Paul: The USGA and many golfers too have always wanted to have one set of rules for ALL golfers. There are certainly arguments pro and con about that, with good points on both sides. One of the interesting things about this is that when it comes to the tour players, there is only ONE tournament in which some of them play which is all USGA - the US Open. All of the other pro events are conducted under the PGA Tour's direction. But since the PGA Tour has agreed to conduct all events under the USGA Rules, therein lies the rub in this. Although it is very interesting that anytime there is controversy over the rules like this, the PGA Tour never makes a statement or says anything at all. Personally, I think the PGA Tour should make their own rules for their own tournaments. Then let each golf course/club decide if they want to conduct their competitions under the USGA's or the PGA's rules. Many years ago in this country, there was the USGA and the Western Golf Assn. Both had their own rules, both in essence competed to be the ruling body of the game until for whatever reason the USGA "won out". So having rules made up by the PGA Tour, created by people who really ARE in the game instead of the 15 members of the USGA Executive Cmte, might make things more realistic and better for all. Who knows tho. Right now, the 15 people who make the rules have their heads up where the sun don't shine on some of these things.
TOM -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Doxey, Paul N Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 4:14 PM To: ShopTalk@mail.msen.com Subject: RE: ShopTalk: Rules change Everyone has brought up great points. The question I would like to raise is this: if it is the pros that need to be reeled in, why is it not the PGA and other professional golf organizations that would make and enforce this rule on the pros alone? Why does the USGA have to make rulings specific to such a small group and force it on the majority of us that don't have the ability of the pros in the first place? Of course, I am speaking for myself! Or, why doesn't the USGA create pro specific rules? They play a special game, they should have special rules. It is getting like NASCAR with all of the rules to slow things down. I agree with Bob that the pro venues should grow their rough. After all, it is only a matter of 50 or so courses and a duration of at most a month of one to two inches higher rough. If it gets a little dry, it will be even harder to hit out of. Paul Doxey Enterprise CPE 1201 E. Arapaho Rd. Plano, TX 75081 972-728-2301 lab: 972-728-2361 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
