Golf Monthly listens to the field to track what grassroots golfers are discussing. Here we review the top 10 topics.
10 Things Amateur Golfers Talk About
At Golf Monthly, we keep our finger on the pulse and listen because we like to stay up to date with what’s being discussed in different golf circles.
We have been listening on our various channels to what people at club and grassroots level have been discussing recently:
Discussions rage online and in clubs (when and where possible) across the country.
Below are the top 10 things amateur golfers are talking about right now.
World Handicap System
Although a lot of information has been sent out and made available about how it works (see below), there is still a lot of uncertainty about it.
Overall, people are positive about the change, but there are concerns including: Will it be open to abuse? Will handicaps vary greatly? Will players from higher-rated backgrounds have a big advantage when traveling to play elsewhere?
Read our guide to know more.
Covid and golf situation
Over the past 16 months, the virus has dominated conversations. It has impacted almost every aspect of life.
Golf returned quickly after the first lockdown but, except in Scotland, it was banned during the second wave of restrictions.
There have been quite a few changes to the game as a result of the pandemic and it always leads to healthy debate, see the stories below:
Is Tour Golf boring?
A controversial topic for a golf news provider to discuss, but it’s one we’ve heard about many times…
Many golf enthusiasts are addicted to Tours and don’t care about the uninspiring courses they encounter, nor the absence of fans in attendance due to Covid – see above.
But there are many who just can’t get into it – watching the same players compete week after week on another unremarkable resort course for wads of cash and not much else.
Many people ask the question we sought to answer: Would fewer professional tournaments make golf more interesting?
Other sections of the club – men, women, juniors, seniors
This topic will probably always remain in the top 10 most discussed topics at a golf club because everyone loves a good moan.
From seniors playing six times a week to juniors winning adult competitions, there are many and varied opinions on golf club structure. Here is some ammunition for these debates:
Benefits of being a club member
The Covid-19 crisis has really highlighted the benefits of club membership and we have seen an increase in membership across the country.
Actually, England Golf has announced 20,000 new members to the club joined in 2020.
Those who are already members enjoy discussing their reasons to pay for their subscriptions while those considering enrolling frequently consider the pros and cons and options for become a member of the club as cheaply as possible.
There are, however, those who have chose to renounce their membershipand there are interesting reasons for this.
Cheat/cheaters
It’s a subject that comes up in every golf club, everywhere in the world.
How come the scores are so good?
Are people bending or breaking the rules?
Do they even know they’re doing it?
Here we look at the problem in more detail – Cheating: the elephant in the golf locker room.
Rules of golf
Although they are fundamental to our game, it is surprising how many regular golfers do not have a good understanding of the rules.
On courses and at clubs across the country, you’ll hear people discussing whether it’s a free drop or a penalty, whether you’re allowed to move that stake or what happens if the ball move…
If you have any doubts, consult our complete rules section.
Golf course condition
Most beginning golfers consider themselves part-time greenkeepers and have an opinion on how their course should be presented.
If the course is in good condition, people will comment but discuss it very little, other than, “Wasn’t it beautiful there?”
But if things aren’t going so well, the floodgates open. “They need to aerate…”, “It’s poor tee management…”, “The mowing height is too high…”
The Greens are the subject of particular criticism or praise. Here we asked the question: Would you rather play a poorly maintained course with perfect greens or an overall mediocre course?
Bad luck on the golf course (bloody personal stories)
It is a favorite of most core golfers.
We all feel especially strained when it comes to bonding.
Why doesn’t anyone else get these bad bounces and missteps?
“Without this acorn, I would have beaten par today…”
Fergus Bisset tries to put things into perspective in his Blog “more than a game”.
Equipment
Golfers love their equipment and especially the latest technological innovations.
The search for the holy grail that will change your golf fortunes is underway and, may this be the latest driver, golf ball or even golf bag – there is always something on the horizon that could make a difference.
