SortaGolf - Good or Bad for the Game

[benzy2]

I'm one of those sorta golfers. I admit it. I'm as green to golf as it gets. I struggle with the fundamentals and making solid contact. Until I can get those basics down I play sorta golf rules to an extent. As I said I can't make an easy shot yet, let alone a difficult one. Attempting those difficult shots only loses me more golfballs, damages my equipment(depending on the shot), or both. I also play wih people out for a good time. Following every rule slows things WAY down, frustrates us and those behind us, and in general discourages us from playing more often.

I don't plan on ever breaking 80. I play for fun and a bit of exercise in a nice environment. When I play pickup games of basketball, football, tennis, etc. we play for fun which means many rules of the game aren't followed. Golf is just another example.

I do think leagues, tournaments, matches that are more than a friendly outing, or anyone taking the game serious should follow the rules exactly. There is a difference between playing for fun and playing serious and both require different versions of the rules.

I do dislike those people claiming to shoot great scores that play sorta golf. It dilutes the reality of the effort and practice dedicated by those who follow the rules and makes their accomplishments seem more trivial than they actually are.

[flopdarock]

ummm dont a bunch of ppl out on the course already play by these rules?
i played with a guy who pretty much made up his own rules... his idea of a 'drop' was picking up his ball and throwing it onto the fairway and he would only take 2 putts...
i didnt care... it kinda sped up the round... as long as he let me play by the real rules idc...
it just kinda irks me when guys that play like this claim they 'score' better than i did... or they have a 'hcp' lower than mine...
if money is involved its 'real golf' all the way anything else is cheating in my book or they arent getting a penny from me...
like a bunch of ppl in this thread have already said... play the way you wanna play just dont hold me up or affect my play...

[woodzie264]

voted occassionally good- good for beginners to allow for love of game to develop - who cares if they fluff their lie when their learning to play in order to make better contact. If they develop a passion for the game, they'll play by the rules - if they never become serious about it, nothing lost...