Scoring: If it’s not broke don’t “fix” it. – Golf is broke and it needs a “fix.”

It was only a few years ago that the average golfer thought the number of golfers would continue to expand, forever. We saw dozens of new golf course built each year and once women took up the game seriously the pool of new golfers seemed unlimited.

Today we are reading articles in the press about golf not growing. In fact the number of golfers is at best holding flat or in decline. A recent article in the New York Times lists numerous reasons why golf is not as popular – too much time to play, too many golf courses, some etiquette rules. The article says “it’s time to get creative.” (February 21, 2008 “More Americans Giving Up Golf”)

Pellucid Corp. (pellucidcorp.com) released its sixth annual state of the industry report indicating 2007 was a good year because the industry “stabilized” (no growth but no continuing decline as indicated in the previous six years). This authoritative source sites these reasons why golf is on the decline: time, cost, competing leisure activities….

The underlying challenge is to generate some “new” enthusiasm for the game to attract new golfers. We have enough coverage on television to present the level of skill at the highest professional level. The average golfer can relate and even try to emulate the “pro” through lessons, practice or new equipment. Golf is one of the few sports where individuals can play the sport at all age and skill levels. It does not require being on a team or matching against an opponent – it’s just you against the golf course – no one else’s mistake can change your score (like tennis where a missed shot by an opponent gives you a score).

One way to “fix” the decline would be to allow some variation in scoring to encourage new golfers and to encourage current golfers to not stop playing. A revision of the scoring system could create interest by recognizing some good shots not just counting the same value for all levels of shots difficulty. The half stroke idea is a start. To introduce the thought that there may be a possibility to change scoring, the half stroke for the last “one inch” opens the door for other concepts.

A Fundmental Issue : Scoring

The underlying concept of the 1/2 stroke raises the question ; could Golf change it's scoring system?

Right now every shot, no matter how difficult costs the golfer the same one stroke. The Half Stroke concept only charges 1/2 stroke for the last shot if it is less than one ball diameter from the hole.

If a ball stops less than one ball diameter, it is such an easy shot, all golfers will make it 100% of the time. Therefore a no skill shot should only cost 1/2 stroke.

Tried it. Liked it.

I put my idea to the test. My golf partners, two guys I've known for sometime, had already heard me talk about the half-stroke, so this was nothing new to them. They were kind enough to agree to be scored under the same half-stroke system. (Thanks guys!)

I thought we would run into argument over whether or not a stroke should be counted as a half stroke or not. Good news: we did not. In fact, we all agreed unanimously ever time.

It did not, however turn out to be all that often this round. We only had 4 half strokes.

I enjoyed the system. It was a nice twist and I felt like we were starting to get at a system that rewards skill in ways equal to the skill required.

So I ask you: give it a try. What can it hurt?? Let me know what your golf group thought of the half-stroke. Share your experience - I'd really like to get some feedback on this.

Thanks!

The Half Stroke

The hardest golf shot I have ever (successfully) hit in my entire golfing life came about three years ago.

It was followed promptly by the easiest golfing shot in my entire life.

The hardest shot was a miraculous save from a bunker, about 175 yards from the center of the green. In between my ball and the hole were two oak trees. They were just in the way enough that I couldn't go straight at the pin, but would have to work around them and shoot for the far side of the green. I aimed for the very edge of the tree line, and steadied my feet in the sand. Somehow, I managed to sculpt the shot around the trees and end up 1" from the hole! (Some might say the incline of the sand trap helped fade the ball just the right amount. Those people would be blinded by jealousy.)

Naturally, I played up the shot for all that it was worth! As I approached the green, I told my golf-mates it was proof that I had missed my calling: I should have been a pro golfer! They chuckled along politely, until...

One of them spoke up, "Seems a shame the next shot counts just as much as the last."

He was right. He meant it as humorous jab, but it reminded me of something that had always bugged me about the game I love: There's no sliding scale of reward in golf.

The shot I hit bunker was clearly more challenging than the tap-in put, but they count the same on the card. Golf is missing what other sports have figured out. In basketball you get one point for an uncontested shot from the foul line, you get 2 ponits for other shots and 3 points for a long range shot.

In golf you count one stroke for a really good shot and the same one stroke for a hanging putt of 1 inch... not fair.

SO............ here is a new proposal:

The Half Stroke. Count only half a stroke for shots like a one inch putt.

Yes? No? Comment! Let me hear your thoughts!

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