Opinion & Analysis

Bifurcation: Fixing golf’s indigestion

Published

10 years ago

Dec 11, 2013

Of the issues that dominated golf’s conversation in 2013—Tiger’s drops, Brandel’s report card’s, Keegan’s belly putter, Sergio’s jokes, and oh, sure, slow play—let me suggest another that will resonate far beyond this season. It speaks directly to the focus of GolfWRX: Bifurcation.

A golfing friend of mine said he didn’t understand Bifurcation. “It sounds like a gastro-intestinal disorder. What are you talking about?”

Bifurcation essentially means: We don’t play the same game as they do. We being recreational golfers, they being very high-level competitors. And since we don’t play the same game we won’t pretend we do. Not in the rules of play, not in the way we set up courses, not in the way we regulate—or don’t—equipment. In short: two games, two sets of rules.

But aren’t we kind of there already? We don’t play the same tees. In fact, we’re encouraged to “Tee it Forward.” We ride carts—pros can’t. We don’t follow the professional “one-ball” rule. And nobody’s standing on the first tee of the local muni measuring our grooves.

Bifurcation means you make this division formal. You declare it. You make it official. Rules of play for amateurs, on the one hand, and pros on the other, are different. And there lies the rub. Though few of us would argue that we play under the same conditions as, say, Rory McIlroy, declaring this formally is like admitting that D-1 college football players really aren’t amateurs; that Britney Spears doesn’t really look like she does on the cover of Elle; that your Chevy is not the one Jeff Gordon drives.

Manufacturers—with a few exceptions– tend to oppose bifurcation because they market their products on the basis of you playing the same game–with the same equipment–as their stars. Buy this driver and hit it like Bubba. Use this wedge and get up and down like Luke. Beyond commercial consideration, they believe—sincerely, I think–that the game loses an important universality when that connection is eroded.

Your R1: TaylorMade’s marketing campaign for its 2013 R1 driver revolved around its use by the company’s tour staff. It was the same driver the pros were using, the ads said, but it could be adjusted to fit any golfer.

Rule-makers tend to oppose bifurcation because to them it represents a slippery slope–and the complicated maintenance of that slope—leading to rules chaos. “Well, if the long putter is okay for you but not the pros, why not a ball that straightens itself out? What about those U grooves. A livelier driver face? Won’t that take all of the challenge out of the game?” OMG!

USGA Executive Director Mike Davis says his organization and the R&A are working on language to simplify the rules. But bifurcation could go well beyond that. It might, for example, lead to what our buddies group called a “Reasonable Man’s Rules of Golf:”

No out of bounds. Play boundaries as a lateral hazards.
If the ball moves a little but it makes no difference, so what?
Tap down a bad spike mark.
Roll your ball out of a divot.

Any golfer can do this informally, of course, but some important voices are arguing for making it overt. Former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman this fall addressed a pace-of-play meeting at the USGA and made a passionate case for bifurcation of equipment rules.

It was akin to Martin Luther tacking his reforms on the front door of the Vatican.

“Baseball has not been harmed because in the big leagues you cannot use metal bats like in college. And softball, with different rules and field size, has helped millions of girls and women to be interested in baseball,” said Beman. “Is the stance against bifurcation of the rules in golf really protecting the integrity of the game?”

Beman sure doesn’t think so. The upcoming rule against anchored putting, he argued, was a perfect example of reining in the professional game at the expense of amateur play.

“I’d like to see one of my old pals, who can’t eat peas anymore because his hands shake so badly they fall off his fork before he can them to his mouth, keep his anchored putter.”

Conversely, he said, opposing bifurcation also hurts the pro game, because authorities are reluctant to make equipment rules for the best players that would discourage amateurs, the long putter being the exception. Beman would force pros to play with a ball that “spins more and thus curves more, and a driver that if you mishit the ball at 120 mph—would soar off into the unknown.” We could keep our self-correctors.

After his talk he grabbed a reporter in the hall. “Hey, we’re already there,” he said. “We don’t play the same tees!”

Which is where another of the game’s Wise Men, Barney Adams steps in. Adams, who founded Adams Golf and calculated that amateurs play courses that are far longer, relatively speaking, than those the pros play, inspired the Tee it Forward movement. And his “Tour Tees” idea takes that a step further. If you really want to play the way the pros do, says Adams, then set your course up so you’ll hit approach shots like theirs—on average, an 8-iron. In short, for amateurs who hit the ball maybe 220 yards on average say goodbye to 440-yard par 4s on your local public course. Green speeds of 12? Forget about it.

Adams, Beman and many others argue that the game is too hard and too slow and that those two things are related. Play is down not because golf is too expensive, says Adams, but because it’s not fun. He calls it “product rejection.” “It’s like a bad movie,” Adams says. “People don’t go.”

Will allowing amateurs to play by different rules (with different equipment) than pros make a dent in this problem? Maybe not. But Beman and others say we have to try. Industry initiatives to boost play have produced at best modest results. Retirees are playing less frequently than previous generations and Millennials—those sought-after 18-35 year olds—aren’t playing as much as their age group once did.

Golf has a big problem, even if some of us nut cases don’t always feel it.

In such circumstances one tends to listen to one’s elders.

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Bob Carney

Bob Carney is a Contributing Editor at Golf Digest, writing for the magazine, its web site and sister publication Golf World. He’s an avid golfer and a single-digit handicap who has earned awards for his coverage of the industry and recreational golf. He is co-author, with Davis Love Jr. and Bob Toski, of How to Feel a Real Golf Swing. Prior to joining Golf Digest, Carney wrote for the Bergen (NJ) Record and contributed stories to People Magazine and Time, among others. He earned a B.A. From University of Michigan, attended Columbia University Journalism School, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand, where he managed to get in one or two rounds of golf.

96 Comments

HackerDav31

Dec 30, 2013 at 12:05 pm

Bifurcation can only help the game in a much needed way. Rounds played, and I read the reports quarterly, are consistently down. Look at pop-warner football, little league baseball, tee ball, etc. If we want to grow the game it has to start at the amateur level, specifically with kids. Make something so hard and frustrating for a kid and they’ll instantly give it up. That’s a fact! I’m not clear as to why golf is “purifying” its way into obsolescence. We wouldn’t expect 10 year olds to play on regulation NBA 10′ rims, the same way we don’t expect college – as in near pro athletes – to adhere to the same rules of MLB or the NFL. Why is golf so damn insistent on making the game so hard for would-be lovers of the game?

Frankly, without bifurcation golf will continue to die a slow death. I’m not saying bifurcation is THE magic bullet, but its one of many steps the governing bodies need to address and quickly unless they want to see golf go the way of Jai-Alai!

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- Mark
  
  Jan 2, 2014 at 10:04 pm
  
  The view from Oz. In Australia, we have not introduced the ‘slope system’ which I understand is popular and works well in USA. On a typical golf course there are Social tees up front (social groups, green fee players) ladies tees, Men’s tees (typically measuring the course at the 5900 metre/6400 yards area, and then the Championship tees – 5900-6000 metre plus. Only the above average golfer, say 15 and below, can play the course anything like intended from the Championship tees (and of course the young guns eat it up at that length) Older golfers and lesser players, say 25 handicap and above, need to play out of their socks to get 36 stableford points – forget any achievement in a stroke event, they can’t compete. There is a ‘championship’ course in Sydney that plays via the slope system – designed by ex-tour player Graham Marsh, which is tough – but slope-system inspired tees, staged at areas suitable to handicaps make it navigable for golfers of all standards and an absolute delight to play. ie: 25 marker plays off silver tee, set 30 metres forward of the gold tees that the 15 marker plays from, and so on. The fairway bunkers are in play for everyone, the par threes are reachable for everyone, etc. The game is struggling here as well – membership down, clubs closing, fewer youngsters taking up the game etc. Australian golf also needs to take action to make it more enjoyable for all players – present and future….this needs to be fixed, at grass roots level, before any adjustment to equipment or rules or courses that the pro’s play and entertain.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mark F
    
    Jan 3, 2014 at 6:08 pm
    
    It sounds like course setup is making the game less enjoyable for you. Maybe get some golfing friends together and forget about the handicap and stableford points and have a hit. Play whatever tee’s you want too. If you want to play for something – put some money in the pot and make your own game up…just a suggestion. It will also save you the “comp” fee…
    
    Reply Report comment
Mark F

Dec 29, 2013 at 5:21 pm

Just curious, do most of you play competition rounds with the club you’re at or play social golf? Grew up in the states – been playing for 40 years…where I’m at now, nobody plays social only competitions. They run about 5 days a week. I don’t play anymore. I use to love playing social golf – if all of us hit a bad first ball, we just hit another ball. Relaxed rules – it was fun.

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GolferX

Dec 26, 2013 at 3:39 pm

Disagree with bifurcation? Then don’t ever buy from the cart-girl.

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tim

Dec 18, 2013 at 8:20 pm

That picture of Keegan annoys me.

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Regis

Dec 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm

Everyone seems to have their own Ox to gore. I’m 62 been playing for 50 years. Do my own club work .Health issues require me to use a cart and limits my tee shots to 185 yards. Played for 30 years at a private club. I now play fairly difficult public courses to a 15 hcp. Last week played with a good young player who could bomb it. We played in 2 1/2 hours. Round before-course was backed up- 4 1/2 hours. BiFurcation will not grow the game. Nor will it make it more enjoyable for real golfers. Playing conforming equipment with moderate adherence to the rules establishes a benchmark to allow us to know how we really played. Want to lower scores-Give yourself putts-don’t count muffed shots. Enough already play this way.

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- RG
  
  Dec 22, 2013 at 12:42 am
  
  Regis you make my point. when you say we don’t need to bifurcate and then you say”Give yourself putts-don’t count muffed shots” you are absolutely conflicting yourself, as do the “Rules of Golf.” This needs to stop.
  
  Reply Report comment
aaron

Dec 17, 2013 at 4:38 am

they buy these clubs with the claims of yardage gains, and when these new players that have only been playing a few years cannot hit these clubs that claim magic without practice, they get discouraged and quit or spend all their expendable income on equipment and nothing left over too play. As i stated before, you wanted 40 yards, either practice and learn how to make a move on the ball, and if you cant practice, TEE IT FORWARD and get your 40 yards that way. Many people dont realize that a majority of the tour players are actually using Versions 2 and 3 of the retail club that are 390 ccs , 400 ccs, 420 and 440 ccs. actually smaller heads, so that they can achieve accuracy . Bigger ccs will only give these weekend hacks longer distance to travel walking into the woods too look for their balls. All this is coming about because equipment is maxed and CEO needs to show profits. all you have to do is look how many releases are coming out , when they used to come out once every 2 years. They killed the pro shops for the golf professionals and now they are going to kill any retail. Retail companies cannot make profits on these clubs when a new one is coming out every six months. Their is too much price drop on “older” six month models when they new ones release. SAVE YOU MONEY AND TEE IF FORWARD< WAYYY FORWARD, if you need distance and enjoyment from the game. Otherwise dig it out in the dirt if you have the time and get your enjoyment that way

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aaron

Dec 17, 2013 at 4:25 am

I think that most of you may be missing the big picture here. Taylormades CEO is the one making the push for bifurcation, so that they can manufacture non conforming clubs for the average weekend player. Its purely because they have run out of technology, the equipment is maxed out, and he is pushing the usga to bifurcation. If this happens they can continue to make their claims on distance. Where as most of you have said to play it forward, you are correct. Instead of spending money on 400 dollar new released clubs every six months with claims of more distance, instead just tee it forward and there is your 40 yards if you need 40 more yards to play golf and enjoy the game. Simple, save 400 dollars, and use it to PLAY the game and put the money into the golf ecosystem and we will all be much better for it. These companies are sucking every playing dollar these hacks have with their false claims. You want 40 yards with your driver, tee it up, simple as that. Shorter approach shots, shorter clubs being hit = more fun. As others have stated, the accuracy of the game is how you enjoy it. Not the length.

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gticlay

Dec 16, 2013 at 12:53 pm

Bifurcation is a terrible idea. So are we going to let amateurs use different clubs in The Open and at The Masters? The PGA? No? Then you don’t believe in bifurcation for amateurs and don’t pretend you do.

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- David Sefton
  
  Dec 17, 2013 at 3:38 am
  
  We get bifurcation by results. We score higher. No need to dumb down the game.
  
  Reply Report comment
wayne defrancesco

Dec 15, 2013 at 7:48 pm

The main reason for having rules is to establish the conditions of play for competition. The Tour is not the only place golfers compete seriously. Amateurs and juniors travel all over the world to compete. Public and private clubs all hold tournaments almost every week, some gross, some net. Everyone who competes likes to win (even if they say they don’t care) and they all demand a level playing field. There is no way to establish fair handicaps (a debatable concept in any case) without a consistent set of rules. And there is no way to hold a fair competition unless all players abide by the rules of golf. Golf is a self policing game, run mostly on the honor system, and there must be a clear set of rules to follow. The Rules of Golf have been in place forever and are constantly being tweaked, but to have 3 sets of rules would make the club professional’s job (the people who run all the events you play in) impossible.

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- FG
  
  Dec 15, 2013 at 8:01 pm
  
  You’re not a very nice person to pretend to be Wayne D. That proves everybody’s point exactly about how too many golfers have no respect for the game.
  
  Reply Report comment
- RG
  
  Dec 22, 2013 at 12:56 am
  
  Wayne this is the problem, what does a handicap mean? Its really only an estimate at best. Also this is the problem, why must it always be about competition? The vast majority of golfers cannot break 90 and are just tryin to hit good shots or play descent holes. Why must we hold them to the same standard as professionals and moreover why must they have all that stress. You know as well as I that PAR, BIRDY, BOGEY are illusions, you hit the ball and count them at the end. If you establish a mode for a recreational player( and that’s what it really is, a mode) then you allow that player to have liberty and not feel diminished.
  
  Reply Report comment
melrosegod

Dec 14, 2013 at 4:10 pm

It’s all about attitude, I like to shoot better than the guys in my group but I like to think I am playing against the course. Without honesty and integrity to the rules we are slapping course design in the face.

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nik d

Dec 13, 2013 at 9:52 pm

so, junior varsity hockey players play on a sheet of ice that is the same size as the Stanley cup champions, same sticks, same skates? junior varsity football plays on a field 120 yards long and 50 yards wide, (maybe a lighter ball) why shouldn’t the pros play the same rules? albeit, keeping both feet in bounds when making a reception and a few other small (nfl) rules. im all over the place with this lol I play courses that are well over 7,000 yards and play the tips, I like the challenge! but just because they are there, doesn’t mean you have to play them! all and all, rules of golf and equipment rules have been changing all the time, how about the 2010 groove rule on clubs with lofts over 24 degrees? did I make any sense at all, or was I just rambling?

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- James
  
  Dec 14, 2013 at 11:49 pm
  
  You started talking about some of the differences that are oin almost every sport. Youth hockey has no checking, College basketball has a different 3 point line and 5 fouls not 6, College football only one foot in for a catch, College baseball aluminum bats…… Not saying I like 2 sets of rules but I think for non tournament play raking a bunker when your ball rolls in the the footprint of the jerk that didn’t rake it before you and rolling out of a divot when you hit the middle of the fairway are things I can get behind. Not into making the game easier per say but when the pros play the courses are in the best shape they can be. We don’t always get that option.
  
  Reply Report comment
RG

Dec 13, 2013 at 6:01 pm

Any intelligent conversation about bifurcation should not be about A and B. It is about A,B and C. “Recreational” “Competitive Amateur” and “Professional.”

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- GolferX
  
  Dec 26, 2013 at 3:21 pm
  
  What about D: “Hacker Deluxe”?
  
  Reply Report comment
RG

Dec 13, 2013 at 5:58 pm

You’ve got it. What people fail to recognize is the pressure and stigma that is put on the guy who is learning the game and wants to respect the game and follows the letter od the law and how much stress this puts him under.”0h where do I drop this? Am I in bounds? I gotta hit it outta this divot?” All of these stressers take away from recreation and joy. Yet no man wants to admit that he can’t play by the strict rules of the game.
Stop it already, In the Rules Of Golf there are exceptions which already exist. Just say,” These are the “Recreational Rules” these are the rules that govern “Amateur Competitive Play” and these are the rules that govern “Professional Play” and be done with it. Three ruling systems, three handicap systems. Let the player chose his league.
And my first offering is that players in the recreational league should be able to play with all the clubs they want, roll it in the fairway and play everything as a hazard. That would speed things up.

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DK

Dec 13, 2013 at 5:30 pm

Isn’t what we’re really talking about the availability and legality of certain clubs? Many players currently play under a loose rule structure anyway. For the most part USGA/R&A legislation limits club specs, should the rules change for the average player (and I think they should), we might see the game get a little easier and more fun. No matter how far club tech goes, practice and skill will always be important…
I vote we turn manufacturers loose and see what they can come up with for the recreational player!
Oh yeah, thumbs up for Beman’s comment on increasing golf ball spin for the pros, that’s the real fix.

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AJ Jensen

Dec 13, 2013 at 2:40 pm

The rules absolutely should be bifurcated, and here’s why.

When amateur players get together, they often agree on rule modifications. This is true of almost every round I’ve ever played, and sticklers are usually regarded as jerks by the rest of the group. We all know the official rules but nobody wants to win because of a technicality.

The official rules are bloated. If I’m playing against someone whose ball lands on a cart path, I’m not going to thumb through the rulebook to see if the path is technically manmade, and if so what rules govern a free drop. I just tell the guy to drop and we keep playing.

An official set of less-stringent rules gives players on the first tee an option: guys, do you want to play this round under pro rules or under amateur rules? OK then, let’s tee off. And from there, a set of rules exists to cover every contingency therein for the following round.

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- nik d
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 9:56 pm
  
  aj, I like that. its like making your own course rules. if it is not a sanctioned round, who cares. but if it is the club championship or city tournament, I wouldnt let your opponent get too many free strokes though.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Evan
  
  Dec 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm
  
  I think you make some valid points AJ. Golf has a problem because as it tries to grow the game, the game continues to be very complicated and difficult for beginners… intimidating is how most describe it. So should there be an official set of casual rules? Probably, it could be a common set of rules yet make golf more approachable to people who have not played before.
  
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Bob Jones

Dec 13, 2013 at 11:47 am

The newest bifurcation issue, and the only one I know of, is dialing back the ball. I can’t figure out why because the pros are making venerable courses obsolete that we have to reduce the length of our drives from 225 yards to 195. How will getting more bogeys and fewer pars help us have more fun? As for the allure of playing the same game as the pros, only a ten-year-old gets off on fantasizing, “I have the same driver as Bubba, and the same ball, and watch me hit it just as far! [as he does with his 6-iron]”

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GJR

Dec 13, 2013 at 11:47 am

I live in Minnesota and just started playing golf when I turned 30, in 2009. I’ve been golfing about 25 rounds every summer since then and I think I have a pretty good grasp on the game of golf in general. I do believe there are a five issues that are preventing this game from growing.

1.) Price of each round. The cost of a round of golf for most people is too expensive. I certainly understand that the cost of maintenance for a course isn’t cheap and that money has to come from some place. I understand that. But at the same time it’s just simple economics. The median household in come, according to US Census data in 2012, was as high as $71,000 in Maryland, and as low as $37,000 in Mississippi. Let’s just do some very simple and easy math. When you throw in a house payment or rent, a car payment or two, standard bills and utilities, food, a little credit card debt, and even a child or two, and there isn’t a ton left over every month to afford a round of golf. Where I play, in Minnesota, an average round on a Saturday, with a cart, is a good $55 at a run of the mill muni or course in the burbs. A high end place like a casino or an affluent suburb, it’s $85-$100. That’s assuming you sneak in your own drinks and snacks too.

2.) Time. A ‘quick’ round of golf, for two or three guys who are around 10 handicaps, can get done in 3.5 hours on a weekday. Now try and do that on a Saturday afternoon when most people have time to golf. That’s a 5.5 hour round of golf, if you’re good. If you’re a weekend warrior like 99% of the people who play and shoot bogey golf on a good day, that’s a lot of time to spend when you aren’t very good to begin with.

3.) Need more flexible rules. I am a firm believer that there way too many players that try to play golf the exact same way that they see the pros play. I understand wanting to feel that ego rush and say that you’re doing things the way the pros do. But that’s not the best way to grow the game for most people. We need to encourage more ‘Recreational’ type rules that can be suggested or even enforced by the course itself. Such as – 3 sets of tees. Red/Forward tees intended for Women, Seniors, and Juniors. The problem is that most people, who are not every good golfers on the weekend, think these tees are too easy for them. I would venture to say that 95% of amateur golfers should be playing these tees every time. There is nothing worse than seeing a 45 year old male hit a worm burner into the rough 100 yards down the fairway from the middle or back tees half the time. Swallow your pride and play forward. You will speed the game up for everyone else behind you and you will actually score better, in theory. As you get better and more confident, then you can move to the standard tees and once if a while if the course is dead, play the back tees for fun every couple of holes.

4.) Equipment. This is both cost and marketing. I understand how capitalism works and I’m not trying to deny anyone or any company the right to market and make money. But the claims and advances that are claimed to be made each year are completely ridiculous. If you taped the club heads so you can’t read which model they are, 99% of people won’t tell the difference between 2009 and 2013 clubs. They won’t. We know that. So start encouraging people to buy more used clubs which will leave money in their pocket to pay more greens fees. There are a lot of golfers out there who want newer stuff but think if they don’t have the latest and greatest they will suck. So in turn, they don’t even bother to upgrade their clubs they received as a hand me down 10 years ago. But we don’t need to fill their head with the notion that buying the new ‘x’ driver or irons will suddenly turn them into a 5 handicap when the last time they played they shot a 115.

5.) Disconnect. I think many people inside the golf industry are out of touch with who their market really is. When you watch a golf tournament on TV it’s a Mercedes Benz commercial followed by a golf vacation to Aruba. Who can afford that? Go to some major golf websites and look at the blogs trying to encourage people to go and buy that great new sweater that PGA PRO so and so wore in last weekends tournament for $350. C’mon. Go walk around your local muni and see what guys are wearing and playing with in their bags. See what they are driving. These aren’t country club members who belong in the 1%. That is not the majority of the golf market.

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- Jam
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 2:25 pm
  
  You can finish a round during the week in 3.5 hours???? Unheard of in the big cities, my friend. It takes 5 hours in places like NYC and LA. 6+ hours on the weekends. Count yourself lucky!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - GJR
    
    Dec 14, 2013 at 9:58 am
    
    Well, Jam I should clarify a tad. Yes, I can finish a round in 3-3.5 hours, actually. But it would have to be a weekday morning! I won’t golf on the weekends with a tee time after 8am because it’s just too long of a time commitment. I’ve got a wife and two little rug rats so I can’t spend the entire afternoon golfing. I play at least 15-18 of my rounds during the year on weekday mornings, or I’ll cut outta work and play in the late afternoon and be home to tuck the kids into bed. I’m lucky to have a flexible schedule and I save all my time off during the winter months and use it for kid sick days and golf in the summer 🙂 But I hear you. I can only imagine how long a round takes in a huge metro area like that. Gross.
    
    Reply Report comment
- nik d
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 10:05 pm
  
  GJR, whats your home course? we should play a round or two somewhere
  
  Reply Report comment
  - GJR
    
    Dec 14, 2013 at 9:50 am
    
    I play at lot in the southeast, nik d. Valleywood in Apple Valley, Crystal Lake in Lakeville, Heritage Links in Lakeville, and I’ll get out and play Meadows at Mystic Lake about 3 or 4 times a year. How about you?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - nik d
      
      Dec 17, 2013 at 10:09 pm
      
      I like to play the the quarry at giants ridge in biwabic a few times a year, Duluth public courses, and when I head south, I like to hit up inver hills in inver grove heights. I don’t play a steady circuit, I like to see all the courses that mn has to offer. but of course, hazeltine national is on my list 🙂 I need some rich friends
      
      Reply Report comment
      - GJR
        
        Dec 19, 2013 at 12:23 pm
        
        I’d love to play Hazeltine as well. They actually have a couple shots a year to play there in a tournament open to the public. I wanna say it runs about $150-$200 per guy, but it includes a lunch and banquet, etc. Keep tabs on twincitiesgolf.com as they tend to send out emails about open tournaments and whatnot. Oh, and I work near Inver Grove Heights and I like that Inverwood course as well.
        
        Reply Report comment
- Blah, blah, blah
  
  Dec 17, 2013 at 6:12 pm
  
  Faster play…
  
  1. Stop driving carts, walk instead and use a carry bag.
  
  2. Go forward, i.e. move forward, know where the ball is going.
  
  3. If you want to play from the tips, be ready to take a beating, but still know where your ball is going and move forward at all times instead of complaining and finding excuses.
  
  4. When your playing partner is hitting a shot, prepare for your own shot…… and so forth, and so forth.
  
  It´s elementary, my dear Watson.
  
  Reply Report comment
Rob

Dec 12, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Official Bifurcation would accomplish nothing. As many have stated, unofficial Bifurcation is commonplace for reasons of safety, practicality and speed of play. If someones actual handicap is higher than their established handicap they are only hurting themselves when they play where all rules are enforced. Yup my 10.5 may actually be 11. Do any of you really care?

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RG

Dec 12, 2013 at 4:05 pm

This topic really brings out the crazy in people. I have written two posts on this site entitled “Bifurcation and the Long Putter” parts 1 and 2. In my post I make the case that we are already bifurcated the governing bodies just won’t admit it or call it that. If we were not there would only be 1 set of tees. If we were not there would be no handicap. If we were not there would be no slope or rating. If we were not, there would be only 1 ball. If we were not, there would be only one set of clubs(1 irons for everybody!).
The governing bodies of golf are ludicrous in their thinking. You can move the ball if its in an ant bed, but not on a root. You can move it out of “casual water”in the fairway but not a divot. Graphite made like a whip “good”, long putter “bad.”
“Competition” and “Recreation” are different.

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Johnny Thunders

Dec 12, 2013 at 3:03 pm

Golf is a slowly dying sport. There are alot of reasons and having two sets of rules is not going to fix the problem. I have 5 nephews under age 25, not one of them plays golf on a regular basis although I taught them all how to play. Reasons, golf is an expensive sport, it is a hard sport. Also girls don’t play so as my youngest said, “so why bother?” Once us old guys die off so will the sport.

As far as rules go, our league has played, roll-it in the fairway, white tees, no stroke and distance penalty and a few other bending of the rules for 25 years. We still can’t attract new people when the old guys die off. Why see above.

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- Ral
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 10:53 am
  
  You cannot be farther from the truth.
  
  There has never been this many golf courses around the world in the history of golf. And the number is still expanding. That is the difficult part – because the players who are picking up the game are slightly shrinking or have come to a plateau – for the moment.
  
  However! Even if we lost a few courses (sad as that may sound for those course business owners) – if every course was flooded and filled with every player in the country – we would still have plenty of room for new players. Yes, the problem is cost – it is an expensive sport, and it takes a long time to play it – but that is its very nature, because of what it takes to look after the course, the facilities, and equipment and even the health of players to play at a consistently high level. 6 to 7 hours from start of the day to finish if you include travel time, warm up and the round plus drinks or food after – seems to be too long for too many – even though many would rather sit on their fat asses watching the NFL on Sundays all day long!
  
  We are attracting plenty of young players – just may be not in the US. But the rest of the world doesn’t mind – it is now time for the game to truly become global.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mat

Dec 12, 2013 at 2:37 pm

Bifurcation only needs to happen in a few ways:

Golf balls are the technology killing golf. The distance needs to be cut by 10% for everyone, bringing a more durable ball back to 1990 lengths.

Equipment needs to be left untouched. Two sets of equipment rules will drive equipment costs up drastically.

There should be tournament rules and everyday rules, but handicaps should be set by casual rules. These include:

All boundaries are red-stakes.
Provisionals are never allowed. Lost balls are to be played at the nearest point of awareness with full relief, +1 stroke.
Courses are only to offer tees set by handicap, and not age/gender.
If you do not hole a double bogey, pick up and score a triple.

I would have no problem with golf altogether adopting this, but bifurcation without club changes is the only way golf won’t be desperately hurt.

Reply Report comment
- You are clueless
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 11:58 am
  
  “All boundaries are red stakes”
  
  goes to show you that you know NOTHING about the rules of golf and are completely ignorant. A fine example of why people discuss these things.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jhm
    
    Dec 13, 2013 at 6:23 pm
    
    I think that “all boundaries are red stakes” is his suggested change, so regardless of whether the stake is red, white or yellow, you drop at theming it went across the boundary
    
    Reply Report comment
tlc

Dec 12, 2013 at 1:58 pm

Bifurcation is a great idea for those who are self-conscious about their shortcomings and want to feel that they are not cheating the game of golf by having another set of golf rules. Also add to these new golf rules for the lower tier golfer that they can get 1 mulligan per 9 holes of golf.

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froneputt

Dec 12, 2013 at 10:15 am

Bifurcation not needed.

Golfers need to put away the ego — get easier to play clubs that are fitted to their ability not their ego; and most should play 6k-6600 yards.

As to putters, manufacturers adapt – higher MOI (heavier) putters, longer lengths and counterbalancing – it works.

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Ken

Dec 12, 2013 at 9:56 am

This is ridiculous…There are no referees in golf, one of the best parts of the game is it is self governed when an amateur is on the course. Having two sets of rules only further complicates things because now amateur have to remember what is and isn’t allowed for the round they are playing. On top of all that when I am on the course and my playing partner get stuck in a divot that wasn’t filled with sand I of course will tell him to roll it. When I do, there is no whitle that blows. The ranger doesn’t drive up to me and smack my hand with a ruler for not following the rules…no one cares. I know that rolling the ball in the fairway is against the rules and that is what matters. Play the game like you want to with the understanding of the true rules of golf and you will be fine. Besides, half of the golfers I play with don’t even know the rules of golf, having a second set specifically for them wouldn’t help, they still wouldn’t follow them 🙂

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Chris S

Dec 12, 2013 at 8:34 am

Call it Golf 2.0 – or golf for amateurs – but regardless of how they dumb it down it will never really be Golf unless it’s what they play on the PGA Tour.

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Jim Stevenson

Dec 12, 2013 at 3:06 am

Golf was ruined a long time ago. Woods should have stayed wood, and irons should be iron. Long putters are not golf clubs. Steel spikes need to come back. The ball should spin as much as possible, not as little. Courses should be shorter so round go by quicker.

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Lar

Dec 12, 2013 at 2:14 am

Aaaaaah. Golf. Don’t you just love it? Everything to do with golf, is why we golf lovers absolutely LOVE it. Even the discussions about all this stuff. It’s like this – if you can’t walk – don’t play. We don’t need you to play. That is, those of us who can and want to play by the rule and can play on pace by the rules – don’t need you who can’t. Shame, that, but that’s the truth. There are plenty of other games you can go play, even if you can’t pay golf. It’s NOT for everyone, as everything else is the same in that vein. I don’t go around protesting that I can’t hit 150MPG tennis serves and say that the courts need to be smaller and that the net needs to be lowered, do I? Or how about the fact that I can’t ever own a 60 foot sail boat and try the American’s Cup even if I love sailing. You don’t see me complaining that the boats need to be smaller and that the boats and courses and deckhands need to be changed or affordable, do you? How about making the basketball hoop lower so that short guys can dunk?
You can’t play by the rules in golf? Don’t want to practice to get better? Don’t give a crap about bothering the other, self-respecting players who do care about the game and its rules? GO AWAY. We don’t need you.

Reply Report comment
- dman
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 9:10 am
  
  pretty aggressive stance, but i sympathize. people think of golf as a game of leisure that anyone can play, but the truth is, not everyone can. you get these total hacks on the course ruining rounds, because they think golf is “relaxing” and they’re “on vacation”, but they lose 6 balls en route to shooting 120. get off the course! it’s not even that they haven’t practiced; it’s that they just have zero talent or are not athletic.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Would Go Broke
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 12:29 pm
  
  You do need the ” Weekend ” hacks…. Otherwise… No golf courses. Without the general public golf doesn’t survive economically.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Bert
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 3:29 pm
  
  Exactly – what’s destroying the game is those who don’t respect it. It’s golf, played by the Rules or it’s not golf. Golf is a difficult sport, but made much easier by equipment changes (especially the ball). I tire of the whining about different rules. The best rule change would be simple; play it as you find it!
  
  Reply Report comment
- christian
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 4:51 am
  
  I actually agree. Why is it that some people think it’s a basic human right to be able to play golf, a soon to be olympic “sport”? You don’t see people whine about not being able to go downhill skiing do you? When you get too old and frail to play, well then it’s time to quit. it’s like denying the laws of nature. Just accept it and go on with your life.
  
  Reply Report comment
twshoot67

Dec 12, 2013 at 12:18 am

I like to know where all you guys that keep harping on SLOWING the GREENS DOEWN, PLAY? Personally I’d be happy with greens at 10 on the stimp. I can’t even get our cheap owner to cut the greens half the time. You all must belong to Augusta, or all Private Country Clubs having greens that are TOO FAST!!! I belong to a 2,500 a year membership public course. I haven’t seen any muni’s greens over 8 on a stimp meter ever in PA/NJ/DE. So again I ask, please tell me where you all play? I need an invite to all these courses that greens are too fast and screwing up everyones game. Oh yeah lets play by the rules, the guys that cheat or want bi rules their going to do whatever they want anyway…. they already do! their the same guys who tell you they are a 5 and then when you play with them they can’t break 100 counting all shots… they have breakfast balls, mulligans, and they also find every ball that any other normal man would lose. They already have their own rules!

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- Claiborne
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 1:45 am
  
  Come to North Carolina… Champs Bermuda, Mini Verde, and bent. The muni I play typically keeps their bent around 11. Hard pressed to find any course in the area lower than 10 anytime of year. You may find cows grazing if you do. Average weekend round on the muni is 4:15, 200 rounds per weekend day.
  
  Reply Report comment
Preston

Dec 11, 2013 at 11:44 pm

Having two sets of rules is stupid. Nobody at your local muni is making you play by usga rules. Now, if you play in an official event or post official handicap, then it needs to be by the rules.

This article did not prevent a good argument for bifurcation.

Reply Report comment
- Shawn
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 3:06 pm
  
  Exactly. If you want to go out and play be your own rules with your buddies, feel free. You’re not hurting the game, you’re not hurting me, you’re not hurting anyone on this board.
  
  If you’re going to play in a tournaments, keep in mind that you have to play by the “real” rules. Problem solved.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jay
    
    Dec 13, 2013 at 10:59 am
    
    Yeah – I never felt we were “cheating” when we were growing up playing touch football or make it take it basketball
    
    Reply Report comment
Comment

Dec 11, 2013 at 11:11 pm

Driver – 500
Fairways x2 – 400
Irons – 1200
Wedges x2/3 – 250/400
Putter – 350
Balls – 50
Shoes – 229
Bag – 200
Cart – 200
Clothes – 200
Weekend Golf – 80

Yeah… It’s definitely the RULES that is preventing the game of Golf from attracting new players.

Of course the amounts are top end… And not everyone has a ” Gotta Have The Best ” mentality….

But C’mon… The cost is a major factor of attracting new players.

Period.

Reply Report comment
- Comment
  
  Dec 11, 2013 at 11:20 pm
  
  Callaway Big Bertha Alpha – 500
  
  Apple IPad – 500
  
  Golf clubs shouldn’t cost more/same as a top of the line piece of electronics.
  
  Reply Report comment
- DK
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 5:04 pm
  
  Those prices are completely overblown for the beginner. Even current model clubs could be acquired for MUCH less than you’ve stated. If you find last years model new, even less. Thirdly, through pre-owned options online, you can find a slightly used set for FAR less than you’ve stated.
  
  Driver – $150-250
  Fairways $100-150 ea.
  Hybrid $100-125
  Irons $300-600
  Additional Wedge $65-90
  Putter $100-150
  Balls – $19.99 for 15
  Shoes – $70-100
  Bag – $125-175
  Clothes – wear what you have or buy a polo $30-60
  
  For a savvy individual there’s value to be had for purchases, or often times hand-me-downs…
  
  Not as pricey as you’d suggest.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mark Mac

Dec 11, 2013 at 10:28 pm

Is it just me or did that entire article about Bifurcation not even state what is to be gained by adopting two sets of rules? There was just a mention that maybe it will bring in more fans but that was nothing more than an opinion. The statement that Bifurcation is opposed by OEMs is just a huge red herring.

That golf is not attracting new fans is true. But it seems that Bifurcation has been presented just as “something that might work” or “something to do because we gotta do something”. Not compelling at all.

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Justin

Dec 11, 2013 at 10:22 pm

Interesting article. For those who have stated that the rules are the same for every other major sport — do you watch sports? Some have already mentioned the differences and I suggest reading up on these before you take this to the water cooler tomorrow.

League rules, or concessions that a course recommends for the average golfer could be more easily encouraged by the course <- just a thought.

But, there are "purists" in every sport and they have their own ideals…and they ain't changing.

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LiveWire

Dec 11, 2013 at 9:57 pm

By the way, most of the golfers I know are embarrassed to go from blue tees to white tees, or white tees to green tees. Just mention it to your fore-some next round at the next outing. I bet they look around to see who is watching before they even answer you. But if the colors were moved most all golfers wouldn’t think much of it. An extra 20 to 40 yards for me wouldn’t change my score much, it would probably bring more hazards into play for me. But I would probably play more by the rules than I do now. But I would love to see my friend that I have been teaching for 4 years be able to hit an approach shot into a green from 130 than to see him have to go driver, 3 wood into a par 4. He hits 90% of fairways but he is only able to drive a ball 200 yards max. Its too bad he can’t be rewarded for his accuracy. His iron game is just as sharp but he’d have to be there to show it off. Plus he plays by all the rules.

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Jack

Dec 11, 2013 at 9:16 pm

Bifurcation is fine, but just don’t post it on your handicap like it’s a properly scored one. Have an option to post the “easy” rule scores, and either disregard in the calculation or add strokes to the score for calculation.

Reply Report comment
- DK
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 5:14 pm
  
  Why? This already exists and it’s known as reverse-sandbagging. What do you care if someone establishes a handicap under a less stringent set of rules, then has to compete under tournament rules which are tighter? This would be a disadvantage for the individual, not the tournament field. If an individual wants to carry a handicap which is lower than their skill level dictates it’s fine with me (and currently possible, though not very intelligent), I’ll gladly take their lunch money when we compete… It’s handicaps that are HIGHER than they should be that are the issue.
  
  Reply Report comment
yup

Dec 11, 2013 at 9:03 pm

Bifurcation already exists among recreational golfers. Do you want them to have a different set of rules for the U.S. Amateur events as well?

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Martin

Dec 11, 2013 at 8:58 pm

I play a lot of golf with my wife who took the game up at 39. Lesley couldn’t break 120 the first couple of years, she picked up if it got slow, but she enjoyed it.

I tend to be pretty picky about the rules and play them all, but some are dumb. The spike mark rule is dumb, OB vs lateral hazard would speed up play for sure and lastly super fast greens don’t make the game better except for the absolute best players.

Last summer I played with a friend the golf course in Pugwash, Nova Scotia known all over the Maritimes as a great course. I came away think it was a POS, easy course with ridiculously fast greens. The two locals we joined up with bragged about the greens the whole way around as the three jacked over and over again. For me they ruined a decent golf course by trying to make it harder, made it so I will never go back.

We can easily make the game quicker just by making the courses a bit easier, make people play white unless they are single digits(I am a 9.9 Index and would still play them), set the greens up so regular players can putt them and get rid of stroke and distance for everyone. I bet the average handicap in North America would go down by less than a stroke, but the game would be more fun.

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BrianL

Dec 11, 2013 at 8:44 pm

In my opinion, anyone who advocates for bifurcation, doesn’t understand the first thing about golf.

Essentially since its beginnings, but certainly in the last 50-60 years, golf is one of the few recreational sports, that the average person can play the exact same game as the professionals they watch on TV. The same courses, the same equipment, the same weather, the same challenges, the same rules.

If you take that away, you take away the essence of the game. The recreational player can no longer be Walter Mitty every weekend, but becomes the guy who’s 50lbs overweight, drinking beer and playing in a 40+ softball league … how successful is that business? Only in golf, can most any serious golfer tell you who won last year’s big tournaments, how they won it and what equipment they used to do it.

Golf is a participatory sport, that allows it fans to participate in the exact same way as their heroes … take that away and golf is NASCAR and we’re all buying bumper stickers, instead of golf clubs.

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- JHM
  
  Dec 11, 2013 at 10:08 pm
  
  sorry to tell you, but if you think the current recreational player is playing the same game as the pro’s then you don’t understand the first thing about golf.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mike
    
    Dec 12, 2013 at 3:59 pm
    
    JHM,
    
    He did not say all recreational players play the same game as the pro’s. He said that they CAN play the same courses, equipment, weather conditions rules, etc., as them.
    
    Reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit, I guess.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Bill
      
      Dec 13, 2013 at 11:04 am
      
      So tell me Mike – how can the average recreational golfer get onto Augusta or Winged Foot and play in front of thousands of people??
      
      Reply Report comment
- casual water
  
  Dec 29, 2013 at 10:49 pm
  
  This is exactly how I feel about golf and it is one of the things that makes me love golf.
  More specifically, I love how the pros struggle with the game just like me, just like everyone I know who plays the game, and I play with many good players and several scratch players.
  But that is me, I can’t pretend to speak for anyone else, everyone plays for their own reasons.
  Frankly, I am not very concerned about growing the game. It seems plenty healthy to me.
  Courses are full and their is no more land to build any more, at least where I play.
  I agree with the poster that said this is a golf equipment company problem.
  
  Reply Report comment
Christopher Kim

Dec 11, 2013 at 8:41 pm

Bifurcation is a natural thing in many sports. As Deane Beman said, in other spots such as baseball and softball where the pros have different equipment and rules, the sports are better for that differentiation between amateurs and pros. Other sports include basketball and football, which are two of the most popular sports in the US, and the amateurs play with a different set of rules and equipment from the pros.

To name a few differences between college football and the NFL, a receiver can make a catch on the sideline and be deemed “in bounds” as long as he has one foot in (as opposed to the two feet required in the NFL), and the balls are striped to allow for higher visibility. In basketball, the three-point line is closer to the basket than in the NBA, and there are plenty of other examples in almost every other sport where the rules and equipment differ between the pros and the amateurs.

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HitEmTrue

Dec 11, 2013 at 7:10 pm

I completely disagree with this concept. Like others said, I don’t care what others do in a casual round. But I want to know what my REAL score is, so I am going to play by the rules.

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paul

Dec 11, 2013 at 6:59 pm

I played with some 28 handicap players who played the pro tees. they figured they could hit it pretty far. they also thought that if the course was slow then they could hit off the tee sooner because there would be space in front of them sooner. slowest round ever. i played the whites.

Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 4:01 pm
  
  Bifurcation will not fix stupid.
  
  Reply Report comment
Andy

Dec 11, 2013 at 6:21 pm

If someone is playing with a belly putter or long putter and has a handicap, they cannot play in any tournaments (member guests, local qualifying, club championships) otherwise they will have a handicap of zero. If they are just playing a Saturday morning game they can do whatever they want.

This is why the arm lock putters and counterbalance putters are such a big deal because people need to get away from these putters.

An interesting article, I just dont agree with bifurcation.

Reply Report comment
- Rob
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 8:20 pm
  
  If someone is clueless about the rules, Bifurcation is a meaningless concept. Neither rule 14-1B nor any other rule forbids use of belly or long putters.
  
  Reply Report comment
Kevin

Dec 11, 2013 at 6:14 pm

No need for bifurcation at all. Casual players on a regular sunday just play for the fun of it. Ball OB? Who cares just look quickly for it and if you can’t find it then take a drop. Ball in a divot? Just move it back out right behind the divot. If the average Joe has back problems and wants to use a belly putter or anything to help with his back pain then let them use it. It doesn’t bother me one bit as long as they have fun. I think the anchoring rule in general is stupid but hey I’m just an amateur. In tournament play, stick to the rules. Part of the game is honesty and integrity and moving the ball out of a divot or improving the lie or anything against the rules of golf goes against it and you should be penalized for the tournament score since it does matter. Regular sunday’s don’t matter and if you want it to matter then treat it like a tournament and keep honest score.

I don’t think changing the equipment will be that beneficial even if courses are getting longer because for the hack that doesn’t practice, the ball will just go OB that much farther and make his ego that much bigger. Instead of distance, lets focus on accuracy and improving ball striking. All this distance talk is crap to be honest. What difference does it make if a ball can go 300 plus yards with a new driver when you can hardly hit a fairway? People need to focus on their swing and hit the ball more accurate and the distance will come along with it. If they don’t want to practice then fine but TEE IT FORWARD.. a lot forward. Trust me, I will respect you more if you play forward as a hack than the blacks as a hack.

Golf courses need to focus on making the course playable for everyone. I say widen the first cut, not such deep rough and slow the greens down. Make the course fun! Golf is frustrating enough as it is so we don’t need a good shot rolling off the green because they decided that having them roll 12-13 on stimpmeter. Create holes where the scratch golfer and 20 plus handicappers have fun from their respective tees and have a good mix of easy holes and difficult holes. Add some bunkers in fairways that make you either go for it or lay up or have the risk/reward equal not the non-sense blind shot, dog leg right, down hill off the tee.

Better course layout and practice practice practice will help golf and if you don’t wanna practice then tee it forward and casually play. Don’t slow people down.

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Karl Nielsen

Dec 11, 2013 at 6:13 pm

Thanks for the ‘shout out’ to Martin Luther. However, it was the ‘All Saints Church’ in Wittenberg, Germany where he nailed his 95 Theses, not the Vatican.

Reply Report comment
- DK
  
  Dec 13, 2013 at 5:18 pm
  
  Best comment so far. C’mon Karl, at least they got the catholic part right!
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom

Dec 11, 2013 at 5:01 pm

Respectfully, this is a dumb article. Unless people are playing in an organized tournament, they are free to use whatever equipment they want, ignore or adhere to any rules they want, play whatever tees they want, play winter rules, etc. No one really cares as long as they play quickly!! Why do we need a formal decree that people can do what they already do every day?

Reply Report comment
- Evan
  
  Dec 11, 2013 at 7:51 pm
  
  I think this has a lot to do with the USGA, PGA, and R&A thinking they control the entire game of golf. Well, the don’t. I was a PGA apprentice and golf industry professional for years. Most people who casually play golf, which is the majority, play by whatever rules are set forth on the tee box or golf league rules sheet. Our primary men’s league use to play a 1 stroke lateral hazard instead of out of bounds. They rolled the ball everywhere except on the green and no closer to the hole. Most of the courses in our area have not gone through a lengthening renovation. They measure 6000-6600 from the back.
  
  If you are playing in a serious match with everyone being scratch, come to an agreement on the 1st tee that all USGA rules are in effect. Our come to a different agreement on the first tee. Anyone slowing the game up by being a stickler for rules on the course is just showboating and/ or trying to gain an advantage by calling strokes for silly things like grazing the sand in a bunker or the ball ever so slightly oscillating at address on accident.
  
  I think the massive rule book that the game currently has needs to be completely overhauled and simplified for the amateur. PGA events bring in so much money that pros should have rules officials for every player or on every shot. The common avid golfer does not know and understand all of the rules of golf… in my experience it’s not even close.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Claiborne
    
    Dec 13, 2013 at 2:00 am
    
    Did you try to teach the rules to these players, encourage the integrity of the game, or were you just collecting a check for your “professionalism”? Thanks millennial…
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Evan
      
      Dec 15, 2013 at 1:49 pm
      
      Yes, we did teach the rules and ran our tournaments by them. The primary men’s league was run by the locals who had a committee deciding on what way to encourage fun/ growth for an weekday/ afterwork league. I worked under a PGA master professional who was a tour caddie and rules official for events like the Ryder Cup. To get the rules 100% correct for everyone in a local setting is VERY difficult if not impossible even if you have a qualified rules official with a couple assistants. The rules are too complicated when tour players and their caddies are often uncertain of a situation.
      
      I worked at a local public golf course with primarily blue collar members. The kind of golf course where the staff is small and you do actually WORK for a living. Summers I was logging 60-90 hours a week on a VERY small salary. One reason I don’t work in the business anymore. You don’t know my age, so to speculate that I’m a millennial makes you look silly. I’m giving you a real world example of what THE PEOPLE want in the game of golf. They want to play in a 9 hole league after work and still get home before 9, they don’t care to play a 3 hour- 9 because of looking for lost balls or interpreting a complicated rule system.
      
      Reply Report comment
- John Minnich
  
  Dec 11, 2013 at 7:55 pm
  
  Tom,
  I could not Have said it any better myself.
  
  Reply Report comment
Golfzalo

Dec 11, 2013 at 4:45 pm

I agree with David. I don’t think we need another set of rules. If you’re playing recreational golf with your buddies and you found out your ball is out of bounds, and want to treat it as a hazard, go for it, I don’t care…nobody does. But when competing in a local tournament, even if it is for amateurs, out of bound is out of bounds….and if the balls sits in a divot, sorry, play it as it lies. My nephew is playing in the main local junior “tour” and one of the kids was carrying 16 clubs in a competition and got a 4-strokes penalty, and that’s how it’s supposed to be.
The same applies for anchored putting: If you want to use a belly putter every Sunday because that’s the way you enjoy golf the most, I don’t care. But if you want to compete, stick to the rules of golf.
The game is very difficult and that’s the most interesting, challenging and fun part of it, so if you can’t play it as per the rules, then play recreational golf, do whatever you want, or try another sport. It is like tennis, if you’re playing with your buddies nobody cares if you do “foot-fault” every single time. Just don’t do it when competing. It is like “mulligans” nobody cares if you take it on first tee (as long as nobody is waiting behind), just don’t do it when competing.
In summary: One set of rules, and you stick to them when it matters!

Reply Report comment
AJ

Dec 11, 2013 at 4:43 pm

Starter and marshal need to ask slow short hitting groups to tee forward. Remove color coded tees and replace with handicap/club distance requirement.

Reply Report comment
- David F
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 2:23 pm
  
  Considering how many golfers have no idea what their real handicap is, and have only a vague idea of how far they hit a drive (just search these forums, there are more people with 300 yard drives here than on all the professional tours in the world combined), your suggestion may lead to having the opposite effect. Perhaps we should just use symbols, call the back tees ‘Puppy’-tees, and the forward once ‘Dragon’, or ‘Jaguar’ or something? The player who truly belongs at the tips may have enough confidence to not be bothered by telling his mates he’ll be playing from the ‘Hello Kittys’…
  
  Reply Report comment
Kyle

Dec 11, 2013 at 4:37 pm

No one is stopping the average golfer from using a belly putter.. They aren’t going to get tackled or anything if someone spots them playing a round with their friends

Reply Report comment
- RG
  
  Dec 12, 2013 at 3:30 pm
  
  If you use one you won’t be able to buy one. “Non-conforming” is the death of any golf club.
  
  Reply Report comment
David F

Dec 11, 2013 at 4:13 pm

I don’t think the rules should be bifurcated. What other sport has different rules for pros and amateurs? And the fact that the game of golf is based on the historic evolution of the Rules of Golf is something that should be appreciated.

But I definitely agree that the majority of golf courses need to be designed with regular golfers in mind. Let’s face it, only a small percentage of courses will ever host a PGA event. Promoting a “bomb or bust” style of play doesn’t do anything to grow the sport. Provide a proper variety of tees (and make sure the shorter tees don’t look like an afterthought for the ‘bad’ golfers) and work to encourage players to use them. There are many, many ways to make a hole challenging and interesting beside just making it really long.

Reply Report comment
- LiveWire
  
  Dec 11, 2013 at 9:27 pm
  
  I wouldn’t worry much about this topic as we will all be retired and buried by the time a decision is made. Equipment and rules should remain the same for both. As it is important for the manufacturer, the pro’s endorsements, the amateurs that get to believe they are there favorite hero on the weekend. And for the integrity of the game. All that needs to happen is make all courses move there tee boxes. That’s it. Do make golfers change colors, just change the box. I’m a 10 handicap, I play with 20 handicappers. All they need is a distance break, everything else from there will fall in place.
  
  Reply Report comment
- JHM
  
  Dec 11, 2013 at 10:13 pm
  
  what other sport has different rules for pros and amateurs? baseball, football and basketball come to mind? when was the last time you saw a 2 minute warning in a college game. how many fouls dose an nba player get vs a college player? ever see an overtime game in the nfl vs one in college – the list goes on and on……
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Claiborne
    
    Dec 13, 2013 at 2:13 am
    
    Your referring to different leagues… They have different rules mainly based on safety. How many pickup baseball games do you see? Football? Soccer? All team sports, golf is an individual game. Try comparing it to tennis…. Same rules, nuff said.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - JHM
      
      Dec 13, 2013 at 11:10 am
      
      Sorry – I was just answering the question – “What Sports”. As far as an individual game, there is this thing called The Ryder Cup – ever hear of that.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - HackerDav31
      
      Dec 30, 2013 at 12:20 pm
      
      Just as an FYI, the NCAA changed rules for college play vs. professional as of Sept of last year. Not arguing what they chose was right or wrong, just saying that tennis has in fact followed suit with nearly every other professional sports league. In my opinion, this is in the hopes of stemming the loss of participation…
      
      Reply Report comment

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle

Published

13 hours ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.

The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.

Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.

Past Winners at Harbour Town

2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
2019: CT Pan (-12)
2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
2016: Branden Grace (-9)
2015: Jim Furyk (-18)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).

Key Stats For Harbour Town

Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
Tom Hoge (+1.27)
Corey Conners (+1.16)
Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
Cameron Young (+0.93)

Good Drive %

The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

Brice Garnett (88.8%)
Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
Sepp Straka (+85.1%)

Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.

SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:

Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
Brian Harman (+1.89)
Sungjae Im (+1.58)

4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)

Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.

SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds

Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
Taylor Moore (+1.02)
Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
Andrew Putnam (+0.83)

5. Greens in Regulation %

The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.

Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:

Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
Corey Conners (+69.0%)
Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)

6. Course History

Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.

Course History over past 24 rounds:

Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
Cam Davis (+2.05)
J.T. Poston (+1.69)
Justin Rose (+1.68)
Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)

The RBC Heritage Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)

Shane Lowry
Russell Henley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Corey Conners
Wyndham Clark
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Matt Fitzpatrick
Cameron Young
Ludvig Aberg

2024 RBC Heritage Picks

Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)

With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.

Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).

Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.

Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)

I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.

The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.

Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)

Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.

Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.

Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)

Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.

In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.

Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.

Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)

When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.

Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.

Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.

Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)

This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.

Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.

Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 6 biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters

Published

16 hours ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The 2024 Masters offered up plenty of excitement throughout the week with Scottie Scheffler delivering when it mattered to live up to his pre-tournament favorite tag. With the year’s opening major now in the books, here are my six biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters.

Scheffler In a League of His Own

In the most impressive way possible, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters without having his absolute best stuff. For the week, Scottie ranked 19th in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is a category the number player in the world typically dusts the rest of the field in. After a strong approach day on Thursday, the 27-year-old lost strokes to the field on approach on Friday and Saturday, before gaining on Sunday. The iron performance was more than solid, but it was an all-around game that helped Scheffler get it done around Augusta National.

For a year or more, the narrative around Scheffler has been, “With his ball striking, if he can just putt to field average, he’ll be unbeatable.” At Augusta, his ball striking came back down to earth, but his touch around the greens and ability to manage the golf course demonstrated why he is the best player on the planet right now. For the week, Scheffler ranked 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

For the time being, there is a major gap between Scottie Scheffler and the second-best player in the world, whoever that may be.

The Future is Now

Ludvig Aberg went into his first back-nine at the Masters with a legitimate shot to win the tournament. When he teed it up on the treacherous 11th hole, he was one behind Scottie Scheffler, who had just stuck one to a few feet on the 9th. By the time he approached his tee shot, which was perfectly striped down the left side of the fairway, he was two behind. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old got too aggressive with his approach at the 11th and found the water, making double bogey. Ludvig rebounded nicely and finished the event in solo second place.

With the Masters now in the rearview, it’s never been more evident that Ludvig Aberg is no longer an “up-and-comer” — he has arrived. The Swede has been an integral part of a winning European Ryder Cup team and has now contended at Augusta National. With a calm demeanor, a picture-perfect swing, and a build and stature that appears as if it was built in a lab, Ludvig Aberg is already amongst the world’s best. I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t in the mix at next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Nostalgia Wins

I try to avoid as many cliches as possible, but there’s something about the Masters that brings out the sentimentality in me. Tiger Woods strategically making his way around Augusta National without all of the physical tools that made him arguably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports will always be riveting, regardless of what score he shoots. Woods made it interesting until a tough stretch of holes on Saturday, but he ultimately wore down, shooting 16 over for the week in difficult conditions. It’s remarkable that the 15-time major champion was able to put together a few solid rounds of golf despite barely playing any competitive golf in 2024. As long as Woods tees it up at Augusta, we will all continue to be mesmerized by it.

Verne Lundquist’s 40th and final Masters Tournament was also a must-watch aspect of the event. The iconic voice of Lundquist and his calls throughout the years still give me chills each time I hear them. Verne is an icon of the game and will be missed in future renditions of the Masters.

The Masters also brings another element that is unique to the tournament. Former champions turn back the clock to battle with the golf course again which creates some amazing stories. There are a few that stick out this year and were an absolute pleasure to witness. 61-year-old Vijay Singh made the cut for the first time since 2018 and shot a pretty incredible even-par, 72 on Sunday. 58-year-old José María Olazábal made the cut as well, reminding us why fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm sought his valuable advice prior to his Masters victory in 2022.

Regardless of who wins, the Masters always delivers.

Bryson Moves the Needle

Plenty will disagree with me on this point, but outside of Tiger Woods, and potentially Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, no one moves the needle in golf as much as Bryson DeChambeau. The uniqueness in which Bryson approaches the game has always been fascinating, and if he gets near the top of the leaderboard at any major championship, whether it’s to root for him or against him, people are interested.

It began on Monday with a pretty bizarre story of DeChambeau using 3D-printed irons that got just got cleared for use by the USGA when the week began. It once again felt like a storyline that would only be possible with a character as eccentric as Bryson. He then raced off to a first-round lead in tough conditions, reminding the world of what made him such a great golfer to begin with. He made some mistakes on the weekend, but still finished a career best T6 at The Masters.

Bryson is more than just quirky; he is a former U.S. Amateur Champion and U.S. Open who I believe will contend for more majors in the future. I will continue to root for DeChambeau, but I’m perfectly content with the fact that plenty will root against him, and I encourage those people to do so. That’s what makes it fun.

LIV Walks Away Empty-Handed

Last year, there were a multitude of questions about LIV players coming into the year’s first major. They had played very limited tournament golf, and critics of LIV questioned whether the 54-hole events were enough to sharpen the players enough to compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage.

The results were fascinating, with LIV players all over the leaderboard. Brooks Koepka held the 36- and 54-hole lead, with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing T2 and T4, giving LIV three golfers in the top-4 of the leaderboard.

This season, with even more time removed and with some more massive additions to the roster, the intrigue surrounding LIV players at Augusta was once again palpable. While some players, including Bryson DeChambeau, exceeded expectations, I can’t help but walk away from the Masters feeling underwhelmed by the performance of the LIV players.

Brooks Koepka finished runner-up last season and is a certified major championship killer. The 5-time major champ was never involved and simply didn’t have it at Augusta. Dustin Johnson put together a putrid performance, shooting 13 over for his two rounds, making it fair to wonder if his days of contending at major championships are over as he rapidly approaches his 40th birthday.

Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann were both players who were amongst the favorites this week, but Rahm was faced with the daunting duties of defending champion and Niemann proved he was still not quite ready to master the quirks of Augusta National, bleeding strokes both around and on the greens.

To be fair, when all was said and done, LIV had four players in the top twelve at The Masters. Tyrrell Hatton stormed the leaderboard early on Sunday, finishing T9 and earning himself an invite back to Augusta next season. Cam Smith and Patrick Reed put together gritty performances, which isn’t too surprising considering the fact that they both absolutely love Augusta National, but neither ever felt a real threat to win. There’s no doubt the players on LIV are good, and that’s why some encouraging leaderboard positions aren’t enough. They needed to contend.

With no players part of the storyline on Sunday, I view the first major of the year as a disappointment for LIV. The players will head into next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla with a lot to prove.

Rory’s Struggles Continues

Rory struggling at Augusta National is no surprise at this point. The four-time major champion has now had 10 attempts to complete the career grand slam and has never had a chance to win. His T2 in 2022 was deceiving, the Northern Irishman stormed the leaderboard on Sunday, but was never in contention, and never got within three shots of the winner, Scottie Scheffler.

I didn’t expect Rory to win, but I have to admit that this year felt a bit different. McIlroy played the week prior to the Masters, which he typically doesn’t do, and finished third at the Valero Texas Open. He gained 7.56 strokes on approach and 2.0 strokes off the tee, which told me that his visit with world-renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, after the Players Championship paid dividends.

McIlroy also approached the media quite differently. He cut his pre-tournament press conference short after only 10 minutes and seemed to be laser-focused on just playing golf.

Despite the different approach to the Masters, the results were the same. McIlroy struggled over the course of the week, finishing T22 (+4) and never sniffed a decent weekend position on the leaderboard. It’s back to the drawing board for McIlroy, and I have doubts that he will ever figure it out at Augusta.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 8 best prop bets for the 2024 Masters

Published

7 days ago

Apr 9, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.

RELATED: Vincenzi’s 2024 Masters betting preview: Niemann to play star role at Augusta National

In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.

Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.

Placement Bets:

Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):

I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.

In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.

Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):

Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.

In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).

Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.

Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.

Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.

Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):

The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.

This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.

Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.

Top Nationalities:

Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):

I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.

I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.

This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.

Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):

While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.

He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.

Tournament Head-to-Heads:

Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa

JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).

Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.

Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark

I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.

Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.

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