USGA/R&A Distance Report

PA-PLAYA · 2020-02-07T05:53:34+00:00

Well... apparently the governing bodies have finally come to the conclusion that golf's changing distance climate does indeed exist. Without wasting enormo...

SMT

Luc_Van_Daele It's not a easy problem to make courses that can accomodate pro's and amateurs of all skill levels alike

Again, with all my years of doing this... There is not a single golf course on the planet that sets a goal to build their courses for both pro and amateur. That is why there are multiple sets of tees. Aside from that, the members at these courses NEVER want to see their home turf get beaten like a rented mule. Too much pride, especially at Augusta.

Luc_Van_Daele

SMT There is not a single golf course on the planet that sets a goal to build their courses for both pro and amateur... the members at these courses NEVER want to see their home turf get beaten like a rented mule

In europe a lot of them are public courses : St Andrews Old Course (Brittish open), the Albatros course at Golf National (Ryder Cup, French Open),... others are private but open to the public like Ballybunion Old Course (Irish open), Royal Zoute & Rinkven International (Belgian Open) just to name a few championship courses I played and that any mortal can play at reasonable price.

KCee

I don't really understand the need to make a course as tough as possible except maybe a US Open as that's always been it's signature. Our little semi-private course is the same. 5900 yards from the Whites and they love to trick it up as much as possible with heavy rough most places, but then shaved banks leading to OB. Nothing gives them greater joy than to see a player that regularly shoot no worse than 85 shoot a 95 at our place. Even the + handicap guys that were 5-6 under at nearby 6800 yard courses can't shoot better than 68.

I sort of get it when players see the yardage they scoff (not noticing Par of 69 instead of 72 means its not as short as they thought) and you sort of want them to suffer. The first hole is probably the easiest on the course and sucks them in with a potential birdie and then the woods and OB of holes #2 and #3 b*tch slap them. Still making a player grind for 18 holes is cruel IMO. I'm not sure all course designers meant for their tracks to be punishing.

sdandrea1

SMT The idea that guys like Nicklaus and Palmer during their "jacket swapping years" used such equipment and the course still showed numbers very similar to today if not better in some cases shows that the course has held true for almost 100 years

When I was playing retired original hickory clubs a few years back, I could hit decent shots with the shorter irons. They work just fine

SMT

sdandrea1 But the 4 and 5 irons were a bitch, hahaha

wishbone

Interesting article from when a pro played Hains Point in DC.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/01/AR2007070101221.html

SMT

wishbone So well written!!

Spuzz

I looked into my crystal Spuzzball and saw these possibilities:

1) Simultaneous implementation of new balls and bifurcation of said balls.
Does it include Amateurs? (eg. college) =Yes
Others? Kinda foggy.

2) PGA Tour, World Tour and/or LIV form their own rules body and govern themselves.

3) I continue to not give a rat's ass about any of it as long as I can still buy "real" balls that have Urethane covers.
🙂

sdandrea1

SMT But the 4 and 5 irons were a bitch, hahaha

Horrible.......🤣

SMT

Luc_Van_Daele a goal to build their courses for both pro and amateur...

This is what you said....

Of course they play both sets of players, Pro and Amateur, But they do not build one with that goal. In fact, based off the quote, It is arguable that St. Andrews had any such intention.

Of course there are many that CAN have amateurs playing...

azgreg

mulegolf

azgreg
Not to mention, it will be more difficult to tie-in the pro's results and the balls they use to market balls to the mass
of us who will get completely different golf balls. No more "Get Tiger's ball."

SMT

azgreg Just trying to imagine the OEM sales pitch for the new ball....

Hit your best shots and still play from places you have never played from before.

They would have to be goophy to try and bring a stunted ball to market.

Spuzz

SMT They would have to be goophy to try and bring a stunted ball to market.

DTC balls will be in abundance if the OEMs go with a goofy ball only.
Kirklands looking better and better.lol
jmo

Eguller

I see dead people.....Errrrr.... I mean that I see stockpiling and gouging. 🙄

What if the 'ball' were to be only for the Elite events ? I still believe that it would easy to tweak the ball
for the pro and elite events. Everybody else and fire away and blow them into the woods as usual.

Par4QC

Eguller I mean that I see stockpiling

You personally know that has already happened. So do I. 😄
Just look over in the corner.

Par4QC

Let's assume that every player has a min. of 6 doz. balls per tournament, which I have seen in lockers when they open them (TV). 150+/- players and every ball will need to be tested. Every tournament. I don't see how it could be a 'random' testing of a few balls from just a few players. The way they do driver testing is already bullshit.
There will still be balls at the 350 mark, and what will they do about that? Or are they also going to restrict how the grass is sowed/mowed on fws? Stimpmeters for FWs????

Eguller

Par4QC Just look over in the corner.

Me ? Huh ? Well.....you may have a point. Ball sale very soon. 🤑

Eguller

By the way, it should be easy to put a manufacturers 'mark' ( like left dash ProV1x) on ALL balls
to identify them for competition. Players would have to have them visible on tee 1. JAT

Walterjn

Don't most of the players mark their balls with markers?? Why not hand 3-4 sleeves to each player/ caddie as they walk up to the 1st tee??
They can mark a sleeve right there, and work on the rest as needed.

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