Will this lead to the USGA/R&A establishing a new rule and means to measure COR of the flag stick?

I think Bryson's putter was center shafted and though I think the lie angle of the club was technically within the rules, the sole of the putter was angled so that it could be soled at > 79 degree angle, which was how he was using it. I think that's why the club was ruled non-conforming.

As far as leaving the pin in -- the Tour could always maintain the current rule. I don't think they will, but they could. In the meantime, perhaps some of the tour stops where low scores are encouraged could coat the sticks with balata to reduce the rebound effect.

Tinker lol, is your name Dan Hicks?

Launch monitors, coaches, teachers, nutritionists, sports psychologists, launch, spin, wound, solid, blah, blah, blah.

What is the right way?

Bryson does what Matt Kuchar does putting, why not ask why doesn't Matt Kuchar do it the right way?

    Tinker

    SEEMS to have talent? Really? C’mon now. You understand he has had a career worth of wins for the top 25% of professional golfers already, after less than 2 years. He’s made over $8 mil this year alone, he’s a top 10 golfer and you want to tell him what to focus on? I don’t know what your issue is with the guy, but what he’s doing is working, quite well. He’s a thinker, that’s for sure, but it doesn’t make him wrong to question convention and do it his own way. I appreciate a different take.

    Well... outside of the formula of him determining which flagstick has the highest/lowest COR (lol - only Bryson would think in those terms) I don't think it's a horrible strategy.

    The USGA always required the player to take the flagstick out if they're putting on the green for a reason. I think they made this change in an effort to potentially speed up play, thinking that it really doesn't make a difference, as most will still take the flagstick out on the mid-short putts. Especially if there's wind and the flagstick is moving around.

    But mark my words - if they start seeing it as a major advantage on tour - they'll waste little time changing the rule back to the way it was.

      ode coached high school football in my day and when I see a 6’5 receiver catch a 5 yard pass and fall down before he’s hit I change the channel, that’s not the right way to play. When I see a player take 4 steps on a lay up, land on both feet and dunk a basketball, that’s not the right way. I finally got to the point where I couldn’t watch the World Series, 10 pitching changes in a 9 inning game, first year in history where strike outs surpassed hits, inability to hit behind runners, that’s not the right way to play the game. Now it’s golfs turn. 6 hour rounds walking around reading a book the size of War and Peace before you putt with a nutty professor putter? No thanks.

        PA-PLAYA But mark my words - if they start seeing it as a major advantage on tour - they'll waste little time changing the rule back to the way it was

        I can see how Bryson will be even slower while he determines if the flag is bent past a certain angle covering part of the hole and mathematically determining if the ball will fit in the hole on that side etc etc etc etc.
        I also see having his caddy put the flag back in for a 4 footer then take it out the two foot come backer while his playing partners tee off on the next hole.

        The good news (I assume) is he will take the flag out in some European events as they usually use thicker poles due to the extreme winds which obviously makes the hole smaller.

        I appreciate being "different" but he's turning into a snowflake.

          Spuzz

          Let's just be glad that he's a pro golfer and not a heart surgeon.

          The patient would flatline while he's trying to figure out which latex gloves give him the most feel for his surgical instruments.

          Does't anyone think he was trying to be funny and not serious?
          Just keeping up his image as a nerd.

            We make light of his eccentric OCD, but here he is again tied for the lead going into the final round of another tournament, hoping to win for the 4th time since Jan 2018.

            • ode likes this.
             Sarnella
            a day ago
            Edited

            "Does't anyone think he was trying to be funny and not serious?"

            Well, if he was, they need tweeking once in a while anyway. And he's one that can do it so they have to react and think about it. Good job.