Will there be a major breakthrough in 2008?
(Flickr photo)
The staffs at ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG and Down the Middle are finished deliberating. After hours of research, thought and debate, 6 forward-looking statements, or, predictions, have been unveiled.
Did I say hours? Actually, minutes. Did I say predictions? Actually, they’re “non-predictions.”
Disclaimer:
The aforementioned “non-predictions” contain forward-looking statements that are based on the staffs’ expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors.
That said, we’re behind them 100%. Read the non-predictions at Down the Middle.
The Armchair Golfer
I see change coming. There’s a need for it!
I think the game should adopt a half-stroke concept. Different shots require different skill levels. A sliding scale reward would add interest.
Here’s what I mean:
http://golfquestcmh.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-post.html
Adding the 1/2 stroke option to reward a golfer for an unusually good golf shot would energize the “individual” game, but do little to energize the “social” or institutional game. The individual game pits the golfer against himself or herself; the social game pits one golfer against another.
Here’s a point of resistance to a new way of scoring: Most golfers would say that golf is an individual sport where one can play against himself or herself. The institutional golfer wants to protect bets, comparisons, teams, and partner play. After playing for 50 years and being in the golf business for 30 years, I observe the opposite. Most golfers constantly refer to their handicap to establish the pecking order whenever and wherever the subject of golf comes up. That handicap not only “makes a game,” but also establishes who is a better or more consistent golfer. Having a lower handicap as a result of 1/2 stokes would help lower a handicap. When all golfers in a foursome use half-stroke, half-stroke scoring would not change the relationship when comparing score to score. The social relationship between golfers would not change except for the need to clarify if the 1/2 stroke method was used to determine the handicap under discussion. On the other hand, having a lower score and lower handicap would make me personally feel better.
Again, the half stroke scoring method is great fun when playing (scoring) alone. It is even more fun when playing a familiar course. It reminds me that I’ve played some spectacular shots. I’d appreciate more credit for them. In group play, a scramble rewards my best shots and that’s what makes a scramble fun.
I see an almost institutional resistance to using it with others in group play. Golfers would have to agree to play in parallel, to score individually, and to agree on a spectacular half-stroke shot when it occurs. OR golfers would agree to play and score individually.