CLICK HERE to listen.In Episode #32 of Golf Gear News, host Bruce Stasch reports at The Newstand that
The John Daly Circus Continues,
Blindness Doesn't Stop Golfer and
Trump to Build Course in Dominican Republic.
The Guru Commentary asks the question
Why Can't There Be a Double Standard in Golf Equipment?She Golfs Too introduces
Princess Beatrice: A Hottie Royal Who Golfs.
Our Component Corner takes a
Step Back Into "Retro" Clubs and Golf Around the World visits
Marshall, Illinois.
In Can't We All Get Along a
Fuzzy Zoeller Sues a Blogger and Golf of the Weird reports on
Officers Honored for Saving Golf Club Wielding Nut and an
Alligator that Attacks a Golf Ball Diver.
Our Website Spotlight is
The Golf Jerk.
As always, our show is sponsored by
Golfknockoff.com.
Check out our new
Media Kit.
Labels: Bobby Jones, John Daly, Louisville Golf, Podcast, Retro Golf, Royal and Ancient, Sweet Wood Golf, USGA, Weird Golf Stuff
Why Can't There be a Double Standard in Golf?
The official keepers of the Rules of Golf are The
United States Golf Association (USGA) for the United States and the
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Europe. Periodically they come out with ways to make the game more frustrating.
The latest is a potential rule change for the grooves on the face of an iron clubhead. The Royal and Ancient takes issue with U-grooves, which according to an article in the
Scotsman, "the combination of U-grooves and thin covered balls have enabled elite players to spin approach shots from the rough - thereby minimizing the importance of driving accuracy in the modern game."
Their objection seems to be in part a desire to protect the purity of the game. According to David Rickman, the Royal and Ancient's director of rules and equipment standards, "while there may have been different speeds for different parts of the game, ultimately it all comes together. The Royal and Ancient has existed for more than 250 years and, during that time, we've played under one set of rules for everyone."
Let’s all dress up like Tevye the Milkman in
Fiddler on the Roof and sing about Tradition.
What's wrong with a double standard in golf?
I will never play well enough to compete at an elite level. More likely, I will never play well enough to break 75. Thus, I will never be considered an "elite" player. Is it going to make any difference to me or the millions of hack golfers like me to be concerned about my "non-conforming" U-groove iron face?
Establishing two levels of equipment is known as the bifurcation of the game. This is a nasty word that gives rank amateurs like most of us as much opportunity to enjoy the game as we can.
In reality, what do we enjoy more: the ability to shoot 2-3 strokes better because our equipment is "non-conforming" according to the USGA and the Royal and Ancient or being true to the game and shooting another dismal 94?
I'll take shooting a few strokes better on my favorite course, thereby beating my playing partners and winning the pot, over the psychic scars that I'll get dealing with my moral "non-conforming" club selection quandary any day.
Labels: golf, Royal and Ancient, USGA
