Robert Pierce

There is no doubt that the game has changed since COVID. It reminds me of playing golf during Tiger Mania. The game was incredibly popular at that time then, 2008-09 great recession hit and the amount of play dropped dramatically. I assume that someday this new found popularity will normalize and maybe then they will bring the pin placements back to what the UISGA and the PGA recommend which is no nearer to the edge of the green than 5 paces. Maybe then we can have more makable birdie attempts. Birdies are fun!

I've been playing golf around California for several decades. Shortly after COVID I think we all noticed an large increase in the amount of play on all the courses. Around that time I noticed the pin placements were being placed in the most difficult positions on the greens. Mostly they were placed as close to the edges of the green as possible. Often within as little as 6 or 7 feet. I ask PGA pro at one of the courses why are they doing this because it make the course play considerably more difficult. He responded by saying a study was done and they found that these difficult pin placements created fewer ball marks on the greens. I recently played a course I've played numerous times over the years and the were in nearly impossible locations to get an approach close. Has anyone else noticed this and if so do you feel it is still necessary? Here is a photo of an example;