The same CEOs company launched a new driver and said nothing else out there was "sizzling" this year..

Can we say Titleist 910?....lol 

Deno

I agree my man. I started playing golf when I was 7. I was lucky enough to have a great godfather to help me along the way. Now I am 19 I am absolutely addicted to this game. When I started playing I would just chip and putt until I was good enough to keep up with "the big boys." People just need to practice, or even make the game harder by playing it down and they will become better players and learn to respect this great game.

I know exactly who you are talking about and I believe that parent company's board of directors should dismiss him! Some of the most bizarre comments about golf, and golf business I have ever seen.

Ryan Crysler
Head Instructor
My Golf Performance Center
512.850.5721
mygolfperformance.com

RC

I didn't want to say his name or company, but how do these guys get these jobs?   I thought it was totally off the wall.  Glad I'm not alone

Deno

I agree there should be more than 1 set of rules. There should be the tournament rules, just the way the rules are now. And then at the very least hcp rules.

For 1 thing, I can hit off a rock, but I'm not going to. Taking a penalty stroke to move off a rock isn't showing potential. The pros, they don't care about their clubs, they'll just send their damaged club to the locker and get another(that they didn't pay for).

Another, hit a perfect drive and end up in a divot hole. Well that's pretty rare for the pro on them perfectly manicured courses, but quite common on your local muni.

Another, how many times have you been out by yourself and not remove the flagstick 50ft away, then accidentally make the putt. Of course I always remove the flagstick because I can't hit at the flagstick(its a mental thing).

Beginners trying to play by the rules, we have recently seen 2 incidents where the pros didn't know the rules. The rules really need to be simplified for beginners or casual play.

Being other sets of rules doesn't make it not playing golf, it does make it not playing by the usga rules of golf, usga does not own golf, nobody owns golf. And the usga will eventually learn that. Somebody is going to come along and offer up multiple rules and the people will see it is good.

BTW currently there is 2 sets of usga rules.

Here's the article:

You're talking about some casual applications of the rules.  This guy is talking about:

-15-inch cups and letting [players] toss their golf balls out of bunkers. (Not good for wedge sales!)

-Second, tour players and Tim Finchem have to endorse (an alternative set of rules so recreational players will embrace them as legitimate). They have to say, 'This is real golf. It's not funny golf; it isn't weirdo golf. (You can't come play Torrey Pines like we do.)

-And the third thing is, the PGA of America has to execute it. All of the PGA golf professionals who are here have to say, 'What's your handicap? 22. Great. We're going to use the 15-inch cup and the yellow tees, which are way up there.  (Great, more responsibility for PGA pros)

I totally agree.  That seems to be the thinking these days.  Instead of making people work hard for something we just make it easier to achieve and in the process we cheapen the experience.  There is a reason people say, "Nothing worth having comes easy."  I was terrible when I picked up the game, but I enjoyed the game so I practiced and worked at it and now I am a 3 handicap.  It is more about the journey you take to achieve a goal than the goal itself and if you don't even have to reach to get it there is no journey.

Gents----I am in my early 60's-----if I am playing with a couple of old friends we do bend the rules a little. After all we are out there to have a little fun. But if you put me in a tournament that requires that we play by USGA rules, then I have no problem with that.

As such, don't change any rules (although the TV guys need to get a life) but enjoy it and play it as it comes. It all comes down to choices !

When I was little I learned how and golf on a par 5 right outside my grandpa's house.  My grandpa would take me out there when the last group went by with a cut down driver ( I think it was a 3 wood), 7 iron, wedge, and a putter and we would play that hole and the one next to it until it got dark out.  We didn't keep score, we just played around and had fun.  

When I got older I wanted to play with him and his friends on the "real course".  He would take me to the range in the morning and say when I could hit 10 consecutive shots over the 100 stake, off the deck, keeping the ball in-between two other markers he would let me.  I can't tell you how many times I failed, and he would have my grandma pick me up while he would go off and play the round.  Numerous times I begged him for a do over, and he never caved in.  Even when I would get 9 and shank the 10th one, he would call my grandma for the dreaded pick up.  The first time I sent that 10th ball sailing past the 100 mark it was a major accomplishment in my mind.  I was so proud walking up to the first tee that morning.  I would say that moment got me hooked.  

Golf is about fun.  It's a simple game that's endlessly complicated.  Perfection is more or less unattainable, and that's what's fun about for me.

It's not about changing the rules, or making giant cups, or greens that funnel everything into the hole; it's about sticking with it until you've reached a goal, and then setting another goal.  Making this game easier would be far less gratifying in my opinion.  Sure maybe more people would try it, but who would stick with it?  There's not too many avid putt putt golfers out there...  

Sorry for the rant, I'm just glad there's others that feel the same way I do.

I love the way the game is played and I am very educated on the rules of the game through many years of competitive golf and college and high level amateur tournaments and I tend to agree with some of his statements.  I think he was kidding with some of his ideas but he is correct in that we need to find new ways to bring more into the game.  The grass roots ideas have not worked.  There are new players each year but they tend to give it up because of cost, ability, time etc and what ever can be done to make it more enjoyable needs to be looked at and studied because at the rate we are heading their might not be golf in our future.

Now a 15'' hole is going over board (even though I might be considered a good putter at that size) but other ideas to make it more enjoyable should be considered.

Ted

There have been 5 million kids reached by the First Tee so far.   As for why new players give up,  They are too lazy to practice, also embarrassed to play with anyone else other than friends as their manhood may be jeopardized.    These guys have the time, money, and start out with better equipment than we ever had.  They drive new luxury cars to the clubs they join.  Many of my friends started playing and quit for those same reasons.   Afraid of failure!!!  They want instant success and aren't willing to pay their dues.   If grown men can't putt a ball in a regulation hole in 4 tries on a green, a 24 inch hole isn't the answer.

Deno

Actually, we already have two sets of rules, the groves on the irons.

However that said.  There are 3 or 4 or 5 sets of tees on every golf hole.  No one dictates which set of tees a player uses.  If one wants to play by his own rules then fine, just don't try to add legitimacy to your inability to play the game.

I got it,  how about taking two drives off each tee, like in tennis, and if ytour ball goes out of bounds you serve again.

Now how could we apply this to other sports?  Baseball, pitch underhand and bring the fenses in so everyone can hit a homerun.  Football, no blocking or tackling so everyone can run to daylight.  Hockey, no skates or ice or goalie so everyone will feel good about themselves when they SCORE.

Unfortunately,  the above is presently being done in childrens sports.  Everyone must win and everyone feel good about themselves, especially the parents.  God forbid a child should have to learn some responsibility and realize that he/she will win or lose by their actions.

I am by no means and expert on the rules of golf, but I do have a copy in my bag at all times.  In case something is questioned and needs to be interpreted by those in the group. As for making holes bigger, that would be like making a basketball hoop bigger, or a soccer goal bigger.  We learn to play in different manners, but we all have learned to play by one set of rules. Maybe amend some rules, but leave the majority alone.  The game is hard, plain and simple, so you have to practice and play to improve, not get a ribbon handed to you just for playing.   

Well said.  That's really what bothers me about that certain golf exec's comment.  If some friends want play one mulligan a side, a free drop from a divot in the middle of the fairway, allowing someone to rake a size 12 in the bunker and toss the ball back in etc... I don't really care.  Just don't walk in the clubhouse and claim the course record if you're playing the foot wedge.  

They already make easier courses, par 3's, and executive 9 holers.  There's also a handicap system so anyone can play anyone.  If people want to play by their own rules they will.  THE RULES are there for people who want to compete; no need to change it.

Simple as that.

Honistly last thing i want  is to talk to some guy that says he shots low 70's only becouse he dosent take proper penilty strokes. the cup is bigger and he dosent have to worrie about tuff bunker shots. this game based on integrity has enuff people who lie about there scores. last thing we need is putt putt rules

I just read the article in "Golfweek".  The comments made have nothing to with the game of golf, it is motivated by the BOTTOM LINE PROFITS.  The intent of the CEO's is to generate money money money. To hell with the game or integrity of golf.  One ex -CEO wants to start his own 'Alternative Golf Association", as he said 'not to compete with the USGA'.  What arrogance.

This game has existed for hundreds of years  without such tampering.  Why now? The answer is MONEY.  Does anyone really think that the individuals pushing this  is doing it for the benefit of the game?

Of course the CEO's say that it is not the high cost of clubs or green fees that is having a negative impact on the game  during these troubling times, ITS THE RULES OF GOLF.   What a crock.

Guys,

This is nothing new. Remember when they came out with the XFL Football league a few years ago? I would say golf is the last game on the planet that needs to be changed. 99% of us will never get to pitch at Wrigley field or score a touchdown at Heinz Field. I don't get to shoot on the same basketball court as Kobe Bryant.

The great thing about golf is that we can play the same courses as the big boys! 

Golf is about integrity. Standards should not be lowered just because people cheat! 

Here is real world situation the common weekend golfer faces. He hits his tee ball into the rough. After a 5 minute search the ball is deemed lossed. The golfer does not return to the tee box and hit his third shot as there is another group waiting on the tee to hit with another group finishing up behind them getting ready to move up. To expedite the situation the golfer takes a penalty stroke and drops another ball in the area where he thinks his lost ball is or maybe drops a ball on the edge of the fairway and takes a two stroke penalty. I guarantee in a casual game not many golfers will go back and re-tee on the tee box. Of course if a ball that is hit and looks like it may never be found a provisional ball will be hit but I am talking about the above situation. I would almost bet that this is the most common "rule" that is broken by the casual golfer. I agree that the golfer has no right to brag about his score under the circumstances but yet the majority of his peers would not blink an eye as they play by this same "neighborhood rule".

One more common rule that is broken in casual games. A lot of weekend warriors will change balls once they reach the putting surface. Some may even change balls near the green using a ball that is good for distance off the tee but not good for chipping or pitching. I usually do not gamble when I play golf just because of these common rule violations that take place. I feel if you are going to gamble then the rules of golf should be used. If I am playing with friends and no wagers are on the line I could care less how they play as far as the rules of golf go. Just don't tell me what your score is if you violate some of the above rules because you don't know what your score is.

We all know that some individuals play by there own set of rules, be it for golf, tennis, cards etc.  As long as you are aware who these individuals are you don't play for money or   tournaments with them.  The true problem with adding a new set of rules is basically because of a very few the majority will be effected. I personally would stop playing golf if the rules were altered just to satisfy a few.

Just think, how will the golf course be set up.  Would each hole have two pin placements, one 15" the other 3.5"  hole.  Will sand bunkers become obsolite(they cost money to maintain).  Tournament play, which set of rules will apply?  BOTTOM LINE the true golfer will be kicked aside so corporations can make money.

REMEMBER this topic originated with individuals who represent themselves and money hungry corporations.  This push to alter THE RULES OF GOLF as they pertain to the every day golfer has nothing to do with improving the game, it has to do with MONEY AND PROFITS.

Well said Vincent.  Arrogance is a good choice of words.   Head of the Alternative Golf Association may be his next title instead of CEO.  Would love to see 3 things

1.  His scorecard

2.  His club memberships

3.  The board of directors minutes 

Deno