USGA/R&A at it again... or still?

[Kenny B 25,110]

The USGA and R&A are considering changes to what information is available to golfers about the greens.  They want the act of green reading to remain an art form.

 

"The R&A and the USGA believe that a player's ability to read greens is an essential part of the skill of putting," the statement read. "Rule 14-3 limits the use of equipment and devices that might assist a player in their play, based on the principle that golf is a challenging game in which success should depend on the judgment, skills and abilities of the player."

 

Ian Poulter believes that greens reading books should be banned.

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15258169.Golf__39_s_governing_bodies_raise_concerns_over_use_of_greens_books/

 

 

 

[Aotearoa_Brad 303]

Ian Poulter can jump in a deep lake with a heavy chain. I agree that green reading should remain an art form, but putting too many restrictions on things like green-reading books or notes might have the opposite effect and make it less of an art form and more of a guess-fest.

[revkev 22,912]

What the USGA doesn't get is that golf is supposed to be fun.

 

 

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[Texas2cap 61]

This is one of those times I agree 100% with the USGA. I've played too many tournaments with these young guys that have a 3 inch thick book in their pocket. They consult it on every putt. I've watched a guy spend 2 minutes reading and consulting for an 8 foot putt. He left it 3 feet short and then started the whole process over again. About 1 minute in, the third player in our group said, "It's the same Damn read as last time."

[Shankster 26,347]

No different than a NFL team watching game tape. These guys are nuts. The rule book is already impossible to comprehend. That's why I follow the Pirates code. Just s set of guidelines. If you followed the rules 100% golf would suck, and there would be 10 hour rounds.

 

It's just like a play book Gents. If I was playing for millions of dollars I would have one or two. And so would you.

 

I do agree that they use them Wayyy to much. I think Reed is the worst for its. Read your book, line up and go. Not 200 times per green/shot.

 

 

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[Shankster 26,347]

I see now why many people give up or don't start golf to begin with.

 

 

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[jlukes 13,606]

I agree with them. Having essentially topographic map of each green available during each putt is ridiculous. Of course they should have then and study them during practice rounds and in between rounds, but looking at it before every putt is ridiculous.

[dadivots 336]

Poulter has always been a jackass dressed up like a clown. Most people out there know this.

People reading putts for 5 minutes out of a book on the weekend at the local dog track need to join their own league. Lets call it the paralysis by analysis league. We can throw them in with the more money than sense league.

As far as USGA and R&A; Drama by over paid self important baffoons and the educated idiots they are, or deal with all around them, as always.

Its time to walk away from the fools that invade your game or get put in a foresome with you. Afterall, your paying to put up with their stupidity.

[dadivots 336]

And I will add a player cant pick his nose without a caddy telling how and where.

Hogan, Arnie, and the rest had commented on this before and rather mockingly.

It is a case of group think down to the local level for the herd.

[bullldog 1,385]

IMO: actually golf is a game of skill, it wasn't intended to be a game of fun for the masses.Fun is what you make of it. It's a simple game, start here & try to put in a hole there in the least amount of shots. Play it as it lies. But like everything in life people trying to circumvent the rules so the rule book ends up reading like a attorneys deposition.

The greats of old didn't need books & take all day to play & they shot scores that are similar to today's.

This is my short answer but it does entail more than that.

 

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[Shankster 26,347]

IMO: actually golf is a game of skill, it wasn't intended to be a game of fun for the masses.Fun is what you make of it. It's a simple game, start here & try to put in a hole there in the least amount of shots. Play it as it lies. But like everything in life people trying to circumvent the rules so the rule book ends up reading like a attorneys deposition.

The greats of old didn't need books & take all day to play & they shot scores that are similar to today's.

This is my short answer but it does entail more than that.

 

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I had a lapse of reasoning. This is what I meant to say. The greats didn't need them, or 460cc drivers or "forgiving" irons. Well said bulldog!

 

 

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[bullldog 1,385]

Yeah, equipment is a whole nother ball of wax. LMAO. I do agree but will/do take advantage of it. HEHEHE

 

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[BGE89 14]

I find it a bit silly the way some of the players use their yardage books. If you need a totpographic map to read a greeen you are either A) Not going to last very long on the PGA Tour or Have all the skills but an awful mental game and you need something or someone to prevent you from second guessing yourself.

 

The mental side of golf should be and is the hardest part of the game. I really don't think this rule would make much of a difference to players putting stats but I do think it will speed up the game at the tour level. If you're a competitive amateur and you are hauling out your yardage book for every putt, you're a joke.

[Shankster 26,347]

Yeah, equipment is a whole nother ball of wax. LMAO. I do agree but will/do take advantage of it. HEHEHE

 

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Ok, so I got a little carried away with the equipment. Haha

 

 

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[sixcat 3,634]

The USGA and R&A are considering changes to what information is available to golfers about the greens.  They want the act of green reading to remain an art form.

 

"The R&A and the USGA believe that a player's ability to read greens is an essential part of the skill of putting," the statement read. "Rule 14-3 limits the use of equipment and devices that might assist a player in their play, based on the principle that golf is a challenging game in which success should depend on the judgment, skills and abilities of the player."

 

Ian Poulter believes that greens reading books should be banned.

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15258169.Golf__39_s_governing_bodies_raise_concerns_over_use_of_greens_books/

I can make an argument that compiling detailed drawings of green complexes is an art form within itself.  I can also make an argument that those books should not be offered for sale or duplicated for another player. In my opinion they should be complied by the player for personal use and not sold on the open market, loaned or given to other competitors.

 

With that said, the USGA and R&A should stick with honest assessments rather than trying to sell something as "speeding up the game".  This isn't going to speed up play for the masses and will only affect the 1% who are touring professionals and elite amateurs.  The USGA and R&A have, in my opinion, lost sight of what should be their main focal point, the average amateur golfer.

[revkev 22,912]

I see now why many people give up or don't start golf to begin with.

 

 

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Yep exactly this

 

 

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[mrsmith123 584]

I have firmly believed that aspects of the game of golf should improved with the times. Golf yardage books have been a great invention for people who don't know a golf course very well or want to collect a piece of memorabilia (some now are 3D looking which is awesome). I'm okay with booklets that show in depth layouts of greens for casual golf or even practice rounds, but we have to draw the line at some point. Here is what I would propose if I had the authority:

 

A. USGA establishes two sets of rules for "informational books, drawings, or literature" that golfers may use. In this it would dictate that anything is acceptable during non-competitive rounds.

B. For competitive rounds players and caddies are not allowed to look at any booklet, literature, or device to assist them once their ball has come to rest on the fringe or putting surface.

 

Cheers

Burk

 

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[Canucklehead 1,634]

Taking the books away will either:

 

- Speed up play. Not having something to show you a putt may do one thing when your eyes see it might do something else could cause them to not second guess and play the line the golfer and caddy see to begin with.

 

Or

 

- Slow play even more because they don't have something to reference so they take extra time in reading the green

 

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[Kenny B 25,110]

I can make an argument that compiling detailed drawings of green complexes is an art form within itself.  I can also make an argument that those books should not be offered for sale or duplicated for another player. In my opinion they should be complied by the player for personal use and not sold on the open market, loaned or given to other competitors.

 

With that said, the USGA and R&A should stick with honest assessments rather than trying to sell something as "speeding up the game".  This isn't going to speed up play for the masses and will only affect the 1% who are touring professionals and elite amateurs.  The USGA and R&A have, in my opinion, lost sight of what should be their main focal point, the average amateur golfer.

The greens books are for sale.  If most pros have them, and someone who has never played the course before doesn't, they are at a distinct disadvantage.  So they have to buy one.  The other option is to ban their use all together.

 

They can be made/used during practice rounds; they can be made before a tournament by the caddie or pro.  To me it's information that is generally available and if they want to create a book with that information, go for it.  More difficult when multiple courses are played like ATT Pebble Beach Pro-Am or CareerBuilder Challenge.

 

Pros are taking a long time to read putts, but I don't think these books are slowing down play.  They have 40 sec to hit the ball.  Spend the time reading the putt, or spend it all reading a book; makes no difference to me.  Longer than 40 sec = "on the clock" warning.

[sixcat 3,634]

The greens books are for sale.  If most pros have them, and someone who has never played the course before doesn't, they are at a distinct disadvantage.  So they have to buy one.  The other option is to ban their use all together.

 

They can be made/used during practice rounds; they can be made before a tournament by the caddie or pro.  To me it's information that is generally available and if they want to create a book with that information, go for it.  More difficult when multiple courses are played like ATT Pebble Beach Pro-Am or CareerBuilder Challenge.

 

Pros are taking a long time to read putts, but I don't think these books are slowing down play.  They have 40 sec to hit the ball.  Spend the time reading the putt, or spend it all reading a book; makes no difference to me.  Longer than 40 sec = "on the clock" warning.

I get they are for sale but should they be?  I am not sure of the answer, just stating that I can make an argument against the sale of detailed books.  I also believe experience shouldn't play a factor in that decision.  

 

Everyone begins a career at a disadvantage to some degree as the old adage suggests, "youth is wasted on the young".  If an inexperienced player should qualify, the keys to the kingdom shouldn't just be handed over or available for purchase.  Said player should have to learn how to prepare.  It's a big part of the professional game.  I am a fan of younger players seeking out advice from older players just not using their yardage and green complex diagrams.  

 

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime!