Comments on Grouchy Golf Blog: The Sport With the Most Ridiculous Rules

The rule had to be applied. The ridiculous part wa...

2010-11-29T05:57:13.501-08:00

The rule had to be applied. The ridiculous part was allowing the gallery to stand in the "bunker" and that neither player, or their caddies, realized in was a "bunker". When one of the best players in the world is in contention to win THE PGA TOURNAMENT, and he has to be told he broke a rule on the 72nd hole, something is very wrong. The situation set back honest golf a ton at the recreational level. USGA, we need simplified, clearer rules to establish a more accepted common denominator for non-PGA play. When the vast majority of the players you represent are not playing by the rules, something is very wrong.
Play the Truth!

Truth or Consequences Another year of sports chea...

2010-11-28T10:14:13.709-08:00

Truth or Consequences

Another year of sports cheating and lying is about to end with the possible disqualification of one of the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy. Yes, the same Heisman Trophy returned earlier this year by a former “winner” who was guilty of bending the rules.

Other top sports venues, such as the Olympics and the Tour de France, have shown that cheating and lying are certainly not confined to the big three, football, basketball and baseball, which will take center stage in April with the Clemen’s and Bond’s trials.

Then there is golf. Recent studies indicate over 70% of all players cheat. This has nothing to do with the personal situation of the most famous golfer. The studies are referring to us! In the 1992 movie, A Few Good Men, Tom Cruise yells at Jack Nicholson on the witness stand “I want the truth”, to which Jack replies, “You can’t handle the truth”. Can we handle the truth?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with playing for fun without any rules, similar to the popular Truth or Consequences game show of long ago. It was never meant to be serious or real. But, if you do consider yourself to be a competitive player, obey the rules and Play the Truth.

If you think he would have the same result, try th...

2010-10-07T10:50:32.174-07:00

If you think he would have the same result, try this, next time your on the course, playg ever single shot with you club hovering over the ball.

See how many thins and fats you hit

No matter what sports you have participated in thr...

2010-09-24T10:50:59.127-07:00

No matter what sports you have participated in throughout your life, the more accomplished you become, the more you enjoy it!

Coming from an extremely athletic family, I have always approached challenges with a "Commitment produces Results " mentality. I am an average guy , going to work five days a week , and playing golf as often as possible (Whenever I get the green light). Never having golf lessons before , everything I know about golf has come through reading magazines and trial and error, and there has been plenty of error.

. I currently have an 8 handicap and play with a set of irons that were made in the mid seventies (low profile Lynx Predator). They have never been fitted to my size (6' 4"), nor have the shafts been replaced for my high club head speed (regular shaft) . Hence, this causing me to make numerous adjustments to my swing , all the while, eventually costing me strokes. I carry only two wedges , a 48 and a 56 degrees , silly me. I do however carry a driver that is worth more than all of my golf equipment put together, a Titlest D2 907, just recently purchased (used). I think my wife was sick of hearing me talk about, it so she went out and bought it for me. Until 2 moths ago , I had been playing a 2 iron off the tee, which becomes a hell of a chore playing form the tips.
Golf to me , is a game that you should appreciate the personal challenge it offers, to truly enjoy it. You are connected to so many elements while on the coarse . Whether it is the nature surrounding you , the people you are playing with or the tranquility of a "Good Walk Spoiled" (great book by the way), it's just plain beautiful.

People golf for many reasons. Some play to provide a more relaxed environment for a business meeting, others simply for the exercise, but for me .... Pure Passion. I can't explain why, considering I was much better at baseball and hockey. Growing up in Northern Ontario, golf could only be played for around 4 months of the year.
My birthday gift each year from my parents was a membership at a local coarse . A nine hole facility that offered so many different opportunities for a young boy to learn from . Golf teaches you respect, not only for yourself , but other people that surround you. Integrity, you learn from a young age not to play honestly, because you are only cheating yourself. There is certain etiquette expected from each individual on the coarse. When those expectations aren't met, they stand out, and are quickly reminded of what they have done is unacceptable .
One thing that golf demands is consistency from the player, very difficult to come by. You can have the most unorthodox swing, but as long as the club face is square to the ball upon contact , good things generally transpire.
Golf could simply be an excuse to get out for the afternoon to enjoy the nice weather or a dream you have to one day be Professional. It is a sport that promotes healthy values and morals, and can be played by anyone of any age.
On that note , enjoy a game that will challenge you always , to score honestly, and leave your foot wedge at home.

Gary

It's important to recognise the different requ...

2010-09-10T08:52:08.215-07:00

It's important to recognise the different requirements between a pro event and the saturday social. When it's significant amounts of money on the line you want to be sure the rules are precise and enforced. On the Social just drop the ball near the right point and get on with enjoying the game.

What about stroke and distance in the club medal - now that really does slow down a game!

I agree with you. Golf rules can be very harsh to ...

2010-09-09T18:02:50.305-07:00

I agree with you. Golf rules can be very harsh to the players. The only thing that golfers can do now is open a debate that will hopefully lead to a revision of the rules that will be fair to everybody.

just enjoy the game... almost 25 million golfers h...

2010-09-06T08:48:13.136-07:00

just enjoy the game... almost 25 million golfers have been brainwashed to think we have to play according to the rules that apply to professional golf tournaments only. relax and have fun. if you can't hit the ball as far as you once could, then buy a non-conforming driver and ball to help you out. if you are having trouble with slices and holding up play trying to find your ball in the woods, use the Polara golf ball (it is straight - the USGA tested it and then made a rule specifically to outlaw it. Thanks USGA guys for considering us high handicappers!) If you need a few extra clubs to enjoy the game, then take 16 or 18. You won't have to do community service if you are caught. Ans what's with the groove rule phasing in in 2025? The game of golf is shrinking and the guys at the USGA are in part to blame. When are people going to wake up and realize that the game of golf won't fall off a cliff if it is made a little more enjoyable? The USTA realized this and now tennis enrollment is growing again.

If a ball has a ledge of sand behind it, grounding...

2010-08-26T13:53:36.238-07:00

If a ball has a ledge of sand behind it, grounding could flatten or otherwise affect the lie.

I couldn't agree more. The reason for the rule...

2010-08-18T15:18:42.730-07:00

I couldn't agree more. The reason for the rule is so the player can't test the condition of the sand by grounding their club in the sand. Yet you dig your feet into the sand while addressing the ball, which is a more effective was of testing the sand.