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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.

Is Golf Equipment on your Holiday Wish List?

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Some golfers love receiving golf equipment as gifts, while others prefer to purchase their own clubs; balls; etc. Take our poll and let us know what your preference is!

Are golf items under your tree this year?

Every year around the beginning of December, my wife asks me what I want for Christmas. This season, I asked for a forged set of…wait for it…J.A. Henckles. In case you’re not familiar with this German company, they make forged culinary knives, not forged golf clubs.

The funny thing is, I’m not much of a chef. I do make a mean salsa, but it’s not like I blog about my cooking skills. Golf, on the other hand, I do blog about. But the thought of asking my wife for golf clubs, or even a new golf bag, has never even crossed my mind.

To go a step further, I don’t even remember a year in which something golf-related was on my wish list! I’ve never really thought about it until now, but I guess most of this boils down to two reasons: First, I’m very particular about what I buy myself for golf. I have to get certain clubs, certain balls, etc. But secondly, I guess I’ve always thought of golf as my personal hobby.

My wife doesn’t play golf. So when I make a golf-related purchase, it’s something I’ve researched, tried-out and saved up for. Golf equipment has never been something I’ve left up to others to get for me.

Thus, my Christmas list has always consisted of things like a new watch; new shoes; or like this year, forged knives – not golf stuff. Oh don’t get me wrong, I’ve received golf gifts that I haven’t asked for – some of which have been helpful and others that you simply won’t believe!

Anyway, what about you? Are you receiving fabulous golf gifts from your significant other this holiday season? Or like me, would you rather buy your own golf stuff? Take the poll below and let me know. Who knows, maybe I’m missing out!

Is Golf Equipment on your Holiday Wish List?

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POLL: Does the Type of Putter Matter?

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Are all putters basically the same or does the tech behind the design matter? (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

I’ve always held firm that you could hand me a sawed-off broom stick with a block of wood nailed to the bottom and it would work as effectively as the most expensive putter on the market. But am I right?

I’ve had one golf buddy tell me you should never spend less than $100 on a putter! He would go on and on about how the putter is the most important club in your bag. And who knows, maybe he’s right?

I actually completed a round putting with a 3-wood one time because I broke my putter across my knee after 5-putting a green. And though I couldn’t really tell the difference, I can’t imagine that would be as accurate as using an actual putter.

These days I’m using a “Condor” Balata putter from Connecticut-based golf company NGC. Now over the years, NGC has had a tendency to bend the USGA equipment rules. But since I live in CT, I see my purchase as supporting a local golf business. And even though NGC claims the Condor “can double your putting accuracy,” I still don’t see much of a difference with my results.

Of course, I simply may not be a good enough player to notice. I mean, golf pros will tell you the right putter will be the difference between making a 10-footer or missing by a quarter-inch. I suppose that could be true and my green-reading skills are just atrocious.

But I also think that putting has a lot to do with the look and feel of the putter you use. In other words, if you think you’ll putt better with it, you probably will. You can apply this argument to the rest of your clubs too, but the style of putter seems to be of particular interest to golfers. That being said, perhaps you just need to find a putter you like and not worry about the cost?

So are all putters are basically the same and it’s just a matter of personal taste? Perhaps we golfers just like to spend money thinking we are getting a fancier, more technologically advanced piece of equipment? Or does golf tech really make the difference between sinking a putt and missing by a quarter-inch?

Take the poll below and tell us if the type of putter matters and feel free to elaborate in the comments section.

Does the Type of Putter Matter?

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A Holiday Gift Guide for the Average Golfer

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Stinky Golfer Chris on the golf course (photo by Greg D'Andrea)
Your average golfer will love these gifts! (Photo by Greg D’Andrea)

Need to shop for a golfer this holiday season? Well, don’t waste your money on golf clubs, apparel or even golf balls. These items can be pricey and besides, most golfers are very particular about their golf equipment and clothing choices. Plus non-golfers have a hard-enough time deciphering between a putter and a driver, let alone a Pro V1 and a Top Flite. Our two-cents is to just steer-clear.

Game-improvement items are also not a good idea. Swing gadgets and gizmos will only increase the average hack’s frustration out on the links, causing them to rue the day they received your gift.

So, what should you do?

Well, we here at GolfStinks suggest you buy things to help them relax instead. Allow them to appreciate the golf lifestyle they love and forget about their wretched play during the season. And with that in mind, we’d like to present a more realistic golf gift guide…

  1. LIQUOR
    Golf and the hard stuff go together like bacon and eggs. Nothing will let ’em forget about that bulging handicap like Scotch whiskey (or bourbon, or rum, or…). Flaviar is our go-to for home liquor delivery. Gift your golfer a year’s worth of tasting boxes (see HERE) and watch their mood increase exponentially as soon as that first bundle of joy hits the doorstep! Flaviar does it right – each box arrives handsomely packaged with a flavor-tone card and tasting instructions. A GolfStinks team favorite – you can gift your membership HERE.

    tastingboxflaviar
    Flaviar.com/sample-tastingset
  2. SMOKES
    If golf and liquor go awesome together, then golf and cigars aren’t far behind. And since Flaviar is already providing the libations, Famous Smoke Shop can help you match your spirit with a cigar. Their Cigar Pairing Guide (see HERE) needs answers to just three questions before suggesting a perfect cigar/drink pairing.  And yes, it works with beer too. Your golfer’s swing might not be getting any better, but their sophistication-level sure will be!

    https://www.famous-smoke.com/cigar-pairing
    Famous-smoke.com/cigar-pairing
  3. BOOKS
    Forget about books teaching swing technique or how to stay “in the zone” – those will leave your golfer feeling more confused and frustrated than ever. Instead, we here at GolfStinks recommend the following two books:

    • How to Quit Golf; A 12-Step Program
      From the GolfStinks review: “How to Quit Golf is a wonderfully hilarious and disturbingly accurate critical analysis of both golf and golfers – especially those who take the game too seriously. And while some of the imagery contained in the book is slightly exaggerated (purposely and for effect), it is nonetheless one of the most well-constructed and unabashedly genuine compositions about the realities of being a golfer.” (See our full review HERE and purchase it on Amazon.com).

      How to Quit Golf
      How to Quit Golf
    • Psych-Out Golf
      From the GolfStinks review: “[The Authors] have brilliantly put together countless ways to get the best of your opponent on the links – from making subtle yet mentally debilitating statements to getting them a bit tipsy, Psych-Out Golf is packed with ways to win a hole or round without actually playing well yourself!” (See our full review HERE and purchase it on lulu.com).

      Psychoutgolf.com/
      Psychoutgolf.com
  4. THERAPY
    Trust us, every golfer needs some sort of therapy. We play (and enjoy) an excruciatingly frustrating game that is mastered by only a very small group of elite players. But your run-of-the-mill shrink isn’t going to help here – what you need to get the golfer in your life is a membership to the GolfStinks Newsletter (subscribe HERE)! Our #enjoygolf ethos helps take the frustration out of the game and it’s far cheaper than a visit to the psychiatrist (it’s free). Why not give the gift that reminds them why they love this game in the first place?! (See below to print, cut and present to your golfer).

Cut along line and present to your golfer!So when considering a gift for the weekend golf hack in your life this holiday season, remember: Relaxation over frustration!

POLL: How do you Cheat at Golf?

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If you pick-up that 1-footer without asking, did you cheat? (photo by Greg D'Andrea)
If you pick-up that 1-footer without asking, did you cheat? (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

What’s that? Cheat you say? Well I never!

Oh really? Have you ever taken a Mulligan? Ever decide to drop a ball near where you lost one, rather than hit a provisional from the tee? Or, maybe you’ve granted yourself a gimme putt (even if it was “just on the lip”) without your fellow players’ consent?

Some of you may not have considered the aforementioned a golf cheat, but trust me – they are not in accordance with the USGA rules. Yet, they happen all the time out on the course, don’t they? “Oh don’t worry about it Bob, it’s the first drive of the day. Go ahead and take a Mulligan.” Or: “Hmmm, I think my ball might be lost. Well, I’ll just drop one over here.”

Many of us don’t even give these phrases a second thought. Yet according to the USGA, they constitute cheating. But here’s the thing: For those of us who play this game for recreation only, there’s a really big difference between rule-breaking and flat-out cheating (bare with me for a second here):

1. Rule Breaking
So you take a first-tee Mulligan…big deal. Maybe on one hole you don’t feel like walking back to the tee to hit a provisional – instead, you take a stroke and drop a ball as if you were in a lateral water hazard…if I were playing with you, I wouldn’t complain. And perhaps you lip-out and pick-up, rather than tapping the last putt in – It wouldn’t be any skin off my back. This isn’t the tour – we’re here to have fun.

2. Cheating
You regularly employ winter rules, the toe iron, the hand wedge, the leather wedge, golfer math or any other tactics meant to deceive your fellow golf competitor.

So now that we’ve established the difference between rule-breakers and cheaters, I guess we should also consider the possibility some golfers neither cheat nor break any of the rules. Not cheating I can understand, but never breaking any of the rules? If these folks really do exist, then I hope they either (a) play golf for a living; or (b) are in therapy.

Time to take the poll and tell us if you’re a rule breaker, cheater or all-around goody two-shoes…

How do you Cheat at Golf?

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