Monday, March 14, 2011

WSJ Profiles New Nike Golf Ball

"Changing balls is much harder than changing clubs," said Anthony Kim, who's been playing the 20IX-S since December. (The 20IX line won't be available in stores until late April.) "With a new driver, that's basically just one shot you have to understand. But a new ball affects all 14 clubs in your bag, and you have to have confidence in how each of those clubs are going to play.".....read more

Remember Sortagolf Rules Amendment #6:  All Equipment Is Conforming.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

How To Deal With USGA-holes

Not everyone wants you to enjoy a more satisfying golf game.  In fact, some are so threatened by it, and SortaGolf, that they will get down right hostile about it. 

I like to call these kind of people USGA-holes.

You know the type; rigid, condescending and so blinded by their fundamentalist USGA dogma that they can’t tolerate anyone who doesn’t believe the same way they do. 

Being a SortaGolfer means being persecuted by USGA-holes.  It just comes with the territory, but as our numbers grow so will our acceptance.  Until that day, I’ve compiled the following responses to typical USGA-hole taunts for those SortaGolfer so oppressed:


USGA-holeThere’s nothing wrong with the USGA Rules of Golf.


ResponseA recent Golf Online survey reported that only 23% of golfers admit to strictly following USGA rules. Why so few? Because adhering to the USGA Rules Of Golf produce a frustrating, unsatisfactory experience for the vast majority of golfers.


Golf is a difficult game, even for professionals. Made even more so for recreational golfers by the unforgiving, arbitrary and burdensome rules and mandates set by the USGA.

No one is more passionate about the great game of golf than recreational golfers. But for them the rules of golf are clearly out of step and, understandably, generally not followed
.

SortaGolf provides an alternative solution and an updated common rules format all can follow. These (7) rules amendments greatly enhance satisfaction for the recreational golfer, while maintaining competitive integrity and the essential essence of the game.


USGA-hole: SortaGolf isn’t legitimate golf.


ResponseConsidering the fact that research shows that only a small minority of golfers actually follow the USGA Rules Of Golf, we contend that SortaGolf is actually MORE legitimate for the recreational golfers who make up 95% of the total golfing population.


USGA-holeSortaGolfers are cheaters!


ResponseIs it cheating? Or is SortaGolf merely modifying the conditions of the game to reflect reality. Let’s face it; the USGA Rules of Golf, in its current form, is broken for the recreational golfer. And, unless you’re willing to strictly adhere to all USGA rules, you’re cheating. Is that fair? Is that satisfying? We say NO!

Over the course of history, even a document as great as the United States Constitution has benefited from a number of amendments. Certainly, the USGA Rules Of Golf could benefit as well.

SortaGolf is pioneering a better way for recreational golfers. All that you love about golf while minimizing the things you don’t. There’s no longer any need for recreational golfers to hide their real golf game anymore


USGA-holeWith SortaGolf everyone will be shooting below par.


ResponseSortaGolf at its essence is about damage control for the recreational golfer, yielding a greater consistency of scoring.  Playing SortaGolf, you won't necessarily improve upon your previous personal best (using USGA rules) but you will most certainly score more consistently within its reach.


USGA-holeWhat about handicaps?


ResponseThe purpose of handicapping is to help level the playing field between competitors of different skill levels by providing "strokes" based on historical performance. 


With SortaGolf, this desired leveling is substantially accomplished through the damage controlling properties of The Sorta 7 Amendments, which significantly reduce the separation between golfers of different skill levels. 


Sorta Golf naturally provides a more competitive landscape for golfers and, therefore, the role of handicapping is greatly diminished and simplified relative to the USGA.


Here is how it works.  SortaGolf handicaps are established based on a golferís previous best single 18 hole score, ever using USGA Rules of Golf:


       Best Score   SGA Handicap

            <75                           0
76-78                         1
79-80                         2
81-83                         3
84-86                         4
87-89                         5
90-92                         6
93-96                         7
97-99                         8
100+                          9

With their initial handicap established, Sorta Golfer handicaps are only adjusted lower, when a player lowers his best score.



I use these arguments on a daily basis and have found them to tame even the most savage of USGA-hole beasts.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Rule 1: Improve Your Lie

According to a USGA study only one tenth of one percent of male golfers shoot par golf consistently. Only two-and-one-half percent are below a five handicap. Why do so few  golfers produce good results? The reason is clear, it's because the golf swing is impossibly hard! 

It's very reasonable that most recreational golfers are frustrated by the game.  The traditional golf swing demands an extremely complex, unnatural swing action that can never be mastered. The body, arms, hands, club head and club face must be rotated on multiple planes in both the back swing and the downswing. These completely unnatural and complex rotary movements make it extremely difficult to square the club face consistently at impact, even for a golfer of the highest proficiency.

The margin for error in the golf swing is minuscule. A golfer is only allowed about two degrees of club face error when hitting a golf ball to keep it in the fairway. Not to hit it where it is exactly intended to go, but just to keep the ball somewhere in the fairway.

Unless a golfer is genetically blessed with world class tempo and timing and has at least 5 hours a day to practice, they can never hope to join the golfing elite who regularly play at par or better. For the vast majority of golfers not so blessed at birth, a frustrating fate awaits.

(a) The first rule of SortaGolf is to be sure to Improve Your Lie so as to give you the best possible chance to play your best golf. Golf is challenging enough even from a good lie. There's no reason for golfers to be further penalized by poor course maintenance or the randomness of nature.

Golfers instinctively know this and have over the years developed solutions of their own, like "bumping 'em in the fairway". Now this kind of progressive thinking can be expanded to almost every shot you play. The last thing you should be asking yourself before addressing the ball is, "Could my lie be improved?"

(b) Proximity to the original location of the ball should not be an impediment to this process. As a result, if it is necessary to move your ball a full clubs length in order to accomplish the task, then you should do so. This is especially true if a little extra distance will not only provide you with the optimal lie, but will also have the added benefit of allowing you to more easily avoid an obstacle (a tree, for example)or otherwise provide you with a better approach to your target.

Although, improving one’s lie cannot result in moving your ball closer to the hole or result in taking the ball from the rough to the fairway. The only areas of the course were this rule does not apply is in sand traps or on the putting surface. There, you must play the ball were it lies.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Gimme Mulligan or Gimme Death

Frustrated with your golf game?  Most golfers are.  But what can you really do about it?  The
golf establishment preaches that the secret to improving your game lies in buying the latest clubs and balls or expensive lessons coupled with endless hours of practice.
Does it work? 

Not likely.  The sad truth is that USGA’s own research shows that there is almost never
significant improvement for golfers who have been playing for more than
three years.  We’ve all been brainwashed to believe that the anguish and disappointments experienced almost every round are simply ‘part of the game’.

It’s not your fault. Golf is a difficult game, even for professionals. Made even more so for recreational golfers by the unforgiving, arbitrary and burdensome rules and mandates set by the USGA.  A Golf Online survey reported that only 23% of golfers admit to strictly following USGA Rules of Golf.  Why so few? 

Because adhering to USGA Rules of Golf produce a frustrating, unsatisfactory experience for the vast majority of golfers. Are we supposed to just accept this as our golfing lot and toil in perpetual frustration?  Absolutely not!  We at the SortaGolf Association say, Gimme mulligan or gimme death!

Every golfer deserves to play a better, more consistent and satisfying round of golf and thanks to SortaGolf that’s exactly what you’ll do.  It’s simple, easy and best of all you’re probably already following many of its common sense principles.
 
SortaGolf features a revolutionary collection of rules amendments called the Sorta 7.  This ‘Golfer’s Bill of Rights’ will dramatically improving your golfing satisfaction without expensive new equipment and lessons or build calluses on the practice tee.  It provides an updated rules format all golfers can gladly follow while maintaining both competitive integrity and the essential essence of the game.

Recreational golfers everywhere unite!  Demand the satisfaction you deserve and declare your independence from the USGA Rules of Golf. The SortaGolf revolution is here.

Nothing Equitable About A Scramble

The Pope of Slope provides compelling rationale on why its so hard to have equity among teams when playing a Florida Scramble format. 
You have asked one of the toughest questions in handicapping and achieving equity in a scramble format is hard to accomplish.

First off, in any scramble format, the teams with the best golfers always will have a big advantage. A single digit handicap player hits better drives, approach shots and putts than beginner golfers. Rarely does every team have one good player and usually there is a big difference in the skill level of the best (A-class) player on each team. The team that happens to have a near-scratch golfer has a big advantage over other teams that is hard to overcome.

Also, without knowing what the playing ability of the competitors are, you just can’t have a competitive tournament. Players that show up without a USGA Handicap Index come without providing any evidence of their skill. What makes the problem even worse is that the term “playing ability” is hard to define in a scramble because USGA Handicap Indexes are based on total hole scores covering 18 holes. There are lots of different ways to develop a 17.0 Handicap Index, for example. You might be a “Wild Willy”, who hits the long ball, but without much accuracy and not much finesse in the short game. This is a player who can help his team off the tee, but may not be much use for the rest of the way to the hole. You might be a “Steady Eddy” who hits short, but straight shots and stays out of trouble most of the time, unless there is a long carry over water on a hole. Steady Eddy is a great player to have on a team–after the tee shot has been selected. Most of us might fit better in the category of “Average Andy”. We hit some good shots and some bad shots and some of our shots might get used by the team.

Whichever category that a player fits into, the USGA Handicap Index is not a great way to determine “playing ability” in a scramble, just because handicaps are based on total scores and not how you got those scores. A scramble is based on the individual components of playing a hole–Driving ability, approach shot ability, and getting up and down, which includes chipping, bunker play and putting.

SortaGolf’s 7 Amendments provide a better format for corporate and charity tournament outings. 

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Does SortaGolf Have Handicaps?

The purpose of handicapping is to help level the playing field between competitors of different skill levels by providing ‘strokes’ based on historical performance. 
With SortaGolf, this desired leveling is substantially accomplished through the damage controlling properties of The Sorta 7 Amendments, which significantly reduce the separation between golfers of different skill levels. 

SortaGolf naturally provides a more equitable landscape for golfers and, therefore, the role of handicapping is greatly diminished and simplified relative to the USGA.

Here is how it works.  SortaGolf handicaps are established based on a golfer’s previous best single 18-hole score over the last (5) years:

       Best Score   SGA Handicap


                <75                       0

76-78                         1

79-80                         2

81-83                        3

84-86                        4

87-89                        5

90-92                        6

93-96                        7

97-99                        8

100+                         9

With their initial handicap established, SortaGolfer handicaps are only adjusted lower, when a player lowers his/her best score…utilizing the Sorta 7 Amendments, of course.

With SortaGolf, we all carry a single digit handicap!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Women Golfers Are From Venus

There’s a gender gap when it comes to SortaGolf.  

A concept that is intuitively obvious to men, a more satisfying game of golf, is one that most women struggle with.  Despite the fact that SortaGolf’s 7 Amendments are an equal opportunity satisfaction enhancer.

It would appear that the USGA Rules of Golf dogma has the kind of opporessive grip on women that the Taliban could only hope for. It’s shameful.  Women have just as much right to a satisfying game of golf as men do.

The SGA is committed to expanding female participation and supports outreach programs that help identify, recruit and encourage women to embrace SortaGolf.

Oprah, can you help?

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Why Play SortaGolf?



A recent Golf Online survey reported that only 23% of golfers admit to strictly following USGA rules. Why so few? Because adhering to the USGA Rules Of Golf produce a frustrating, unsatisfactory experience for the vast majority of golfers.



Golf is a difficult game, even for professionals. Made even more so for recreational golfers by the unforgiving, arbitrary and burdensome rules and mandates set by the USGA.

No one is more passionate about the great game of golf than recreational golfers. But for them the rules of golf are clearly out of step and, understandably, generally not followed
.

SortaGolf provides an alternative solution and an updated common rules format all can follow. These (7) rules amendments (see tab above) greatly enhance satisfaction for the recreational golfer, while maintaining competitive integrity and the essential essence of the game.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Giuliani Candidate For SortaGolf

The former NYC Mayor is not only a right-thinking American, he’s also a right-thinking recreational golfer.  I recently read his best selling book, ‘Leadership’, and was gratified to read the following excerpt from p. 286-7: 

"Every time I found myself trapped on a golf course, I would cringe at the endless rules.  It’s hard enough just to hit long and strong without the frustration of adding strokes when your ball’s in the water or or cruelly lips out after a seemingly perfect putt. 

On the very first hole, Randy saw me struggling with my swing, with the golf ball flying all over the place.  ‘Rudy”, he said, “this isn’t the PGA Tour – we’re here to have fun.  If you miss-hit your drive, tee up another ball.”

Suddenly, it became clear to me: golf is supposed to be pleasurable, not a torture.  I was hooked!  I had caught the strange fever that has driven so many people to spend endless hours knocking a dimpled rubber sphere into a small hole hundreds of yards away.”
Mr. Mayor, I couldn’t agree with you more.  SortaGolf, and its Rules Amendment #7: ”A Mulligan Per Round, was made for guys like you and me. 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Seven Things The USGA Doesn't Want You To Know

1.)  We’re Not That Good:  The average 18-hole score on a full-size course is 97 for men and 114 for women. It’s an even 100 for all golfers. The average golf score has changed very little over the last 50 years, despite all the significant advances in equipment technology. Only a very small elite break 80 on a consistent basis.

2.)  And That’s Not Gonna Change: USGA research has shown that very rarely will a golfer significantly improve after playing for 3 years.

3.)  We Don’t Want To Be Reminded Were Not Good:  Less than 20% of all golfers maintain a handicap, which averages 19-20.  When asked what they’d like to shoot, most golfers say they’d be satisfied if they could shoot 85 on an 18-hole regulation course on a regular basis.

4.)   But We Try To Make Golf More Enjoyable:  Only 23% of golfers admit to strictly following the USGA Rules of Golf.  Why so few? Because adhering to them produces a frustrating and unsatisfactory experience for the vast majority of golfers.

5.)  But That’s Not Enough: The number of rounds played has been flat for years despite a significant number of new course openings.


6.) 
And Many Are Losing Interest Or Giving Up: Core golfers, who account for 80% of rounds played, are playing less and three million golfers leave the game every year.

7.) Which Is Why The SortaGolf Revolution Is Here to improve satisfaction among recreational golfers while maintaining competitive integrity and the essential essence of the great game of golf.


Who’s really doing more ”for the good of the game“..the USGA or the SGA?