usrga Archives • GolfStinks

Golf Rules for the Rest of Us

October 7, 2015 | By Greg D'Andrea | 5 Comments

Would you golf by the USRGA rulebook?

Last month, I wrote about the 3 Reasons Recreational Golfers Need Their Own Rulebook. In summary of that post, a rulebook specifically geared towards the average golfer would help attract new players to the game; alleviate slow play; and wouldn’t be focused on ranking the best golfers in the world (which is one of the USGA’s primary missions).

Since the USGA seems reluctant to create separate rules for recreational players (which might be for the best), I scoured the web to see if such rules existed elsewhere. Much to my delight, I ran across the United States Recreational Golf Association (USRGA).

Now in full transparency, I ended up reaching out to the leaders of the USRGA and they have since added the GolfStinks logo to its “friends of the USRGA” section of their website. But regardless of that, I endorse this organization simply because it provides exactly what recreational golfers need: A simpler set of rules that also work with a handicap system.

So what are these simpler USRGA rules? Well, to start with, there are 13 in total (in addition to a brief section on etiquette):

1. The Game of Golf consists of hitting a ball with a club around a golf course. The ball should be struck with a club, not pushed, scraped, lifted, thrown or spooned. A “round” consists of any number of consecutive holes on a golf course. Each time a player strikes the ball it is called a “stroke.” The sum of all strokes in a round equals the golfer’s score. A hole starts with a stroke from the teeing ground and ends on the green when the ball is holed.

2. The Rules of Play are to be agreed upon in advance by the players before teeing off on the first hole. The highest authority for settling disputes is the foursome or player’s group. They may ultimately decide what is right under all circumstances. Players may agree to add, waive or amend any Rule. If there is a dispute not covered by the Rules, then the golfers in the group will determine how to resolve the dispute; the decision should be made in accordance with what is fair. The players may appoint a ruling committee for the purpose of settling issues during group or tournament play. Advice may be sought or offered during the course of play but responding to a request is at the discretion of the golfers in the group.

3. Medal play consists of a round of consecutive holes when all strokes are counted. In Medal play the player must count every shot in a round and may not “pick up” after a shot. In Stroke play all members of the group are “fellow players.” A “side” is a player or two or more players who are partners. In match play the member/s of the opposing side is/are an “opponent.” Match play consists of a game when the players play each hole individually or with a partner against another individual or an individual and his partner. A Match can be played for any consecutive number of holes until a winner is established. A match can also be played as a Nassau when the match is divided into a first nine, second nine and an overall match. Each hole has a winner/loser or a tie score. Players may pick up after their ball no longer counts on a particular hole. Rules for Match and Medal play are the same regarding penalties. In case of a tie it is suggested that additional holes should be played until a winner is determined. The player’s may play in any order they choose. In competitions, the player/side with the lowest score on the previous hole tees first. There is no penalty for playing out of turn.

4. Any commercially available balls and clubs that are solely powered by the golfer’s swing are deemed acceptable for play. A player is allowed to carry a maximum of 20 clubs. Penalty for exceeding the limit is one stroke. Clubs may not be altered during the course of play but broken or damaged clubs may be replaced at any time during the round. A player claiming a handicap or average score for a given golf format should play with the equipment used to establish the handicap for that golf format.

5. It is allowable for a player to switch balls at any time during a round; this includes switching the brand, model and number of the ball. The ball may be lifted, cleaned and placed without penalty at any time.

6. If the wrong ball is played the shot/s should be replayed from their original position/s. There is no penalty for hitting the wrong ball.

7. If a ball is lost a player has two (2) minutes to find it. The penalty for spending more than two (2) minutes searching for a ball is one stroke. The penalty for spending additional time beyond four minutes is one additional stroke

8. If the ball is in a “non-standard” condition for the location, it is acceptable to improve the position or lie of the ball one club length except on the putting green. Such “non-standard” conditions include divots, bare or uneven turf, temporary water, cart paths, sprinkler heads or hoses and unraked sand in a hazard. The ball may be lifted and placed one club length but not closer to the hole. When improving a player’s lie, the new lie should not be moved from the rough to the fairway, from the fringe to the green or out of a bunker to the rough or fairway.

9. The flagstick does not need to be removed unless it is requested by the player who is chipping or putting. If a ball hits the flagstick and it is not holed there is no penalty. If the ball comes to rest against the flagstick it is considered holed.

10. A ball in motion should not be deliberately deflected or stopped by the other golfers in the group or their equipment. Penalty for violation is one stroke. A ball on the putting green that may assist or interfere with a shot should be marked and lifted.

11. If a ball comes to rest out of bounds, in a water hazard or lateral hazard, the ball should be placed as near as possible to where it went out of bounds or entered the hazard and not closer to the hole. The golfer also has the option to replay the shot or use a designated “drop area”. The penalty is one stroke.

12. Movable objects may be moved if they interfere with a swing or the player’s line of sight. A player is entitled to move the object without penalty. A player is entitled to move the ball one club length to get relief from immovable unnatural objects (telephone poles, fences, drain pipes, maintenance equipment, etc.) with no penalty.

13. A golfer may deem his ball unplayable and may place the ball near where the ball is deemed unplayable. If it is unplayable in a bunker it must be dropped in the bunker. If ball is in hazard it must be dropped in the hazard. Penalty is one shot.

If you took the time to read the above, then you would have recognized these rules are pretty much they way most of us play anyway (but differ quite a bit from the USGA rules). For example – rule #5: We weekend golfers don’t worry about playing the same brand of ball during a round – heck, we often find a ball mid-hole and switch to that one instead! And it shouldn’t be illegal to do so. Rule #6: Accidentally hit the wrong ball? No worries – just apologize and re-hit the correct one. Rule #8: Roll-over sanctioned and lift, clean and place approved! How ridiculous that we must play our muddy ball from a divot! Of course most of us roll-over (and clean) – it only makes sense.

Plus, some of the USRGA rules address slow play: We recreational golfers spend far too much time looking for a lost ball. Rule #7 specifies 2 minutes only (as opposed to 5 minutes under the USGA rulebook). And #9: Why do we have to go through the “tending the flag” ritual on every green? Heck, why do we even need to waste time walking over to remove said flag? Well under the USRGA, now we don’t have to. And of course, rule #11 does away with that obnoxious “walk back to the tee to re-hit a ball that is lost/OB” rule.

For the majority of golfers out there, the aforementioned rules should be leaps and bounds better than the current USGA rulebook. They are not only more easily digestible, but are bound to keep recreational players happier out on the course…without sacrificing the integrity of the game (which is important and why other alternate rulebooks have failed).

But what about those golfers who keep a handicap for tournament play? Well, the USRGA has them covered. Along with your free membership to the USRGA, you also gain access to the USRGA handicap system, where you can enter your scores much like you would elsewhere.

Interestingly (but not surprisingly), this handicap system, when coupled with rule #4 above, allows golfers to play (and keep a handicap with) non-USGA-conforming golf equipment, like the Polara golf ball/clubs, which we’ve posted (both the pros and cons) about before. I say “not surprisingly” because it should be noted that one of the co-founders of the USRGA is also the chief executive at Polara. But regardless of that convenient overlap, this is another way the USRGA provides recreational golfers with flexibility: If you want your handicap to reflect your skill level with a self-correcting ball, that’s no problem – just make sure you play in the tournament with said self-correcting ball (or your handicap will prove you a liar).

Overall, I would fully embrace the USRGA – it lets recreational golfers be, well…recreational golfers. And it puts into writing many of the things we do anyway out on the course (and this fact shouldn’t be dismissed so easily – people don’t want to be rule breakers – in general, they want to follow all the rules of whatever it is they are engaging in). Thus, having a separate set of rules for recreational players is exactly what golf needs to help welcome new players and retain veteran players alike.

That all being said, it would be truly nice to see the golf industry (from teachers to courses to even the USGA and other leading golf organizations) recognize a separate set of rules for the recreational player. And so far, the USRGA seems to be the most logical choice.

3 Reasons Recreational Golfers Need A Rulebook

September 1, 2015 | By Greg D'Andrea | 10 Comments

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.

To Hell with the Rulebook: We Test Polara Golf Equipment

July 15, 2015 | By Greg D'Andrea | 4 Comments

You’re a weekend golfer. Of course you want to play better, but you don’t have the time or money to invest in all the lessons and practice necessary. After all, you have a life; commitments; and family that take precedence over your “hobby.”

You’re not looking to be a pro, but wouldn’t hitting a few more fairways and greens in regulation boost your enjoyment out on the course? Well, we kind of agree. And on that note, GolfStinks decided to test some equipment that can do just that: Let you spend more time in the fairway and less time being frustrated.

Of course said equipment doesn’t conform to the USGA rulebook, but you have to ask yourself: Does that really matter? If you were a pro golfer it would, but that’s like 1% of the golf population. As for the rest of us, it shouldn’t matter…not even in local tournaments (more on that in a moment).

In the meantime let’s look at the equipment: Polara Golf (in full disclosure, GolfStinks received several dozen Polara golf balls and three different Polara drivers free to test-out over the past several months).

First, let me say that aesthetically, Polara equipment looks no different than what you’ve got in your bag currently – there’s nothing strange or wacky about the way they look or feel (in fact, they may look and feel better than what you’re using now).

As for performance: Separately, the balls and driver can limit slices to help keep you in (or at least closer to) the fairway. But use ball and club together and weekend golfers are in for a treat. I average 93 strokes for 18 holes. When I play the with the Polara ball/driver combo, my average drops to 87. My short game hasn’t improved, but I’m shaving strokes by staying in-play off the tee, which is what Polara equipment has been created for.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard to always know when the Polara gear is working (on occasion, you’ll have a sense the shot ended up better than expected). For the most part, the performance enhancing abilities are subtle. But after a few rounds, you’ll notice your scores have improved. And you’ll realize you’re not only in (or near) the fairway more often, but you’re also having more fun because of it.

Elaine with the Polara Ladies Advantage driver

To offer another perspective: One of the Polara clubs we received was a woman’s senior flex. As such, I was able (through a mutual friend) have “Elaine” test the club/ball combo out. Elaine reported that “using the club and ball resulted in straighter shots” and “increased my distance off the tee by about 20 yards.” Elaine also stated she will continue to use her Polara club and purchase Polara balls, despite the equipment not conforming to USGA rules.

Let’s get back to the USGA rule thing for a second. Unless you’re playing on a pro tour or in amateur competition, using non-conforming equipment really shouldn’t matter. I realize that not following the rules doesn’t sit well with most people, but remember – the USGA rulebook was really written to identify the best golfers in the world. If you’re not one of (or trying to be one of) the best in the world, then what you need is a basic set of guidelines and etiquette to follow instead (see the USRGA.org rulebook). Trust me, it will make your golf life so much easier than trying to remember crazy rulings.

Now, if you’re playing for money, that’s a bit different. You should be upfront – let your opponents know about your equipment. Give them the opportunity to use it too or simply adjust the amount of strokes being given based on how you score with Polara gear.

And if you’re playing in a local tournament, tell the officials what you’ve got in your bag. Give them an option – your handicap using the Polara equipment or your higher handicap without using it. The CEO of Polara says he uses this approach at every tournament he plays…and most of the time they take his lower handicap and let him use the Polara stuff!

Like Elaine, I’ll continue to use the driver I received because it really works. And the balls work too, but once my supply runs out, we’ll have to see – I’m partial to using refurbished balls and I don’t think I will find refurbished Polara balls anywhere.

But the truth is, I am having fun spending more time in the fairway – it really does make my round that much more enjoyable (less time in the woods or in the adjacent fairway, etc.). And for me (as well as so many other weekend golfers), having fun is really what golf comes down to, isn’t it?

Check out the Polara Golf site HERE.

3 Ways to Fix Golf

August 6, 2014 | By Greg D'Andrea | 1 Comment

It finally happened – the golf industry is finally starting to notice that the sport might be in trouble. It may have taken many, many course closures; mass retail layoffs; and hundreds of thousands of golfers to quit the game, but there is a buzz circulating within the industry…and that buzz can be basically boiled down to one question: How do we fix golf?

First, let me tell you what’s NOT going to fix golf: Gimmicks. Contrary to what you might have recently seen on HBO Real Sports, giant holes and nightclub driving ranges aren’t the answer (at least not in the long term). Instead, what needs to happen is a fundamental shift in the way we (industry folks including course owners; equipment and apparel companies; and sports media) approach this game…namely in how we teach it; write about it; and market it.

Fix # 1: Throw out the current USGA rulebook

The USGA rules are nice for tournament play, but the recreational golfer shouldn’t be held to them. For the high handicapper (90% of golfers), playing by the current rules not only makes the game more difficult, but it also (and perhaps more importantly) slows the game down. Now I’m not suggesting we have no rules. What we need is a simple set of basic guidelines that are universally accepted by the golfing industry (especially teaching pros). One such set already exists with the Recreational Golf Association of America’s rulebook. This rulebook consists of just 13 clear and concise rules along with a section on etiquette – that’s it. I’m also not opposed to the USGA creating its own simpler set of rules for the recreation golfer, as something with their official stamp on it might help with universal implementation and acceptance. And one more note on etiquette: I believe etiquette is more important than the rules themselves and it should be taught first – especially in regards to slow play (knowing which tee box you belong on; letting a faster group play though; etc.).

Fix # 2: Get equipment and apparel prices down

I fondly remember my first set of clubs – a complete set of Spalding Executives (it included all the irons, a sand wedge, the driver and 3- and 5-woods to boot)! Total price of my old clubs? $300. Handicap then: 18. Now I have a $700 set of irons; paid an additional $240 for a sand and gap wedge; and purchased last year’s driver for $200. Total price of my current clubs: $1,140. Handicap now: 18. WTF? I spent 280% more money for the same handicap? This is an all-too-real problem in golf. The reality is expensive clubs don’t help your game (try lots and lots of lessons and practice instead). Where are those Spalding Executives nowadays? They, or at least sets like them, need to be the main feature on display in retail outlets instead of the current à la carte system of club-buying. That system is only benefitting the manufactures and the public is starting to get wise. Same with apparel – why is the average big-name golf shirt $50 – $80? And why are prices in course pro shops so freaking high? People that might want to start playing golf see those prices and run for the hills.

Fix # 3: Change the focus to “fun”

Golf is played for fun and your score should always be secondary. As with the simplified rulebook, this needs to be universally accepted across the industry (actually, the mere acceptance of a new rulebook would go leaps and bounds for golfers having more fun). If the industry were to shift its marketing from “you have to play better” to “have fun playing,” not only would we retain more golfers, but create new ones to boot. We’d also remove some of the frustration tied to playing well and replace it with the idea that it’s more important just to be out playing. “Get outdoors on a beautiful course on a beautiful day while spending time with your friends or family.” This is the message we need to send. Not: “spend more money on this equipment so you can try to look halfway decent out there.” See the difference?

So: Simpler rules; lower prices; focus on fun.

I don’t want to sugar-coat this – these changes aren’t going to be easy. And the market is still going to shrink while it corrects itself from 20 years of overgrowth. But if the industry can adopt even just one of the three aforementioned fixes, the road to recovery will not only be faster, but the future of golf will be brighter.