"Recreational golf" is exactly that. Willie Nelson replied, when asked what par is on his own golf course "hell, par is whatever I want it to be". Tournament, or "serious" golf is one thing, but when a group of guys who play together regularly want to allow preferred lies, 20 clubs, illegal balls or bent rules, how does that affect anyone else? It's their game.
We have some "illegal" tournaments here, as do most every club at which I've been a member; "Selective Drives", string tournaments, pari-mutual betting, calcuttas, mandatory skins, "mulligans" - the list is long. Take a look at the large number of tournament formats that are played and sponsored by golf organizations. If you've never played in one you're missing some fun times. I certainly don't approve of cheating - I've been rules chairman, tournament chairman, handicap chairman, president and other offices in a few golf clubs and have always supported the rules. However, having said that, what groups of friends do among themselves during a round of golf has absolutely nothing to do with me, or anyone else for that matter. TFlan > Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 05:28:31 -0500 > From: tdmas...@earthlink.net > To: ShopTalk@mail.msen.com > Subject: Re: ShopTalk: Favorite Club for 2009 > > As a clubmaker and fitter I seldom post on the forum. I am also a player > that enjoys the game rather it is played by the rules of St. Andrews or > a Saturday morning round of laughter, competition, or a pocket change > gambling, it is still golf. Recently some of the senior players at our > club decided to it was time to abide by the gospel of St. Andrews. Gone > are the days of gimmes, best ball, inside the rubber, and just plain > fun. All at once, without notice to the membership, three or four > players, decide that Scottish Rule will rule the game in ALL play > regardless of times passed. What was once an exercise in relaxation has > become an iron fisted restriction on fun and companionship. > > With that said I totally agree and support the rules of golf in every > way when it comes to tournament play. The rules were established so > that the game could retain its integrity through time and sustain its > social following. However there is still room on the course for the > guys that load up on beer and disturb players two fairways away. It is > a game and it will always be just a game so why not let there be room > for just a good time. Tournament play is different and should be > treated that way. The rules of golf are simple, just like another set > of rules for living, not to many to learn, not to many to follow. The > problem is that folks try every way imaginable to bend them for their > own purpose. Just watch a player on TV try to get away with ball > placement during a tournament. > > There are very few postings on this forum that I don't read. I save the > ones that I can learn from and even pass on to others the lessons I > learn from. Keep up the postings gentlemen, you are my teacher. > > Tom Mason > > Marcello Franchi wrote: > > Tom, > > If my email sent a message like I was in any way offended by your > > statements, it was away from my intent and I apologize for that. > > English is not my mother tongue, and probably the tone of my email > > came out harder than I wanted. > > > > Sorry for that and ciao, > > Marcello > > -- > Shoptalk ** Sponsored by the new Aldila Voodoo. > Learn more at http://aldilavoodoo.com/ _________________________________________________________________ Get your vacation photos on your phone! http://windowsliveformobile.com/en-us/photos/default.aspx?&OCID=0809TL-HM
