Have any of you ever thought to yourselves, “Man...Golf is really complicated, there are so many little things that I need to keep track of in order to play well. How could someone come up with such a game?”
As you know for any beginning has an explanation, many explanations some of them accurate and some of them fantasies. Similar to the claims of a certain person who invented the internet... Potato or is it Potatoe?? Although Al Gore doesn’t claim he invented golf there are numerous “claims” of how golf started, many of which are pure fantasies. The good news is that I have been able to cut through the fantasies and get to the bottom of who we need to thank for bringing us this great game!
Around 100 BC, people in ancient Rome started playing a game called Paganica where players hit a stuffed leather ball with a bent stick.
In China a game called Chuiwan (which means ball-hitting) was played, where numerous different sticks were used to drive a ball into various holes, between 960 AD to 1279 AD.
In 1261 a Flemish poet named Jacob Van Maerlant referred to a game called mit ener coluen" (with a colf/kolf [club] where four players hit a ball to certain distances and the winner was who reached the other players starting point first.
The 1300’s brought an actual ban of golf where those who were found playing would be fined a significant amount, if caught. Supposedly, the players would be drinking and gambling too much while playing which was not up to par with the European rulers.
Scotland lays final claim (and I agree) as the founders of golf. Like the 1300’s, the first mention of golf, in Scotland, was in 1457 when King James II prohibited the games of gowf (and futball) as these games were a distraction from archery practice necessary for the “defense of the country.” By early 1500’s, Scotland lifted all bans and King James IV actually started playing the game himself thus is credited (by some) as the “father of golf.”
After King James IV started hitting balls in the woods (no actual reference but I figure as much) many other royalty in Europe started playing the game where you hit a leather ball with a stick trying to get it in a hole.
Mary Queen of Scots, introduced the game while studying in France and is credited with the inception of the “caddy.” The term caddie comes from her French military aides referred as “cadets.”
The original rules of golf were established in 1744 by The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers where “The Gentleman Golfers” thought there should be some proper rules for golf where the 13 rules of play were introduced.
First record of golf in the United States was in 1739 where there was a shipment of golf equipment to William Wallace in South Carolina. South Carolina Golf Course is argued to be the first Golf Club in the United States. By the late 19th century golf had been firmly established.
In 1894 delegates from the Newport Country Club, Saint Andrew's Golf Club, Yonkers, New York, The Country Club, Chicago Golf Club, and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club met in New York City to form what was to become the United States Golf Association and by 1932 there were over 1,100 clubs affiliated with the USGA.
Over 60 million golfers play on over 576,000 courses world wide. Over the last 50 years golf has gained incredible popularity and has become a major player in terms of pro sports. No longer are the top golfers in the world “unknown.” Golf’s four majors The Masters, US Open, The Open Championship, and The PGA Championship have become major sporting events attracting millions of golf fans every year.
Whether you are a serious golfer or a weekend warrior, I think we all can agree that there is something so infectious about this game. It gives us a feeling that we can’t describe. It is obvious why we have seen traces of this games pretty much since the beginning of time. From a leather ball and a wood stick to a 4 piece ball and a metal driver golf will continue to grow and advance as well or better than any other sport!
How many of you have heard of Erin, Wisconsin? I'd be willing to bet that until the USGA announced 117th United States Golfers Association Championship will be held at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, that you have never heard of such a place. I'm sure most of you know Wisconsin as the home of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and maybe the setting of Happy Days. But Wisconsin has become a Golfer's paradise including Golf Digest's Top 100 Ranked Courses - Erin Hills. Erin Hills is only one of six public courses to be selected to hold a U.S. Open. Let's start by digging into the Course.
Erin Hills is laid out on top of the Kettle Moraine area which was created by glaciers, surrounded by wetlands, and a river, with ground that consists of glacial till of varied composition of sand and small rock.
The course was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten to accommodate the US Open in terms of both the challenge to the players and the logistics of the spectators. Walking down the middle of the fairway from Hole 1 to Hole 18 is 9 miles long; that's just down the middle! Imagine dealing with that occasional hook or slice! It is long, very long, ridiculously long at 8,348 yards although for the U.S. Open will officially be 7,693 yards. Elevated greens, fairways, and tee boxes all accompanied by rough fescue and strong wind. The wind reflects the character of Erin Hills which blows whenever and in any direction it pleases. Flat lies will be at a premium which will likely prove to be the greatest of U.S. Open challenges. The greens are pure bent grass which points to numerous birdies being made or at least attempted.
U.S. Open is unique to all of the PGA Tour events as any amateur has a chance to qualify and actually play in the event. You have to carry a handicap index of 1.4 or lower and qualify. The USGA accepted 9485 entries for the elite field where only 51 are fully exempt. The entrants represented all 50 states, District of Columbia, and 66 countries world wide.
Qualifying rounds start in early spring and continue up until the week of the start of the tournament. We will also see the top golfers in the world highlighted by last year's winner Dustin Johnson. Dustin is looking to continue his U.S. Open Glory with a back to back win. Master's winner Sergio Garcia will also be in the field looking to continue his quest of the grand slam.
U.S. Open is played at iconic venues around the country, with 51 courses to date holding the distinction of being a U.S. Open site. Erin Hills will be the sixth public-access course to host the championship (joining Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Bethpage, Torrey Pines and Chambers Bay).
More than 35,000 spectators are expected to attend each day. More than 5,000 volunteers will assist during championship week. Historically, the U.S. Open generates more than $120 million in positive economic impact to the host communities, as well as the region in which it is held. The spectators will have a once in a life time experience both in person and on TV. If you are lucky enough to attend in person let us know what you think. We'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and experience from the open.
Amazing Course!
What a Field!
The U.S. Open Championship!
I have been very fortunate to have played this AMAZING course and cannot wait to watch the 117th US Open in Wisconsin. It will be long, challenging, frustrating, but exhilarating all the same. I can't begin to describe the AWESOMENESS (I don't care if it's not a word) of Erin Hills nor will I even try. I assure you that Erin Hills is like non other and the USGA made the perfect decision by selecting Erin Hills as the site for the 117th US Open. I'm assuming you are like me and want every year to be bigger, faster, more challenging then the next, then Erin Hills will not disappoint!
Thank you USGA for thinking out of the box and taking the U.S. Open to the next level!
Anyone who takes the game of golf seriously has questioned a rule of golf at one time or another. Some of the rules certainly seem strange, but let’s be fair about this. The rules of golf evolved over many years and are designed to be uniform and consistent. Actually the R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf Club) published the first rules in 1744. Having said that, there are many rules that seem to scream for a change the USGA (United States Golf Association) and the R&A are well aware of the issue and have actually made some rule changes in the recent years.
Now the two governing bodies of golf have joined forces and want to overhaul the rules of golf. The two groups announced on February 28 a proposal to make sweeping changes to a complicated rule system. First and foremost, the intent is to simplify the game, make it more fun, and make it faster!
Stop right there. We, at Two Guys With Balls, heartily agree with this thinking. Simpler, more enjoyable golf is better golf. We urge every golfer to read everything available on this subject. If you play tournament golf, you really need to pay attention.
Of course, there will be debate. “Why change the rules?” Or “they are changing the wrong rules.” Still, the initial responses that we have seen are very favorable towards the idea.
The strongest statement that we read came from PGA tour player, Kevin Kisner. Word for word, he said “Anything that makes the game faster and more fun and less difficult, I’m all for. That’s the problem with the game. The game is going to die because it’s too slow, too difficult, and there are too many rules. Our generation wants to instant everything. You can pull out a phone and Google anything, but you have to pull out a rule book that’s got 700 pages to figure out what rule infraction you broke.”
Quite a statement. He’s on to something. The game will be better if it is less complicated.
So, what are the proposed changes? You’ll have to do some reading, but let’s take a quick look at several of the more interesting ideas. It’s no surprise that most of these are in the “silly rule” category.
There are plenty more but one thing is clear. Much of this is common sense. Actually, Ian Poulter, another tour player, tweeted the common notion recently.
Some of you are no doubt screaming that you already do much of this when you play with your friends. Well, so do we. Unfortunately, if you play any tournament golf, many of these silly rules are a nightmare. Raise your hand if an opponent has questioned a ball drop, accused you of (heaven forbid) fixing a spike mark, or really believed that you caused your ball to move. Enough already.
Should this ship sail all the way through, there would be ample time for comment, discussion, and adjustments. A new set of rules would most likely go into effect in early 2019. Can’t wait.
Yes, we know; there was no mention of bunker rules. Well, that is a subject all by itself and deserves a few moments of our time. Pay attention, George. If approved, you can move loose impediments in a bunker, and you can even touch the sand with your hand or a club. Two Guys With Balls (and probably Ian Poulter) will love this. It’s common sense to the max.
Now, you can’t tee it up in the bunker and the proposed change will still leave you shaking in your shoes as you hit your bunker shot. You won’t be able to set the club down behind the ball. There will be plenty of challenge left in hitting a quality bunker shot. That’s one more very sound idea in rule changes.
We at Two Guys With Balls play a lot of golf and have a healthy respect for the rules. There are many golfers who already play common sense golf and have adopted many of these changes on their own. So, we find it refreshing that the governing bodies of this great game understand what needs to be done to keep it healthy. Embrace the changes!
Got any comments or questions on the new rules, let us know in the comments below!
2015 was a year to remember for Jordan Spieth, he gave us memories we will never forget. A Masters victory where Jordan showed us first player can easily win on such a storied stage. A course where experience is said to be the only attribute which can make a Masters Champion. US Open victory at Chambers Bay where in 2010 he actually missed the U.S. Amateur cut posting a 83.
After Chambers Bay he was looking to be unbeatable, untouchable. Jordan was playing at an all time high and doing things on the golf course that seemed almost godly. Many experts predicted he would be the latest to complete for the golf grand slam and he almost did just that. With a close finish in the Open Championship and battling Jason Day at the PGA Championship Jordan completed the 2015 season like very few have before.
At just 21 years old he had the golf pondents wondering where he came from and why was he so good? What was it, why was making his competitors look like amateurs? Well the question was asked to just about everyone who had an opinion and even Jordan commented on his year with a surreal type of gleam in his eye. At the end of the day Jordan was performing many of the aspects of the game good if not great but there was one in particular where he was truly UNBELIEVABLE, that was of course his putting.
Source/Credit: Golf DigestPutting is and has always been the quickest and easiest way to lower your scores, if you take a look at Jordan's stats as compared to his fellow PGA Tour Players you will see he blows the competition away (when he is on.)
Since the inception of golf, putting has been the reason why you should have shot in the low 70's but actually finished in the high 80's. Putting has a very psychological component to it. Common sense would tell you that putting a ball in a 41/4" cup shouldn't be that difficult. Should be something that anyone one can do. Think about the last time you've seen a child play mini golf and ACE every hole. How can they be so good? How can their "technique" be so different than professionals but they have the same result? The answer is Pressure.
Pressure is an overpowering emotion that, at many times, consume a golfers core. We will get into how to handle pressure in a later blog but the point is that Jordan Spieth as shown tournament after tournament that he can handle the pressure. He can turn something where you or I would probably buckle under and absolutely shine. Just look at his performance this weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am.
Source/Credits: PGATourAt the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am this weekend he has decided to turn on the heat with his most impressive putting. He won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am with a score of –19 under par. Although the closest competitor was just 4 strokes behind Jordan was in control the entire time.
Looking back at the weekend Jordan commented on the 3rd round specifically, where he mastered the greens with a 1.364 per hole putting average. That's almost 12 putts less than the number two ranked putter this weekend. His putting has put him in the driver's seat again as he continues to win tournaments at just 23 years young.
Jordan has dropped to 6th in the worth golf rankings, which is nothing to be ashamed of, but you can count on him to climb up the rankings if he continues to putt on the pace he did this weekend at Pebble Beach!
