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Non-golfers turned off the game because of the ‘unfairness’ some golf rules create

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While lockdown continues in the U.K., Sport Psychology Ltd (SPL) partnered with Omnes Ludos (Sport for All) and found that non-golfers are turned off by the sport because of the ‘unfairness’ of the game.

The study was undertaken after research from Professor Frans de Waal & Dr Sarah Brosnan found that ‘fairness is hardwired into our brains as part of their research into morality’.

After sharing a range of golf rules with the study group (117 individuals representative of UK population) for the experiment, the results showed that while the group ‘did not feel that the rules were any more complex or off-putting than most other sports’ there was a ‘big negative reaction to some specific rules that were perceived to be inherently unfair.’

Receiving the fiercest criticism was the concept that a ball in a fairway divot must be played as it lies, with 87% adjudging this as being unfair or extremely unfair. That number increased to 100% when the group were then informed of the winter lies option to move the ball out of the divot.

After an interview with a psychologist, some of the critical comments from the group included:

  • ‘If I hit a good shot why should I be punished unfairly because someone else has been too lazy to put their divot back?’
  • ‘If I can move the ball a few inches in winter to create a fair shot why can’t I do that in the summer too- it seems very unfair and lacking in common sense.’
  • ‘I am not sure I would want to play a game which has these rules, I want to be treated fairly’

According to the SPL’s chief psychologist involved in the study, golf’s ruling bodies will need to address ‘the perception of unfairness that some of the rules create’ should they wish to attract more players to the sport.

“The recent revision of the rules of golf has gone a long way to remove the perception of complexity amongst the general public. However, to attract greater numbers to the game the ruling bodies need to address the perception of unfairness that some of the rules create. In a post Covid-19 world equity and fairness are likely to be driving factors in the decisions that people make about the organisations and activities that they will engage with.”

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Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

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On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

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A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

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Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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