13 Comments

1. 

   benseattle

   Jan 11, 2019 at 3:42 pm

   These two guys sound like complete wimps. All the talk about the new rule allowing tamping down of spike marks merely reveals Knudson and Westphal to be dainty, delicate pansies. If you see even ONE spike mark in today’s world of soft plastic cleats and spikeless rubber soles, it’s a rare find. When a lot of us grew up in the game, metal spikes were standard and believe me, THOSE were the days when you could find ripped up, chewed up greens. (Watch the Masters’ highlights from 1986. On 12 Jack Nicklaus has a par putt that’s brutally deflected by a real spike mark. Jack misses and then SMASHES his putter down into the offending stalagmite.) Today’s greens, by comparison, are smooth as glass. Quit yer bitchin’.

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2. 

   TeeBone

   Jan 9, 2019 at 1:31 pm

   Before, there were 34 rules. And golfers didn’t know any of them. Now there’s only 28 rules that golfers won’t know.

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3. 

   Bill

   Jan 9, 2019 at 11:57 am

   I think the green reading book is cheating. I have always heard that of course design was to make reading greens difficult.
   I think they should be able to use the books and whatever else they want during practice rounds. Once the start the tournament, no books allowed. Seems to me like the biggest mistake they made in the new rules changes.

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   • 

     Adrian

     Jan 10, 2019 at 1:47 am

     Even if you know the break…the percentages say you are still likely to miss more than make outside of about 6 feet. Having the greens mapped speeds up things. Can you imagine how long a Pro would grind over a putts if they didn’t have at least an idea of the break from their greens book!

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4. 

   ChipNRun

   Jan 8, 2019 at 9:11 pm

   I think the rules changes will speed up pace of play in local Amateur Circuit events. Flagstick rule and local rule for OB – drop at line rather than go back to tee – will save lots of time.

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   • 

     Simms

     Jan 9, 2019 at 5:52 pm

     I do not know anyone in the men’s club that is going to take a 2 shot penalty, everyone I have ever played with would rather go back and tee off again because everyone knows that next tee shot is going farther. Right or wrong that drop for the out of bounds tee shot leaves you 165 yards from the green, but another chance of the tee may put you within 140 yards of the green….that is how 95% of golfers think and your still hitting your 4th shot….

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     • 

       ChipNRun

       Jan 14, 2019 at 6:53 pm

       Depends on the course you play, and who is in group.

       My home course is a residential development layout, and we have 14 holes with OB left and hazard right. Two other holes have OB right. If the tees are back on a couple of the holes, the landing area chokepoint between OB and H can be pretty tight. Some will opt for 2-stroke + drop.

       Also, I play half my rounds with the Seniors group – and I mean senior. Other than me and two others, everyone is well into their 70s and has no desire to drive back to the tee box and re-hit.

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5. 

   Nicholas Gerstner

   Jan 8, 2019 at 4:24 pm

   $70 for a fitting? hahah! I wish

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6. 

   the dude

   Jan 8, 2019 at 3:15 pm

   Yes….Yes it will help the average golfer…….keep the flagstick in……get to the green ….putt out…or give it a first putt (while i’m greenside).

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7. 

   kevin

   Jan 8, 2019 at 3:06 pm

   i think the majority of amateurs playing the casual game with friends don’t really care about the nuances of certain rules.

   i like the flagstick in rule. i think the criticism has been that it can cause issues when some want it in and some want it out. i don’t really see many really being adamant one way or another. i think this leads to those who are waiting on the green for someone to tend the putt being able to go ahead and hit their lag putt, hopefully quickening the pace of play.

   i think the drop from the knee is utterly absurd. if the goal is to simplify, just allow the player to place the ball. they are taking a penalty stroke. the drop from the knee not only looks dumb but i don’t think will change much on slopes where the ball rolls.

   if we want to improve the game, roll back the ball. professional golf is going downhill as the best players are becoming ordinary as the game becomes nothing more than a long drive competition for those who are above average putters.

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   • 

     Simms

     Jan 8, 2019 at 8:07 pm

     I belong to two Senior men’s Clubs and YES stick in or out it a BIG PAIN…also got to remember we play on public courses that do not have the ability or money to make sure pins sit in the middle perfect on every green…how many public courses have pins so bent you could hit a 50 foot putt that would normally run off the green into the lake but the pin is so off center the ball strikes the pin spins sideways and instead of a double boggy and you win the match your partner makes par and you buy…..

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     • 

       Bill

       Jan 9, 2019 at 11:43 am

       If you are going to lose a lot of sleep over your scenario you might want to change sports.

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   • 

     Bill

     Jan 9, 2019 at 11:51 am

     I think the knee high drop is great. Too many drops from shoulder high with intent to make the ball roll more than two club lengths so it can be carefully placed. Or dropped so it rolls closer to the hole by an inch and then gets to be placed.
     And DeChambeau acting like he just couldn’t get a handle on how to drop from knee high is laughable. I think the “scientist” will figure it out. In time. :-/
     He has figured out how to use the book on the greens.

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