Lyne
The most destructive part of the modern game is the appetite for distance, pushing for longer courses. The Governing Body does not accept that ball travel is the problem and have done the usual hid behind denial.
Owners and some clubs believe that long hitters need to be pampered, so are willing to provide longer courses in the hope of chasing the money. The majority of architects or designers go along with this because they do not want to rock the boat or be seen not supporting the programme.
Those whose who have a duty to look after the Game of Golf are slowly stripping the game of its great assets (the courses) and selling everything else to the highest bidders, all in the belief that golf is about hitting the long ball. How many matches have we seen or read about that have been lost on The Greens. The long ball is just part of the game not the whole bloody game. Old Tom lost out to Young Tommy many times and was teased by Young Tommy as being known the miser of the putting Green (why sink it in one when two or three will do).
Let’s look at the game, it’s not length that matters, it’s the accuracy of the shot, be it 160yards or just 4 feet, distance is the modern sickness that have spread over golf like the Black Death, its first numbs the mind before all the toys come into place to try to compensate. Alas leaving the golfer even more at odds with him/herself.
Before you can go forward you need to reassess what it is we are seeking or for that matter playing, until we all decide on the game we will remain divided. To try to inject variety to a game that is in itself totally confused will result in further breakup of the game once known as Golf. We must go back to core values to actually consider if there is an actual problem in the first place. My feeling is no the core values are there, mothballed perhaps, maybe side lined but they are there.
WE need to look at a worldwide game based upon the same requirements and laws. I will not go into it in any detail but what sort of message do we sent out when our Majors are all walking matches yet we allow carts sometimes numbering over 200 to be on any one course at a time. The Governing Body sends out the message endorsed by the TV and the greats in our Game that Golf is Waling Game, but its OK to rest between shots by riding. That gives the rider an advantage over the walker, why are we openly allowing cheating. The message being pumped out is just confusing at worst totally wrong because Golf has always been based upon skill, skill to navigate the course, to rise to a challenge or the difficult shot in the hope of clawing a stroke back. It’s a test yet what image is being sent by watching golfers on carts. Half the fun and experience of playing golf has disappeared once you step onto a cart. We are back to core values that I believe only comes from being in contact with the course, feeling every little bit of her shape, contours and curves allowing for a basic understanding in GCA
But the powers that be do not see a problem, but they never have, they never understood technology and its effect upon our great old courses. Even to this day they believe they know best, yet I clearly see the rapid build-up of interest in the Hickory Game, which tells me I am not alone. Why play Hickory when we have such high levels of technology in our game. Could it be that the Hickory Game is becoming more fun more enjoyable and keeping us in closed contact with the game we most enjoy.
Golfers will play just about any course, the professionals will also play any course if the money is there. I feel it’s not a male or female thing but a simple act of determination to stand up and be counted on the merits of ones designs. The long hitters can be compensated by proper ball, club control and clever placement of hazards, courses can be designed to limit the long ball but offer more than one option, then we have the site selection of the course which gives the designer the opportunity to rise to the occasions
I believe that golfers are getting bored as the equipment decides the score these days, want to drop a shot or two, so buy some new clubs, but golfers at heart are honest and want to rise to the challenge by them selves , hence many do not ride, use aids or even caddies, they push their trollies and face the course unaided. Most on this site from my understand fell the same about the game as I do, yet here we are GCA.com with famous designers and architects yet we have not moved the debate on, not raised the stakes or pushed for change. When Tony last summer want help on ball roll back this site suddenly fell silent apart from a hand full. I understand you guys not supporting me but Tony, come on his is one of you he is always there to help, but still his cause (a good start and a bloody good cause was smashed on the rocks of GCA apathy)
Where can we go – nowhere unless we start to support the game and send our displeasure to those that currently have the power. But like golf that takes commitment.
Melvyn