I have to admit…when it comes to golf, I am a bit of a traditionalist. If I had my way, the players at the highest levels of the game would be playing with wood woods, and balata covered golf balls, or maybe even the old gutta percha balls! (I won’t go as far back as the feathery though, as that would be a bit impractical, no?)
So, when the USGA unveiled this new rule allowing golfers to putt with the pin in the hole, while putting from the putting surface (you’ve always been able to do so from the fringe and elsewhere), I cringed.
I get that the USGA wants to speed up play in an effort to attract new golfers. But, I DON’T like the idea of making the game easier.
Call me a masochist, but the game is SUPPOSED to be hard.
Playing with the old balata ball and wood woods required golfers to be more creative. Now, the emphasis has shifted almost entirely to athleticism.
You can see this by how much time golfers are spending in the gym, rather than on the course learning how to be more creative. They also spend hours on simulators learning how to perfect a golf swing.
For my dollar, the most exciting player to watch on tour is Bubba Watson, due to his creativity and ability to curve the ball with a homemade swing (although the personality leaves a bit to be desired).
Now, back to the rules.
The other silly rule that I hate is the drop. When you get a free drop, or you are dropping from a hazard, you are know supposed to drop the ball from knee height.
Last week, Rickie Fowler was penalized for forgetting to drop from knee height. Instead, he dropped from shoulder height, which was the way of dropping previous to this year’s change.
I fail to see the advantage he gained from dropping from shoulder height, so why was he penalized? Answer: Simply because the USGA changed the rules.
It’s pretty clear that those who are running the USGA are simply out of touch with what ANYONE wants.
Frankly, I don’t see how we are going to get more millennials to play golf. They are the first generatation to grow up without having to leave the house to have fun.
They lack social skills because they’ve had their heads buried in their phones, or on their computers playing games since they were three. They are a lost cause.
Let’s focus on the younger kids. I think this younger generation has some hope, since by now, most of us older folks realize the mistakes we’ve made on parenting these millennials.
Honda Classic
Great finish to the Honda Classic today. I love seeing a golfer win with a clutch putt on the final hole. That’s absolutely the best way to win.
Keith Mitchell did just that by holing a 15 footer for birdie to earn his first PGA Tour victory. He never even had a professional win on another tour. In the process, he knocked off Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler and Hall of Famer Vijay Singh. Great stuff!
Speaking of Vijay, if the dude could putt, at 56 years old, he could’ve won this thing. Just goes to show how remaining flexible is so important to extending your “life” as a golfer. Vijay has always been quite limber, and it shows in his swing.
