USGA/R&A Introduce "Modernized" Rules

[jsgolfer]

Although many on here don't like the idea of the flagstick being left in, based on my totally scientific survey (of Springfield G&CC Members, ) , I would say that this is a 90/10 split for it.

Even a couple of the better putters said that it would make them even better putters and didn't care if the poorer putters got a little bit of an advantage, they figured they would get an even better one as they are around the hole more often.

So if everyone at my club voted, they would definitely be for it. 

[Braivo]

1 hour ago, jsgolfer said:

Although many on here don't like the idea of the flagstick being left in, based on my totally scientific survey (of Springfield G&CC Members, ) , I would say that this is a 90/10 split for it.

Even a couple of the better putters said that it would make them even better putters and didn't care if the poorer putters got a little bit of an advantage, they figured they would get an even better one as they are around the hole more often.

So if everyone at my club voted, they would definitely be for it. 

My stance is this, if the rules are the same for everyone then it's fair, period. Doesn't really matter to me which way this goes, though I play a lot of solo rounds and I'd rather not have that tinge of guilt I feel when I leave the stick in to avoid walking 40ft there and back to pull it. 

[nevets88]

Results of rules poll on Geoff Shackelford's blog. 

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2017/3/6/golf-architecture-should-not-get-in-the-way-of-a-stroke-and.html

[Jeremie Boop]

14 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

Results of rules poll on Geoff Shackelford's blog. 

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2017/3/6/golf-architecture-should-not-get-in-the-way-of-a-stroke-and.html

Scorecard related penalties? They think that those rules need changed? Makes no sense to me. I think the other 3 items have been discussed here enough for me to believe that they don't need changed. As much as I hate when I hit it OB changing the penalty for would only artificially lower my score without me actually improving, so I would take no pride in that.

[Rulesman]

4 hours ago, Jeremie Boop said:

As much as I hate when I hit it OB changing the penalty for would only artificially lower my score without me actually improving, so I would take no pride in that.

This

[GolfLug]

On ‎3‎/‎6‎/‎2017 at 10:36 AM, DeadMan said:

Ugh, this is my worst nightmare with these rules. I'm the rules chair for my club, and I'm going to have to fight people thinking the new rules are in place for 2 years. Someone is going to get a penalty for doing something legal under the new rules. And courses/clubs doing things like this do not help.

Put a rather large sign out in the front clarifying when the rules go in effect. Add finger wagging angry face for effect...

[DeadMan]

21 minutes ago, GolfLug said:

Put a rather large sign out in the front clarifying when the rules go in effect. Add finger wagging angry face for effect...

Honestly, that's a pretty good idea. I might do that.

[No Mulligans]

Would it make sense for a trial period to take place?  Say, the rules take effect on Jan 1 2018 on a trial basis and are finalized on Jan 1 2019.  That would allow for some evaluation based on actual experiences.

[NCGolfer]

16 hours ago, boogielicious said:

Last night on Golf Channel they showed IIRC Seminole golf course saying they were going to implement the new rules immediately. Not sure how they can do that.

I wonder if Bob Ford has anything to say about that.  I think he's retired though...

[iacas]

23 hours ago, jsgolfer said:

Although many on here don't like the idea of the flagstick being left in, based on my totally scientific survey (of Springfield G&CC Members, ) , I would say that this is a 90/10 split for it.

Even a couple of the better putters said that it would make them even better putters and didn't care if the poorer putters got a little bit of an advantage, they figured they would get an even better one as they are around the hole more often.

So if everyone at my club voted, they would definitely be for it. 

They like it because deep down they know it makes the game easier.

Not because it'll speed play or make the game "better" at all.

[jsgolfer]

Just now, iacas said:

They like it because deep down they know it makes the game easier.

Not because it'll speed play or make the game "better" at all.

I would agree with that.  Especially on our greens.  Above the hole I would never take the flag out if given the option.

[Blackjack Don]

3 hours ago, iacas said:

They like it because deep down they know it makes the game easier.

Not because it'll speed play or make the game "better" at all.

I strongly disagree with the statement the rule changes will make the game easier. The rules make it harder. Nothing makes it easier. Technology should make the game easier, but it doesn't. Yesterday I was reading Bobby Jones, at 14, was winning tournaments against grown men. His personal best score was 74. Tiger Woods might have been breaking par at 14, but not because the rules were changed. The fact is scores haven't gone down as much as the cost of clubs and balls has risen. Nothing is going to make golf easier.

Making the experience better is a worthy goal, and except for not changing stroke and distance, the consensus is they've done a good job. 

My old man has a saying he's fond of repeating: When the world looks out of step, check your own. You guys are bucking the tide here. It would seem for the wrong reasons. When someone figures out how to make it easy for someone to get a square club face on line at impact, then the game will get easier. Nothing in the rules makes the ball go in the hole. 

3 hours ago, jsgolfer said:

I would agree with that.  Especially on our greens.  Above the hole I would never take the flag out if given the option.

The golfer who needs the game to be easier isn't likely to hit the pin from above the hole. The rule change of leaving the flag in the hole isn't going to make it easier for him, and could make it easier for you, assuming the flag will stop your ball from going twenty feet down the hill. That's where mine often ends up on our bikini-waxed greens. The changes of the ball hitting the flag are 2%. That's not going to make the game easier, for anybody.

[boogielicious]

2 hours ago, Blackjack Don said:

I strongly disagree with the statement the rule changes will make the game easier. The rules make it harder. Nothing makes it easier. Technology should make the game easier, but it doesn't. Yesterday I was reading Bobby Jones, at 14, was winning tournaments against grown men. His personal best score was 74. Tiger Woods might have been breaking par at 14, but not because the rules were changed. The fact is scores haven't gone down as much as the cost of clubs and balls has risen. Nothing is going to make golf easier.

Making the experience better is a worthy goal, and except for not changing stroke and distance, the consensus is they've done a good job. 

My old man has a saying he's fond of repeating: When the world looks out of step, check your own. You guys are bucking the tide here. It would seem for the wrong reasons. When someone figures out how to make it easy for someone to get a square club face on line at impact, then the game will get easier. Nothing in the rules makes the ball go in the hole. 

The golfer who needs the game to be easier isn't likely to hit the pin from above the hole. The rule change of leaving the flag in the hole isn't going to make it easier for him, and could make it easier for you, assuming the flag will stop your ball from going twenty feet down the hill. That's where mine often ends up on our bikini-waxed greens. The changes of the ball hitting the flag are 2%. That's not going to make the game easier, for anybody.

Leaving the flag in increases the chance the ball will go in on a putt. It has been proven. Therefore, it makes it easier to sink a putt. That is what is being discussed, not the overall game.

[iacas]

8 hours ago, Blackjack Don said:

I strongly disagree with the statement the rule changes will make the game easier.

This proposed rules change makes the game easier.

8 hours ago, Blackjack Don said:

Technology should make the game easier, but it doesn't.

Also wrong… and off topic.

8 hours ago, Blackjack Don said:

You guys are bucking the tide here. It would seem for the wrong reasons.

Please understand the context before you make statements like that.

8 hours ago, Blackjack Don said:

The golfer who needs the game to be easier isn't likely to hit the pin from above the hole. The rule change of leaving the flag in the hole isn't going to make it easier for him

Except that it will.

[1badbadger]

10 hours ago, Blackjack Don said:

Nothing is going to make golf easier.

Well, almost nothing...

[mvmac]

15 hours ago, Blackjack Don said:

The rule change of leaving the flag in the hole isn't going to make it easier for him, and could make it easier for you, assuming the flag will stop your ball from going twenty feet down the hill. That's where mine often ends up on our bikini-waxed greens. The changes of the ball hitting the flag are 2%. That's not going to make the game easier, for anybody.

Did you see my video?

 

[Vinsk]

On 3/7/2017 at 1:55 PM, Rulesman said:

This

So answer this please, a left handed golfer hits a slice off the tee, OB. Stroke and distance. A right hander steps up and slices his tee shot into the lateral hazard. So lefty is hitting 3 from the tees. Righty is hitting 3 200-220 yds further down towards the hole. Fair? 

[iacas]

22 minutes ago, Vinsk said:

So answer this please, a left handed golfer hits a slice off the tee, OB. Stroke and distance. A right hander steps up and slices his tee shot into the lateral hazard. So lefty is hitting 3 from the tees. Righty is hitting 3 200-220 yds further down towards the hole. Fair? 

Absolutely.

Only one of those players hit their ball off the golf course.