I have often written in this space about the culture of golf.  To many, golf is perceived as a stuffy, elitist, exclusive activity with too many unnecessary rules.  Among the many issues with golf rules that have occurred of late include the Dustin Johnson penalty at the 2016 US Open and the Lexi Thompson penalty at the 2018 ANA Inspiration event.  As a result of these and other situations, combined with an effort to spur interest in the game, beginning January 1, 2019 a revised rules of golf, as promulgated by the USGA and R & A will take effect.   This is a good thing.  Simplifying the rules of golf makes the game more inviting, especially to the casual golfers we need for growth.

It’s been said that golf is the game for a lifetime.  Renowned teacher Harvey Penick wrote a book with the same title.  I agree. A few years ago, my lifelong golf partner, Claude and I were playing a round in South Carolina.  Upon pairing with another twosome the early-round conversation was typical.  Where we lived, what we did for a living and how many kids we had were all out of the way before we reached the first fairway.  Obvious that Claude and I knew each other quite well (since elementary school), one of them asked how we knew each other despite living in different locales, Claude in Vermont and me in Philadelphia.  I’ll never forget Claude looking at me and back to the other guy saying “Larr and I have been playing golf together for 50 years”!