GCTQOTD #21

[Mike Hendren]

Picking up where we left off yesterday:

"A new theory which has been advanced is the simplest and most effective solution in the world, and is attained by cutting down the value of the putt, something which many desire.  This is done by reducing each stroke of the putter from the value of one stroke to the value of half a stroke, and leaving every other club's stroke as at present with a value of one stroke.  By 'putting strokes' it is meant any stroke on the cut surface of the putting green."  - George C. Thomas, Jr.

 

For example, if Huckaby drives the 16th at CPC and two putts, his 2 defeats Moriarty, who lays up, pitches to three feet and sinks his put for a 2.5.  That seems entirely just to me as Tom is rewarded for his bold play.

Mike

[THuckaby2]

I must say I couldn't concur more, and each of the Captain and Mr. Hendren are very wise.  In the example given obviously the manly play ought to be rewarded.

 

I have a feeling there shall be disagreement with this one....

And truth be told, though I do like that example, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with putts being counted as half-strokes... it would put way too much emphasis on the cut of the green.  That is, one inch on and it's a half stroke less... I guess the alternative would be to count any stroke made with a putter to be half-strokes, but that leads to all sorts of problems defining "putter"...

Seems to me that it's a good idea in theory but in practice is too problematic.

TH

[Steve Lang]

 

Most golfers have a hard enough time adding up integers, you make it too difficult for many withthat proposition..

Also, what happens when the scorecard gets wet and when making those decimal point entries the pencil goes through the card and everything gets ripped up?  

[A_Clay_Man]

It's like calling a person 2/3 of a vote.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Mike,
It might appear "just" but it would needlessly reward the better player who isn't forced to rely more on his/ her short game as does the more erratic player.  
Johnny Miller said that one of the toughest opponents he ever faced was Tom Watson because Watson got it up and down for pars while Miller was hitting greens and getting the same score. It wore on him.
Scrambling for pars or ties on holes is more important than 1/2 strokes for putting.

[tonyt]

A better solution for those who hit the green in regulation whilst I miss.

Sure you can still beat me. Just learn to hole your putt, instead of whinging about halving the hole after you missed it.

[Michael Dugger]

The inverse argument to the 16th at Cypress Point hypo doesn't make a lot of sense to me, however.  

Take a hole at St. Andrews.  Is a shot ON THE GREEN, but 100 yards away, necessarily a better shot than one just off the green but 10 times nearer the cup?

I venture to say no  

[Bill_McBride]

Ben Hogan would have approved!  Actually, I think he advocated eliminating putting, closest to the pin won the hole!