Your most unpopular Golf opinions?

[Argonne69]

Sigh. Like professional poker, professional golf needs to implement a shot clock. I've watch plenty of professional golf in the last couple of weeks, including the PGA, LPGA, LET, and NCAA. 

 

The USGA recommendation for a shot is 40 seconds. So why do I consistently see players taking 1:30 to 2:30 to hit a shot? I watch most golf time shifted, and my 30 second skip allows me to fairly accurately determine the time. I think I'm fairly generous with the calculation.

 

Saw a player at the Mizuho mark the ball, and then take over 2 minutes to make a stroke. The group wasn't on the clock, so obviously the rules officials didn't have a stopwatch going, but seriously.

 

Saw another player look at the flag 12 times after addressing the ball. As far as I could tell the flag didn't move, and the player didn't adjust their alignment, so why does it require a dozen looks at the flag before pulling the trigger? The shot took over a minute from the time the ball was addressed. 

 

Wonder what the scores would be if players actually had to make a stroke in 40 or 30 seconds. 

 

Edited May 22, 2024 by Argonne69

[Double Mocha Man]

11 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Wonder what the scores would be if players actually had to make a stroke in 40 or 30 seconds. 

 

Their heads would explode and they'd shoot the same scores as we do.

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Their heads would explode and they'd shoot the same scores as we do.

 

Imagine the horror if every player took a minute to 2 minutes to hit every shot. 5 hour rounds would be speed golf. 

 

[jda]

Spanish, Pebble and Spyglass last 3 days and Pebble again tomorrow.  No hurry to get off of those courses... and everybody else who is out there feels the same way.  🙂. Anybody who wants to hustle off of Pebble is a psychopath, IMO.

[BIG STU]

On 5/21/2024 at 3:53 PM, mshills said:

If you sneak your own alcohol onto the golf course you may have an issue. 

IMHO some of the golf bag companies actually promote it. Look at all of the companies making those huge "cart bags" with cooler pockets. Now I can see it on smaller bags people actually walk use to carry water and such. 

[mark174ace]

On 5/22/2024 at 10:14 AM, Double Mocha Man said:

 

You're going for the ocean view, the vibe, the history and the great clubhouse.

No I am not. I am there to play golf.

[Double Mocha Man]

Just now, mark174ace said:

No I am not. I am there to play golf.

 

The two intermingle in a wonderful way.

[mark174ace]

1 minute ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

The two intermingle in a wonderful way.

Yes when the golf course is worth playing. Pebble Beach yes Torrey Pines not so much. I am not paying $$$ for view and vibes.

[54CW]

I should not have to prepay to book a tee time online. I understand the problem they’re trying to solve but I’m too damn lazy to punch in my card information! 

[Double Mocha Man]

18 minutes ago, 54CW said:

I should not have to prepay to book a tee time online. I understand the problem they’re trying to solve but I’m too damn lazy to punch in my card information! 

 

Do they let you use PayPal, so you only have to push one button? Or, is your computer set up to autofill the blanks quickly? 

[54CW]

@Double Mocha Man that would be too convenient and no PayPal. 
 

I guess I do disagree with the principle of prepaying for a round. 

[Double Mocha Man]

6 minutes ago, 54CW said:

@Double Mocha Man that would be too convenient and no PayPal. 
 

I guess I do disagree with the principle of prepaying for a round. 

 

I am fortunate where I'm at with the online reservation systems for the courses I like to play. None of them require a prepayment. They show you the amount, plus tax, that you'll pay and payment is due at check-in. They do appreciate if you let them know in advance if you are canceling a round, preferably within 2 hours.

 

Is it possible in your area that too many golfers skip out on their tee times without notifying the course and they had to put this policy in effect?

 

 

 

Edited May 24, 2024 by Double Mocha Man

[NRJyzr]

7 hours ago, 54CW said:

@Double Mocha Man that would be too convenient and no PayPal. 
 

I guess I do disagree with the principle of prepaying for a round. 

 

7 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

I am fortunate where I'm at with the online reservation systems for the courses I like to play. None of them require a prepayment. They show you the amount, plus tax, that you'll pay and payment is due at check-in. They do appreciate if you let them know in advance if you are canceling a round, preferably within 2 hours.

 

Is it possible in your area that too many golfers skip out on their tee times without notifying the course and they had to put this policy in effect?

 

 

Many (most?) courses around here require a credit card number on file as a guarantee against no-shows.  My usual course is one of these, though to my knowledge they don't charge folks; I've gotten both second- and first-hand comments on those conversations.

 

Edited May 24, 2024 by NRJyzr

[ColinKelvin]

On 5/22/2024 at 4:45 PM, Oostiesalbacore said:

I find the Open courses to be a little boring at times. St. Andrew’s is the only Open course I really enjoy. 
 

I think it’s kinda cringe when courses that aren’t Augusta have named holes.

 

I really like short tricky par 3’s with lots of elevation change and slope.  I wish we got those more often than 250 yard par 3’s with large greens. 
 

I think the current format of “The Match” is incredibly lame and contrived. 
 

I think the TGL is a ridiculous gimmick and won’t last. If LIV team golf with 54 holes is stupid, and it is, then indoor 18 hole simulator team golf is even dumber. 

 

Troon in July has the best example in the world of your 3rd point, and the hole in question is a good example of why point 2 is wrong.  I disagree strongly with 1 (except Hoylake,which is extremely dull).

 

[mark174ace]

On 5/22/2024 at 5:13 PM, jda said:

Spanish, Pebble and Spyglass last 3 days and Pebble again tomorrow.  No hurry to get off of those courses... and everybody else who is out there feels the same way.  🙂. Anybody who wants to hustle off of Pebble is a psychopath, IMO.

Sweet! I am playing Spanish Bay and Spyglass on June 23rd. NCGA members were offered a real nice discount for the month of June on both courses. I have played Pebble and Spyglass once, but have never played Spanish Bay. Definitely planning on Pebble again. 

Edited May 24, 2024 by mark174ace

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, mark174ace said:

... but have never played Spanish Bay.

 

... remember to stick around at sunset for the bagpiper.

[jda]

2 hours ago, mark174ace said:

Sweet! I am playing Spanish Bay and Spyglass on June 23rd. NCGA members were offered a real nice discount for the month of June on both courses. I have played Pebble and Spyglass once, but have never played Spanish Bay. Definitely planning on Pebble again. 

 

If you have not been since they changed the bunkers to this Idaho sand, then head straight to the bunker at the practice facility and don't leave until you can hit a high shot with a whisp of sand (for me 60 degree with 3 of bounce) and then also a lower shot with some spin (56 with 12 of bounce).  This is not like traditional sand and it is very dense and compact, but also very fluffy on top.  I can execute sand shots very well for an amateur and  the sand KILLED me until one of the caddies that we had (who was on a bag in the last open) told me the technique and then I had to practice it for about 30 minutes until I got it.  Had a few sandies afterwards with NO hope the day before.  If you need help, some of the staff at the practice facility can help you.  If you try and dig, scoop, use the dollar-bill divot, etc., the sand is so dense, it will bounce the club right back up into the ball and skull it.  The same sand is at all three courses it seems.

Spanish is a good course in a great location - you have played better, but not in the dunes next to the ocean.  It is more fun than great.  Everybody knows about the wind, so play early if you can.

 

5+ hour rounds and nobody cares.  You need about 20-30 minutes for photos and just enjoying the environment... and every so often a course attendant will point out some whales that need some time too.

[jda]

I have seen the sentiment around that some of the holes at Pebble are nothing special or too easy.  This is a foolish take, IMO.  Even though #7 is only 109, unless you stepped up there and made that shot and putted that green, then I don't want to hear about it - good golfers get chewed up there.  The holes away from the ocean have such well-planned design that I don't even know what to say to people who say that they are plain or boring... 14 might be the best hole that I have ever seen (at least top 10) with the dogleg right, sloping left, tiny green where 40% is false front, nasty bunker in front, tree guarding anybody from running a shot up the chute to the green and all of the slope on the green... well planned and executed by whomever designed/redesigned that one.

 

My unpopular opinion is that not all golfers understand golf or golf courses.

[JPH85]

My (possibly) unpopular opinion is: 

 

Professional golf tournament winning scores should be Par +/- five (5) strokes.  Especially Majors.  What is the point of Par when the winning scores are routinely -20?  I can almost live with Scheffler winning this year's Masters at -11, but otherwise what is the point of Par?

 

YMMV...

[mark174ace]

On 5/24/2024 at 12:53 PM, jda said:

 

If you have not been since they changed the bunkers to this Idaho sand, then head straight to the bunker at the practice facility and don't leave until you can hit a high shot with a whisp of sand (for me 60 degree with 3 of bounce) and then also a lower shot with some spin (56 with 12 of bounce).  This is not like traditional sand and it is very dense and compact, but also very fluffy on top.  I can execute sand shots very well for an amateur and  the sand KILLED me until one of the caddies that we had (who was on a bag in the last open) told me the technique and then I had to practice it for about 30 minutes until I got it.  Had a few sandies afterwards with NO hope the day before.  If you need help, some of the staff at the practice facility can help you.  If you try and dig, scoop, use the dollar-bill divot, etc., the sand is so dense, it will bounce the club right back up into the ball and skull it.  The same sand is at all three courses it seems.

Spanish is a good course in a great location - you have played better, but not in the dunes next to the ocean.  It is more fun than great.  Everybody knows about the wind, so play early if you can.

 

5+ hour rounds and nobody cares.  You need about 20-30 minutes for photos and just enjoying the environment... and every so often a course attendant will point out some whales that need some time too.

Thanks for the tip. I actually played today a course in No Cal that has that kind of sand and I know exactly what you are talking about. I am still trying to get used to it since they started using that sand over three years ago. Very nice but heavy sand and the club just does not slide through easily.

[Maine Golfer]

20 hours ago, JPH85 said:

My (possibly) unpopular opinion is: 

 

Professional golf tournament winning scores should be Par +/- five (5) strokes.  Especially Majors.  What is the point of Par when the winning scores are routinely -20?  I can almost live with Scheffler winning this year's Masters at -11, but otherwise what is the point of Par?

 

YMMV...

Id be for absolute brutal US open rough again. I don't like the push back on it. Nobody is gonna lose a ball like a random muni. Make em punch out, let's see some driving irons and critical thinking from the tee. 

[becoh]

The far end of the range should be reserved for us folks trying to piece together all 47 things we need to do to hit a ball straight.

 

I want some peace and quiet down there.

[mshills]

I’m not rude so I’d never say something like “keep your mouth off my ball” but the guy who talks to his ball, and yours, is annoying. 

[Maine Golfer]

Why are you using range balls on my courses big chipping green? What is wrong with you? If its under 5 and you pick up we can move on...

 

No no, the worst was the other night. 2 Guy's just chipping the whole bucket onto the green, what the hell! 

 

To make maters worse one guy left without cleaning up? Why they hell did you pay for those? Why must you leave them!!

 

c'mon!!!

 

 

[MountainKing]

1) You should be required to have a handicap, take a class to get said handicap, and prove a certain skill level before being allowed on a course.  Courses can dedicate certain hours for beginners, and executive courses can be available to obtain a handicap.  Need a license to hunt and fish, most mens hockey leagues won't let you join without showing skill, why not golf?

2) 70% of the golfing public would be better served at Top Golf

3) The game needs to shrink. 

4) Rangers need to do their job

[Argonne69]

You should be required to pass a test before getting the keys to a golf cart. 

 

Sit in the cart waiting for the green to clear instead of getting ready to hit? Instant fail. 

 

Sit in the cart watching your playing partner hit instead of driving over to your ball on the other side of the fairway? Instant fail. 

 

Driving the cart off the cart path near the teebox or green? Instant fail. 

 

Leaving the cart in the fairway near the green on a par 5 instead of driving it around to the parking area? Instant fail. 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

7 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

You should be required to pass a test before getting the keys to a golf cart. 

 

Sit in the cart waiting for the green to clear instead of getting ready to hit? Instant fail. 

 

Sit in the cart watching your playing partner hit instead of driving over to your ball on the other side of the fairway? Instant fail. 

 

Driving the cart off the cart path near the teebox or green? Instant fail. 

 

Leaving the cart in the fairway near the green on a par 5 instead of driving it around to the parking area? Instant fail. 

 

 

Just driving a golf cart.  Instant fail.

 

Semi kidding; some folks can't physically play without them... I understand.  But the rest of us, what's wrong with the pleasure of a good walk?

 

 

[_chris]

On 6/1/2024 at 3:58 PM, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Just driving a golf cart.  Instant fail.

 

Semi kidding; some folks can't physically play without them... I understand.  But the rest of us, what's wrong with the pleasure of a good walk?

 

 

Define "Can't"? 

 

 I physically can, but I sure don't want to deal with what it would bring, 

[Double Mocha Man]

20 minutes ago, _chris said:

Define "Can't"? 

 

 I physically can, but I sure don't want to deal with what it would bring, 

 

I used to have a friend who contracted polio as a kid and gets around on two crutches.  He plays golf bracing himself with one crutch and swinging the club one-handed.  Without a power cart he would be unable to get around the course. Hopefully that helps to define "can't" for you. 

[shankasaurus rex]

On 6/1/2024 at 4:23 PM, MountainKing said:

1) You should be required to have a handicap, take a class to get said handicap, and prove a certain skill level before being allowed on a course.  Courses can dedicate certain hours for beginners, and executive courses can be available to obtain a handicap.  Need a license to hunt and fish, most mens hockey leagues won't let you join without showing skill, why not golf?

2) 70% of the golfing public would be better served at Top Golf

3) The game needs to shrink. 

4) Rangers need to do their job

Given that I've never seen a golf course that had more single-digit handicappers than it did duffers and beginners, they ought to designate times for the "good" players, and leave the bulk of the time to the vast majority of golfers. 😘