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5 Things Wrong With Golf

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5ThingsWrongWithGolf

Let’s not beat around the bush – there are inherent problems with golf that are rarely discussed. Now I’m not going to try and solve any of this stuff in one post, but I do intend to address them in hopes of beginning a conversation around what (if anything) can be done to change this game for the better. People in the industry are always talking about needing to grow the game. Perhaps we should start by considering the five 800-pound gorillas below.

1. The Cost
It shouldn’t be any surprise to see “cost” on this list. There is perhaps no greater turn-off to people than how much money it takes to play this game. The top brands push the most expensive equipment and apparel on us – from advertising to in-store displays. Where is the section of $25 Nike golf shirts? Or the $100 Taylor Made drivers? (Not even last year’s model will be that cheap). Why do we have to spend half a grand just to have an “average” set of new irons? Retailers and brands say they are helping us to become better golfers, but all they are doing is helping us hand over our hard-earned cash with minimal results in return. We all know the formula to playing better golf: Talent and practice – preferably lots of both. Money isn’t part of that formula and it’s time the industry stops pretending that it is.

2. The PGA Tour
I am not denying the tour is an integral part of golf. Without it, the game would surely suffer both economically and in popularity. But it is sorely in need of a makeover – preferably with its schedule. First, the season is far too long with barely an “off-season” for fans to recoup mentally. It makes sense from both a business perspective (TV ratings and tournament sponsorships) and the fans’ perspective (being mentally engaged) that the season be condensed to 6 months or less. Second, the lack of a proper end to the season. The FedEx Cup is an attempt to provide that grand finale we all want, but it’s not working. Perhaps a shortened season will help, but the end to the tour’s year needs to be defined much better than it currently is.

3. The Rulebook
This is tricky because I don’t want to change the fundamental way we play golf. But there are things in the rulebook that are hindering the expansion of the game. There are too many nuances to consider; too many cans and cant’s; too many caveats that require too much referencing back and forth before a complete understanding of the rule can be fully grasped (especially for new players). What we need is a simplified rulebook for casual play. We average golfers do this already (who really walks all the way back to the tee to re-hit after losing a drive)? Let organized tournaments continue to use the present book. But for the recreational golfer…please, give us some relief.

4. The Courses
Specifically, there are too many of them. What the hell is this country doing with 17,000 golf courses? The answer: Wasting space. The reality is we built too many courses over the past few decades and the result is too much supply and not enough demand. The herd could use some thinning and the good news is this thinning has already begun…compliments of the recession. While some watch with a wary eye over the fact that more courses are closing than opening in the U.S., economists know this is ultimately a good sign. Thinning the herd will result in higher quality courses, far better equipped to meet the needs of the individual golfer. And that will bode well for both new and current players alike.

5. The Focus
If there’s one thing we stand for here at GolfStinks, it’s that this game is meant to be fun. But in every corner of the golf industry, the main focus is on making people better players, rather than helping them enjoy themselves. Now I understand that some people can’t enjoy themselves unless they are better than everyone else, but those folks are in the minority. The vast majority intend to have fun when golfing – typically through camaraderie or enjoying the outdoors, with the final score being secondary. Yet the gravitational pull from the industry to consistently focus on becoming a better golfer is hard to ignore. Until there is a shift in focus from “playing well” while on the course to “feeling well” while on the course, golfers will continue to struggle with that love/hate relationship they have with this game.

Why Do Golfers Take Their Rules So Seriously?

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It’s strange but, it seems we here at Golfstinks have spent an inordinate amount of time over the past week or so going on about the rules of the game.  The reason it’s funny is because all of us here aren’t really sticklers for the rules.  For the most part, we all go by the old “play it as it lies” rule.  And if we can’t, we’re not all about pulling out the book.  We’re not going back to the tee to hit another ball.  We’re not marking off exactly two club lengths.  We simply drop the ball in a reasonable spot, take a stroke if necessary, and move it along.

But we understand that some golfers are a bit nutty over the rules.  Many golfers carry that book with them in their bag.  Heck, some of these golfers practically have it memorized!  But my question is, why so serious?  What is it about golf that makes its players take it, as well as the rules, so seriously?  Like every game they play is a major with a million dollars on the line.

Just a few guys out on their local course with their buddies is pretty much the equivalent of a few guys out on a local basketball court, right?  Or some guys playing in a local softball league.  Well, I’ve done all three, and no players are as passionate about the rules as golfers.  Now, I said “passionate,” but that can easily be replaced with “annoying.”  I’ve seen golfers pull out their rule books on the local course.  I’ve seen players hold up the group behind them by following the rules to the point where every I is dotted and every T is crossed.  I’d like to see someone head down to a local basketball court and try to call an intentional foul…or just about any foul for that matter.  In any pickup game I’ve ever played, I have never seen a technical foul called.  But some golfers?  Come on now.  Same out on a baseball or softball field.  Anyone ever see a balk called during a game?  But I’ve seen golfers pull that damn book out for anything questionable.

So what is it?  There’s nothing wrong, obviously, with playing by the rules. So I’m not knocking it, unless you’re holding everyone else up.  Then that just gets us right back to the whole etiquette thing.  But why is it that people playing other recreational sports can separate the rules from just simply having fun, but so many golfers can’t?  I would ask if it’s a competitive thing, but I can tell you right off the bat, that’s not it.  On the basketball court we’re playing for fun.  But I’ll be the first one to tell you, in my experience, no recreational players in any sport are as competitive as basketball players.  Even in my softball league…we all understand it’s mainly for fun, but no one on my team has the “I don’t care if we win or lose…I’m just having fun” attitude.  First and foremost…we want to win.  Yet still…not one of us is playing the game with a copy of the rules in our pocket.

So do golfers just think they care more about their sport?  Do they feel they are doing the sport more justice by playing as “by the book” as possible?  Do they truly believe they are cheating if they don’t do everything exactly as written?  Are they missing out on some of the fun by acting this way?  Are they putting too much pressure on themselves and therefore losing some of the enjoyment?

See, golf for me is a release.  I have a full-time job which puts enough pressure on me as it is.  The last thing I need is more pressure when I’m trying to do something that should be an escape from the rest of my life.  So why do people do it to themselves?  If you’re one of those golfers who are strictly by the book, then please let me know what I’m missing.  Because I don’t quite understand, but I sure would like too.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

The USGA Rule Book: Definitions

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Do you know golf law?
Do you know golf law?

Let me go out on a limb and state that most weekend golfers probably try to follow the USGA rules. Sure, we might not walk back to the tee to re-hit a ball that’s gone OB (or play a provisional). And we sometimes take mulligans and gimmies, but for the most part, we try to play the game right.

But do we really know the rules? I’m sure many of you have thumbed-through the USGA rule book, but have you read it cover to cover? Probably not. So in this continuing series, I’m going to write about stuff you find in the rule book – perhaps about things you’ve never even realized.

Today we’re highlighting Section 2: Definitions. Perhaps part of what makes understanding the USGA rule book so difficult is the terms used for things. Do we really know the difference between a “water hazard” and a “lateral water hazard”? To that end, the USGA Rules have an entire section devoted to the definition of golf terms.

There are literally dozens of rules defined in the rule book. Do you know what “Rub of the Green” means? That’s when a ball in motion accidentally is deflected or stopped by an “outside agency.” Of course, you then have to read the definition of “outside agency” – which is basically a person or thing other than the players themselves, their caddies and/or their equipment (with the exception of wind or water). So an outside agency, for example, might be a chipmunk that runs across the green and deflects your ball. Now then, what is the benefit of “Rub of the Green”? Well, you play the ball as it lies (after the chipmunk moves it) and don’t have to take a stroke. Gee, thanks.

What constitutes a “stroke” is also a good one to highlight. A “stroke” in golf is when a player has the intent of hitting the ball – even if said player misses the ball! However, a check swing (where the player is able to stop a swing before it reaches the ball) is NOT considered a stroke. By the way, if you are addressing (hello ball!) the ball on the tee and mistakenly tap the ball with your club causing it to fall, that is also NOT considered a stroke and you may re-tee without penalty.

Do you know what “through the green” means? That’s basically referring to the fairway of the hole being played (or the area between the tee and green). Though hazards (both water and sand) are not considered “through the green.”

“Abnormal Ground Conditions” is a rather abnormal one: It includes things like “casual water” and “ground under repair” (which, of course, have their own definitions). But it also includes holes made by burrowing animals. “Burrowing animal” is defined (yep, that’s defined too) as a “hole for habitation” for critters such as moles, gophers and salamanders. But the rule doesn’t apply to worms or insects. Which is a bit discriminatory if you ask me – after all, I’ve seen some pretty large burrowing wasps out on the course!

Finally, let’s circle back to the difference between a “water hazard” and a “lateral water hazard.” See below:

  • A “water hazard” is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature on the course.”
  • A “lateral water hazard” is a water hazard or that part of a water hazard so situated that it is not possible, or is deemed by the Committee to be impracticable, to drop a ball behind the water hazard in accordance with Rule 26-1b.

Get it now? LOL. Basically, there may be portions near a water hazard where you might actually find your ball but cannot play from (environmentally safe areas, etc.). So in these instances, you can play the ball up to two club lengths away from the lateral water hazard (and still lift and clean or substitute a ball).

So know your golf terminology! Though I’d rather familiarize myself with more non-traditional golf terms like THESE.

Who Should Teach The Rules Of Golf Etiquette?

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Last week I asked what was more important, golf etiquette or the rules of the game.  I mentioned that I don’t care if someone bends the rules a bit, but how I would rather they show a little respect for the game as well as its other players.  But that only led me to another question – who should teach the rules of etiquette to new golfers?

Personally, it was my friends who taught them to me as they taught me the game itself.  Some they would tell me ahead of time.  Others they would correct as I was making the mistake.  Let’s face it, there are an awful lot of etiquette rules.  But if you really think about it, they all kind of come down to common sense, keeping up with the pace of play and respect for others on the course.  If you know the basics of the game, then the etiquette part should come much easier.

But again, who should be teaching these rules?  Is it the responsibility of the player?  Should they be researching these rules themselves?  What do they do, get a copy of this?  Or maybe spend a few bucks extra to get this instead? Well, I guess if that’s what it takes.

Seriously though, should it be the responsibility of each individual course to explain the rules of etiquette?  Should the pro-shop attendants or the course pro be there to explain the rules.  Or maybe something as simple as a handout along with the scorecard before you leave the pro shop?  Not every course has ranger, a pro, or much of a staff for that matter.  So they simply don’t have the ability or resources to try to enforce the etiquette rules.  So who then is responsible?  Well, quite simply.., we are.

We can’t expect the courses to take on the responsibility of teaching the unwritten rules of the game…or even the written rules for that matter.  And we sure can’t count on people buying books.  So the responsibility falls on us as golfers.  If we are teaching the game to newbies, it’s our job to explain these unwritten rules.  If we’re playing with someone who is unclear, it’s our job to fix that.  If we don’t do it, then who will?  And we can’t just assume people already know.  And we can’t release them onto a course without anyone having confirmed they know said rules or is there to assist them along the way.

But to put it simply, I just don’t want to be stuck behind a group like the one described in my last round.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Is Golf Etiquette More Important Than The Rules?

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Etiquette on the golf course is sorely needed... (photo by Greg D'Andrea)
Proper etiquette on the golf course is sorely needed… (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

We’ve all heard how we as golfers tolerate poor play, but not slow play.  More so, we don’t do well with people who are downright deliberate.  You know that group who just seems to act like they are the only people on the course?  It’s absolute murder playing behind this group.  It’s not often that I manage to stumble across a group like this, but this past weekend…I don’t know what I did to upset the golf gods, but whatever I did, it was serious.

One of my boys and I are home alone and he asks if we can go play golf.  “Absolutely!” I reply.  So we head to the course for a quick nine holes.  But boy were we in for a surprise.  The drive to the course was the quickest thing we would experience.  It was this day that I ran into the worst group of golfers I have ever had the displeasure of playing behind.  I’m not kidding when I say, it was at every hole that something was going on completely and totally against the unwritten rules of golf etiquette.  Here’s a quick few highlights, or lowlights if you will:

#1.  In hindsight, I could have saved myself the trouble right here.  One of the group (a foursome) politely asked if I wanted to go ahead of them.  But we weren’t quite ready yet.  Plus, my kid is not exactly a great golfer and I thought we would be the ones holding them up.  And I only saw two of their tee shots, both decent.  So I thanked them, but declined their offer.  Keep in mind now, I am playing at a nine hole executive course, we’re all in carts, and hole #1 is a short par-3.  Almost 20 minutes later, we teed off.  You see where this is going.

#2.  Did I mention that there is no group in front of them?  OK…we finished hole #1 and three of them had yet to tee off on #2.  And even worse is, while we were still putting on #1, we had to duck as the soon to be familiar “FORE!!” was shouted from their tee-box.  So what the hell were the other three doing up there the whole time?  So when they were done, it takes them just as long to get moving because of how they parked their carts.  The cart-path leading to #2 is a mini cul-de-sac.  But rather than turn around so you can do the old “drop-and-drive.,” they pull in forward against the curb like they’re in the parking lot at the grocery store!  So watching these four bumbling idiots put the cart in reverse and try to get out provided a bit of comic relief at least.

#3.  Once again, we finish the hole and make our way to the next tee only to find that…again…they had just finished teeing off.  But that’s not the worst of it.  No…the worst was when they were off the green and standing on the next tee box as I made my approach.  I put the ball to the left side of the green.  An easy chip and I’m dancin’.  But when I get to the green, my ball is nowhere to be found.  Now I didn’t see it happen, but I’m absolutely positive that one of these schmucks picked up my ball.  So I ask them if they’ve seen a Titleist 2.  “No, sorry.  Haven’t seen it.”  So I take a drop and chip on.  After we putt out, I turn around and look back, and behold…what do I see not three feet from where I chipped?  Yup…you guessed it.  My ball left behind as the Four Fore’s make their way down the fairway…or, into the neighboring one I should say.

#’s 4-7.  This same type of nonsense pretty much continues throughout holes 4 through 7.  All the usual crap going on by someone who’s never been taught the unwritten rules.  Their cart is never in the right place.  They don’t have the right club, so they have to run all the way back to their cart…and it’s cart-path only, so that’s not helping.  They drive past one of the balls, so one of them has to get out of the cart to run back 50 yards to hit.  They’re adding up their scores while still sitting by the green.  Harassing each other when they’re teeing off.  Just awful.

#8.  As I sit in my cart, waiting for these people again, I watch as the last of the group tees off.  One of the group, a female, sits in the passenger side of the forward cart while two guys are in the back cart.  For no good reason, the driver of the back cart hits the gas and drills the rear of the forward cart!  Are you kidding me?  I hear the girl laughing as she ask “What are you doing?!”  The guy in the rear cart who hit the gas says “I was just trying to let off the brake!”  Why?!  Your buddy is still teeing off!  You’re not going anywhere yet, and even if you were…there’s a friggin’ cart directly in front of you!!  By now, the foursome behind us has caught up.  So I quickly take the time to explain who I’m playing behind so they don’t think it’s us holding up the process.

#9.  Finally.  Once again, we teed off, putted out and drove to the 9th, only to find that not one of them has even hit yet!!  What on earth could they possibly have been doing all of this time!  They finally hit after we arrive, and again, the foursome behind us catches up and they now get to witness the shenanigans first-hand.  However, there is a silver-lining to this one.  After losing his first ball in the trees and duck-hooking the next, my boy holes one out from about 60 yards!  A great way to finish an awfully rough round!

The point here is obvious I think.  I don’t care that all four of them were poor players.  Very few of us are pros.  But if you’re going to play the game, have some respect for the other players on the course.  That’s what golf etiquette is all about – respect for the players on the course and respect for your playing partners.  In my opinion, when it comes to golf, the rules of etiquette are more important than the rules of the game.  Unless we’re in some type of competition, I could care less if you kick the ball a little to give yourself a better shot.  I don’t care if you don’t count the miss on your nonchalant tap-in.  And it doesn’t matter to me if you don’t take a stroke on your questionable drop.  But when you’re just simply wasting my time…that’s a problem.

As I have said in the past, I’m not out there to sprint through my round.  I take my time and enjoy myself.  If you’re in a hurry, you’re playing the wrong sport.  But, I know if I’m moving too slowly.  I pay attention to what’s going on around me.  This is something that needs to be taught to the younger generation.  Teach them the “rules” before teaching them the rules.  Because a twosome playing nine holes on an executive course in a cart should NEVER take three hours.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

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