John Black's mission this week is simple: keep thousands of fans moving through the walkway and autograph area by the driving range at Augusta National Golf Club.

And though he may get the occasional dirty look, he never gets an argument.

``This is the best group of fans anywhere,'' said the Augustan. ``This is the most polite group of spectators you'll find anywhere.''

Golf's popularity is at an all-time high. That means more and more people filling the galleries of golf tournaments - and they are becoming a very vocal group.

``There are more people coming to the golf tournaments now than when I started on the tour 20 years ago,'' said golfer Mark O'Meara. ``But there are some unfortunate things that come with that.''

For example, a few tournaments, such as the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., have become an excuse for excess, some pro golfers said.

``At some events, it's become the draw to the event. The event has become a big party,'' said Jim Furyk.

Jeff Sluman copes with the crowds in Scottsdale in his own way.

``I deal with it at Phoenix by not playing,'' he said.

Even amateurs see the problems unruly fans can create.

``It can become a riot or a ruckus or a distraction golfers don't want,'' said Hunter Haas. ``Some pros out there love fans and everything that goes along with them. You've got to love them and then they'll love you back.''

Most pros don't have a problem with the growing galleries.

``I'm sure some players are bothered by it, but I haven't really seen it,'' said Jesper Parnevik.

Arnold Palmer, whose army of fans is among the most dedicated in golf, said today's galleries are just part of the game.

``I suppose if there wasn't some reaction, we lose the spirit,'' he said. ``On the other side, I think we have to be careful not to get carried away with those sorts of things.''

But there are some positive aspects to the increased fan base: more publicity, more people and more money generated for the tournament charities. There's another benefit to golfers: Even high school and college players can get a taste of vocal fans.

``It's an evolution of kids growing up now,'' said Karl Tucker, who coached golf at Brigham Young University for 32 years. On Wednesday, he was at the course to watch one of his former players, Canadian Mike Weir. ``When they grow up to be a professional, they are more thick-skinned.''

The bottom line for golfers is important: More fans ensures a preservation of the game.

``We need to draw more people onto the game if golf is going to continue growing; we just need to educate the new fans on the etiquette,'' Furyk said. ``One of the draws for golf is the players are supposed to be gentlemanly. I think we have a very good class of athletes and a very good class of fans.''

Jim Hughes, who has watched 30 years of golf tournaments, uses this analogy: Compare 60,000 golf fans with 60,000 football fans, and a few vocal spectators are to be expected.

``Anytime you get 60,000 people, you are going to have some of that,'' he said. ``By and large, if you want to put 60,000 to 100,000 people in a golf course compared to a dome or a stadium, I think you'll find the golf crowd is much more behaved.''

Especially if those fans are attending the Masters Tournament.

``(Augusta National officials) are not going to tolerate people getting out of hand or stepping out of line,'' O'Meara said.