Domination in modes of golf, as revealed by a statistico-chemical equation

[Mark Bourgeois]

Jim, thanks for your post. I find it interesting that back in the day golfers competed for money not just at match play but at medal, too. I didn't know that!

[Jim_Kennedy]

Stroke play also gained ground due to rules creep. We'd all be prefectly content (well, almost) playing under the 13 original rules of the game if it weren't for the numerous changes made to them to accomodate stroke play.

 

[Mark Bourgeois]

People! You can't fight science. There's no Fairy of the Dark Ages to wave her magic wand amd suspend the natural laws of Symbolic Chemistry.

Sometimes I wish there was, that I could be relieved from the burden of bearing the standard of rationality. At any rate, there is no way I'm even peeking at that thread where fools are fighting the Columbia professor, whose weapons are merely a mountain of numbers and the rapier known as advanced statistical techniques, with the rhetorical equivalent of cocktail forks.

[Sean_A]

Talk about random number of holes on course, how bout for a championship?  I reckon the only reason we have 72 holes is because originally pros had a job to do back at their home club.  Its only been in the last 60 or so years that a decent number of guys have been able to earn a living playing the tours.  Even very famous and successful golfers were tied to clubs to earn their crust before then.  What is to say now days that events can't cover a few weeks and go matchplay like tennis?  Tradition based on outdated reasons is as big a reason as any. 

Ciao

[Kirk Moon]

Stroke play is just one big hole played against the entire field. It's the ultimate form of match play.

This is quite profound.  Interesting way to look at it. 

I suppose one could say the same thing about one's life in general.  : )