Roll the Ball Forward

Many people say there are a lot of problems with golf and that the game is struggling and that we need to do something to fix it or it will die a slow and agonizing death.

POPPY-COSH.

I will not say that golf is booming (unless you live in Ohio and you are enjoying this crazy weather..I played 36 this weekend!), but I don't think it is by any means dying or will ever die. Does it need to look for areas to improve, evolve, and change in order to sustain and realize growth?  Sure.  What industry or business doesn't.

Of all the things that people say need to happen in order for golf to right the ship, rolling back (or limiting the flight) of the golf ball is one of the worst.  I take that back.  It's quite possibly THE worst.

If you are one of these revolutionaries that thinks this is a good idea I have a challenge for you.  Go to ANY golf course and hang out on the first tee.  Ask EVERY group of golfers if they would like to play a ball that flies a shorter distance and as a trade off move up a tee or two.  I can guarantee you that not only would you have zero takers, you'd get laughed off the tee.

Let's apply this brilliant thinking to other sports.

TRACK:  Wouldn't it be fun to weight the runners shoes and have them run shorter distances at a slower speed!

FOOTBALL: They should make the ball heavier so they can't pass or kick it as far.  Because watching 4 yard rushing plays is exhilarating.

BASEBALL: Let's change the ball and maybe even the bat so there are fewer home runs. Those are boring. We need more bunts.

BASKETBALL: Let's raise the hoop so there are less exiting plays and lower scoring games.  Maybe even not let the players run full speed.

I think you get my drift and we haven't even talked about Soccer, Hockey, or Tennis.

No one cares that the Pro's hit it a million miles.  We actually like it.  We like to see things that are amazing.  And since we have access to pretty much the exact equipment that they do, it makes it that much more amazing.  What we do care about is someone taking anything away from us that makes the game seem more difficult.  Let's make the game grow by making people feel worse?  Mr. Johnson is going to love going from 200 off the tee to 150!

Do I think people play from inappropriate yardages?  YES.  Do I think anyone hits the ball to far? Heck (Kevin) Na.

So forget about rolling the ball back.  Instead, let us regular folk have a super ball to help us hit it even further!  In the mean time...I'll be in the woods looking for my tee shot.

JL