JM
You are spot on. The reason for "bifurcation" is;
1. It WILL eventually lead to most players playing what balls and euqipment which the pros do
2. It will stop the extension of courses (new and existing) to lengths which are so beyond human ken that we cannot relate to them
Jeff
Amen.
Mark
Well summed up and moved forward, hoipefully.
Rich
Dear formerly Confused,you're very good at this.
We have now,and have probably had for a long time,de facto bifurcation.Not only with equipment,but with all those for whom the rules are just guidelines.No USGA ukase will ever change that.
I guess my issue with de jure bifurcation is that I would prefer to see elite players differentiated ONLY by their skill level.If equipment has skewed the way God intended the game should be played(and I personally think it has),then change the equipment for EVERYONE,from the top down.