Two Sets of Rules: Your Say

Finally, having read carefully through all your comments,
I have ranked and listed the five major topic areas and selected specific comments, which best express the feelings in each area of discussion. 

#1 Course setup is a key to solving any real or perceived problems. Many of you commented that the pro tour players do not play on courses like we do, and they enjoy pristine conditions week in and week out. Here’s a small sampling of some of the comments about course set up.

“We have seen that changes to the course and its set up has had the biggest effect on the pros. Narrow fairways and long rough with tough putting greens changes their normal game. Pros get upset about the ball in a divot once in 50 fairway shots- we see that kind of lie daily and areas where there is little or no grass growing around greens-they don’t have to play in those conditions.”

“The courses the pros play on are not as tough as they could, or should, be. The PGA tour pretty much follows the sun, so the layouts are beautifully manicured and in top condition for the various tournaments. The rough isn't nearly as rough as some of the stuff we Average Joes play out of, and if trees line the fairway, it's usually only for about 300 yards or so; after that it's a pretty clear shot to the green. I play courses where woods, or copses, line the fairway, and if you stray in there you'd have to be the Robin Hood of golf to escape to the green.”

“Why not make the rough rougher, and instead of having trees in single file line the fairways, have them six or ten deep - say between 250 and 300 yards?”

“A greater premium should be placed on accuracy from the tee, but the way most courses seem to be set up (other than the majors) rewards the errant driver nevertheless.”

“A  suggestion would be that the sand traps around the reachable par 5 holes should be more deeply bunkered, with at least one placed directly in front of the green, so that if the player is "going for it in two" he will need to carry over that hazard on his way to glory.”

“Toughen up the courses and end the discussion.”

#2 Consider 10 clubs…Here are some of the reactions to the 10-club proposal I made. The 14 club rule was adopted in 1938 which is not old enough to be considered a tradition and unchangeable.

“I recall when Colin Montgomery was asked (at the '97 U.S. Open?) about improving technology for clubs and balls and whether anything should be done about it. He replied, "Nobody's shot 18 yet, have they?" I think the average golfer should accept the fact that pros are going to perform better than we are, regardless of the equipment. And that means lower scores for them. But don't "rein in" the pros by changing the equipment -- find other ways to challenge them; the ten club local rule deserves consideration.”

“Having considered many changes I believe the ten club rule to be the best, single option. In this way no other rule need be changed. This is a case of less being more and the ten club change seems ideal.”

“We can modify rules but not reverse technology, so all players should have access to the latest technology if they can get it.
You are dead on, with suggesting the 10-club rule. By limiting the best players in world with 10 clubs, we will come to appreciate their creativity and strategic approach to the game without trying to reverse advances in golf balls, clubs, etc.”

“I contradict myself by agreeing to the 10 club rule for elite players, but it makes sense; if you are looking to make a change. I do think however, that the game is as such and should be left alone. Lets enjoy it for what it is; a game. Some are just better than others. Let them be elite. Lets go have some fun and enjoy the game with whatever talents we have.”

“Limiting the number of clubs to 10 is an idea, but it doesn't address the distance issue, and 14 clubs is a long standing tradition.”

 #3 It’s the ball

I can’t say I agree with this viewpoint, but many believe that the ball is the problem and something should be done about it. This would be two sets of equipment rules. Most other sports, where different balls are used for pros are team sports where both sides use the same ball.

Some excerpts were:

“A ball for the PRO'S that will not go as Far”

“I absolutely think something has to change to reign in the distances that elite golfers are hitting the ball.

“My preference is to change the golf ball for elite players. Other ball sports have done that. Tennis has slower variations for faster courts. Squash has multiple ball speeds for faster and slower courts. And baseball has been accused of "juicing" the ball for years.”

“My preference is an "unjuiced" golf ball for elite players. There could be multiple speeds (like squash) and the tour organizers could match the ball speed to the course at set-up time. A shorter course (like a Colonial) could get the shortest ball, and a long course (like a Beth Page) would get a longer ball, maybe the normal ball that we all play. This would preserve our older and shorter courses.”

“What about a local rule for pro tournaments that requires a special ball which would match the performance (or lack thereof) of the balls that Jack and Arnie used 40 years ago?”

“The only "Equip" change needed for the pro's is a reduced distance ball which would render the beautiful OLD traditional courses still suitable & challenging for PGA tour events.”

#4  The pros are good, records are there to be broken.
I do believe that this is the case but the scoring average has not changed but by three quarters of a stroke per 18 hole round over the last 25 years.  This is one of the reasons why we ask: What it the problem?

“I don't see what the deal is with the USGA. I mean records are meant to be broken. By no means are the touring pros making all the venues look easy. Considering the giant leap in equipment technology over the last 10 years, I don't think that the very slight improvement, in the top pro's key statistic, even keeps up with how better the equipment is. Not to mention how much longer the average PGA course as become. The 100 meter dash record keeps getting faster and faster too, you don't see the IOC requiring today sprinters to wear baggy clothes or drag chute do you............”

“Even if professional scoring averages have dropped 10-15% over the past 20 years, changing equipment rules is answering a question no one is asking. Technology cannot be stopped, the evolution of a game cannot be stopped- I believe these elements are a combination of equipment, analysis, and human development. Just as in cycling, a governing body is attempting to stop the unstoppable for what appears to be a narrow, parochial view.”

“I strongly feel that there is no need to "Rein in" the elite players. If they can perform to levels far above the normal player, so be it. I deeply enjoy watching the pros tear up a track with birdie and eagle fests. I derive great enjoyment from watching the pros do their thing and even more so if they put a course to shame. These guys are good and I don't think it is necessary to change the game to make them appear less so. So what if a tournament ends with players 20 strokes or so below par. It shows how well they are playing. Let it happen. "If it ain't broke. Don't fix it."

“Do the governing bodies do this to justify their own existence? What happened to Tradition? I strongly feel these governing bodies could work to improve the game in other ways without stomping on tradition. They should spend their valuable time doing something more constructive. Well that is my humble opinion. With love and respect for the game.”

“Just because the Pros are that much better than the rest of us is no reason to limit their performance. The same is true in all sports. You don't see professional tennis reducing the size of the court because the pros are so much better. Leave it alone and let the best players prevail.”

“I enjoy watching the pros do things that I can only dream about. For that reason I don't enjoy watching the US Open as much as other events. If I want to see someone struggling to shoot 80, I go play instead of watching the pros on TV.

#5 Leave our game alone. Our rules are sacred.

I do think the game is in good shape as far as the playing rules are concerned. The equipment rules are becoming very questionable and the USGA needs to change direction.

“Leave the game alone and let everyone play. The pros have spent their lives perfecting their skills, there is no need to limit them or anyone else.”

“Just leave everything alone. That why we have game improving equipment, for improvement in play, It help the bad players too!”

"One for all. A game of honour. Without rules there is chaos."