You know it is getting bad when people start comparing the Usga to Saturday Night Live. Granted, part of it is because the President of the USGA got the winners name wrong, not once but twice in the Trophy Presentation, but because of another rules situation brought on by high definition video during the play-off at the US Women’s Open.
The USGA president just called the Open champ Brittany Lang BETHANY. Twice. This summer has turned into one big SNL skit for the USGA.
— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) July 11, 2016
I am not going to get into all of the issues I have with how the USGA has handled the last two majors because this is a blog and not a book the length of “War and Peace.” Let’s just say that the organization that is supposed to be spearheading “Growing the Game” seems hell bent on driving people away.
A friend of mine posted this earlier today:
“Bad enough that the rules, further complicated by having to keep track of recent decisions and amendments to the rules, are not generally understood by golfers, but the rules officials don’t seem to understand the concept of fairness, or intent. We have seen the rules applied in such a manner as to give players an unfair advantage after a bad shot, and we have seen the rules applied to unfairly penalize players for minor, unintentional breaches of the rules. We can all think of both cases if we’ve been around the game long enough.”
The USGA was technically correct in their ruling because the club touched a few grains of sand that could only be seen in high definition. She didn’t exactly sole her club and gain an advantage. When they finally got around to notifying the competitors they even screwed that up. The rules official tells Nordqvist after she hits her approach into the green, then skips merrily over and informs Lang BEFORE she hits her approach that Nordqvist has been penalized two shots. Think that might have changed her game plan a little? Duh!
My main point here is if potential golfers see this kind of thing going on are they going to say to themselves, “That looks like fun, I think I’ll take up golf.”?
The Illegal Glove
The USGA also goes out of its way to make the game more difficult for beginners and the average golfer. There is a golf glove on the market that has strategically placed pads to make it easier to grip the club with less grip pressure. They made it illegal unless you have a medical condition.
The One Ball Rule
Do you know why there is a “One Ball Rule?” The reason is simple. There is a significant advantage to changing balls during the hole and I don’t mean just using a “putting ball.” Bridgestone admits that it’s tests have shown that using an inexpensive 2 or 3 piece surlyn cover ball can gain you up to 15 yards off the tee over an expensive 4-piece urethane cover ball that spins much better around the green and off the irons. See how hitting Pinnacles off the tee and ProV’s into the green can help.
Manufactures could dramatically change the shape of a driver head to make it more aerodynamic and travel much faster, but that is illegal. The list goes on and on.
I spoke with someone this week that is heading up a movement to change the rules to make it easier, more fun, and faster. This is a serious organized movement that you will be hearing more about. Hope to be part of it.
Cover Image via Flickr
