In the big scheme of things this thread isn't all that significant. It's a putter shoe, that's it. It's got a controversial symbol on it – some people find it acceptable (most of the folks posting here do), some don't (me). I'll spare you the history lesson and the counter arguments to posts above. Providing people history lessons on the internet, while perhaps well intentioned, comes across as condescending. It assumes I do not know how to use google, or like in my case, that I haven't been teaching US History for the past decade.
I enjoy reading opinions and sharing thoughts and ideas. But I'm not much for argument, or debates that I know won't convince anyone to change any of their ideas. So why post this if I am not trying to convince anyone of anything, who cares then. Probably very few people – this is mostly a selfish post on my end. It's for me to say thanks for affording me the fun time I've been able to have on this site for a pretty long time, and explain why I won't be back.
Even when folks disagree with a member (like me) no one really piled on or attacked, I appreciate that. The conversation was civil the entire time. That type of dialogue is almost non-existent on the internet. This particular thread though left a bad taste in my mouth. You are probably thinking it's the history lesson that rubbed me the wrong way, or the explanations for why I have interpreted the symbol incorrectly. Nope, that wasn't it. You'll notice that for a good bit of time there Rookie had the last word. It's his thread, figured what the heck. Say what you want. Here is what did it, a couple of additional members then posted (as it's well within there right to) and expressed their admiration of the putter shoe. Nuanced details being what they are, in my brain we are now expressing support for the symbol on it – not the fine quality of the stitching.
We've been talking a lot about how to grow the game and be more welcoming – golf hasn't lost a player, but the message board has. I'll leave you with a fact about how this symbol makes me feel – not welcome. It's a powerful symbol, and there is one thing we can't debate and that's how it makes me feel. The fact a symbol I personally have such a hard time with has been so strongly well received on here caught me off guard. And that's ok, I'm allowed to be caught off guard. Happens with lots of my shots on the golf course! Take care gentleman.