GolfStinks

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Will the 2019 USGA Rule Changes Really Help Slow Play?

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The USGA has Published a New Consolidated Set of Rules for 2019 in Hopes of Speeding Up Play. But will Recreational Golfers Benefit?

In case you haven’t heard, on January 1st new rules of golf took effect. The USGA created the modified rules mostly to simplify the old rule book and alleviate slow play. Of course these are things we here at GolfStinks have been complaining about for quite a while, so I was excited learn more.

But after having a chance to review the new rule changes, I wonder if slow play will really get better? Take a look at the top 5 changes below:

Top 5 USGA Rule Changes for 2019 (visual asset from USGA.org)

And now take a look at the specific pace-of-play rule changes:

Pace-of-Play Changes to the USGA Rules (visual asset from USGA.org)

My initial reaction to the new rules was; “This is great, slow play will soon be a thing of the past!” But after digesting it a bit, I’m restating to; “This is a step in the right direction.” Sure, the pro tours and even local tournaments might see a pace-of-play increase using these new rules, but will the recreational golfer enjoy a quicker round?

Considering recreational golfers are already employing many of these changes, my guess is the impact on the weekend golfer will be minimal.

IMO, recreational golfers need to hasten play themselves by letting quicker groups play-through and/or picking-up on a hole when necessary. These things should be taught to all new players and embedded within golf etiquette. Courses can help too by employing more rangers. But until these things happen across the board, 5-hour rounds will continue to be the norm – especially during the weekends at public facilities.

But I want your thoughts too – will the changes to the USGA rules really increase the pace-of-play for ALL golfers? Let me know in the comments.

An Entirely New Approach To Executive-Style Golf Courses

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Can the Pointfive ball change the future of golf?
Can the Pointfive ball change the future of golf? (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

The time it takes to play a round of golf these days is borderline ridiculous. In many cases, five hours is the norm (sometimes 6) and that just doesn’t fit into the 21st-century lifestyle. But one company, Pointfive is trying to help. You see Pointfive has concluded that in order to speed-up play, you should play a shorter-length golf course.

Recently, I’ve written about playing a 12-hole course to help hasten your round. But Pointfive is referring to golf courses of more the “par 3” or “executive” variety. Unfortunately, the thought of an executive-style course doesn’t really appeal to me. And if I had to guess, it doesn’t really appeal to many others either.

One major issue with these types of courses is you can’t hit all your clubs – especially your driver. Limiting the number of clubs you can use tends to diminish the game for many golfers – myself included. But this is where Pointfive comes to the rescue.

Pointfive manufactures limited distance golf balls. In fact, these balls travel just 60 percent of what normal balls travel. That may not sound like much, but on an executive-style golf course, it brings your entire bag of clubs back into play.

Pointfive adds a twist to the golf ball sleeve (photo by Greg D'Andrea)
Pointfive adds a new twist to the golf ball sleeve (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

The good folks at Pointfive sent me two free sleeves of their Hy-Flyte golf balls and I put them to the test this past weekend on a local executive 9. Now these are 1-piece balls that actually float, so they are a bit lighter than your typical golf balls. As such, my first inclination was to test them on the putting green, but I noticed no notable difference – their roll and lag was like that of normal balls.

Moving on, the first hole was a 100-yard par 3 – a distance where I would typically hit my 56-degree wedge (sand wedge). But with the Hy-Flyte ball, I hit my 7-iron and was nearly pin-high.  My 7-iron averages around 160 yards, so in this case, the 60 percent distance of these balls is fairly accurate.

There were also a few holes on this course around 300-yards long. In each case, I hit driver off the tee and landed around 110-yards from the center of the green. This would put my driving distance at around 155 yards (normally I’m about 260 with the big dog). Again, this holds true to the 60 percent distance of these balls. In addition, the flight pattern and trajectory seemed mostly on par with what I would expect to see.

By the end of my round, I knew these golf balls would entice me to play more executive-style courses in the future. The Hy-Flyte balls truly gave me back my entire set of clubs on a course where that normally wouldn’t be the case. What’s more, I felt satisfied despite finishing in just under 2 hours flat (even with a wait on most tee-boxes).

Admittedly, it was a bit strange hitting a 7-iron from around 100 yards out – at least initially anyway. And if you are a newbie where most tee-shots are flubs, it might be best to play regular balls – after all, you need all the distance you can get!

But for those in search of a quicker round, yet reluctant to play a par 3 or executive-style golf course, these balls just might be the solution.

What’s interesting is Pointfive also highlights the economic and environmental impact of their golf ball. On their website, the company points-out that with increased popularity of their ball, there will be demand for a new generation of golf course. One that is 60 percent scale and “requires minimal water and chemical usage; are much more affordable to build, maintain and play; and require only 40-70 acres of land.”

Can one ball drive the golf industry to thinking on a smaller-scale? It might be a stretch, but I believe everyone understands the game needs to get quicker, cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Let’s face it, the majority of us are recreational golfers and we are certainly looking for quicker and cheaper rounds. Hey, crazier things have been proposed (giant holes anyone)…

For the here and now, Pointfive’s Hy-Flyte golf ball will allow you to play shorter-length courses with a full-length course experience. Your options for golf on a tight schedule just got a whole lot better. And for me, that’s innovation enough.

10 Things You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Golf

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Are old white guys keeping you from taking up golf? (photo by Greg D'Andrea)
Are old white guys keeping you from taking up golf? (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

Do you have an interest in taking up golf as a hobby? Maybe you’ve got friends that play, or have passed a golf course and thought it looked nice?

Perhaps you’ve played mini golf or have been to a driving range, but still have trepidation about actually taking up the game? Or maybe like many non-golfers, you’re just wondering what all the fuss is about?

Well we here at GolfStinks understand – you have questions and deserve answers. So without further ado, here’s 10 things you’ve always wanted to know about golf (but were probably afraid to ask)…

  1. Are all golfers old, white men?

    Truth be told, the majority of golfers out on the course will be white men over age 50. The United States Golf Association (USGA) has aspirations to diversify the game, but it’s been slow-going. This doesn’t mean golf’s completely void of diversification as 23% of players are female, while 20% belong to a minority group. Meanwhile, nearly 40% are actually under the age of 50. While these numbers aren’t all that spectacular, they shouldn’t deter you from giving golf a try. Here’s a website that’s completely bucking this trend.

  2. Is golf really that expensive?

    In short, kind of. New clubs, shoes and other golf equipment will cost at least several hundred dollars just to get you started. Sure, much of this stuff can be found secondhand, but you’ll still need to pay to play each time you go. Statistics show the average annual household income of a golfer is $95,000, which suggests folks of lower income simply can’t afford the game. In this regard, golf really needs to be more accessible to a wider range of folks. But the good news is you can play golf on a budget if you try. Playing only 9-holes or taking advantage of the twilight rates are just two (albeit rather weak) examples.

  3. Is mini golf the same as regular golf on a smaller scale?

    Don’t be embarrassed to ask this question as many others wonder the same thing! Contrary to its name, mini golf is not simply a miniature version of golf. The two may appear similar, but in reality they are vastly different and individually unique. And just because you enjoy mini golf does not mean you will enjoy regular golf and vice versa – they are two completely different games.

  4. I’ve heard golf is really hard. Is it?

    You’ve heard right – golf is really hard. The pros might make it look easy, but they comprise less than 1% of golfers. This is why golf gadgets, books and teaching pros are staying in business. The game is woefully challenging and extremely difficult to master. It takes skill, athleticism and a tough mental prowess. But relax, you don’t have to be good at golf to enjoy it – simply getting out in nature, hanging out with friends and playing the game at your own level can be wonderfully satisfying in and of itself.

  5. Does playing golf really take all day?

    Certainly not all day. They say golf “should” take 3-4 hours, but an 18-hole round can easily take 5+ hours – especially when the course is full, like on a weekend. Players lollygagging on the course (AKA “slow play“) is a big problem with golf. Some of this has to do with the golfers themselves and some has to do with the ridiculously complicated USGA rule book (which is another story entirely). Similar to playing on a budget, you should consider only 9-holes when playing on a tight schedule.

  6. I’ve heard you can only have fun golfing if you’re drunk – is this true?

    Sadly, for some this is true. Since golf is played at a more relaxed pace compared to other sports, it is possible to enjoy a cold beverage whilst meandering around the course. As a result, some players take it too far and think drunkenness and golf go hand-in-hand. By all means, have a beer or two during your round. And if you want to get obliterated, feel free to do that in the 19th hole afterwards. But if you have to get plastered while actually playing, perhaps that’s a sign golf isn’t for you.

  7. Is driving the golf cart really that much fun?

    Yes and no. Non-golfers always have interest in driving the golf cart because it’s something they can relate to – to them it’s like a go-kart and who doesn’t like go-karts? Sure, it’s nice to be off-roading in a little buggy with the wind whipping through your hair, but at the end of the day it’s simply a mode of transportation with space to stow your equipment. To be honest, most of the GolfStinks crew enjoys walking the course over riding.

  8. Do I really have to wear those “golf” clothes?

    Thank God no! Not long ago it was a different story. But with golf participation down, courses have relaxed their rules somewhat. Newer, more stylish athletic gear has also spruced-up an otherwise stuffy old look. And though shirts with collars are still mandatory attire at a majority of golf establishments, it’s fairly common to get away with a nice crew neck nowadays.

  9. Why is golf on TV so boring?

    This is an easy one – it’s because watching people play golf IS boring. It’s typically quiet and there’s not much action going on. But once you’re out on that course and steeped in a competitive round, boring is the last thing you’d call it. Golf has to be experienced, not witnessed. If you can forget about what you see on TV and just get out there and play the game yourself, then you will begin to understand why millions of people love golf.

  10. I stink at golf. Should I really be playing on a “good” golf course?

    Absolutely! First of all, you should never feel embarrassment over your poor play because you’re not alone – nearly half of all golfers can’t shoot below 100 and 75% can’t break 90 (for all the non-golfers out there, 72 or lower would be what the typical pro shoots). Secondly, golf courses are there for us to enjoy – regardless of our skill level (that’s why there are different tee-boxes). You should never feel like you’ve wasted your time or money on an awesome course simply because you’ve played poorly there. If we’ve said this once, we’ve said it a thousand times: Golf is so much more than your final score.

3 Reasons Recreational Golfers Need A Rulebook

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Can all those USGA rules be hurting golf? (photo by Sonny Vega)
Can all those USGA rules be hurting golf? (photo by Sonny Vega)

Believe it or not, the USGA doesn’t govern all of golf. And it certainly doesn’t preside over recreational golfers like you and I. The USGA, along with its rulebook, does have a place in golf. But the idea it’s the supreme ruler of all things golf is a rather widespread misconception (this goes for the R&A as well). That being said, I outline below why most recreational golfers should cast-aside the USGA rules in favor of something written more for, well…recreational golfers.

1) The USGA rules weren’t really written for recreational golfers
Let me begin by stating in no way, shape or form am I advocating we throw-out the USGA rulebook. Those rules are absolutely necessary to achieve the USGA’s founding mission: To determine the best golfers in the world. This history is clearly recounted on their website:

“1894 – In September, William G. Lawrence wins a ‘national amateur championship’ at Newport (R.I.) Golf Club. In October, Laurence B. Stoddard wins a ‘national amateur championship’ at St. Andrew’s Golf Club. C.B. Macdonald, runner-up in both events, calls for the formation of a governing body to run a universally recognized national championship.” – USGA.org

Today, the USGA is basically still doing the same thing for the top amateurs. In addition, the PGA has adopted the USGA rulebook too. This all makes sense for determining the best golfers in the world.

But what about the rest of us? All golfers – from the youngest to the oldest; the worst to the greatest; are forced encouraged to play by the USGA rules. This notion is foreign to many of the other major sports that also have youth and recreational participation. Think about your son or daughter’s little league; or your work softball team – do those strictly adhere to the rules of Major League Baseball? Of course not – the rules have been modified and/or made simpler to encourage new players and promote fun.

So that begs the question: Why isn’t there a separate set of rules for recreational golfers? For all that the USGA rules have done for the elite players in the game, the reality is the complexity of those same rules have hindered golf’s growth over the years – in particular with regards to recreational golfers (the vast majority of the game’s participants).

It should also be pointed out that while the USGA has been around for over 120 years, the game of golf was around for about 5 centuries before that. Makes you wonder how all those recreational golfers ever got by without the USGA rulebook.

2) Alleviate slow play
It’s no secret slow play is rampant in golf – from the pro tours all the way to your local muni. It’s perhaps the biggest complaint amongst average golfers and the current rulebook is (at least) partially to blame for this. A set of simpler rules for recreational players would go a long way in unclogging the links.

Why does there have to be out-of-bounds? If your ball goes into the woods, drop one near where it went in, take a stroke and move on. Why do we have to go through the entire “tend the flag” ritual? Leave the flag where it is and if the ball hits it, it counts as in. Why do we have to wait for the person furthest from the hole to play first? Instead, we should all be playing ready-golf.

I understand some folks are sticklers for this stuff, but these are the golfers a separate rulebook would help the most! A simpler rulebook would remove the hesitation some golfers have in bending the USGA rules in the first place, thus resulting in a speedier round for everyone.

3) Attract new players; and help keep the ones already playing
Try telling a newbie golfer about grounding his club in a hazard. Or that she has to walk back to the tee and re-hit if she loses her drive. How about that he or she can’t touch their ball until they are on the green. And if their ball lands in a divot in the fairway…oh well, sucks to be them. And the truth is, non of the aforementioned rules sound any better to veteran golfers either.

Watching golf on TV already has issues attracting potential players, but then the few that actually do want to try the game are met with this beast of a rulebook? It’s just not right. We should be doing everything possible to woo new folks to the game. And, part of that should be a simple set of rules that encourages fun out on the course.

Adding a rulebook specifically for recreational golfers won’t solve all of golf’s problems, but it will certainly help – especially in the longterm. And it won’t take much to implement either – there are already organizations out there like the U.S. Recreational Golf Association (more on them in a future post) who are trying to accommodate recreational golfers (including those golfers who keep a handicap) – whereas accommodating recreational golfers clearly isn’t the USGA’s priority.

Golf in the Future: What will it be Like?

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The Future of golf
What will the future of golf look like? (photo by Buck via Flickr)

The game of golf is in a period of transition – that much we are sure of. Reports show participation is down, courses are struggling (if not closing their doors altogether) and retail sales are lagging.

While some golf authorities are remaining calm, attributing the current climate to market correction after years of industry overgrowth, many others believe it will take significant change to right the ship.

Those worried over what they see as obvious signs of golf’s forthcoming demise are scrambling to find fixes. But what are we fixing? Well, that’s a rather broad topic – golf is too hard; too slow; too expensive. While solutions have been proposed for all of these issues, many of these fixes change the game somewhat.

The reality is, if some of these ideas catch on, golf as we know it today might be totally different in just a quarter century from now. Imagine you’ve been transported 25 years into the future…to the year 2040. Here’s what your round of golf might be like…

You step-out onto the first tee at 9 o’clock…at night. It seems the idea behind TopGolf spills-out to the actual course. Behind you is a fully-stocked bar teaming with patrons. You place your beer in a cup-holder next to the ball-washer and approach the glow-in-the-dark tee markers. You tee-up (both ball and tee are also glowing) and drive the ball towards a giant illuminated target in the middle of the fairway – the bulls-eye being the 150-yard marker.

It’s easy to follow the flightpath of your approach shot as it careens through the air like a shooting star towards the green, the flagstick and flag lit-up like a tree on Christmas. You pull-out your putter and promptly drain a 40-foot putt for birdie. Of course, the hole is 20 inches in diameter (HackGolf’s original 15-inch cup idea is adapted for nighttime).

Hole #2 is a par 3 with a pond and trap flanking the green and a portable bar flanking the tee-box. There’s also the closest-to-the-pin contest going on, where the winner from your foursome gets a free shot from the bar and the overall winner for the evening gets three free rounds of golf (it’s not uncommon for the ball closest-to-the pin to actually be in the hole, and thus have several overall winners for the evening).

Hole #3, a par 5, features the obvious long-drive contest, where prizes range from free drinks to free golf depending on how far you can hit it. Each level is conveniently marked in the fairway: 300-325 yards has grass glowing red; 325-350 the grass glows blue; and 350-375 glows yellow (both free rounds and drinks beyond that). If you think these distances seem a bit far for average golfers, it’s only because no one abides by the USGA rulebook anymore…so using non-conforming equipment (balls, clubs, etc.) is the norm.

Walking off the 3rd green takes you back to the bar/clubhouse area, where you’re free to join the merriment on the dance floor or make the turn to play the back 3 holes. Yes, most new golf courses by 2040 are only 6 holes long. With less to maintain, courses can lower prices while still raking-in boatloads of cash from the main bar, plus the three additional portable bars out on the course.

Those golfers still wishing to play during the day can do so, albeit without the cool glow-in-the-dark effect. Plus, plenty of kids are being introduced to the game as it’s not uncommon for parents to rent-out a course for birthday parties, etc. And daytime is also when the course is used by FootGolf enthusiasts – a game that has gotten extremely popular by 2040.

In addition to the lower greens fees, the time it takes to play has been drastically reduced as well. No more wife or hubby ranting about you being gone all day. Instead, a 6-hole round takes 90 minutes (give or take your time at the bars). And rarely are there backups on the tee – with the holes being so big and the equipment being so forgiving, most average golfers have single-digit handicaps in the future.

OK, let’s time machine back to the year 2015 and think about what we just read. Sure, I took some liberties in illustrating golf’s future, but am I really that far off? Regardless if the current economic woes of the game dissipate on their own, we’re going to see some changes. TopGolf, HackGolf and even a rulebook for recreational golfers already exist in the here and now. Not to mention non-conforming equipment that corrects your slice and allows you to hit it farther are also already on the market. Plus, the idea of creating golf courses with less than 18 holes isn’t a new idea either.

This all being said, I don’t think I would mind a future that looked similar to what I imagined above. I may opt for less night rounds and expand the courses to 12 holes instead of 6, but I think a new rulebook for average golfers, bigger holes and non-conforming equipment can make the game more fun for recreational players (not-to-mention more profitable for courses and the industry as a whole).

Whether this comes from glow-in-the-dark night rounds; incorporating a bar/club atmosphere; making the game easier for average hacks; or something else entirely, the bottom line is golf has to change with the times. I think one thing is clear – there is a vast gap between serious golfers (and that small percentage of players who are talented enough to be pros) and the rest of us. It’s high time we start playing a different game of golf.

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