The Future of golf

[newtogolf]

Problem with dress code is simple, "you can please some of the people some of the time but not all the people all of the time". If a club changes the policy to allow, lets say for arguments sake, tracksuit bottoms, then they are sure to get enough complaints from "veteran" menbers to change it back.

Im sure at many clubs there will be the "old Guard" of established members who the decision makers listen to,

As far as im concerned as long as you dont look scruffy then all's good. Relax the code a little. Much better than going back to flat caps and plus fours

Most private clubs have found a happy medium with the majority of their members.  I've belonged to 3 different private clubs and their dress codes were identical. No cargo shorts/pants or jeans.  Collared shirt, slacks / golf pants, Bermuda / golf shorts, hat worn with the bill to the front, shirts tucked in.  While I'd like to not have to tuck in my shirt and don't really care how someone wears their hat I think it's best for clubs to maintain minimal dress codes to maintain the image of the club, especially when we bring guests.

[RussUK]

Most private clubs have found a happy medium with the majority of their members.  I've belonged to 3 different private clubs and their dress codes were identical. No cargo shorts/pants or jeans.  Collared shirt, slacks / golf pants, Bermuda / golf shorts, hat worn with the bill to the front, shirts tucked in.  While I'd like to not have to tuck in my shirt and don't really care how someone wears their hat I think it's best for clubs to maintain minimal dress codes to maintain the image of the club, especially when we bring guests.

Agree with no jeans. Not only are they "too casual" but too hot to play in. Over here in the uk some of the cluns are real sticklers for dress code. For example a local "high society" course recently allowed pay and play. Dress code was ok except when it got to summer attire.

Shorts had to be taylored (no bermuda or cargo, fair enough) but could only be worn with either black ankle or white knee high socks. No white sport socks or trainer socks

[pumaAttack]

I won't play in jeans because I find them uncomfortable and hard to move in.    Much too limiting for a golf swing.

I almost always play in shorts.

[jbishop15]

I'd like to see open dress codes; I think they're dumb, personally, though I think golf clothes look better.

[newtogolf]

I'd like to see open dress codes; I think they're dumb, personally, though I think golf clothes look better.

With the exception of private courses and a few muni's, dress codes are pretty open aren't they?

[GolfTheMoon]

Quote:

3. Larger cup size.

I don't know about that. You don't see people talking about increasing the size of the basketball hoop, do you? The point of the game is to get the little ball into the small hole. If we start increasing the size now, where will it end? Will it really add to the fun? Doesn't the difficulty of golf add to the fun? You won't feel nearly as good if it's significantly easier to make putts.

[pumaAttack]

I don't know about that. You don't see people talking about increasing the size of the basketball hoop, do you? The point of the game is to get the little ball into the small hole. If we start increasing the size now, where will it end? Will it really add to the fun? Doesn't the difficulty of golf add to the fun? You won't feel nearly as good if it's significantly easier to make putts.

You hear people talking about making the net larger in hockey...

Sports evolve, keep in open mind.  If somebody wants an easier game, why does it bother you?

[newtogolf]

You hear people talking about making the net larger in hockey...

Sports evolve, keep in open mind.  If somebody wants an easier game, why does it bother you?

They can have an easier game as long is it doesn't affect the game I play currently and want to continue to play in the future.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GolfTheMoon

I don't know about that. You don't see people talking about increasing the size of the basketball hoop, do you? The point of the game is to get the little ball into the small hole. If we start increasing the size now, where will it end? Will it really add to the fun? Doesn't the difficulty of golf add to the fun? You won't feel nearly as good if it's significantly easier to make putts.

You hear people talking about making the net larger in hockey...

Sports evolve, keep in open mind.  If somebody wants an easier game, why does it bother you?

Just what we need, even bigger goalies.

[jbishop15]

With the exception of private courses and a few muni's, dress codes are pretty open aren't they?

I agree, but I would like ALL clubs to have open dress codes. I prefer golf clothes, but I think it's kind of limiting to stop someone from playing golf (and by extension, paying for golf/equipment) because of dress code.

[newtogolf]

I agree, but I would like ALL clubs to have open dress codes. I prefer golf clothes, but I think it's kind of limiting to stop someone from playing golf (and by extension, paying for golf/equipment) because of dress code.

I doubt dress codes are preventing someone from playing golf.  If you don't like the dress code at a private club you don't pay to join it.

[jbishop15]

I doubt dress codes are preventing someone from playing golf.  If you don't like the dress code at a private club you don't pay to join it.

I know from experience they are. Those clothes aren't cheap, nor are the attitudes that come from those who look down on those who don't wear.

As for the bolded part of your statement: okay? The question was what I thought was the future of golf; I said dress codes. I understand that you don't have to join a private club if you don't like their rules. But I do think that it's foolish to turn away dollars because you don't like that Jim is wearing denim shorts or that Carol is wearing flip flops.

[newtogolf]

I know from experience they are. Those clothes aren't cheap, nor are the attitudes that come from those who look down on those who don't wear.

As for the bolded part of your statement: okay? The question was what I thought was the future of golf; I said dress codes. I understand that you don't have to join a private club if you don't like their rules. But I do think that it's foolish to turn away dollars because you don't like that Jim is wearing denim shorts or that Carol is wearing flip flops.

I'm speaking from the perspective of private clubs, if you play public or muni courses you can pretty much wear whatever you want as long as it's not offensive.

As for private clubs, if they feel their dress code policy is impacting membership they will change it rather than go out of business.  Most people that belong to private clubs want to maintain a certain level of decorum.  I don't want to entertain important business clients at a club where Jim is out on the course in sloppy jeans and an old t-shirt.

[phillyk]

1) Changing around golf to be easier or allow people to hit the ball further is just like the discussion on whether to have a different set of rules for pros and amateurs.  The point wasn't to make things easier, but to be able to compare and have competitions that can include all skill levels.  The handicap system is built as such to make competitions more friendly and be able to give yourself a fighting chance if you were to play a pro of some sort.  I'm very traditional i guess in that sense that I don't want to see major changes in cup size, 12 holes seems ridiculous to me, and so on.  I would be flexible with foot golf, night golf, or other fun games so long as they do not interrupt daytime operations.

2) Pace of play is absolutely an issue, especially at my course.  We had to change to being an only cart course, so no walking allowed.  There are severe elevation changes throughout the entire course with some long distances in between holes.  It was almost impossible to walk in 4 hours, none the less walk it without needing to call 911 before getting to the 18th hole.

Even with being an all cart course, we try to maintain a 4.5hr pace, which is almost impossible without a decent marshal when the course gets packed.

3) In terms of courses that should close, it depends on location.  If you live near a big city or in one, there are a ton of golfers and need the options for courses to play.  But more rural courses will struggle when there are too many courses nearby.  For these courses, they rely on public play and won't offer great deals.  Golfnow hurts many courses in our area, because the advertising they give us in turn doesn't nearly help us as much as they would like to think.  A $10 green fee doesn't keep a golf course running in good condition.  When you pay $50 for a round, it's not going straight into the owners pockets, it's going towards upgrading equipment, buying sand, keeping all the equipment, buying parts, etc.

[Aflighter]

All the talk about making golf easier reminds me of the video game cheats.People dont wanna earn their achievements rather have it made easy.The fun part of golf to me is the challenge.If it was easier then id quit out of boredom.

[pumaAttack]

All the talk about making golf easier reminds me of the video game cheats.People dont wanna earn their achievements rather have it made easy.The fun part of golf to me is the challenge.If it was easier then id quit out of boredom.

This isn't about making the game easier for established golfers, its about making it easier to bring in new people.

With your video games, did you start on the hardest level with the hardest settings?  Probably not.  This is more like starting on level 1 with Easy mode.

[Dave2512]

You'd think movements like Get Golf Ready would be more direct in their approach. The goal for snaring new golfers seem to just be getting them out there and turning them loose after a couple vague, basic lessons. IMO these types of golfers need to be directed to courses they can handle, par 3's or maybe courses hosting a GGR night were one side is reserved for them and they put them all the way forward.

I saw a guy and his wife out there Sat and more or less they were torturing themselves. Probably never had a lesson, hitting a succession of really bad shots. On the par 3 hole I caught them on they both hit a couple balls from the tee and it never resulted in a half decent shots. The guy was hitting a ball from the tee side rough that didn't make it to where the cart path crosses the hole to head towards the side of the green not against the hazard. I can't imagine how that would be enjoyable. Not only do they struggle but they seem embarrassed.

[Aflighter]

You'd think movements like Get Golf Ready would be more direct in their approach. The goal for snaring new golfers seem to just be getting them out there and turning them loose after a couple vague, basic lessons. IMO these types of golfers need to be directed to courses they can handle, par 3's or maybe courses hosting a GGR night were one side is reserved for them and they put them all the way forward. I saw a guy and his wife out there Sat and more or less they were torturing themselves. Probably never had a lesson, hitting a succession of really bad shots. On the par 3 hole I caught them on they both hit a couple balls from the tee and it never resulted in a half decent shots. The guy was hitting a ball from the tee side rough that didn't make it to where the cart path crosses the hole to head towards the side of the green not against the hazard. I can't imagine how that would be enjoyable. Not only do they struggle but they seem embarrassed.

Yeah theyre really needs to be a way where newbies can get trained on how to play rather than go on the course to learn because courses seem to be so busy nowadays that they only slow experienced players down.