New Book On History Of Equipment Regulation, Brought To You By Titleist!

Remember, I just copy and paste this stuff and slap it under the you-can't-make-this-stuff-up-files. From Titleist PR:

FROM STICKS AND STONES: AN ESSENTIAL READ FOR ALL GOLF ENTHUSIASTS

Former USGA Technical Director Frank Thomas Details the Evolution of Golf Equipment Rules

Fairhaven, MA (May 25, 2011) – One of the men most involved in writing the rules that set the boundaries for today’s golf equipment is setting the record straight in his new book, From Sticks and Stones, a comprehensive history and analysis of golf’s equipment regulations and their effects on the game.

Wow, how courageous, he's going to reveal how he blew the pooch! Got to love a good tell-all.

Written by Frank Thomas with Valerie Melvin, From Sticks and Stones dissects all the equipment-related provisions in the Rules of Golf, and explains why they were written, what they were meant to achieve and evaluates their relevance today.

I'm sure that'll have quite the honest, forthright look. It's not like Wally himself is contributing a press release blurb or anything.

"Frank Thomas has written the definitive book on the evolution of equipment as it pertains to the Rules of Golf,” said Wally Uihlein, Chairman and CEO, Acushnet Company, manufacturer of the Titleist and FootJoy golf brands.  “As the Technical Director of the United States Golf Association for more than a quarter century, Thomas was at the forefront of the decision-making process by the game's ruling bodies during the most active and critical periods in the history of golf.  He always kept the best intentions of the game top of mind and provided a voice of reason, often in the face of criticism. From Sticks and Stones is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the game and how golf equipment has evolved over the past century."

Well, at least I know what'll be my light, whimsical summer reading.

"I think golfers are more aware than ever that the game lost its way, and a correction is needed."

Jaime Diaz reports on the latest regarding Barney Adams' noble campaign to get people playing forward.

Adams posted his findings on the Internet (in the January Golf Digest, he advocated moving up a set of tees), and he received a positive response. But his persistence at lobbying for his idea was most meaningfully rewarded by American golf's powers that be. Beginning in late May, the USGA, the PGA of America and the GCSAA will begin a campaign -- with the tentative handle of Play It Forward -- to convince golfers to move up. It will start with television segments during the Senior PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women's Open. Then the organizations will urge course operators across the nation to set aside two weeks beginning July 5 in which they ask customers to play from a shorter set of tees, following Adams' guidelines.

And will there be incentives in the form of reduced green fees? If not, I'm guessing this campaign won't register.

"That brings in shotmaking, even for an average player, and that's what really makes the game interesting." For all that, Adams doesn't believe scoring will be dramatically affected.

"Maybe a 13-handicap becomes a 10," he says. "That's where the USGA would have to really get involved, to make sure handicaps don't lose equitableness.

"This is about a change of habits, which is always hard," Adams says, "but I think golfers are more aware than ever that the game lost its way, and a correction is needed."

This is where I just don't get as excited about Adams' cause as some. He's absolutely right that people should play shorter courses but how can than happen when, contrary to what he says, people are using today's equipment to hit the ball longer? Courses were not lengthened because architects thought it would be fun for the average man, but in reaction to the demands of golfers, course owners and safety concerns. Reversing that trend will be tough. Still, it's certainly a campaign worth getting around because they are not advocating consumerism as the savior of golf.

"So it's all nonsense as far as I'm concerned, and I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Brian Wacker sums up and shares some highlights from the Commish's impromptu meet and snipe session this morning outside the media center while Tim Finchem nursed a cup of green tea.

Here's the full transcript.

TIM FINCHEM: I'd be happy to try to answer anything you want to talk about.

Shortest introductory comments ever!

Q. You were on CNBC on Thursday talking about the incident with Tiger and being forced to play here.

TIM FINCHEM: I'm answering questions.

Q. I'll ask you a question.

Off to a roaring start!

It seems like irrespective of Tiger, it's not unusual for the commissioner to contact players to see if they're going to play in an event or try to tell them how important it is to play in an event, is it?

TIM FINCHEM: Well, I think the question that was put to me, and I'll answer the question that was put to me, it's been rumored that I pressured Tiger Woods to play in the tournament, and my response was no, I did not do that.

Q. Can you answer my question, then?

TIM FINCHEM: We communicate with players all the time with weak fields, weak field events, and we encourage players to move their schedule around and try to include a weak field. We never go to a player and say, would you please, please, please play this event, this event or any other event, ever, and I don't recall ever talking to any player in my tenure about whether or not they were going to play THE PLAYERS Championship unless they came to me and said, I want you to know I'm not playing THE PLAYERS Championship or I want you to know how delighted I am that I am going to play THE PLAYERS Championship. I hope that sets the record straight.

Not really.

Q. You seem to have been put off by the situation that you would twist Tiger's arm to play when he might be hurt.

TIM FINCHEM: Well, it's not about him, it's any player. It's any player. I don't twist players' arms, and as far as Tiger being hurt, guys, that's a decision he has to make, and I had no information that he wasn't ready to play golf. I don't think anybody did. I don't think he did. I was on the range with him for a half an hour on Tuesday. He was hitting it really well. He went and played nine holes, and he didn't have a problem. He played the next day, he didn't have a problem. He stayed on the range that day, he didn't have a problem. So it's all nonsense as far as I'm concerned, and I don't want to talk about it anymore.

See, he's not put off by the question!

Q. Have you been in touch with Mark Steinberg about Tiger since he left here or do you expect to be?

TIM FINCHEM: No, I sent a note to Tiger saying sorry you couldn't finish the tournament, good luck on your rehab and hopefully we'll see you soon, as you would expect. I do that with pretty much any player that has a problem.

He's been sending a lot of notes to Tiger lately. I wonder if Doug Barron ever got such a note?

Q. After five years are you happy with the date in May?

TIM FINCHEM: We like the flow of May, we like the weather. We had the storm yesterday, but it's the first rain delay we've had in the five years. You go back and look at the previous 24 years it's been irregular. We've gotten to the point, we're still working on getting this golf course ready, and this year we were helped by the weather, but we did a lot of things during the course of the year that should help us should we get another date.

Get another date? Don't you set the date? Or is that Dick Ebersol's decision?

So we like it, players like it, fans like it, and we're very pleased with it thus far.

Unless you get another date!

As for the fans, they haven't been coming out as much according to those who attended in March. Or are they coming dressed as stadium mounds and I just don't see as many? Anyway, my contribution to the proceedings:

Q. Deane Beman on has a new book out about his career. I don't know if you've read it, but in it he says that had he known that the governing bodies would have handled the equipment issues the way they did, he wouldn't have left when he did. Do you have any comment on that?

TIM FINCHEM: Well, no. We handled them the way we did. We think we've handled them quite well, but I'm not going to publicly get into a debate with Deane. Maybe over dinner one night.

I guess if it's a public debate that would ensue, it's safe to say he does not agree with Beman's take.

We did learn about the likely timing of the next television negotiations.

Q. Can you talk about the scheduling and television negotiations?

TIM FINCHEM: It isn't set. It isn't set. It's a combination of schedule, it's a combination of us finishing up some pieces of business that we would get done before we sit down with television. It's largely about schedules and time frames. Different networks have different things going on. Also NBC just came through this merger. But my guess is sometime this summer we'll get to it.

Bad news, the FedExCup format isnt changing, at least not until they get new dates.

Q. Do you envision the FedExCup Playoffs being virtually in the format we're in now, and do you expect FedEx to stay on through 2013 and beyond?

TIM FINCHEM: Yes and yes at this point. We like the flow of the schedule. I suppose that -- I suppose there are things out there that could impact that from a scheduling standpoint. There's an awful lot of speculation about where the NFL is going to land on their schedule, but that probably affects the first quarter more than our playoff schedule, although you just don't know.

I would say generally yes, but I wouldn't say -- don't hold me to that.

Oh we will!

“You know the easiest way to get the ball in the middle of the fairway? Walk down there and place it with your hand. Who are you kidding?”

While traveling today I got to spend a little time with the hard copy of the NY Times and inspected Dick Rugge's response to the Polara ball and other suggestions that the rules of golf are scaring golfers away. I like that he was both logical--we've seen greater advances in the last 15 years than ever before--and a wee bit sarcastic too.

“For the last 15 years, advances in conforming club and ball technologies have made it easier to play,” he said. “So we’ve already had a 15-year experiment on this make-it-easier logic. And what have been the results? Participation has not gone up. So we’re not going to dumb it down.

“You know the easiest way to get the ball in the middle of the fairway? Walk down there and place it with your hand. Who are you kidding?”

Day Two Of NY Times War On USGA: Polara Ball Makes Front Page!

Why this is front page news, I'm not sure, but Bill Pennington on the Polara ball.

It is physics, not magic, but there is, of course, a catch. The Polara ball has an irregular dimple pattern that means it does not conform to golf’s official rules. The ball, which is designed to reduce slices and hooks by 75 percent or more, would be illegal to use in the Masters, for example, or any other competition, local or otherwise, sanctioned by the United States Golf Association.

But as golf works to appeal to a younger generation that hits the links in cargo shorts and sandals and without a rulebook, does a nonconforming label still matter?

“It wouldn’t matter one bit to me,” said Fredric Martenson, 36, of Jersey City, who was also pounding balls into the night. Mr. Martenson, a beginning golfer with a wicked slice, also found the Polara ball went considerably straighter.

“I just want to go out and not spend the whole day looking for my ball,” he said.

And we know that's all been the ball's fault!

But many at the driving range here last week wanted nothing to do with the Polara ball.

“Part of the game is the challenge of hitting it straight,” said Charles Yoo, 33, of Edgewater.

The dialogue at the range mirrors a debate in the greater golf community. With the number of golf rounds declining in recent years, especially among beginners, what is the best way to draw new players to a difficult, intimidating, tradition-bound game? Can new technologies enhance the recruitment of players, even if some advances are outside rules in place for centuries?

Dave Felker, the former Callaway golf ball engineer and executive behind the Polara, said his product was meant to grow the game because it is not for the elite golfer.

“It’s for the other golfers, the ones who rarely hit it straight,” he said. “It’s for people who want to be embarrassed less, play faster and enjoy it more. I respect the U.S.G.A., they help identify the best golfers in the world, but what about the rest of us?”

After yesterday's Flogton story, might we see a USGA rebuttal to all of this?

The story also features an accompanying video piece.

If Deane Beman Was Commissioner (Again) For A Day: Equipment Regulation!**

Thanks to reader Ken for sharing the sequence from today's Morning Drive where Deane Beman and Adam Schupak were plugging their new (and of the many parts I've read, excellent) book. Co-host Tony Erik Kuselias asked:

"Tomorrow you get to be commissioner again and you are complete czar and you can do whatever you want and everybody will agree, what's the ONE thing you'd like to see get done that has not been done right now."

Beman's reply?

"My greatest regret is that I was not able to influence the direction of technology in golf. I think it has had a dramatic effect on how the game is played, on the cost of golf being played today. There's m-billions (Couldn't tell if it was M or B) of dollars that have been put into golf courses to try to accomodate the best players in the world. and it's not just tour courses, it's every course around the country. Just in case Tiger Woods happens to come and play your course and you don't want him to shoot 60.
 
"Everybody has increased the speed of their greens to levels that the average player can't handle. The cost of maintenance of golf courses has risen, therefore the cost of memberships, the cost of green fees have gone up. All to, in my opinion, the detriment of golf."

At this point co-host Gary Williams saw his rally kill light go on and jumped in to protect the best interests of baseball by asking him about appearance fees!

Update on 2011-04-29 19:51 by Geoff

**You can listen to the interview here.

"Why, one wonders, is there any need to lengthen a course the world's best found more than challenging at a time when the technological issue is apparently done and dusted?"

John Huggan looks at R&A Secretary Peter Dawson's various contradictory statements and actions on the distance issue in an excellent reminder of where the governing bodies say the game is and where we actually stand. The List also gets a mention!

"Driving distance is not increasing and we take that very much into account in course set-up and course alterations," said Dawson. "We do think we have this issue (distance) surrounded."

At first glance, Dawson is right. A quick look at driving distance statistics shows that, in 2005, the longest driver on America's PGA Tour was Australian Scott Hend with an average knock of 318.9 yards. Last year, Robert Garrigus of the US was longest, on 315.5 yards. Hang on though. A closer inspection of the numbers is less reassuring. If we go back to 2002 (when former Open champion John Daly was the biggest hitter on 306.8 yards) only one player, Daly, averaged over 300 yards from the tee and a mere 18 averaged over 290 yards. Three years later, 26 players were routinely over 300 yards and 86 averaged 290 yards or more. And last year, Garrigus was one of a dozen over 300 yards, with 73 averaging more than 290 (the slight drop can be attributed to course set-up "tricks" such as mowing the fairway grass towards the tee rather than the green).

"And so the whole damn game, people are saying let me out of here. They can't afford it. Instead of staying where we were and just slow the ball down."

I didn't see much coverage of Gary Player's Masters presser last night and only today after a couple of emails and reading Bob Carney's post did I realize why: he sounded alarms no one wants to hear!

And then you saw our era come along and then you saw this era came along and you'll see new era come along, and I've said this on British television on BBC about eight years ago: It's just a matter of time before players hit the ball 400 yards. And this good player and a good announcer said to me, absolute nonsense.
They are hitting the ball 400 yards now, never mind 30 years' time.

And so what we are going to see, we have not scratched the surface of golf yet. We are in our infancy. Unless we slow the ball down, you cannot put the tees back in the streets anymore, gentlemen and ladies.

You can just feel the Twitterers shifting in their seats! Go on...

They have got to their limit now so the next thing is you have to slow the ball down because the golf courses are going to be completely outdated which is happening now. Golf is suffering terribly. You see golf courses just weeds now closing down. You can buy golf courses for a dollar now because it's the maintenance of the golf course. Because they have seen what is happening: These pros hitting a driver and 6-iron to a par 5 so from Timbuktu to Tokyo to China to here, everyone is lengthening golf courses. And the members hate it; and greens are undulating and the members hate it; and the fees are going up and oil is getting more expensive and we are running out of water (laughter)

Just a note from watching the video: that (laughter) was not from Player, who was entirely serious, but from a few in the room. Nice touch lads. Keep laughing.

and so the whole damn game, people are saying let me out of here. They can't afford it. Instead of staying where we were and just slow the ball down. Not for the amateur. We must have technology for the amateur golfer who is the heart of the game.

The pro is a mere tiny part of the game. And this is going to happen; I can promise you, it is going to happen in time because hundreds of millions of dollars are being wasted on unnecessary programs.

I know this is a hard one for people to deal with. Yes, courses everywhere, whether they need to or not, are adding length to accomodate a few players. It's going to happen. And that length, means more cost, more maintenance, and there is also a safety component that has changed.

Now, if you do as Player says and change the ball for competition, this comes to an end, and courses might even get a little shorter (doubtful, but possible). And manufacturers still get to sell clubs, golfers still buy golf balls and the game goes on its very way!