Can an Informal Rule Change Lead to More Fun Playing Golf?

I have been involved in an untold number of discussions about the decline of golf and I think one of the major issues is that people are not having enough fun to justify the time and expense. I am not going to get into all the possible reasons for the decline or this would become a book instead of a blog. The one thing I am going to do is offer a simple suggestion.

Let everybody use a tee and tee it up in their own fairway. I phrase it this way because I think there should be an advantage for hitting it in the fairway. Now before the purist start lighting their torches let me explain. By some estimates around 90% of golfers are already playing “lift, clean, and place” (winter rules) year round. Is it such a leap to let them lift, clean, and put a tee under it?

One of the battles that rage in clubs and Golf Committee meetings around the country is the height of cut of their fairways. The low handicappers want them tight and the vast majority of the members/players want them longer so they can set the ball up. Longer fairways have several major draw backs. Aesthetically, you need definition between rough and fairway. With a higher fairway cut the rough gets deeper and slows play down. It also makes the fairway softer and the ball won’t roll as far making the course play longer. The longer cut seriously penalizes anyone that plays the ball “as it lies” because it produces flyers from the fairway.

The simple solution is short mowing heights and let less skilled golfers use a tee. Everybody is happy (in my wildest dream).

There is already a lot of discussion about two different sets of rules – one for tournament/serious play and one for everyday play. That’s wonderful, but you have a better chance of winning the Power Ball Lottery than living long enough to see the USGA and R&A come out with that.

My suggestion is start now. As long as everyone in your group plays by the same rules it doesn’t matter. If you play in a league they can adopt it for all of their members. You don’t have to wait for anyone to “officially” recognize it.

The vast majority of golfers don’t have established USGA Handicaps now, so that isn’t a problem. The one drawback is that you can’t have it both ways. If you do decide to establish a handicap this way you will be at a severe disadvantage if you decide to play in an event played by USGA Rules.

My point is that we need to do things now that help people enjoy the game more so they won’t quit as fast and I believe this is a much better alternative than 15 inch cups and “Foot Golf.”

I’m simply throwing this out as a suggestion and food for thought. I encourage you to bring your friends into the discussion through social media, email or whatever you are most comfortable with. I would love for you to leave comments on this. Be sure to check out my bio and feel free to contact me personally.

The independent opinions expressed in this segment do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Golficity or its affiliates.

(Cover Photo Credit)