My most controversial opinions about golf

There might be some people who would accuse me of being a grumpy old man. I don’t care. I have some views about this wonderful game of ours that I suspect may not be universally popular.

But do you know what? I have kept my opinions to myself for too long. So, for better or worse, here are some of my more controversial opinions about our sport. Who knows? You might even agree with some of them.

Putters

Right then, I am going to put it out there. I believe that the maximum length of a putter should be 36 inches. There, I have said it. 

Belly putters were banned for a very good reason - they could be anchored against the body, thus removing part of the basic skill. Somehow, the so-called broomhandle putter has survived but every golfer who brandishes one of them finds themselves being constantly questioned about whether the butt end is resting against their chest. If you restrict the length to 36 inches that debate ends once and for all.

Aimpoint

I detest slow play. And one of the worst causes in the professional game is Aimpoint. I think it is an abomination. Whatever happened to trusting your eyes? If you have doubts, ask your caddie to have a look. And don’t get me started on them using Aimpoint for three-foot putts. While I am at it, why do tour pros mark and clean the ball when they have finished six inches from the hole? For goodness sake, just get on with it.

Ready Golf

Why are so few people prepared to play ready golf? I just don’t understand it. If you get to the next tee before your playing partners why on earth wouldn’t you just want to go ahead and hit the ball. If you get to your ball in the fairway first, pull your club and hit the ball.

Distance Measuring Devices

Will somebody please explain to me why tour pros are not routinely allowed to use measuring devices during competitive play? I am absolutely convinced that permitting their use would speed up the funereal pace of play. Ask anybody who regularly watches the PGA Tour, DP World Tour of LPGA Tour what turns them off and I guarantee that the vast majority will instantly reply: "Slow play!" Nobody wants to sit through five- and six-hour rounds of golf. It is torture.

Sloping Greens

This needs some explanation. I have nothing against sloping greens per se. Reading them is a skill. However, who ever thought it was a good idea for greens that slope from front to back? They are an abomination. We are club golfers and we cannot stop the ball on a sixpence. Backspin? What’s that? Usually there will be a bunker at the front of these greens. Clear that and you end up watching helplessly as your ball lands and bounds through the putting surface. And they almost always have lots of trouble at the back. Blow them up. All of them!

Latecomers

Why is it that so many individuals are incapable of arriving at a golf course in plenty of time for their start? In the recent US PGA Championship, Garrick Higgo was given a two-shot penalty for being late for his tee-time. At that level of the game, this is unforgivable. It is time we started doing the same thing at club level. Just get up 10 minutes earlier.

Slow Play Penalties

I will never understand why the powers-that-be are so reluctant to impose slow-play penalties. The vast majority of PGA Tour golfers exceed time limits with impunity. They know that they are not going to be punished. Ever. I guarantee that if players were given one- and two-stroke penalties for slow play then you would immediately see the pace of play speeding up. Why wouldn’t you want to do that?

Golf Ball Technology

The R&A and USGA have announced well-publicised plans to force golf-ball manufacturers to alter the nature of their products that will restrict the distance the ball flies. Does anybody honestly believe this is going to make a blind bit of difference? I don’t. And the proof of the pudding comes with the news that Cameron Young is using a ball that is identical to the one that will be rolled out - and has not lost any distance whatsoever. So, leave well alone. Instead, let’s see proper bunkers and thick, juicy rough that will make tour players stop and think twice. Apart from anything else, it is a cheaper solution.

Bunkers

I have no issues with proper bunkers that are filled with soft white sand and have lips. They are there for a reason. If you end up in a bunker it is nobody’s fault but your own. Learn how to get out. However, where I do have an issue (and I know that I am not alone) is when I find myself in a bunker that contains no sand. My view is that this is not a fair hazard. Golf is difficult enough. So if you end up in a bunker with no sand I believe you should be able to declare it as ground under repair and drop the ball outside without penalty.

Joining Fees

I make no secret of the fact that I HATE the very thought of joining fees. We are asked to pay an annual subscription, usually a substantial subscription, so how on earth can any golf club justify also asking us to fork out a joining fee? It smacks of greed to me.

LIV Golfers

I know this one is going to be controversial. I have never made any secret of my contempt for LIV Golf and everything it stands for. All that talk about growing the game was nonsense. LIV Golf was never about growing the game. It was simply about the money - and all of those who signed on the dotted line did so for no reason other than to line their pockets. 

With the news that the PIF will not be funding LIV beyond 2026 we are starting to hear conciliatory noises from golfers who now face an uncertain future. Bryson DeChambeau has spoken of focusing on his YouTube channel, Jon Rahm has finally settled his differences with the DP World Tour, Thomas Pieters says he will retire rather than rejoin the PGA Tour and Graeme McDowell has finally admitted that LIV was indeed all about the money for him. There are many who will no doubt welcome back the LIV players with open arms. I am not one of them. 

I recall Sergio Garcia saying some dreadful things about the DP World Tour. I recall Rahm saying that there was no way he would be paying any fines to the DP World Tour. I also recall him saying he would never join LIV. If any of these players want to return, they should be forced to prove that they deserve their places - and that means heading to the Korn Ferry and Hotelplanner Tours.