LETTER OF THE MONTH
DON’T LET THE TAIL WAG THE DOG
I have read with interest the comments in Golf Australia over the last couple of months concerning driving distances, following the most recent R&A/USGA report. One of the most important and relevant comments came from the great Ernie Els when he pointed out that for the future of golf, the amateur game is more important than the professional game, and consequently no changes should be made that would adversely impact the average amateur.
In addition, I believe bifurcation would be a huge mistake. Equipment marketing is significantly built around endorsement from professionals using that equipment – that obviously doesn’t work if we adopt bifurcation. It would also create a material problem in the transition from the amateur to pro ranks. And while a “professional” ball might not be the the biggest issue for equipment manufacturers, you have to assume that it would be the “thin end of the wedge”.
I suggest that the only genuine problem with driving distances is that they can make the current strategic design of some great courses obsolete for professional tournaments. If necessary, this can be addressed by key design changes without necessarily lengthening the course (take the 10th hole at Riviera as a great example of a really difficult short hole). Slowing down fairways (with softer ground and/ or higher mower settings) is also an alternative way to reduce driving distances without modifying equipment.
In any case, professionals are only a tiny fraction of golfers, the courses they play in tournaments are only a tiny fraction of courses, and the rounds they play on those courses are only a tiny fraction of rounds played on those courses – let’s not have the tail wag the dog! To those who are worried about lower and lower scores being recorded in professional tournaments, I can only say you are out of touch with most golfers. Part of the attraction of the Masters at Augusta is the excitement of the great birdies and eagles that can be made. TV ratings for the US Open are never nearly as high as for the Masters because watching the best in the world shoot 10 over par is just not that interesting! The R&A and USGA should spend their time and efforts in growing the game ... trying to roll back driving distances will do nothing to grow the game.