The USGA and R & A have come up with a plan to put a cap on distance. Yes, the distance a ball travels presumably off the tee. They have limited the length of the clubs and are busily having working groups hire consultants to come up with shit that your average punter could – just on fancy letterhead.
It seems that the powers that be have decided to limit distance for the sake of tour pros like Bryson Dechambeau, Dustin Johnson, etc etc. I haven’t read the full spiel and don’t intend to. One thing I’ve learned is that when governing bodies go through this type of process they’ve likely made their minds up already.
However, comma, we can comment. Let’s assume that Wilco Nienaber and friends are the catalyst for the changes and round that number off to say 500 golfers who can legitimately hammer the piss out of the ball and make a living. There are about 70 million golfers worldwide. 500 into 70,000,000 is about 0.0007%. The fish heads want to change the rules for 0.0007% of golfers?
Most golfers would love a little more length and who really cares if they get an extra 8 yards? I could certainly use some more off the tee. I can quite easily fuck up a wedge shot from 52 yards just as I can from 60, but melting one from time to time is part of the fun of it.
The debate will linger for as long as there is a game. It will in all sports. Athletes will get bigger and stronger. Advances in technology will continue and sports will too. Who would have thought some fucker could run the 100 in 9.58 seconds?
I watched Riviera on the weekend where Max Homa won by guiding his ball around. The long hitters were mixed in with the rest. We can see this at the great courses. But if you play the big hitting thunder whackers play a hard and fast resort course with wide open fairways and receptive greens, guess what? It’ll be a power contest. At last year’s US Open, Dechambeau plotted his way around making necessary adjustments for his length. Sometimes his line was to the rough. Colin Morikawa at the PGA plotted his way around a long golf course and won. You’d hardly say Colin was in with the sledge hammerers. Zach Johnson won the masters with his wedge game.
I think if the course is truly great, like Paraparaumu, Shinnecock Hills, Merion, The Old Course, Carnoustie, Harbor Town, Le Golf National – the most skilled golfer will win. If the course is set to score on – these boys and girls will do just that. Plus, part of the reason we watch the game is to see the flat bellies pound on the spud.
Our bet wishes to the Big Cat. He has made golf popular with many people that wouldn’t have otherwise considered playing. He’s probably the reason the purses are so high. Hope he can get through this without too much pain and be back with his kids tout de suite.
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