Welcome to the sixth installment of our “Confidential Caddy” Serieswith monthly perspectives from dozens of Tour caddies on rotating golf topics. This month: We cover distance, whether it removes skill from the game and more.
What would happen if the PGA Tour limited the distance a ball travels in competition? Would this actually level the playing field?
We surveyed nearly four dozen PGA Tour caddies for their opinions on various distance-related questions, promising them all anonymity in an effort to get their most honest answers. Let’s move on to what they told us.
In your opinion, would distance reductions on the PGA Tour hurt the game, help it, or make no difference?
- 37.5% of caddies said reducing distance on the PGA Tour HURT the game
- 15% of cadets said reducing distance on the PGA Tour HELP the game
- 47.5% of cadets said reducing the distance on the PGA Tour would NO DIFFERENCE
Now, let’s turn our attention to the “b” word we’ve heard a lot in recent years: “bifurcation.”
By definition, bifurcation is “the division of something into two branches or parts.” When it comes to golf, it’s pretty simple: two sets of rules: one for professional golfers and one for amateurs.
For caddies, this is a divisive topic (as it is for most golfers).
“No,” said one cadet. “Golf is the only sport that any amateur can play/compete against the best players in the world. We already have a handicap system to make it competitive so players of all skill levels can compete with each other. We don’t need two different rules and/or equipment to bridge that gap. Besides that, where does it stop or start? What do top amateurs do? College, high school? I don’t think that would ever work.”
Another caddy said: “Yes. Because touring professionals must be held to the highest level of standards and procedures, while ordinary amateurs must be able to have a simple set of standards and procedures that do not hinder or slow down the pace of the game. The pace of the game is one of the biggest obstacles to the growth of the game. It is not pleasant to dedicate more than 5 hours of your day to golf.”
Should there be a bifurcation in golf (one set of rules for high-level amateurs/pros and another set of rules for everyday golfers)? why or why not?
Check out this selection of shopping cart responses:
No. Keep the game uniform on for everyone.
No. People who want to play at a high level must respect the rules in place. Recreational players will play according to the rules they wish to follow. No need to have a separate set of rules that might confuse someone. For example, a child who grows up following one set of rules must then learn new rules once he becomes a high-level player.
There is already a bifurcation at some level. Recreational golfers do not adhere to the rules “by the book”, most do not take drops correctly, mulligans, gimmes, etc. would have no problem with that.
No, that’s one of the cool things about golf and one of the biggest sources of profit for manufacturers: anyone can play the same things as Rory or DJ.
No, in my opinion the public wants to play exactly the game of the professionals on TV.
Yes, but no major differences. Only those that apply to the level at which the Tour is played.
Absolutely! The Tour is a business and entertainment industry. There must be stricter rules for the Tour. The normal golfer wants to have fun and enjoy. Not being short on what they can and can’t play with and all the other ridiculous rules they don’t know.
No, because golf can be played the same way regardless of skill. The real adversary is the golf course.
No! Unusual legal proceedings. Just put limits on all balls.
Yes. I think this could help amateur golfers enjoy the game and possibly speed up the game.
Yes. At the highest level, there is a set of circumstances completely foreign to the ordinary or amateur player. The major leagues don’t follow the same rules as my local little league team. Just think where we would be if, like the Major League, mandated wooden bats instead of aluminum, if the USGA and R&A had made the same decision. I doubt there is a khaki tree somewhere that would produce a piece of wood capable of sending a bullet 370 yards through the air.
Yes! Every other sport has different rule variations and golf should too!
I think this might be something to explore further. Maybe this is already done.
Yes. Does it really matter if an 80 year old player anchors his putter or uses square grooves in his wedges?
No, I think it would hurt the growth of the game.
No. The beauty of this sport is that all abilities can compete, regardless of skill level (handicap system).
Yes. Pros play the game at a completely different level than amateurs.
Yes. To protect the integrity of the courses. This will also have a positive economic impact.
No. The standardization of the rules of golf allows all levels to know where they really stand in relation to the professional level. This also helps avoid confusion at all levels of play.
Yes. There are other sports like baseball, football and basketball with different rules for amateurs and professionals.
Yes. The pros play a different game, one that most amateurs can’t relate to. The game needs to be sped up for the casual golfer and many rules of golf, by design, sometimes slow down the game.
Yes. Because most ordinary golfers don’t even know the rules, and even if they do, most don’t follow them. Simplify the rules for everyday golfers so it’s more enjoyable.
Want to hear more from our June 2021 episode of Caddy Confidential? Be sure to check whether or not caddies believe the USGA and R&A rollback talk is directly linked to Bryson DeChambeau.
You can consult all the results of our entire Confidential Caddy by clicking here.
