open staged there in July. Michelle Wie will of course be there too.

If you are going to Wentworth for the PGA Championship watch out for the railway line.

Not the one down the left of the ninth, but the internal tracks that have been placed behind the members tee on the sixth.

This enables the green keepers to roll across wagons containing portable beech trees when the new championship tee (on the East Course) is not being used. Ingenious.

Finally for now, Diane wondered what's happened to TV commentator Alex Hay. I'm delighted to report that he and his silky Scottish burr are in great form and he's here in Ireland reporting on the Irish Open for RTE.

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