"Bare Feet, Beer and Heavy Metal Bangers: Golf Chills Out and Gets Cool"

[Dan Kelly]

nytimes.com/2021/07/01/sports/golf/top-golf-modern-variations.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20210706


Your comments welcome.

[John Kavanaugh]

I don't care what these people do inside the gates at TopGolf but I have a real problem with the visual blight of the structure. I almost pulled over and cried on a recent drive through Nashville when I came over the crest of a hill and was slammed by the image of poles and fence.

[Steve Wilson]

I recall reading a story years ago telling about Sam Snead playing a few holes barefooted to demonstrate to golf writers he had done that as a young man.  So barefoot golf is hardly anything new.


I fail to see any of this as being cool, it's merely trendy.  This is probably another one of those initiatives to grow the game that will for the most part flame out.  Much of this seems to be catering to adolescence and when these people move beyond that stage of life they are likely to either put these things behind or move on to the more traditional aspects of the sport. 


That being said I have no problem with what people do so long as I am able to play golf the way I want.  I've always thought dress codes were absurd in many ways.  What's wrong with cargo shorts?  And for that matter what's wrong with T-shirts.  I always wear a collared shirt, it's what I grew up doing and I prefer the look, but that's me.


I think the idea of three, six, and twelve holes is a great idea for people who don't have the time or the attention span for a full 18 or in my case 36 or more when I go to the course.  Of course, if we could somehow convince people to play faster it would be possible to get through nine holes in well under two hours.  But I think that horse as well as the distance and equipment issue is so far out of the barn it's no longer on the original forty acres.


I don't know whether to summarize this article as Much Ado About Nothing or None Dare Call it Golf.

[Mark Mammel]

My son and I played at Sand Valley this weekend as part of a "Golfer's Journal" outing. At 69, I was the oldest (by 1 year). It was a fascinating group of mostly guys under 40, mostly without a private club affiliation, some with no real handicap, some that liked to play music during the walk (walking only), some who played barefoot, some with backwards hats, quite a few who were scratch-10, and all good guys to play with in spite of all this. Personally, I don't like music, play at a traditional club in regards to attire, have a handicap, etc. And generally, I felt a little too old for this group but was saved by my son's enthusiasm. Regarding music especially, i decided to reach into my heart and let it go for the weekend, and while it's still not for me, it was a fun group. Golf is changing whether we like it or not.

[Steve Lang]

SW,  I'd say much to do about nothing, the NYT isn't 10 minutes ahead of the rest of the world...


Playing barefoot on a real course is good therapy, helps the balance and keeps ya from over swinging.. actually kinda nice other than in rocky, barren clay or weedy areas... at our Goo Memorial Open at Ottawa Park each summer, most competitors play the 18th barefoot to honor the namesake & passed players, also at various locations Peckerhead toasts are offered in remembrance or as cheap takeout moves.


JK, I didn't know you were so sensitive...

[Peter Flory]

Are newspapers cool? 

[Dan Kelly]

Are newspapers cool?

Most of them are cold.

[Jeff Segol]

Top Golf just opened in San Jose. I expect at some point I'll take my wife and daughter there, if only because it'll give me another chance to practice at a time where I otherwise probably wouldn't be able to. If nothing else, the chance for food and a beer will make my spouse happy.


I'm finally getting my daughter (7) a set of clubs tonight (Kids Pings, $75), and will take her to the range at Baylands to try and start showing her what to do. She already has been putting. I expect to get her a lesson series from a pro that specializes in teaching kids, and has five of his own. We'll see if it takes. If so, that'll make the game even more fun for me.

[Tom_Doak]

The New York Times treats every non-PMC group of people like they require anthropological explanation.

[Garland Bayley]

...  This is probably another one of those initiatives to grow the game that will for the most part flame out.  ...

Want to grow that game at your club? Appoint a married man who loves to play golf with his wife as chair of the tournament committee. He will start so many couple events that people will flock to the club and have a great time socializing with other couples. At least, that has what has happened at my club. Used to be you hardly saw any women on the course (one problem is the "lady's" tees are set at about 92% the length of the "gentlemen's" tees).

Us single members can hardly get a tee time anymore. 

[Mike Hendren]

I don't care what these people do inside the gates at TopGolf but I have a real problem with the visual blight of the structure. I almost pulled over and cried on a recent drive through Nashville when I came over the crest of a hill and was slammed by the image of poles and fence.

Never fear Barney.  Oracle purchased 60 acres immediately north of TopGolf for $254 million to develop a campus that will house their projected 13,000 employees.  Should be eye-friendly I would think.


As for cool,  the reviews for my recent board presentation included "Hendren's Cool."   Must have been my references to Maxine Nightingale (the economy's Right Back Where We Started From) and Michael Spinks (it's easy to punch above your weight until you get knocked out by Mike Tyson in the first round and never fight again).


Mike

[John Kavanaugh]

I'm sure I will find the Oracle campus beautiful. Unfortunately Nashville is my gateway to the south. Traffic may never move again.

[Jay Mickle]

Sand spurs, water moccasins, copperheads. I'll keep my shoes on, thank you.

[Tim Martin]

I recall reading a story years ago telling about Sam Snead playing a few holes barefooted to demonstrate to golf writers he had done that as a young man.  So barefoot golf is hardly anything new.


I fail to see any of this as being cool, it's merely trendy.  This is probably another one of those initiatives to grow the game that will for the most part flame out.  Much of this seems to be catering to adolescence and when these people move beyond that stage of life they are likely to either put these things behind or move on to the more traditional aspects of the sport. 


That being said I have no problem with what people do so long as I am able to play golf the way I want.  I've always thought dress codes were absurd in many ways.  What's wrong with cargo shorts?  And for that matter what's wrong with T-shirts.  I always wear a collared shirt, it's what I grew up doing and I prefer the look, but that's me.


I think the idea of three, six, and twelve holes is a great idea for people who don't have the time or the attention span for a full 18 or in my case 36 or more when I go to the course.  Of course, if we could somehow convince people to play faster it would be possible to get through nine holes in well under two hours.  But I think that horse as well as the distance and equipment issue is so far out of the barn it's no longer on the original forty acres.


I don't know whether to summarize this article as Much Ado About Nothing or None Dare Call it Golf.

I hate the backwards hat and even more so on guys over 40. When you’re 63 years old and leave your house wearing a backwards hat, white belt and golf sandals it’s over. Sayin.

[Phil Burr]

I’m on board with barefoot golf (flip-flops are an equally effective tool for your balance) and music doesn’t bother me.  If Mr. Palmer only tolerated hats when when worn how and where intended (bill forward and outdoors) that’s a perspective worth following.  Cargo shorts?  I don’t understand them in general.


I had my first, not to mention last, Top Golf experience this week.  It’s an eyesore, and the equipment (clubs, balls, mats, etc.) were garbage, at least here in Scottsdale.  What set the bar absurdly low were the scores of people who apparently think it’s a practice facility.  I’d no sooner carry my own clubs into Top Golf than I would bring a Scotty Cameron putter to play miniature golf.  Yes these guys lugged in an entire staff bag and dipped their towel into a glass of water so they could clean their clubs between shots.  Perhaps these were the same people who have their own bowling shoes.  With their names stenciled into the heel.  Ugh!

[Ian Mackenzie]

Played barefoot once in 1981 when i was 19.
Swear to god, I stepped on a bee.


Bedens Brook CC in Princeton, NJ.


That ended that.

[Phil Burr]

Ian, I can certainly understand a bee sting on the foot leading you to cover your feet when walking in grass.  The worst bee sting I ever had was when I put my hand onto the deck of a pool to climb out, only to place my hand right over the angry bee which promptly stung me in the palm.  The worst i can imagine is cyclists who have had bees fly into their mouths.  That has to be crazy painful!

[Carl Johnson]

I once read that Sam Snead (an NLE pro golfer who you may have heard of) practiced in bare feet because, he said, it really made you focus on balance.  That makes sense to me.  So if you practice in bare feet and get used to it, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to play that way (accepting the risk of bee stings, fire ants, and other things you might encounter on the course that you'd be better protected from if you wore shoes).  For the same reason, one of my fellow club members, a one-time club champion, practiced in flip flops until the powers that be told him that flip flops were not acceptable attire even on the practice tee.