Do Outsiders See Golf As Stifling?

As I mentioned in Thursday’s blog here, the outside world looking in at golf may not be as accepting of its traditions as those who have played or worked within the game for years.

That statement may cause the purists – or those who want to be seen as purists – to bristle, citing the honour, etiquette and history of the game as aspects that they have reveled in since first taking up golf.

As passionate as golf’s purists are, that isn’t the point of this particular blog, which is setting up this week’s GNN Poll on the home page.

Put yourself in the position of somebody on the outside looking in at the game and imagine what they may be thinking. These are people who may be considering taking up the game, but because they haven’t been immersed in it, find golf somewhat stifling.

• They may look at Jim Furyk being DQ-ed from The Barclays for being tardy for a pro-am as overly punitive.

• They may wonder why cargo shorts, seen everywhere else in everyday life, are not acceptable at certain golf courses.

• They may have heard about past wars over hot drivers or grooves on wedges and wondered if rules police would be standing by to check their golf bags every time they go to the first tee.

• The lines between competitive golf and recreational golf may be blurred to a neophyte, who may be wondering how stringent the rules are, even if they’re just playing for fun.

That last word is the cornerstone of a potential golfer’s attraction to golf, but he or she may be wondering if there’s too much to concern yourself with before even teeing off for the first time. Then, there are issues such as affordability and the time it takes to play the game.

For now, however, the topic is golf’s traditions, how they are perceived from the outside and how they affect efforts to grow the game. The question in this week’s GNN Poll is not about how you see it, but how you think potential newcomers to the game see it.

“Do golf’s traditions get in the way of efforts to grow the game?”

Be sure to cast your vote on the home page at the GNN Poll and feel free to expand your thoughts in the Comments section below.

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• Where Will Golf Be In 20 Years?
• Grow Golf Through Those Who Don’t Give A Damn
• Golf Needs Course Rats
• Is Economy Or Lack Of Interest Hurting Golf?