It has become a staple of golf around this time of year, when it’s the off-season in much of the U.S.: debate over equipment, technology, innovation and change — and how they should be incorporated into the game.
Four years ago, it was new groove regulations. A year ago, the hot topic was anchoring, most notably when making a putting stroke.
This winter, extra-large cups and non-conforming clubs designed to make the game easier and faster, and distance-measuring devices have made some headlines.
All of which makes the job of John Spitzer fall under the general category of “never a dull moment”.
Spitzer, the managing director of equipment standards for the USGA since early last year — and a USGA staffer since 1997, was a keynote speaker at last week’s G-4 Summit in which many of Colorado’s golf industry leaders met to discuss key issues facing the game.
As one of the governing authorities for the Rules of Golf, including equipment standards, the USGA draws both plenty of praise and criticism for the role it plays. Even at the G-4 Summit, with plenty of PGA professionals in attendance, there’s a wide diversity of opinion.
“It’s a balancing act,” Spitzer noted of the USGA’s role. “We’re always trying to find out and protect what’s best in the game and maintain the sustainability (and) not stifle innovation too much. We believe if we do our job and we do it well, we’re going to serve the best interests of the game.”
Of course, there’s always debate about exactly what the best interests of the game are. That was demonstrated just last month when TaylorMade CEO Mark King made a minor splash when he announced plans to spend $5 million over the next five years on a program that he hopes will attract more players to the game.
One of the ideas is to use a 15-inch cup, which is more than 3.5 times the norm, with the goal being to make the game easier, faster and more fun. (Such a cup would be cut on a green that also includes a regulation-size hole.) Another idea is to utilize an oversized ball and set of four clubs, which are also oversized (and non-conforming to the Rules of Golf).
“We want to hear everyone’s ideas on how to bring new players to the game,” King said. “The key here is innovation. What we are doing is just a start.”
During his speech in Colorado last week, while not mentioning King’s plans directly, Spitzer said the USGA receives plenty of off-beat equipment with the hopes that the association will give the clubs, balls, etc., its blessing.
Some would “have you believe that this is the way to grow the game,” Spitzer said. “‘Take off the rules and we’ll get more participation. It’s a game.’ I’ll give them that. But it wouldn’t be the game of golf that we love so much. …
“(Participation in the game) didn’t grow astronomically during these periods of time where there were tremendous technological advances. There’s no indication that technology — make the giant club head or a giant hole — is going to bring more golfers to the game. One of the reasons we play is because it’s a challenge.”
In some instances, it just takes time for the USGA to implement changes. One example came this month when the association announced it will allow the use of distance-measuring devices in all USGA amateur championships and their respective qualifying events, starting this year.
Such devices can measure distance only. They can’t legally be utilized in such championships for tracking other conditions, such as wind speed, elevation, direction or temperature. And the DMDs still will not be allowed at the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open or U.S. Senior Open — or their qualifying tournaments.
(Note: Since 2006, the CGA has allowed competitors in most of its championships to use distance-measuring devices. The CWGA gave the devices the OK in the fall of 2010 and the CJGA did so last year.)
“Several of the guys from my department did some measurements (at the 2013 USGA Women’s State Team Championship, where the devices were allowed as a trial), and we didn’t see anything that (DMDs) slowed down play at all,” Spitzer said after his speech. “We compared it as our base line to the (U.S.) Women’s Mid-Amateur. The data didn’t show any detrimental effect, so I think they said, ‘Let’s go ahead and let them use them and see how it works out.'”
Spitzer said the analyses the USGA has done aren’t conclusive on whether DMDs actually help pace of play, but he indicated more tests may be conducted to study that.
While some in the golf industry wish the USGA would embrace more change when it comes to innovation, technology and the like, Spitzer said there’s a reason the USGA works the way it does.
“We want to make sure the game that our great grandparents fell in love with, and our great grandchildren fall in love with hopefully, is the same that we all recognize today,” he said. “That’s tradition.”
