The Pellucid Perspective - June 2017 - 12

RULES OF GOLF

in the US. The software platform that the USGA has selected
to participate in looks like a very robust system, but over 2,000
18 Hole+ public golf courses in the US don't even offer internet
reservations, mostly due to lack of broadband availability. Any
"universal" handicap system needs to be as inclusive as possible.
While government agencies wrangle over the the issues of
rural broadband access to address the technical roadblocks that
will eventually get good internet access to those 2,000+ courses;
the USGA should be looking at the advances in technology that
currently would allow almost seamless score reporting. A simple
mobile app could indicate a golfer's presence at a specific course
and preload that course's posting information in an email - all
the golfer would have to do is "reply" by selecting the tee they
played from and enter a score. For public golfers playing multiple
courses, this would be a huge simplification avoiding the need
for course lookup, etc. Unfortunately, when we look at the uses
envisioned for the platform chosen by the USGA, we don't see
that as one of their services.
While the USGA may not be concerned about the additional
research implications of "locating" and identifying a golfer, virtually every golf course owner/operator would be interested in an
easier way to collect information on who is walking in their doors.
Just the ability to greet a golfer by name would be a service enhancement, let alone the ability to tell if they are a "new" customer
or a returning one.

It is our contention that the USGA would be best able to preserve and protect the game of golf by reaching out to golf course
owners and working together in communicating that the rules
are beneficial in enhancing customer awareness and appreciation of the game. It would also be the single biggest ingredient
in helping golfers understand the relevance of why and what the
USGA actually contributes to that enjoyment. They could start
by acknowledging that the vast majority of golfers who have a
handicap aspire to play by rules. They could further accept that
most of the minor rule infractions winked at in a friendly "match"
actually serve to lower handicaps and reduce the likelihood that
a golfer represents a sandbagging threat. Most golfers don't understand that there is actually leeway within a "match" as to the
interpretation of the rules. The common perception of the "rigidity" of the Rules of Golf is actually somewhat of a mis-perception
as evidenced by 700 pages of "decisions" and countless TV replays
that show officials making different rulings in similar situations.
Whether they want to admit it or not, the role of the USGA
is inextricably linked with both the golfers who play and the
businesses that operate golf facilities. The USGA needs to be
concerned with "relevance" just as much as those who make their
livings in the golf industry. The reasons may not be exactly the
same, but at some point concentrating on spitballs while ignoring the larger issues will eventually end up hurting everyone
concerned.
n

Sometimes the best
moments of the job...

...are the ones
you don't get to see.

Your course is more than just a superb collection of fairways, greens and bunkers. To golfers, it's a sacred
place where memories are made. You're passionate about protecting healthy, happy places where we
work and play. We're with you. That's why we back our customers with the full scope of our global
scientific development, technical expertise, business-building tools, education and industry advocacy.

@BayerGolf
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12 The Pellucid PersPecTive

June 2017
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Pellucid Perspective - June 2017
