If we had no cars nobody would die in car accidents.
We are blessed to have HD TV to give us a detailed close-up of a golfer’s expression after sinking a putt to win the Open, or a Slow-Mo of each particle of sand explosively carrying a ball out of a bunker, enabling us to count the revolutions of spin. WOW! I spoke about this very issue with Gary Williams on The Golf Channel a while ago. Click here to view.
We can zoom into any incident, seeing what we have never been able to see before. However, we need to be very careful how we apply this technology.
Golf is probably the only game where we call ourselves on infractions, which separates it from all other sports. We need to respect and protect this as being the matrix binding the integrity of the game.
We may be better off leaving the judgement of an infraction to the player and the official on the site, rather than trying to get it right as determined by microscopic investigation — allowed to us by today’s technology, but which may never be extensive enough to be definitive –– and lengthy discussion which may lead to confusion and ambiguity for all who watch, compete and love the game and use this technology for its convenience and entertainment value.
For those who administer the game, we need to re-examine how we best use today’s technology to provide entertainment but not affect the uniqueness of our game.
Congratulations to Dustin Johnson: a great golfer and a worthy champion.
21 thoughts on “Today’s Technology: Pros and Cons”
This incident should have ended when Mr. Johnson called the USGA rules official on to the green and was told to play it as it lies & that there was no infraction.
Technology is advancing at such a fast rate that in many cases, man feels compelled to use it in place of common sense. In my book, the USGA should have used common sense.
After Dustin self reported the incident to the rules official following his group, it should have been a non issue. If he had not said something, then we get into the self reporting issue. But not all tournaments have a million cameras, etc. and how do you do it consistently from the club championship to the US Open?
They blew it. I have cancelled my membership due to their inability to admit they were wrong. The decision on the 5th hole should have stood without inference for the USGA
I concur, many of us have had out ball move on the green and have placed it back, the turkeys looking at a screen are to far removed from the action and Mr. Johnson did the right thing and the local authority should have made a lasting decision; brings back the sand bunker a few years ago; thank goodness he won.
The USGA’s lack of common sense at the final round of the U.S. Open was disturbing. Johnson, Westwood and the rules official made a decision and it should of stood at that point. We saw this lack of common sense earlier this year with the USGA decision to not allow the posting of a score if you play alone – ridiculous. The rule should be changed to “when a player approaches their ball to play a shot and the ball moves but does create an advantage for the player there shall be no penalty.”
The rules need to be updated. In todays world some of the rules seem just plain silly and this is why so many young people do not have an interest in golf. Anything that can speed up play would have a great impact on the game.
As far as informing Dustin Johnson about a possible infraction, why did the USGA wait until the 12th tee box? He should have been informed on the 6th tee box that it all was under review. The Sky broadcast kind of had it all wrong too. I was under the impression that the rules official by the 5th green had asked the appropriate question and that Lee Westwood confirmed it. Dustin did not ground his putter behind the ball. He did not deem to move the ball. The case should have closed there. But, Mike Davis has the final word and he put it under review. It’s his ultimate responsibility though I did not agree with him
Very eloquently stated. I feel this situation will have profound and long reaching effects on the game. Not only will players but rules officials on site will be looking over their shoulders to see if “Big Brother” (USGA) might be watching. I wonder if the official on site had any input as the USGA was in deliberation. Hopefully the USGA will study this situation long and hard, rendering a decision steeped in common sense.
Well said Frank. When the rules of golf were written, never in their wildest dreams did they imagine the speed of today’s greens where tiny imperfections and even gentle wind gusts can move a ball at rest. I doubt that their greens even Stimped as fast as today’s fairways.
What caused the ball to move? Very simply, GRAVITY. When you place your ball on a sloped very fast green and one dimple is holding it in place, no one should be surprised that it moved. Simple physics at work. Ed Vrana
Everyone will have their own perspective as to the USGA and their influence on golf.
Speaking as a single digit player for almost 70 yrs and member of seven different clubs, the recent rules on coefficient of restitution, grooves, anchoring and rules ambiquities have detracted from my enjoyment of the game. However, the USGA has provided valuable help with handicapping, tournament structure and agronomy. I would like to see the USGA do more to speed play, improve the environment, and increase participation. Their focus on equipment rules, rules interpretations, protecting par, increasing green speeds and stressing golf courses (as at Chambers Bay) are counter productive and not in the interests of most club golfers. The difference between club golfers and tour players is vast and to stress the integration of both with equipment rules and course management is not the best choice. There are reasons why kids and older men play half court basketball and the sooner the USGA recognizes these differences, the better.
I think I’m in violent agreement with Frank and Jack Nicklaus on most of their views.
What a sad display of USAG at it’s worst. imagine at the Super Bowl announcing that at the end of the game, there will or will not be seven points taken away from the leading team. Not going to happen!
The USAG should change the rule, and should be by the start of the next hole the ruling either stands or doesn’t.
Time for a rule change, or perhaps even a leadership change.
Absolutely. The self-policing of the golfer is the only thing that matters in golf. If Johnson said he didn’t move the ball, then he didn’t move it. And the decision by the official on the spot is final. Otherwise, the game is doomed.
franklygolf 
This incident should have ended when Mr. Johnson called the USGA rules official on to the green and was told to play it as it lies & that there was no infraction.
Technology is advancing at such a fast rate that in many cases, man feels compelled to use it in place of common sense. In my book, the USGA should have used common sense.
After Dustin self reported the incident to the rules official following his group, it should have been a non issue. If he had not said something, then we get into the self reporting issue. But not all tournaments have a million cameras, etc. and how do you do it consistently from the club championship to the US Open?
They blew it. I have cancelled my membership due to their inability to admit they were wrong. The decision on the 5th hole should have stood without inference for the USGA
I concur, many of us have had out ball move on the green and have placed it back, the turkeys looking at a screen are to far removed from the action and Mr. Johnson did the right thing and the local authority should have made a lasting decision; brings back the sand bunker a few years ago; thank goodness he won.
The USGA’s lack of common sense at the final round of the U.S. Open was disturbing. Johnson, Westwood and the rules official made a decision and it should of stood at that point. We saw this lack of common sense earlier this year with the USGA decision to not allow the posting of a score if you play alone – ridiculous. The rule should be changed to “when a player approaches their ball to play a shot and the ball moves but does create an advantage for the player there shall be no penalty.”
Integrity is basis of game – they asked player if he moved the ball. Either believe him or don’t ask.
The rules need to be updated. In todays world some of the rules seem just plain silly and this is why so many young people do not have an interest in golf. Anything that can speed up play would have a great impact on the game.
As far as informing Dustin Johnson about a possible infraction, why did the USGA wait until the 12th tee box? He should have been informed on the 6th tee box that it all was under review. The Sky broadcast kind of had it all wrong too. I was under the impression that the rules official by the 5th green had asked the appropriate question and that Lee Westwood confirmed it. Dustin did not ground his putter behind the ball. He did not deem to move the ball. The case should have closed there. But, Mike Davis has the final word and he put it under review. It’s his ultimate responsibility though I did not agree with him
Very eloquently stated. I feel this situation will have profound and long reaching effects on the game. Not only will players but rules officials on site will be looking over their shoulders to see if “Big Brother” (USGA) might be watching. I wonder if the official on site had any input as the USGA was in deliberation. Hopefully the USGA will study this situation long and hard, rendering a decision steeped in common sense.
Well said Frank. When the rules of golf were written, never in their wildest dreams did they imagine the speed of today’s greens where tiny imperfections and even gentle wind gusts can move a ball at rest. I doubt that their greens even Stimped as fast as today’s fairways.
What caused the ball to move? Very simply, GRAVITY. When you place your ball on a sloped very fast green and one dimple is holding it in place, no one should be surprised that it moved. Simple physics at work. Ed Vrana
Thats it in a nut shell
Everyone will have their own perspective as to the USGA and their influence on golf.
Speaking as a single digit player for almost 70 yrs and member of seven different clubs, the recent rules on coefficient of restitution, grooves, anchoring and rules ambiquities have detracted from my enjoyment of the game. However, the USGA has provided valuable help with handicapping, tournament structure and agronomy. I would like to see the USGA do more to speed play, improve the environment, and increase participation. Their focus on equipment rules, rules interpretations, protecting par, increasing green speeds and stressing golf courses (as at Chambers Bay) are counter productive and not in the interests of most club golfers. The difference between club golfers and tour players is vast and to stress the integration of both with equipment rules and course management is not the best choice. There are reasons why kids and older men play half court basketball and the sooner the USGA recognizes these differences, the better.
I think I’m in violent agreement with Frank and Jack Nicklaus on most of their views.
What a sad display of USAG at it’s worst. imagine at the Super Bowl announcing that at the end of the game, there will or will not be seven points taken away from the leading team. Not going to happen!
The USAG should change the rule, and should be by the start of the next hole the ruling either stands or doesn’t.
Time for a rule change, or perhaps even a leadership change.
Jerry
Absolutely. The self-policing of the golfer is the only thing that matters in golf. If Johnson said he didn’t move the ball, then he didn’t move it. And the decision by the official on the spot is final. Otherwise, the game is doomed.