[Bill_Yates]

Here's a link to an article I wrote for Golf Business Canada Magazine back in 2001.  

Today, given the several active threads on the impact technology is having on the game, I thought I'd dust it off and share some of my thoughts regarding the unintended consequences of unbridled technology, I saw heading our way some thirteen years ago.

Interestingly, I guess I never saw the advances going so far, so fast.

http://www.pacemanager.com/breaking-news/farther-straighterslower.html

What do you think?

[jeffwarne]

Great stuff Bill,
Great stuff on spacing-I've found exactly in running junior events where the course was too short for the longer hitters causing the phenomena you describe-more waiting .(great disparity in length between 12-14 year olds)
and because many in power think more distance = lower scoring, they "protect par" by adding more game slowing obstacles
Narrower fairways,higher rough,(the exact opposite direction a game whose scale is EXPANDING should take) "native areas", faster greens etc.

We all have to play the same course and obstacles, regardless of what tees we choose to play.
and we can say "make the big hitters walk back" but we still have to wait on them if they are slowed, or walk past the tees they play if they're not walking back.

I don't think golf is any easier,or too easy, I just detest the bigness of it.
I would even argue it's gotten harder overall for most players as course reactions affect all, while technology gains affect fewer.

[Bill_Yates]

Jeff, I agree.  I also believe that the game has gotten harder for many players as courses respond  and "Tiger-proof" their layouts. This adds yet another unintended consequence (slower play) to the unbridled technology discussion.

But do I like to chase technology? Absolutely! However, as a baby boomer, for me, the new driver I just purchased is enabling me to barely keep up with my game of 5 years ago.

[Thomas Dai]

Nail on the head Bill.

This matter is not helped by the 'convention' that the player with the best gross score on the previous hole tees off first on the next hole - and the best gross is often achieved by the longest hitter.

For example, I play with a UK regional player, next step up from county level, and he normally 'has the tee' on just about every hole. He hit's it miles though, so the rest of us in his group, who are lesser players and short hitters, have to hang around on every tee while he waits for enough space in front to clear for his 'bombs'. Total pain in the neck.

The 'convention' should change - shorter hitters should tee-off first, which is what we prefer to play in friendly games, but unfortunately this approach tends to get frowned upon when playing in a formal club etc competition.

atb

[Bill_Yates]

Thomas
No, you nailed it!  I agree completely. Now to convince the masses.

[Jon Wiggett]

Thomas,

were I am from we always let the shorter player hit first if this sped up play, I mean that is just common sense. Guess it must just be the Yorkshire folk are just better in logical thinking than in your neck of the woods

Jon

[Adam Lawrence]

But then Jon we all hit it 350 yards with a stick of rhubarb

[Jon Wiggett]

But then Jon we all hit it 350 yards with a stick of rhubarb

Only those who come from the rhubarb triangle

[Bill_Yates]

Jon,
I'd love playing in Yorkshire, I'd finally get the honor.


Adam,
Re. Architecture: How will architects respond to unbridled technology? We can't keep moving the tees back. 

And what about the management teams?  If starting intervals are increased too much, the number of players will be reduced.

 

[Garland Bayley]

Thomas
No, you nailed it!  I agree completely. Now to convince the masses.

Where in informal play do they honor the hole honor? If it is happening, they need to pull their heads out of the sand.

Outside of a tournament,  I never see others wait on the person with honor if he would wait for being long. In club tournaments, the honor system is often discarded too.

[Sean_A]

Thomas
No, you nailed it!  I agree completely. Now to convince the masses.

Where in informal play do they honor the hole honor? If it is happening, they need to pull their heads out of the sand.

Outside of a tournament,  I never see others wait on the person with honor if he would wait for being long. In club tournaments, the honor system is often discarded too.

GJ

The guys I play with normally stick to order of play unless its obvious that hitting out of turn is the better thing to do (such as chip outs, a very much shorter hitter in the group etc).  Very rarely, I do see the odd guy causing a hold up for no apparent reason so players kick on.  Thats fair enough.  It usually works well and people seem to have a natural understanding of what is going on.  In comps, its much tighter to the honour/away system, but there are exceptions.  I have played with guys that hit with no ryhme or reason, just when they felt like it and felt they had time to do so.  I don't care for that stuff at all because often they think they have time, but they don't and I have seen guys hit because of this.  There is a balance that can be struck and I think many folks instinctively know that balance once they know who they are playing with.  I do have a lot of sympathy for guys that play very fast. Practically every round must be trying.

Ciao

[Adam Clayman]

Where in informal play do they honor the hole honor? If it is happening, they need to pull their heads out of the sand.

Outside of a tournament,  I never see others wait on the person with honor if he would wait for being long. In club tournaments, the honor system is often discarded too.

This appears to be a regional thang.

Funny, you think the sophisticated golfing regions have their head in the sand.

Personally, unless there's a reason to take someone's honor, like they were delayed getting to the next teeing ground, for some reason, I will wait.

[Garland Bayley]

... I do have a lot of sympathy for guys that play very fast. Practically every round must be trying.

Ciao

I do have a lot of sympathy for guys that play very slow. Practically every round must be trying.
 

[Garland Bayley]

Where in informal play do they honor the hole honor? If it is happening, they need to pull their heads out of the sand.

Outside of a tournament,  I never see others wait on the person with honor if he would wait for being long. In club tournaments, the honor system is often discarded too.

This appears to be a regional thang.

Funny, you think the sophisticated golfing regions have their head in the sand.

Personally, unless there's a reason to take someone's honor, like they were delayed getting to the next teeing ground, for some reason, I will wait.

You can't both be in a "sophisticated golfing region" , and complain about slow play. There is a reason to take someone's honor. They are dead slow! Taking their honor gives them time to prepare. Otherwise, everyone is just waiting on the rude dude.

[Jon Wiggett]

Personally, unless there's a reason to take someone's honor, like they were delayed getting to the next teeing ground, for some reason, I will wait.

Whilst I agree with not just taking someone's honor off the tee if they are being slow I usually suggest them either speeding up or letting someone else tee off. If I am the slow coach I will always suggest that someone tees off first.

Jon

[John Kavanaugh]

They are not always being slow, sometimes when acting as scorekeeper the work gets in the way.  Oddly enough my group that always takes over 4 hours plays ready golf while my casual groups respect the honor.  Sometimes with my casual group I forget and jump on the tee in front of the guy who just birdied a hole.  In this case I'm the dick, the guy earned his little victory and should be given the opportunity to enjoy his spoils.

Golf is a series of victories and defeats which should always be acknowledged in even the most simple way.  Giving up the honor is a sign of respect.  It is so much more important than getting home before half past the monkey's balls, quarter to his knees.  I still remember making fun of the kids who always had to be home early so they didn't get in trouble.  That rhyme brings a smile.

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