Golf is a game that has been around for centuries. It has gone from guys using wooden sticks and wearing knickers too hitting it 350 yards and wearing clothes that can be seen from space. However the growth hasn't been always good. Modern golf is now viewed by more people then 50 years ago and is more accessible too old and younger people. And is no longer viewed as a "rich pricks" sport. But problems have surfaced that in the opinion of this blogger needs too addressed.... and soon.
1. Pace of play: This is one is quite obvious. Most rounds now a days take longer then what TV time as allotted them. 5-6 hours too play a round is way too long. The PGA Tour even has a "pace of play" rule but 99% of the time do not enforce it. Peter Alias once said that it him and another player 2 and 1/2 hours too play 2 rounds of golf. Modern golf take 5-6 for 1 round. See a problem? Modern golf should take about 3 and 1/2 too 4 hours too complete a round. Golfers should only have 30 seconds too hit the ball. Any longer is a 1 stroke penalty, 2nd time is 2 strokes, 3rd time is 3 strokes and after that is immediate DQ from the tournament. Officials should follow every group (USGA and R&A have money) too enforce the 30 second shot rule. And they only have 3 strikes for the entire tournament. Exceptions can be made for on course rulings and such but 30 seconds is all they should have per shot. People now a days do not have the attention span too sit and watch golf for 5-6 hours.
2. Expense: Golf is expensive. Understatement of all time i know. A brand new set of golf costs about 3 too 5 thousand dollars. That most likely includes fitting and additional costs of adjustment. A lot of people CAN NOT afford 3 too 5 thousand dollar set of 14 clubs. I myself have shopped for clubs individually and i have found it cheaper too buy clubs separately. But most stores do not sell clubs individually for sell, just as a set. Even older sets of clubs are worth in the hundreds of dollars. A lot of people can not afford that. In fact some people have left golf because it has gotten so expensive, some do not even start golf because it is so expensive. I'm not even including green fees, driving range, golf balls, membership costs and other expenses. Golf itself has too become cheaper in order for people too play it. However i know of some courses have gone from "private" too "public" courses, which is a good thing.
3. Tiger Woods: Before you say anything yes, Tiger Woods has done much for the world of golf. From increased exposure too increase revenue. However the media (particularity the golf media) have this unhealthy obsession Tiger Woods hoping he can "be what he once was." That Tiger will never came back. When they cover Tiger more then the winner when he misses the cut or finishes in the back (nobodies land) it is wrong. He is not 50% of the golfer he used too be. Tiger will matter when he wins and i do not see that any time soon. The golf media needs too push and promote kids like Jason Day, Jordan Speith and Rory Mclroy. They are future of golf, Tiger is the very far present.
4. The anchored ban rule: Yeah, we will ban it because guys have won majors using this method. The USGA and R&A should have gotten ahead of the curve 30 years ago and didn't. Doesn't make the hole any bigger. This talk about "it isn't a stroke" lame, that somehow anchoring doesn't make it so. Deane Beman (former commish of the PGA Tour before Tim Finchum and a former player himself) said during interview on Golf Channel that "putting itself is form of anchoring." Far as i see it, putting shouldn't even me considered a "stroke" itself. The USGA has even gone as far too say that if you use a anchor putting method, you can not post a USGA handicap. Well isn't that a great way too make golf more appealing isn't it? Some people used the anchor method for medical reason. Fred Couples uses it because of his back, Tim Clark physically can not use the standard putter. What of that "yips" problem? Ask Adam Scott how that works, could have 2 Claret Jugs too go along with that Green Jacket he won in 2013. Missed putts of short distance, i guess the anchor method helped him didn't it? Still have too read the greens and put the ball in the hole. Who cares how you do it. This hurts the game.... not help it. Professionally, Amateur or just Casual.
5. Shorten the courses, make them easier: 7500 yards. That is how long Chambers Bay was at this years (2015) US Open. Professional Golfers hit the ball miles now a days, much longer then the casual golfer can. Casual golfers should NOT be playing courses above 7000 yards. Just talking about those courses those host PGA events and host casual golfers and those ones who have increases their distance over the years that are public.
6. Lessen technology: Golf tech. has come a long way since the days of Harry Vardon, from wooden clubs and forged irons. Now modern clubs are made and built with advanced materials for increased control, distance and escapes from bad lies. This is one of the few times i'll agree with traditional golf people, however there are ways of mixing traditional methods with modern tech. I'm not saying do away with tech completely but i think it time too find out who benefits from tech. and who doesn't. I know the PGA Tour, USGA and R&A limit what is used in clubs and balls but i think those rules need too be stricter.
7. Changing 'par': The USGA in recent history in their infinite wisdom of changing how many strokes a course is. Say Pebble Beach is normally Par 72, well the USGA 'could' change it too Par 70. Why? Well i do not know... ask them. If it is too make it more "difficult" is lame. Thicker rough? Deeper bunkers? Greens like Teflon? No lets just change Par. Par 4s are Par 5s and Par 5s are Par 4s. Set up the course and leave it ALONE.
8. Fans calling in penalties: This irritates me too end. A golfer breaks the rule that is buried so far down in the rule book but only a fan would know. Ends up costing someone a shot at finishing a tournament. Golfers penalizing themselves i'm fine with. Golfers have more honor for the rules then some other sport people do. It isn't the fans job too do it. Like i said before, the USGA and R&A can hire officials too follow every group and enforce the rules. It isn't the fans job, it the governing bodies job too do so.
This is just the surface but golf has a future. But these problems will hurt golfs future. These problems are easy too fix, but i do not see things changing quickly. Governing bodies have their priorities in the wrong places.
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