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[Melvyn Hunter Morrow]

The following is a draft of the Ten Golfing Commandments.  Please feel free to suggest your own. Cheating is covered by the 9th Commandment and all architects and designers, not to mention clients are asked to strictly uphold all with particular reference to  commandments 1 to 6 and not forgetting 10.



The Ten Golfing Commandments.

1.   You shall only Walk unless unable by act of God
2.   You shall build courses only on Land Fit For Purpose
3.   You shall not build courses in excess of 6,500 yards
4.   You shall not ride in carts (unless for medical reasons) nor build cart tracks
5.   You shall not use any sort of distance aids and use your God's given gifts
6.   You shall not have Island Greens or trees, pond on the fairways
7.   You shall not misuse the name of Golf to cover wheeled sports
8.   You must show proper consideration for others on a golf course
9.   You must not give false evidence on your scorecard
10.   You must honour the history and traditions of the Great Game of Golf

Failure to uphold these may damage your health (watch Tigers temper tantrum) and reduce the quality of our game of golf as we have known and played it for centuries – IMHO.

Melvyn

[Alex Miller]

Good stuff Melvyn. 


But why is there a 6,500 yard limit? That's just as bad as an architect limiting themselves to at least 7,000 yards. 

[Melvyn Hunter Morrow]

Alex

I had looked to the old records and nearly went to 5,500 yards, but thinking of those who love to hit the hell out of the ball from the Tees I thought it would be the best compromise - also best distance to play 36 holes in a day with a good lunch - right Mr McBride

Melvyn

[Bill_McBride]

Alex

I had looked to the old records and nearly went to 5,500 yards, but thinking of those who love to hit the hell out of the ball from the Tees I thought it would be the best compromise - also best distance to play 36 holes in a day with a good lunch - right Mr McBride

Melvyn

These days I am very happy at 6200 - 6500 yards, but there are many who are not challenged at that length.  A variety of tees with flexibility is the best approach to the distance issue, but most important is Polonius' advice: to thine own self be true (i.e. don't play the back tees for vanity!).

Only 3 commandments prohibiting the use of carts?  You can do better than that! 

[Jim_Kennedy]

1. Thou shalt remember that thee are not Me

[Tom_Doak]

Melvyn:

There are somewhere on the order of 15,000 courses in the world that are over 6,500 yards long.  Including St. Andrews.

I would love to build ONE course under 6,500 yards to show what we could do at that length, and perhaps someday I'll have the chance.  [The last three clients I've asked all said "no way."]  But to say that NO course should be over 6,500 yards in very near-sighted.  Perhaps you should just embrace living in the 21st century instead of wishing it were the 19th.

[Tim Leahy]

Lighten up Melvyn!
Next you will want to ban beer and women from golf courses!

[David_Tepper]

Melvyn -

If you want to reduce the number of golf courses by 2/3's and reduce the number of people playing golf by 3/4's, commandments #1 thru #8 are a great idea!

DT

[Mac Plumart]

Ok...I'm new, so I am not 100% sure when you guys are joking or not.  But just in case you guys are really getting mad at Melvyn, I have to say that I asked him to put together a complete list of sins/commandments in the thread titles something like "Another Hole ruined by a tree"

Based on that request, he posted this thread.  I think he is being funny and not serious (at least not 100% serious).

He also requested others to have their Ten Commandments, so here are mine...

#1---Hole out all putts
#2---No Mulligans off of the first tee
#3---Know the architect(s) of the course you are playing
#4---Fix ball marks on the green
#5---Play ready golf, if there is even the slightest chance of someone having to wait on you
#6---Leave a bunker in better shape than you found it
#7---Always make sure you have extra batteries for your laser range finder
#8---Make sure you load the course you are going to play into your GPS the night before you play it
#9---Play the tips reagrdless of how far you hit the ball becasue real men play the tips!!!
#10--I can't think of any more funny ones...sorry!

In all honesty, 1-5 are legit.

Also, Tom Doak said he wanted to design a 6,500 course to show what he could do.  BABY!!!!!!!!!!  That would be sweet.  I think someone of his stature could convince someone to let him do it and I think it could be amazing and open a lot of peoples eyes...Who was it that said...

"it isn't how far, but how good"

[Bill_McBride]

Ok...I'm new, so I am not 100% sure when you guys are joking or not.  But just in case you guys are really getting mad at Melvyn, I have to say that I asked him to put together a complete list of sins/commandments in the thread titles something like "Another Hole ruined by a tree"

Based on that request, he posted this thread.  I think he is being funny and not serious (at least not 100% serious).  Melvyn is a wonderful guy, but his mission to reform American golf without ever coming over here to play it with us might be a bit self-righteous - or at the very least a bit misguided.

He also requested others to have their Ten Commandments, so here are mine...

#1---Hole out all putts  Even in match play?
#2---No Mulligans off of the first tee
#3---Know the architect(s) of the course you are playing  You don't  want to know some of them!
#4---Fix ball marks on the green
#5---Play ready golf, if there is even the slightest chance of someone having to wait on you
#6---Leave a bunker in better shape than you found it
#7---Always make sure you have extra batteries for your laser range finder
#8---Make sure you load the course you are going to play into your GPS the night before you play it
#9---Play the tips reagrdless of how far you hit the ball becasue real men play the tips!!!
#10--I can't think of any more funny ones...sorry!

In all honesty, 1-5 are legit.  See above!

Also, Tom Doak said he wanted to design a 6,500 course to show what he could do.  BABY!!!!!!!!!!  That would be sweet.  I think someone of his stature could convince someone to let him do it and I think it could be amazing and open a lot of peoples eyes...Who was it that said...

"it isn't how far, but how good"

[Garland Bayley]

Melvyn -

If you want to reduce the number of golf courses by 2/3's and reduce the number of people playing golf by 3/4's, commandments #1 thru #8 are a great idea!

DT

David,

What's your proof?

[Anthony Gray]

  Always wear something orange.

[Mac Plumart]

Bill...

Fair enough on Melvyn's mission, but I just wanted to let people know that I asked him to do it and the way I asked was in a light-hearted way. 

Bill...holing out putts in match play...you got me on that one!

Mac

[Jason McNamara]

Ah Melvyn, you have this wonderful talent to make the perfect the enemy of the good.  I have to admit, I am relieved you're not related to other Scots:

Melvyn Hunter Fleming: "All antibiotics other than penicillin are not true medicine.  Only quacks use vancomycin."

Melvyn Hunter Watt: "Airplanes are the devil's work: they canna be powered by steam engines."

Melvyn Hunter Napier: "Curses be to the inventor of the calculator."


Please know I'd share a 'proper' round with you any time.   

[Ian_Linford]

#1 Be respectful of others and the course.
#2 Have fun.

[Bill Brightly]

Here are a few that might make my list

NEVER take a divot on a practice swing on the tee. (If you do, conceed the hole!)
Fix three ballmarks on every green. Leave the course in better shape because you played that day.
One practice swing only.
Wipe your feet when you leave a bunker
Kill every white pine that you see. If no white pines, a spruce will do, unless in Canada.

[David Stamm]

Thou shalt not let Rees or Fazio touch a classic course.

[Tom MacWood]

1.   You shall only Walk unless unable by act of God
2.   You shall build courses only on Land Fit For Purpose
3.   You shall not build courses in excess of 6,500 yards
4.   You shall not ride in carts (unless for medical reasons) nor build cart tracks
5.   You shall not use any sort of distance aids and use your God's given gifts
6.   You shall not have Island Greens or trees, pond on the fairways
7.   You shall not misuse the name of Golf to cover wheeled sports
8.   You must show proper consideration for others on a golf course
9.   You must not give false evidence on your scorecard
10.   You must honour the history and traditions of the Great Game of Golf

I like 1, 4, 8, 9, and 10. I don't understand 5 or 7.

I'd add you shall not misuse the name of OTM, or any other legend, to promote your golf course.

[JC Jones]

The lawyer side of me would advise you to amend #1 as I think "act of God" is susceptible to several interpretations that you do not intend and does not have the preclusive effect desired.

[Bob_Huntley]

I think Melvyn's coda is a good start. Personally my commandment would be in the singular. Smell the flowers and enjoy the day. What more need be said?

Bob

[Anthony Gray]

I think Melvyn's coda is a good start. Personally my commandment would be in the singular. Smell the flowers and enjoy the day. What more need be said?

Bob

  The spirit of the game lies in this post.

 AG

[Mike Benham]

#1 and #4 are redundant ...

[Will MacEwen]

Is cycling a wheeled sport?  I really don't get the connection there.

Here is a good one:

If the way other people play has no direct impact on you, don't preach about how they are playing and why your concept of golf is not only superior, but the singular definition of real golf.

[DMoriarty]

I think Melvyn's coda is a good start. Personally my commandment would be in the singular. Smell the flowers and enjoy the day. What more need be said?

Bob

2.  No flowers.

But I can live with the rest.

[Mike Wagner]

NO full practice swing.
Always let faster players play through.

[Melvyn Hunter Morrow]

As Mac mentioned he suggested that I make a list, I took it in the manner it was made and produced my ‘tongue in cheek’ list of my The Ten Golfing Commandments.

I am surprised by the reaction of some, however I really should not be when we consider that the fundamental part of the game is totally prostituted through the wishes and desires of a number of large lazy, selfish and inconsiderate people. They are willing to change the face of golf to suit their purposes, then attack those who point out that golf is a walking game.

If totally able bodied and you ride in a cart when playing what you call golf, then you have betrayed the principal way the game has been played for Centuries. Moan, complain, call me names do what the hell you want but that betrayal of golf is totally down to you, has nothing to do with me apart from daring to expose the great nearly unspoken secret that carting is not GOLF.

You and your fellow carters have deliberately set out to change the game, IMO to undermine its basic values and the rewards the game of golf gives the player. So don’t come up with excuses, just be man enough to admit it. If you can still face being honest call your game cartgolf or cartballing but not golf for the very fact that you ride and do not walk. 

As for my topic, I would like to answer some of the replies

Bill
“To thine own self be true”  I am trying to practice the very thing. Regrettable those who say they love the game of golf then go and hop onto a cart and ride around the course breaking with centuries of tradition of walking. Do not remember you sprouting your words of wisdom at them, but then let’s not forget I have been branded as anti American as well as my comments and opinions being described as ranting.   

Jim
“Thou shalt remember that thee are not Me” Happily, most happily, I can never match a man that by the very fact of walking (or is that riding) into a room can turn cream for the coffee sour within 50 ft of him.

Tom
Because 15,000 courses are over a certain length does not make them right, perhaps one day you will be allowed to prove your worth to golf (not that I am saying you have not). I happily live in the 21st Century with the ability of playing many links courses (when my body allows) that far outweigh some of the expensive modern rubbish that has been produced over the last 40 years. Thank God for Scotland and the rest of GB&I. As for nearsighted, I feel that would be a better claim to fame that being part of the generation that over saw the demise of great golf course design. Thank God its only opinions that are being passed around.

Tim
Alcohol would be covered by one of the sub sections under Commandment 8
As for Women, they my friend, have equal rights to men in my eyes.

David
You may well be right and if that is the cost, then so be it – could result in seeing the 3 to 3.5 hour round come back into play. That alone in some places could be a good reason to endorse the Golfing Commandments

Mac
I blame you for all this and I have not forgotten and taken into account that you ride and use artificial aids. The flames of hell shall burn around you for a day short of eternity, then I will take you out for lunch and show you how to play real mans golf, on TOC. Don’t worry we will both have to help the other around the course.

Bill
I am not on a mission to do anything re American Golf. In fact, I am more than happy you have called it American Golf as that is all the distinction I was or would be after. As for self righteous or a bit misguided, that label is more appropriate on those who wish to change the game from centuries of walking to riding. However if it is your sincere opinion, then I regret it but it will have no baring on our friendship (if indeed it still exists)

Garland
Thank you, the cheque is in the post, but can’t you do something with the orange pants, perhaps more appropriate do something to the guy who wears them. He is given American Golf a bad name over here unlike Bill who is the classic rogue model (ops or should that have been roll model).

Anthony
Stick and stones (Woods & Irons) may break my bones but colours will never hurt me (if I am wearing my shades on the course). After a few hours in the pub, I would have no problem with orange, pink etc.   

Jason
Public Enemy No1 or a Defender of the Faith is more how I may see it, whatever if it keep walking as the prime way of playing golf world wide, then call me what you want. I may be too old to play you when we may finally meet, would it be OK if I use a cart, but then it would not be a proper game of golf.

Ian
Good Call, but by walking when you play you are already have fun (laughing at the able bodied guys on the carts who think they are playing golf, he, he)

Bill Brightly
More than fair minded of you. However, why allow one swing when none should be the order of the day. Good call on the rest, but killing is more than being a traditionalist/purist and should only be reserved for drunks on carts, even that is too good for them.

David
Amen to that

Tom Mac
We have never agree upon so many points, as for #5 its requires the use of eyes, brain, body co-ordination, something we do naturally from the time we wake in the morning until we go to sleep at night – well excluding those that need to use distance aids to do their thinking for them. As for #7 that refers to Golf as a walking game vs. riding which IMHO should be called cartballing or cartgolf but is not golf in its true meaning or sense.

JC
Prove he/she does not exist and I am with you on that one

Bob
You have a good point; I just wish we did not need any
   
Orange Man
He is already at the spirits at this time in the morning

Mike
No, not redundant far from it, bloody needed and soon or the self righteous will inherited the golf courses

Will
Great big ******* cart track all over the courses, carts scattered on fairways fast wearing it out, idiots pacing distance slowing the game, no impact on how I am playing! Are you the Rip Van Winkle of the golfing world – Tom D, here is the individual who is living in the 19th Century

David M
Please to hear you can live with the rest saves me the cost of a hit man
as I don’t have time to discuss it over a 100 pages or so.

Mike W
Goes without saying

In closing, I address all those over 50 golfers who started playing in the 50’s-60’s when carts, cart tracks, distance aids, long courses etc did not blight our courses. Remember the early days and why you have played golf ever since, was it for the love of the new toys (that make life easier for the modern golfer) or was it for the fun and pleasure it gave you in walking, judging distance naturally and being able to play at least two round in a day. Those halcyon day of you, the course, of the equipment that worked with each hole and all with no outside distractions. That was golf, that is golf, why are you happily watching it change, yet content to watch nearly all the other sports you are interested in remaining relatively unchanged. This is the part I do not understand, it has nothing to do with being anti anything.  Nevertheless, while I am not a lone voice, I am aware that I am only part of small minority in today’s world of modern golf where money is more important than the game.

Melvyn

PS The Colours, if any reflect just the colours and nothing else.

[Mac Plumart]

I am not getting into any of the fighting at all.  To each there own and God bless you all, but I will say this...

One of the last times I played, I was paired up with a guy who was walking.  I thought of Melvyn, Rob Rigg, and all the others on this site.  In fact, I asked him if he had heard of the "Walking Golfer" website.  He said he hadn't, so I told him to check it out.

However, as I watched him play I thought to myself..."one day I'm going to do that"...so take it for what it is worth, I see the point that golf was originally a walking game.  I don't think everyone needs to walk to be called a golfer and maybe I am simply jealous of those who walk...but I have a goal of becoming a walking golfer...at least a part time walker.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Moses Morrow,
If you owned a range finder you'd know how far away you are from your sense of humour. 

[Donal OCeallaigh]

These days I am very happy at 6200 - 6500 yards, but there are many who are not challenged at that length.

Bill:

I agree with you on the 6200-6500 yds courses. What I wonder is, who are these guys that are not challenged by a 6200-6500 yds course? I know of some former scratch and +1 and +2 golfers (one is a former Irish Close Champion) and they would never turn their noses up at 6200-6500 yds course. In my opinion, these "7000+ only" guys should move onto the 7000 yds course when they routinely score 4 or 5 under on a 6500 yds course. This means they should be plus handicappers.

If any 5 handicapper or above insists on playing 7000+ courses from the back tees, well I think they need to get their heads examined.

Dónal.

[Melvyn Hunter Morrow]

Mac

Don’t think of me when playing golf, you do not want to upset your game, however I will say that the courage you are displaying show quality and certainly deserves support. Keep the good work up and keep posting.

Melvyn

PS I note the list of books from Dónal, but some are very expensive. I have not checked recently but the one on the life of Tom Morris was selling about 18 months ago for £3,000. The well used copy I had was falling apart but still valued at £980 pre being rebound.

Jim

Don't have one but I may have hit the target without

[Donal OCeallaigh]

PS I note the list of books from Dónal, but some are very expensive. I have not checked recently but the one on the life of Tom Morris was selling about 18 months ago for £3,000. The well used copy I had was falling apart but still valued at £980 pre being rebound.

Melyvn:

Yes, the originals would cost a fortune. That's why the the pdf versions on the archive.org website are an option. I recently got a new 2008 edition of Bernard Darwin's "The Golf Courses of the British Isles" for £0.01 on Amazon. It's better than reading it online.

Dónal.

[Pat Craig]

the wishes and desires of a number of large lazy, selfish and inconsiderate people.

Ironic considering the poster.

I'd add you shall not misuse the name of OTM, or any other legend, to promote your golf course.

Tom...you were close. I would add "you shall not misuse the name of OTM, or any other legend, to promote your agenda on GCA."

[Rory Connaughton]

Hopefully this thread spawns a thread on the Woes of the Pharisee of Golf

[tlavin]

The game has enough rules already without the imposition of a set of moral imperatives.

[Garland Bayley]

Ah Melvyn, you have this wonderful talent to make the perfect the enemy of the good.  I have to admit, I am relieved you're not related to other Scots:

Melvyn Hunter Fleming: "All antibiotics other than penicillin are not true medicine.  Only quacks use vancomycin."

Melvyn Hunter Watt: "Airplanes are the devil's work: they canna be powered by steam engines."

Melvyn Hunter Napier: "Curses be to the inventor of the calculator."


Please know I'd share a 'proper' round with you any time.   

Jason,

You're examples are poorly analogous.

I see Melvyn as saying something analogous to

Major League Baseball commandments
You shall not use metal bats with a higher COR.
You shall not move the pitchers mound farther from home plate.
You shall not increase the distance between bases.
You shall not provide a mechanical conveyance to circle the bases.
You shall not use a pitching machine in a game.
etc.