News
The state of the game
By Sean Foster-Nolan
GolfWRX Contributor
USA Today pointed out in a recent article that in the past five years the number of golfers in the United States has declined by 13 percent. Last year, the number of rounds of golf played nationwide dropped by 3.5 percent. In part, the reason for these numbers has to do with time and money. While I would agree I would add another, and perhaps larger contributing factor: frustration.
As we all know golf is not an easy game. Frank Thomas, former research director of the USGA said that over the past 20 years, despite all the advances in technology, the average male hits his drive approximately 200 yards, the average score hovers near 100, and for those that keep handicaps the average remains around 16.
Despite this course architects continue to build longer and more difficult golf courses. And, men being men, play tees that are further and further back. So, if the average male hits his tee shot 200 yards and he’s playing a 423 yard par four what are the chances of his getting to the green in regulation? If a par three is 190 yards, and surrounded by bunkers, what are his chances of hitting the green at all? Add to that narrow fairways littered with hazards … what are his chances of even getting the ball in play? How many greens in regulation will he hit if he is hitting a fairway wood to virtually every par four, and on many par threes?
“Move up!”, you say. Easier said then done when dealing with the fragile male ego. According to the USGA’s Tee it Forward initiative if a golfer’s average tee shot is 200 yards than he should be playing from 5,200 to 5,400 yards. The problem is not many golfers will play from that yardage, not to mention there aren’t many tee boxes with that yardage. Okay, let’s say the middle tees are approximately 6,200 yards. That would mean that the golfer would need to hit his tee shot an average of 250 yards. Not many golfers can hit it that far. Where does that leave our fellow who is 200 yards off the tee? Very frustrated.
Last summer I went to the local muni and was paired with a three some. We were all roughly in our mid-50s.
“What tee box are you playing from?” one gentleman asks me.
“The middle tees,” I respond.
“We always play from the back tees,” says another, in a rather self-important voice.
We proceed to hit our tee shots. On our approaches my intrepid three some is hitting fairway woods or hybrids into the green while I’m hitting an 8-iron. This goes on for the next couple of holes, where none of them have yet to make a par, let alone a bogey. We get to the fourth hole. From the back tees this is a very intimidating tee shot. At a minimum you must hit your tee shot at least 230 yards over a pine tree onto a plateau to have any chance of getting to the green in two. None of my three some has yet to hit a tee shot over 200. If you tug it a little left you are in the trees that slope severely left. If you hit it right, you’re okay, but you have a long shot to a green that you can’t see and if you hit your approach a wee bit left, long, right or short you’re dead. From the middle tees if you hit it 200 yards you’re on the plateau and have a relatively easy shot to the green. If you hit it 230 you’ll knock it past the plateau and it will roll forever down to the front of the green. Needless to say my three some scored a big number on this hole.
By the time we get to the fifth hole I’d heard enough curse words to make my drill instructors from my Marine Corps days blush. This is a monster par three from the back tees. An extremely narrow 210 yard hole flanked by oak trees on both sides coming closer together as they run up to the green. I’m thinking to myself, “What are these guys going to do here?” Two tee shots were lost in the woods and the third was well short. Another big number for all concerned.
As we walk to the sixth tee I’m mentally scratching my head. My three some has been cursing, mumbling, and not having very much fun. I’m one over par, and they have yet to make a bogey. It’s not that they can’t hit the golf ball. They just don’t hit it very far. Why are they killing themselves?
We get up to the tee box and one of the guys asks me,
“Do you mind if I join you on the middle tees?”
“Not at all,” I respond.
The others quickly jump in.
By the time we finish up on No. 18 there is a lot of laughter and comments such as:
“I’ve never reached the 16th in regulation before!”
“That’s my first birdie of the year!”
“That’s my personal best on the back nine!”
“I didn’t lose a ball the rest of the round!”
“I’ll never play the back tees again!”
“I haven’t had so much fun in ages!”
Well, you get the idea.
So, in the vast majority of cases what do we have? We have a golfer playing from a tee box where he has no chance in getting to the majority of par fours in regulation with two very good shots. Has no chance in getting to most of the par threes with a good shot. Must have an outstanding short game just to make a par. Must get very lucky to make a birdie. That really sounds like fun.
Is it any wonder the number of golfers is on the decline? What can be done? A few things. Superintendents can move up the tee boxes, and change the scorecards as well as the slope and rating. Although the USGA has the Tee it Forward initiative golfers will not move up on their own accord. They’ll need a push. New course designs can be more user friendly. Fairways can be wider, greens can be more approachable and courses can be made shorter. There is no reason courses are designed with the single digit in mind when the vast majority of golfers, and those that bring in the vast majority of revenue, are mid to high-handicappers. Perhaps if golfers start reaching greens in regulation, making the occasional birdie, not losing multiple balls a round, they may decide to stick with the game. If so golf will remain a healthy and viable sport, which can only benefit all of us.
Tee in Funward anyone?
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SuperStroke announced today its purchase of 100-year-old grip maker Lamkin Grips, citing the company’s “heritage of innovation and quality.”
“It is with pride and great gratitude that we announce Lamkin, a golf club grip brand with a 100-year history of breakthrough design and trusted products, is now a part of the SuperStroke brand,” says SuperStroke CEO Dean Dingman. “We have always had the utmost respect for how the Lamkin family has put the needs and benefits of the golfer first in their grip designs. If there is a grip company that is most aligned with SuperStroke’s commitment to uncompromised research, design, and development to put the most useful performance tools in the hands of golfers, Lamkin has been that brand. It is an honor to bring Lamkin’s wealth of product innovation into the SuperStroke family.”
Elver B. Lamkin founded the company in 1925 and produced golf’s first leather grips. The company had been family-owned and operated since that point, producing a wide array of styles, such as the iconic Crossline.
According to a press release, “The acquisition of Lamkin grows and diversifies SuperStroke’s proven and popular array of grip offerings with technology grounded in providing golfers optimal feel and performance through cutting-edge design and use of materials, surface texture and shape.”
CEO Bob Lamkin will stay on as a board member and will continue to be involved with the company.
“SuperStroke has become one of the most proven, well-operated, and pioneering brands in golf grips and we could not be more confident that the Lamkin legacy, brand, and technology is in the best of hands to continue to innovate and lead under the guidance of Dean Dingman and his remarkably capable team,” Lamkin said.
Related: Check out our 2014 conversation with Bob Lamkin, here: Bob Lamkin on the wrap grip reborn, 90 years of history
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Take it from a fellow who coaches high school golf in metro Toronto: there’s plenty of great golf played in the land of the maple leaf. All the greats have designed courses over the USA border: Colt, Whitman, Ross, Coore, Mackenzie, Doak, as well as the greatest of the land, Stanley Thompson. I’m partial to him, because he wore my middle name with grandeur. Enough about the architecture, because this week’s Tour Rundown begins with a newly-minted, Canadian champion on the PGA Tour. Something else that the great white north is known for, is weather. It impacted play on three of the world’s tours, forcing final-round cancellations on two of them.
It was an odd week in the golf world. The LPGA and the Korn Ferry were on a break, and only 13/15 of the rounds slated, were played. In the end, we have four champions to recognize, so let’s not delay any longer with minutiae about the game that we love. Let’s run it all down with this week’s Tour Rundown.
PGA Tour: TP takes TS at Byron’s place
The 1980s was a decade when a Canadian emergence was anticipated on the PGA Tour. It failed to materialize, but a path was carved for the next generation. Mike Weir captured the Masters in 2003, but no other countrymen joined him in his quest for PGA Tour conquest. 2024 may herald the long-awaited arrival of a Canadian squad of tour winners. Over the past few years, we’ve seen Nick Taylor break the fifty-plus year dearth of homebred champions at the Canadian Open, and players like Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners, Adam Svennson, and Mackenzie Hughes have etched their names into the PGA Tour’s annals of winners.
This week, Taylor Pendrith joined his mates with a one-shot win at TPC Craig Ranch, the home of the Byron Nelson Classic. Pendrith took a lead into the final round and, while the USA’s Jake Knapp faltered, held on for the slimmest of victories. Sweden’s Alex Noren posted six-under 65 on Sunday to move into third position, at 21-under par. Ben Kohles, a Texan, looked to break through for his first win in his home state. He took the lead from Pendrith at the 71st hole, on the strength of a second-consecutive birdie.
With victory in site, Kohles found a way to make bogey at the last, without submerging in the fronting water. His second shot was greenside, but he could not move his third to the putting surface. His fourth was five feet from par and a playoff, but his fifth failed to drop. Meanwhile, Pendrith was on the froghair in two, and calmly took two putts from 40 feet, for birdie. When Kohles missed for par, Pendrith had, at last, a PGA Tour title.
360° and in!
A nervy par save by @TaylorPendrith to remain one back as he seeks his first PGA TOUR victory @CJByronNelson. pic.twitter.com/LVFXUSidSg
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 5, 2024
DP World Tour: China Open in Otaegui’s hands after canceled day four
It wasn’t the fourth round that was canceled in Shenzhen, but the third. Rains came on Saturday to Hidden Grace Golf Club, ensuring that momentum would cease. Sunday would instead be akin to a motorsports restart, with no sense of who might claim victory. Sebastian Soderberg, the hottest golfer on the Asian Swing, held the lead, but he would slip to a 72 on Sunday, and tie for third with Paul Waring and Joel Girrbach. Italy’s Guido Migliozzi completed play in 67 strokes on day three, moving one shot past the triumvirate, to 17-under par.
It was Spain’s Adrian Otaegui who persevered the best and played the purest. Otaegui was clean on the day, with seven birdies for 65. Even when Migliozzi ceased the lead at the 10th, Otaegui remained calm. With everything on the line, Migliozzi made bogey at the par-five 17th, as his principal competitor finished in birdie. To the Italian’s credit, he bounced back with birdie at the last, to claim solo second. The victory was Otaegui’s fifth on the DP World Tour, and first since October of 2022.
.@adrianotaegui birdies the 16th to tie the lead at -17 ?#VolvoChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/p4tfE5DRJa
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 5, 2024
PGA Tour Americas: Quito’s rains gift title to Longbella
Across the world, superintendents and their staffs will do anything to prepare a course for play. Even after fierce, nightime rains, the Quito TG Club greeted the first four groups on Sunday. The rains worsened after 7 am, however, and the tour was forced to abort the final round of play. With scores reverting to Saturday’s numbers, Thomas Longbella’s one-shot advantage over Gunn Yang turned into a Tour Americas victory.
64 held the opening-day lead, and Longbella was not far off, with 66. Yang jumped to the top on day two, following a67 with 66. He posted 68 on day three, and anticipated a fierce, final-round duel for the title. As for Longbella, he fought off a ninth-hole bogey on Saturday with six birdies and a 17th-hole eagle. That rare bird proved to be the winning stroke, allowing Longbella to edge past Yang, and secure ultimate victory.
.@TBalla21 eagles 17, shoots 65 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the KIA Open. pic.twitter.com/TTOL2LxSdh
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) May 4, 2024
PGA Tour Champions: Dunlap survives Saturday stumble for win
Scott Dunlap did not finish Saturday as well as he might have liked. After beginning play near Houston with 65, Dunlap made two bogeys in his final found holes on day two, to finish at nine-under par. Hot on his heels was Joe Durant, owner of a March 2024 win on PGA Tour Champions. Just behind Durant was Stuart Appleby, perhaps vibing from his Sunday 59 at Greenbrier on this day in 2010. Neither would have a chance to track Dunlap down.
The rains that have forced emergency responders into action, to save hundreds of lives in the metro Houston area, ended hopes for a third day of play at The Woodlands. Dunlap had won once previously on Tour Champions, in 2014 in Washington state. Ten years later, Dunlap was the fortunate recipient of a canceled final round, and his two days of play were enough to earn him TC victory number two.
Off the green? No worries for @ScottDu12500063
8-under solo leader @InsperityInvtnl pic.twitter.com/hoj5OujL5C
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) May 4, 2024
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
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‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
Peter Kuest WITB 2024 (May)
Peter Kuest what’s in the bag accurate as of CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (8 degrees)...
Kelly Kraft WITB 2024 (May)
Kelly Kraft’s what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here. ...
Taylor Pendrith’s winning WITB: 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Accra TZ Six ST 3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees) Buy here....
Ben Kohles WITB 2024 (May)
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)...
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944
Feb 21, 2012 at 12:08 am
I’m not sure this topic merits the use of profanity, but I can understand some of the frustration.
The truth of the matter is that public courses are just that- public courses. Everyone has a right to play to them, and to choose which tee box they play from. If pace of play is an issue, then it should start with the offenders policing themselves. If that doesn’t work, then I believe the group behind the offenders and/or the marshals should intervene.
If pace of play is not an issue, then I believe that players should be allowed to use whatever tee box they please. If their scores reflect their choice of tees, then said players should have the common sense to recognize this and modify their choice of tee box, if they choose. If they still like to play from tees that are probably not suited to their skill level, then they will have to continue to accept the poor score that they post. Nobody is forcing them to play from the tips but themselves and if they enjoy playing from that length, then great for them. If they want to move up to improve their score, then great for them again.
I would compare it to a person who is relatively new to weightlifting. Nobody forces them to squat 500 lbs., but if they choose to attempt to do so, they can. They will be the one to have to live with the results. I believe they will quickly find that they will have a more enjoyable experience starting with a lower weight, and working up from there as their strength and skill improve. Regardless, it is still that individuals choice.
In my opinion, the issue is not so much course design as it is each individual golfer’s personal decision on what tees they play from. Perhaps a solution might be a sign before the first tee box that says “Please make an honest assessment of your game before deciding which tees to play.” would be a nice reminder for everyone who plays.
beyondthedimples.wordpress.com/
Feb 19, 2012 at 10:50 am
And lastly, I can’t afford to drive a mercedes, so I don’t.
I am not certified to fly a plane, so I don’t.
If the course is too difficult, don’t play it!
There are so many different courses to pick from, don’t shit on the design. So stupid to point the finger to someone else rather than educating yourself.
Seems simple enough to me!
beyondthedimples.wordpress.com/
Feb 19, 2012 at 10:47 am
The problem is not time or distance or course difficulty or any of that nonsense.
When I was introduced to the game, I had to “prove” myself before heading to the golf course. I had to learn the basics of the golf swing, short game, etc. Kind of like getting your driver’s license. When the golf boom happened and courses and equipment were available on every street corner, those traditions were pushed aside. Learning why there are different tee boxes, pace of play rules, etiquette, etc were all part of the learning process. This took time and the general public did not want to invest the time, and that ultimately will only be to their demise.
In my opinion, there are still way too many un-licensed golfers out there.
Zunes
Feb 18, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Great article. Should be required reading for anyone designing, owning, running, or working at a golf course.
Part of the problem is that everyone working at a golf course is a scratch golfer and doesnt see these problems.
I would disagree that “we” are all the problem as many of us would like to see a fix.
Nor do I think assigning tees by handicap would work as even the front tees are too long for many players.
chip75
Feb 18, 2012 at 11:09 am
I’ve always thought the tees players hit from should be handicapped based, so a higher handicapped player will have to hit from the front while the top flight amateur will be sent way back.
The equipment doesn’t help much either, OEM’s spend millions on trying to get more distance but their innovations of less loft and longer clubs won’t help the average player to hit the ball solidly with a square clubface.
I’m sure if they did tests they’d find the average player would score better with a bag of wedges, a couple of short to mid irons and a putter!
dekker
Feb 18, 2012 at 10:41 am
this is the arch-typical story, which I could tell countless versions of myself, from both sides of the blocks.
Who’s to blame ?
Well actually we all are, starting with the demanding players, to the put-upon course architect, to the ego-driven resort owners ,to the obliging clubmakers ,and the fiscally driven OEM who lead us to the promised land via a new-improved route every year, with the player screaming, “I was robbed”! Hilarious!
The average golfer parallels a deluded stud who finds his conquest is a pro who expects to be paid.