[Niobaralegra]

Was listening to PGA Radio this morning and they mentioned an article posted by Charlie Rymer on ways to make golf better for the average player. He lists 10 different ideas that could work. Some of them are "outside the box" thinking.

Golf4life just started a thread about an article that Peter Kostis wrote about fixing the 5 dumbest rules in golf. This is kind of similar in that it's intended to make the game more interesting for people who are getting in to the game. Here are his 10 ideas along with a link to the article.

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/tour-i...f-model-39922/

1) It makes no sense that recreational golfers (especially beginners) play by the same rules that professionals and elite amateurs play. Simplify rules for everyday recreational play. Would you ski off a double black diamond hill after your first ski lesson?

2) Players choose which tees they play from. They should also be able to choose the size of the hole they play to. Courses should have a regulation hole and a 10-inch hole on every green. This would have a major impact on pace of play and enjoyment.

3) Get the pros out from behind the counters. Golf can be intimidating and confusing. Pros should meet, greet and make golfers feel welcome. Let the grumpy rangers collect the cash. Quick tips on the range and advice on how to play the course should be the priority for pros. Who knows? This might even bring back pro shop customer loyalty and give those grumpy rangers more cash to collect. Golf pros don't need to be general managers. They need to be golf pros. Deal with the golfers, not the computers.

4) Find ways to let seniors and juniors play 3-, 6-, and 12-hole loops walking. If regular play starts at 8 a.m., let juniors and seniors tee off the 12th or 16th tee at 8:30.

5) Widen fairways and lower rough cuts. Nobody wants to have an Easter egg hunt on every hole. And more importantly, nobody wants to stand on a tee watching the group in front of them have an Easter egg hunt.

6) Educate golfers on the economic reality of high green speeds. Golfers need to appreciate healthy turf more than greens that roll 14 on the Stimpmeter. Not only does this take pressure off the golf course owner but it also helps with pace of play.

7) Learn from bowling. Bowling was withering on the vine in the 1970s and early 1980s. People couldn't figure out how to keep score and gutter balls just weren't that much fun. Automatic scoring and retractable bumpers helped revitalize the sport.

8) Push the physical activity and socialization button with seniors. Movement and activity helps fight heart disease and diabetes. Socialization helps depression and overall mental health. Nothing brings these factors together better than golf. Especially on a golf course with less rough and a 10-inch hole. Find creative ways to get seniors on the golf course.

9) Base handicaps on scores shot in competition and on designated medal play days. Illegitimate handicaps discourage many golfers from competing. The current system doesn't provide incentive for many golfers to take pride in their handicap.

10) Have golf courses prepped and ready for play at first light on weekends. This gives parents the opportunity to get in some golf and still have time to spend with the family. Recreational time can't compete with family time in this day and age. And rightfully so.

[JesexhiSeeces]

I strongly agree with #3. Pros are the ambassadors to the sport. They need to be out there being pro-active.

And 10 inch holes, hmm, something to think about for my wife next time we go out. I think she would enjoy playing with me if she had an advantage like that. Maybe take a 5 inch piece of string as a tape measure, or if the ball's within a glove's length of the hole it's good?

[#[SoftAzerZx]]

Number 7 is interesting, but a bit misleading. Automatic scoring is awesome, but bumpers probably had more of an effect on kids than adults. I think that is a good thing and golf could learn from it. Encourage kids to tee up the ball in the fairway, make hole lengths appropriate for kids, maybe make courses that are reserved for kids/parents.

I think the whole "Lunar Bowling" thing helped out the sport as well. Don't know how to make golf cool like that, though lol.

[affozyBoomi]

Me in Red

2) Players choose which tees they play from. They should also be able to choose the size of the hole they play to. Courses should have a regulation hole and a 10-inch hole on every green. This would have a major impact on pace of play and enjoyment.

That's a little over-the-top (kinda like my swing) maybe 6" but not 10"


5) Widen fairways and lower rough cuts. Nobody wants to have an Easter egg hunt on every hole. And more importantly, nobody wants to stand on a tee watching the group in front of them have an Easter egg hunt.

That would be awesome! I understand the rough is a penalty, but the penalty shouldn't be doubly enforced. It's bad enough to hit out of some courses rough, and shoot I've seen some courses *cough* Smoky Mountain National *cough* where rough equals lost ball.

[Niobaralegra]

I think the whole "Lunar Bowling" thing helped out the sport as well. Don't know how to make golf cool like that, though lol.

Disco night golfing? Bring a DJ in have him blast music from the Pro Shop and use glow in the dark balls?

[Darlmtgq]

Very interesting points!! I agree #3 would be a huge step forward for the game.

[RooldpalApata]

this sounds like college night at the local mini-golf course lol

Disco night golfing? Bring a DJ in have him blast music from the Pro Shop and use glow in the dark balls?

[Niobaralegra]

this sounds like college night at the local mini-golf course lol

wait you mean they won't allow this at PGA National?

the 10" hole idea is kind of interesting. Put a normal size hole on 1 side of the green and the larger one on the other.

[Mimsykzr]

I love the night golf. Disco lights, I like even more!

[imnaone]

#3 is fantastic. As an experienced business operator/manager/etc. I've often laughed at the "management" of most golf courses and yet I couldn't get them to CONSIDER hiring me to run the place even if I agreed to work there for free. They all seem convinced that golf is some kind of magical business and unless you're trained in golf you couldn't possibly understand it (this if of course, completely laughable).

Courses need superintendents to manage the grounds and they need pros to manage instruction, fitting etc., but neither of those people is qualified or trained to run a business and yet that's who most courses have running the place. There should be a GM who oversees inventory, rates, marketing, customer relations, retail, food, etc. and the pro should be improving people's golf experience as Charlie says and the super should be outside widening those fairways.

(Could someone please explain this to my area courses and get one of them to hire me as their GM!)

[tmobmobfil]

#3 is by far the best. It would be very cool if pros wandered the course and interacted with golfers. If I had the dough ray me I would buy a course and run it exactly like that.

Kevin

[CuittisIL]

5) Widen fairways and lower rough cuts. Nobody wants to have an Easter egg hunt on every hole. And more importantly, nobody wants to stand on a tee watching the group in front of them have an Easter egg hunt.

I don't care if they widen the fairways but lowering the rough cut sure would speed up pace of play.Of course you should strive to stay out of where you can't find your ball so maybe I don't agree with that either.Actually there should be a rule for recreational golfers on a 1 minute time limit on finding their ball in the rough at the end of that time take the penalty stroke or 10 sec look without penalty.If we all had the galleries and staff looking for our balls in the rough this rule wouldn't be needed.