"If you hit a bad shot, it will still be a bad shot that you have to take personal responsibility for. That's the core value of golf. No excuses allowed."
That's former Sun Microsystems CEO and "Flogton" advocate Scott McNealy talking out of both sides of his mouth to John Paul Newport in this week's golf column. This thing just gets more convoluted the more you read.
True to its Silicon Valley origins, the AGA envisions Flogton as an "open source" enterprise that will evolve over time through feedback via social networks.
Work those VC buzzwords!
Mr. McNealy thinks three or four officially sanctioned Flogton games might eventually emerge. The most restrictive might follow strict USGA rules of play but allow souped-up balls and clubs. He said that format might prove popular with seniors or others who love USGA golf but cannot hit the ball as far as they used to, or would like to.
True, it is much easier to buy something than to swallow your pride and move up a set of tees.
It wouldn't be "goofy golf" where anything goes, Mr. McNealy insisted. The rules for each format would be clearly established and enforced. "If you hit a bad shot, it will still be a bad shot that you have to take personal responsibility for. That's the core value of golf. No excuses allowed," he said.
So a core value is personal responsibility, but we're going to develop formats and equipment and other things to buy to help you minimize your personal responsibility quotient? How very American!
But 18-hole scores for high-handicappers might be 15 to 25 strokes lower than with regular golf, the AGA figures, and consequently the pace of play would be much faster. To accommodate that, courses might designate certain hours, certain nines or even certain days for Flogton play. Flogton golfers could also play in the same foursome with USGA players, and even compete against USGA players using cross-indexed handicaps.
Okay that's enough.
Friday, February 11, 2011 at 08:23 AM
Reader Comments (29)
Flogton does not sound like a game I'd have any interest in participating in.
If a superior set of rules is developed and it leads to more enjoyment by more golfers that would terrific.
Flogton, so far, seems like an Edsel however.
I got sick just for acknowledging this post, we have become idiots.
Geoff don't give this so called idea any more space. free speech or not, somtimes people need a good crack to the head.
Thank you
And that sentence makes more sense than what I did read about the idea.
jb
Thanks, but I'll keep my golf the way it is. Less golfers on the course, good for me, I can play faster. I won't have to wait on the bozos who think they can play because they went to Costco yesterday, paid $200 for a set of clubs and a box of balls.
And that is tweak the rules of the game. Things like: Mulligans off of one (that is not golf), putts are good inside the leather (that is not golf), don't take stroke and distance penalties on all Ob's...especially if they didn't think they were OB and ended up down the fairway looking for their ball when they discovered it, improper making of balls on the green, lift clean and place, taking balls out of divots in the fairway...I could go on.
Given this, what's the big deal with flogton?
I don't see what's so awful or even unconventional about this idea. I thought he was proposing a totally new game, a sort of goofy golf on special courses or with radically different equipment.
But it sounds more like he is just trying to make a formal, systematic change in the rules and _legitimize_ an easier form of the game. It is said that few golfers adhere to USGA rules. While this is certainly true, this is something that is typically looked down upon as something a hack or loser does. But if an alternate rules format were legitimized - the T-ball metaphor is appropriate here - it might actually be able to draw some people into trying golf.
How could it hurt the game? I can't really see how.
I have a friend who is a pretty good golfer - probably about a 10 handicap player - and a very good athlete, but he has a very adventurous side, and gets bored quickly with golf. When we play, we are always inventing games to play. A typical round might have 9 holes with special rules, such as having to play one hole with a single club only, or allowing your opponent to shout on your backswing or move or otherwise distract you once per 9, etc. We once played a round where we were allowed to change our opponent's club selection on one shot per hole (up or down, by one "number"). These weren't serious rounds, and I know they'd make alot of people cringe, but they are among the most fun memories I have playing golf.
I don't mind people poking fun at the flogton premise, but I hope nobody would be so dogmatic that they'd try to prevent it from happening or otherwise derail the concept.
What a crock. These people should stick to their video games.
The ROG are screwed up, but not as screwed up as this vaseline your club, one mulligan per shot BS.
I agree with the appeal to quit giving this crap any morezeroes and ones:We may need more hard drive for the 2012 crisis.
"I don't understand why everyone is getting all worked up over this...I don't see it being that different from what I see people do every weekend.
Given this, what's the big deal with flogton?"
"Everyone" is not getting worked up- only experienced golfers who revere the Royal & Ancient game and contribute to discussions like this.
Informed and meaningful input will come only from those who might play the new format. Go to public courses and talk to people completing their first round who have just shot 130 or more. They might like to give the new game a try.
after they shoot 125 on the back 9!
Point well taken. I'd like to ask a question in response.
Would you rather people who don't strictly follow the rules of golf (those who take mulligans off the first tee, take putts inside the leather, etc) admit they don't play golf and, therefore, say they play flogton or would you rather they say they play golf?
Serious question...not trying to generate a angry response. I simply see very few people play strict rules of golf every time they play, but yet they say they play golf and post scores that develop their official handicap. I do however play with a few guys who are fanatical about the rules and detest anyone who takes even the smallest liberty in regards to the rules. I would think these guys would embrace these "cheaters" admitting they don't play golf and, therefore, embrace flogton.
Hence, my question and previous post.
"Would you rather people who don't strictly follow the rules of golf (those who take mulligans off the first tee, take putts inside the leather, etc) admit they don't play golf and, therefore, say they play flogton or would you rather they say they play golf?"
As a golfer who knows the rules I think putts inside the leather are still golf but anything else- mulligans etc are not. (Putts are given in matchplay and that practice has spilled over to strokeplay to speed play up. Remember that in the British handicapping system, I think, only competition rounds are submitted for handicap. The USGA system is more onerous in that respect- every card submitted and every round should be strictly R of G.)
I dislike the name of this new form of golf (I've suggested some alternatives) but I like the idea- a new form of golf- same sized ball, course and very similar clubs and some new rules.
If AGAgolf attracts new players who then move onto "real golf" that's great.
Many of those Flogton players were breaking par at his expense.