Followed by cameras, crew and a dozen or so onlookers, the foursome competed in four different skills used in "The Big Break" series, which is presently airing its third installment in a ladies-only competition.

The skills tested were the telegenic window-pane glass-smashing, drive for distance and accuracy, wedge shots for accuracy and putting contest. The program took about four hours to film and should air later this month, a network spokesman said.

The Golf Channel committed $12,500 to charity for the program, with each player designating a charity to receive $2,500 and the winner getting an additional $2,500 for his charity.

With plenty of spring-training talk filling sports pages, The News-Press decided to test the baseball players' golf acumen with links-related questions.

David Wells

Q: Tell us about your golf background.

A: I've been playing about 11, 12 years, seriously for eight or nine years. I learned from golf outings and charity events.

Q: Any formal lessons?

A: Once, a few years ago, a buddy gave me a lesson, and yesterday with the club pro here. I don't have any inside game at all. My best score is a 75, but I've been known to shoot in the 100s, too.

Q: You signed with Boston in the offseason for $8 million for two years. How much golf will that buy you?

A: I've met a few people down the road. But I don't mind paying for a nice golf course. Let's make sure we get that in there. But we do get some free rounds.

Q: The Sox putting five against five Yankees in a golf scramble — who wins?

A: I'm going to have to say us. We've got Wake (Wakefield), and he is as solid as they get.

Q: You have only one chance to play Augusta National, but it's with Alex Rodriguez. Do you go?

A: Yeah.

Q: Steinbrenner?

A: Absolutely. That's these guys' deal. I'm the new guy. I've never had a problem with them. They're good guys.

KEVIN MILLAR

Q: Behind Wake, who seems to be the best golfer on the Sox, you look like you might be second best.

A: I can golf decent. I know (former Red Sox pitcher) Derek Lowe and Wake played a lot. Position players don't play at all during the season. When you're playing every day, you get worn out going golfing. (Third-base coach) Dale Sveum is about a 5 (handicap). (Manager Terry) Francona is about a 6 or 7. (Mark) Bellhorn golfs. Varitek's terrible. Keith Foulke's a pretty decent golfer. So I might be the second-best golfer, if you start thinking about it.

Q: What's harder, hitting a 95-mile-per-hour fastball or a 3-iron over water?

A: A 95 mile-an-hour fastball is easier for me than hitting a 180-yard 5-iron, water or no water. In that area, I'm not very good. Two hundred-twenty yards, I'm fine. Sixty yards, I'm O.K.

Q: What about the argument pitchers always make, that they're better golfers than position players because they are better athletes or have better coordination?

A: They can baloney all they want. They have more off time to become better golfers. Tim Wakefield brings his clubs on the road because he's out playing four out of five days. I would love to play golf with Tim Wakefield, but he never invites me. He assumes I can't play. Now he knows I can play. Maybe he'll invite me.

Jason Varitek

Q: Like we asked Wells, how much golf will your new, $40 million contract buy you?

A: I don't know. You gotta add in time to play. Between kids and training in the offseason, you gotta find some time.

Q: And the argument about pitchers being better golfers because of skill, talent, etc.?

A: They have more time to become better golfers, especially starters. They have more time to fart around.

Q: You guys have this feud going with A-Rod. Do you take the opportunity to play Augusta as his guest if it's the only way to get on?

A: No comment.

Tim Wakefield

Q: The first question is an obvious one: Can you make a golf ball knuckle?

A: No ... maybe from a flier lie.

Q: Will you miss D-Lowe more as a teammate or golfing partner?

A: A little bit of both. I enjoyed having Derek as a teammate for six or seven years that we were teammates. We got to play quite a bit of golf together, whether it was on the road or off days.

Q: Who won more of your matches?

A: We're pretty much even. If he plays good, he's pretty tough to beat. I have to bring my A-game. He's good at everything. He's probably the best all-around athlete I've had as a teammate in my whole career — golf, basketball, throwing a football. I don't know what his handicap is. Mine's about a 4.0. We don't give each other shots.

Q: That kind of answers my question of which is lower, your handicap or ERA?

A: Hopefully, my ERA is lower, but I wouldn't mind getting my handicap lower, too.

Q: Which did you have last year, more pitching appearances or rounds of golf?

A: Pitching appearances.

Q: Really? Your teammates are hammering starting pitchers for taking their clubs on the road all the time.

A: We don't play golf everyday. I maybe play twice a month. I do (practice) more now that my wife and I live on a golf course up in Boston. Being on the road for 81 games a year, it's hard to come home and say, "I'm going out golfing.'' I probably play more on the road than I do in Boston.

Q: The Sox starting five against the Yanks starting five in a golf scramble — who wins?

A: I would have to say us. I haven't seen Curt (Schilling) play. I don't know if Randy (Johnson)'s a good golfer. I think (Mike) Mussina is a pretty good golfer.

Q: Your highlights as a golfer?

A: We get a chance to play some nice courses. Olympic Club, Medina, Olympia Fields. It's nice to be able to go out and be able to play some of the top-rated courses in the country. Still haven't played Augusta (National), though.

Q: Uh-oh. That leads me to the last question: A-Rod is the only way you'll get to play Augusta. Do you go with him?

A: That's not a fair question.

Q: Got to ask one hard one.

A: Is he a member?

Q: I don't think so. It's hypothetical.

A: Yeah, I'd go. You don't get the opportunity to play Augusta too many times.