Would You Defy Golf’s Governing Bodies?

As it turns out, I was wrong when I said that the number of people within the golf industry who favour two different sets of equipment rules for competitive and recreational players has grown.

When we last asked that question in late 2009, it was a 65-35 per cent split in favour of bifurcation, the trendy buzz word for two sets of rules.

As of this writing, that’s down slightly to a 57-33 split in favour of different rules for different types of golfers, but while the percentage of people who would like to see two sets of rules has actually decreased slightly, they are still the majority.

With that in mind, how far would you be willing to take that? That’s the topic for this week’s GNN Poll.

The concern by golf’s governing body is that equipment technology is making classic courses obsolete, but it isn’t the newcomers who are doing that. It’s high level competitive players, mostly the PGA Tour.

Golf is obsessed by the tour and other high-level competition and that remains the standard in matters such as equipment rules, even if only a small percentage of golfers today can ever hope to get close to that standard.

Yet, Mike Davis, executive director of the United States Golf Association, stated recently that the USGA and R&A remain committed to one set of rules. The Royal Canadian Golf Association (yes, we can call it the RCGA, not Golf Canada, when it comes to rules) generally follows the USGA lead.

Does that matter to you?

Chances are there are still a few ERC drivers still floating around out there after that Callaway product was deemed non-conforming for its hot face years ago. The same will hold true for years to come for pre-2010 grooves now being phased out for amateur players.

Few will notice and even less will care during Saturday afternoon rounds by those who participate for the sheer fun of the game. The problem is that the number of people who are participating has stalled or even declined and difficulty is recognized as one of the reasons.

Personally, I believe that lessons are the best way to enjoy the game and that can work with technology to ease the difficulty of golf for newcomers, but affordability is also a recognized factor in declining participation.

Another question to consider is how many newcomers would be happy to play with just some sort of proficiency and aren’t really over-concerned with becoming a scratch golfer?

In an odd way, golf’s governing bodies, with their resistance to bifurcation, have actually fueled discussion among those who favour it.

There would be challenges with two sets of rules.

Those selling the “recreational” clubs would have to be upfront and explain to the purchaser that if he/she was going to play competitively, it means a new set of clubs. I have no doubt most would, but would some hesitate to do so in order to make a sale?

Where do you draw the line in terms of friendly bets and long drive or closest to the pin contests using so-called non-conforming clubs at corporate/charity events, where things tend to be a little more loosy-goosy than formal competitive events?

Those are a couple of things that come to mind when considering the stand by golf’s governing bodies on bifurcation and major manufacturers generally are respectful of set standards, although there have been incidents of defiance in the past.

I like to think that quality is first priority among those who sell golf clubs and if such non-conforming products were available, would you consider defying golf’s governing bodies and selling such clubs in order to help newcomers ease into the game?

That’s the question in this week’s GNN Poll.

Cast your vote.  And given the controversial nature of such a question, please feel free to expand your thoughts in the Comment section below.

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