Comments on: Don’t Grow Golf, Better Golf

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 13:53:55 +0000

Mike Ditka once did a local commercial in Chicagoland where he promoted the same thing, “Fix your ball mark and one other each time. Let’s all pitch in to improve the game for everybody.” It had a big effect on me and I have tried to set the example in my groups.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 13:14:51 +0000

Excellent article, Matt. I too, join those who mock the “Grow the game” mantra. The Grow The Game canard usually comes from the crested navy blazer crowd who hasn’t had to call to make a starting time (or sit and refresh their computer screens) in ten years. They play in 4 hours, or less, with a caddie, and have no clue ,what they are talking about. I am not grousing about junior golf or teaching kids how to play, how to caddie, etc. Parents playing with their kids is a great sight, no doubt. Covid ushered in a new population of golfers while giving the “work from home” crowd a hall pass to discreetly or openly head to the golf course. Play in a charity golf event, even as a scramble, and it is a 5 1/2 hour death march. Yes, that is often due to people who play golf once a year, but regardless, it is still a painful slog. And 5 hour rounds on weekends are the norm at many, if not most, public and resort golf venues. Even some private clubs who try, but can’t eliminate slow play, especially on greens with extreme speeds on a stimp. Grow the game? Really? What garbage. But be a better golfer as you describe? Yes. That is pure gold. Okay. You can get off my lawn now.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:04:33 +0000

Please don’t grow the game anymore in my area. Golf courses are packed as it is & a number of these newbies know nothing about rules, etiquette or pace of play. Apologies if I seem like a grumpy old man here (although I really don’t give a crap if I do!). A golf course in PRIME TIME is NOT the place to “learn how to play golf”. The driving range, short game area & lessons are.