Green Books Being Limited...Finally!

[palvord]

http://www.usga.org/articles/2018/07/usga--the-r-a-green-reading-materials-rules-of-golf.html

 

This upcoming ruling makes me very happy.  I have always felt that green books have eliminated the skill of reading greens.  I cannot wait to see how much the putting statistics change now that this skill will need to be used again.

[null]

They should have eliminated all reading material and notes once you get on the putting surface.

 

The new rule is so specific and seems like it's going to cause issues regarding compliance

[cnosil]

I doubt that the putting stats will change very much if at all; I don't believe they have change for many years.

 

Hoping to be very hard to enforce the new rule and I believe they have gone overboard in the proposed limitations on hand written notes. Players will probably use different colors instead of written notes.

 

Can't wait to see the rules official on the first tee reviewing the players books.

[THEZIPR23]

The rule is still a joke. Should have been eliminated all together. You can have a yardage book however IMO all notes for green reading should be done by player. Green reading is an art. 

[Peterpc2828]

Yeah this is so stupid, another USGA flop, they limit the size of the book plus all yardage and green slope books but the player can handwrite all that info himself in his own book, Whattt????? Such a joke don't get this

 

 

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[cnosil]

Yeah this is so stupid, another USGA flop, they limit the size of the book plus all yardage and green slope books but the player can handwrite all that info himself in his own book, Whattt????? Such a joke don't get this

 

 

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They are limited in what they can write in the book. Can't include slope numbers or marks to indicate the amount of slope.

[RickyBobby_PR]

I heard a star on GC last night that putting stats % of make hasn't changed from either 10 or 20 years ago, so even with all the new info it hasn't improved or worsened putting.

 

I think the rule is to subjective and guys that have hand written notes over the last 10 years+ from their playing experiences could be in violation of the rule. USGA and R&A sometimes can't get out of their own way when it comes to rules

[palvord]

I heard a star on GC last night that putting stats % of make hasn't changed from either 10 or 20 years ago, so even with all the new info it hasn't improved or worsened putting.

 

I think the rule is to subjective and guys that have hand written notes over the last 10 years+ from their playing experiences could be in violation of the rule. USGA and R&A sometimes can't get out of their own way when it comes to rules

Valid point.  I just want to see the art and skill of green reading come back as a premium need rather than the over reliance on a pre-made green book.

 

My overall wish is to eliminate them entirely, but I like that they are trying to do something.

[THEZIPR23]

They are limited in what they can write in the book. Can't include slope numbers or marks to indicate the amount of slope.

They can still write whatever they want in their own books, they just can't be replicas of the detailed green map. Policing of this is going to be next to impossible. Another reason the USGA has it's head up it's arse. 

[THEZIPR23]

Yeah this is so stupid, another USGA flop, they limit the size of the book plus all yardage and green slope books but the player can handwrite all that info himself in his own book, Whattt????? Such a joke don't get this

 

 

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Players should absolutely be able to write their own notes. However the notes should come from actual playing/practice rounds and not a detailed diagram from the architect. 

[palvord]

They can still write whatever they want in their own books, they just can't be replicas of the detailed green map. Policing of this is going to be next to impossible. Another reason the USGA has it's head up it's arse. 

R&A is in on this too.  It's a two-headed monster making this ruling...

[cnosil]

They can still write whatever they want in their own books, they just can't be replicas of the detailed green map. Policing of this is going to be next to impossible. Another reason the USGA has it's head up it's arse.

They can not write whatever they want. For example they cannot write details on slopes less than a specified percentage even if they measure it themselves. Basically all they are allowed to have is basic topographical information. There were examples provided by the USGA on what they cannot detail.

 

Here is a link where is shows examples of what is and is not allowed.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/usga-and-the-randa-announce-plan-that-limits-scope-of-green-reading-materials-starting-in-2019

[Shankster]

Old Tom Morris didn't need a greens book.

 

This will help speed up the rounds too. Instead of looking at the thing 18 times for 60 seconds. There's 18 minutes off the round.

[bens197]

This is just another example of how out of touch the USGA has become with today's game. I would love to share a common phrase shared jokingly among the fire service:

 

“100 years of tradition unimpeded by progress.”

 

 

 

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[cnosil]

Old Tom Morris didn't need a greens book.

 

This will help speed up the rounds too. Instead of looking at the thing 18 times for 60 seconds. There's 18 minutes off the round.

Or slow it down because they walk around the hole 36 times for 60 seconds.

[Shankster]

Or slow it down because they walk around the hole 36 times for 60 seconds.

... true but maybe the USGA can “save par” after all.

[Mr. 82]

They should have eliminated all reading material and notes once you get on the putting surface.

 

The new rule is so specific and seems like it's going to cause issues regarding compliance

Don't worry, when asked, the pro in question will tell them it meets the new rules, no questions asked, just like Bernhard Langer and his (not anchored) long putter.  

[THEZIPR23]

They can not write whatever they want. For example they cannot write details on slopes less than a specified percentage even if they measure it themselves. Basically all they are allowed to have is basic topographical information. There were examples provided by the USGA on what they cannot detail.

 

Here is a link where is shows examples of what is and is not allowed.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/usga-and-the-randa-announce-plan-that-limits-scope-of-green-reading-materials-starting-in-2019

Handwritten Notes - Handwritten notes will continue to be allowed, but such notes cannot be used to create either a direct copy or a facsimile (replica) of a detailed green map. (From USGA.) 

 

Traditional yardage books that include basic illustrations showing the outline of greens and include information indicating ridges and general slopes will continue to conform to the Rules of Golf. Players and caddies also can still amend any green-reading materials with certain handwritten notes. These notes, however, cannot be a direct copy or replica of the more-detailed green maps currently in use. (from GD article)

 

There is no verbiage directly stating that players may not hand write slopes with a percentage. The only thing the proposed rule states is that handwritten notes can not be replicas. The proposed rule states that the books themselves may not have this but nothing stating the player may not add their own through their own experience. The question then becomes what can a player tell. The USGA/RA is saying that anything under 4 percent is not discernible by the naked eye and thus not allowed because the only way they would have this information is by making a replica. 

[cnosil]

. The USGA/RA is saying that anything under 4 percent is not discernible by the naked eye and thus not allowed because the only way they would have this information is by making a replica.

It is discernible by feet; that is the premise of aimpoint. Why should a player be limited from adding whatever information they can gather on the course.

[THEZIPR23]

Minimum Slope Indication Limit – A minimum slope indication limit of 4 percent (2.29 degrees) is proposed (this includes lines, arrows, numbers or any other indicators); this will have the effect of eliminating such indicators of slope from those areas of the putting green where the hole is most likely to be positioned (which tend to be cut on reasonably flat sections of the putting green with a degree of slope of less than 3.5 percent - or 2 degrees). This proposed limit also equates roughly with the amount of slope that is readily visible to the naked eye.

 

 

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[THEZIPR23]

Discussions like this are why the decisions book is approaching the size of the tax code.

 

 

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[GB13]

This rule is ridiculous. At least they tried something but this is a total flop. Unenforceable, confusing, and weak. They need to ban them altogether. The USGA will face some major backlash over this.

[palvord]

Discussions like this are why the decisions book is approaching the size of the tax code.

 

 

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You're all welcome

 

 

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[RickyBobby_PR]

Valid point. I just want to see the art and skill of green reading come back as a premium need rather than the over reliance on a pre-made green book.

 

My overall wish is to eliminate them entirely, but I like that they are trying to do something.

I think they still have the skill of green reading but are using info to help make decisions. They still need to execute the right read, spread and stroke.

 

I don't get why people are so agai st pros using information to their advantage. By the thought then distance measuring devices, golf apps that show fly by of holes should be banned because they takeaway the skill of reading the hole layout, wind conditions, course conditions.

 

Or at everyone's job take away tools that aid in executions their task easier

[palvord]

I think they still have the skill of green reading but are using info to help make decisions. They still need to execute the right read, spread and stroke.

 

I don't get why people are so agai st pros using information to their advantage. By the thought then distance measuring devices, golf apps that show fly by of holes should be banned because they takeaway the skill of reading the hole layout, wind conditions, course conditions.

 

Or at everyone's job take away tools that aid in executions their task easier

I appreciate this side of the discussion because humans have always made tools to help them complete activities in a more efficient manner and generally always am for a better tool.

 

It may be irrational, but I am not a fan of the amount of information readily handed to a golf pro. I get that they still need to execute for sure.

 

For example, give me the fastest car in the world and I'll still lose to a trained racer.

 

I guess I more appreciate the art of green reading and putting rather than the science. I know both art and science exist in the game, and I fully appreciate both, I just want to see more art.

 

 

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[fixyurdivot]

Mixed feelings on this one too. Imagine if the USGA had restricted titanium and composites  .  Whatever the advantage these truly afford it is available to all players.  They make notes about many other aspects of each hole, so why not the greens?  It seems the regulations committee is trying to keep everyone happy with this change.

[GB13]

It seems the regulations committee is trying to keep everyone happy with this change.

But in turn they are making no one happy and everyone angry. You either feel like it is too many restrictions or it isn't enough. You can't please everyone, they tried to and pleased no one.

[PlaidJacket]

What I'm I going to add to the conversation? Nothing really. I first read about this over on GolfWRX and thought it was a lame decision by the USGA. I had been hoping for a total ban. 

[NiftyNiblick]

The Dukes of Decrepitude TUE-THURS-FRI Morning Seniors League is in distress over this.

 

On the one hand, not many Dukes do a lot of reading during a round.

Other than racing forms, they don't do much reading at all.

 

On the other hand, USGA Rules are regarded purely as suggestions.