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"Back in Jack's day you had local pros and club champions playing in tournaments." Any evidence of this? Certainly, pre-qualifying was available prior to the all-exempt tour, (with not that many places available). The first Q-school was in 1965. The PGA Tournament Players Division was created in December 1968.

What is "Terrible Putting" is very much a personal assessment. I have more rounds with a least one three-putt than without. As with all golfers I have good days when a number drop and I score well. The real problem is often lag putting from a distance. I three-putt when the first putt leaves a missable one to the hole, (rather than yip a short one). This is where tour standard players have a completely different game. Tour players are excellent lag putters. Yes, they make mistakes. Yes, they three-putt, but far fewer times than handicap players. 1 Freddie Jacobsen - 7 three-putts in 48 rounds. T50 Andres Gonzales - 36 three-putts in 86 rounds. In general they are playing on faster greens to difficult positions. There is a YouTube video of Rory McIlroy sinking 55 consecutive 10 feet putts. The answer is to improve technique and practice. I suspect the reality is that handicap golfers practice their swing far more than putting. How often is the pro asked for a lesson on putting ? This, as the stats show, is the area a tour player cannot be remotely below average and survive. College golfers are often given the exercise of sinking 100 consecutive 3 foot putts - comment "getting up to the 80 odd mark was not the problem, it was the last dozen or so where the pressure built up, lip out on 99 and you go back to the beginning." Jordan Speith is averaging 27.74 putts per round, you have to go 188 in the list to find someone averaging 30 putts a round. I get under 30 putts a round once or twice a year when everything goes down (and I chip a few close).

No. In random order : 1) A golfer's reputation is largely based upon winning Majors. 2) Each of the majors is run by a different golfing organization and poses it's own individual examination. They are played on exceptional, very often classic, courses. 3) History, Tradition and Prestige bring their own pressure. A major win ranks higher than any other tournament. Multiple Major winners are true greats. 4) The season for many begins with the Masters. Any true golfing fan knows when the Majors are held, they have their own identity. 5) Possible misquotes - " I don't remember Sandy Lyle winning the Players', but I do remember him winning the Masters." Sandy Lyle again - "q : Sandy, what does the British Open have that the Player's doesn't ? a : About 125 years."

In the Decisions Book (Appendix 1 B/8) "Generally such dropping zones should be provided as an additional relief option to those available under the Rule itself rather than being mandatory." This is followed by a specimen Local Rule. Essentially the use of a dropping zone should be made clear in the Local rules of the club.

Top Flite Gamer is not usually available in the UK. You could try Callaway Chrome Soft or TaylorMade Project(a). At your (and my level) ball selection depends very much upon "try it and see" experimentation. Buy a couple of tubes and change for the back nine. I would recommend experimentation during actual play rather than on the practice ground. Good Luck.

The Rules of Golf have to cover ever possible situation. The reality is that on the course there are probably a dozen situations which occur and need a clear decision. The problem is that the majority of golfers have never read the rules of golf, or the definitions, and pick up their understandings (?) on an ad hoc basis. The Rules of Golf are written in very clear language. Comments such as "another stupid rule" come from those who cannot be bothered to make the effort to understand them. The actuality is that the rules are there to help and improve the pleasure of playing the game. It is in your own interest to learn and understand the Rules.