Golfing Trends

What should you expect for golf in 2018?  From the professional tours to your local courses to vendors, there is a lot to get excited about in 2018.

Are you excited about the return of Tiger?

With the USGA and R&A looking to alter some rules, the golf world is having discussions about major changes.  Technology is steadily making their footprint in golf and looking to make bigger splashes.  Watching golf has changed in 2017 and looks to continually enhance the viewers experience.  We shall see how this plays out for the upcoming Ryder Cup.

The Year of The Tiger

This time it feels different.  You can see his swing looks better, he appears to be the healthiest we have seen him in awhile, and he has his swagger back.

The smile, the fist pump, can give you feelings of 15 years ago and its nostalgic.  This could be the year where he wins another major and any tournament he is in, we will be watching.

Even if he doesn’t win a major, or even a tournament, it will be fun to watch and I hope for a healthy Tiger for 2018.

USGA and R&A Adjusting Rules

It appears both organizations are altering many (24 to be exact) rules in the game of golf for 2019.  Some courses are implementing these changes in 2018.

(Click Here to View All Proposed Rule Changes)

Key Take-Aways

Areas of the Course – Penalty areas

Expanded use of red-marked penalty areas

New rule: Committees are given the discretion to mark all penalty areas as red so that lateral relief is always allowed (but they may still mark penalty areas as yellow where they consider it appropriate).

Current rule: All water hazards should be marked yellow, except where their location on the course makes it impossible or unreasonable to drop behind the hazard; only when this is the case may these water hazards be marked red as lateral water hazards.

When to play during a round – Pace of play

New alternative form of stroke play

New rule: A new “Maximum Score” form of stroke play is recognized, where a player’s score for a hole is capped at a maximum score (such as double par or triple bogey) that is set by the Committee.

Current rule: In standard individual stroke play, players must hole out at every hole; the only recognized alternative forms of stroke play where holing out is not required are Stableford, Par and Bogey.

Ball at rest – Ball moved

Player accidentally moves his or her ball during search

New rule: No penalty.

Current rule: 1-stroke penalty.

 Taking Relief – Dropping procedure

How to drop a ball

New rule: The only requirement is for the player to hold the ball above the ground without it touching any growing thing or other natural or artificial object, and let it go so that it falls through the air before coming to rest. To avoid any doubt, it is recommended that the ball be dropped from at least one inch above the ground or any growing thing or object.

Current rule: Stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm’s length

U S A, U S A, U S A!

In the second Ryder Cup to be held in the continental Europe, the US prepares to defend the cup.

Sep 30, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; USA fans dresses bald eagles in the morning foursome matches during the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-234818 ORIG FILE ID: 20160930_pjc_usa_199.JPG

The 42nd Ryder Cup Matches will be held in France from 28–30 September 2018 at the Albatros Course of Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, a suburb southwest of Paris.

Will the US prevail?

Can we hope for just as exciting matches as 2016 gave us?

Rory against Reed was a match for the ages and I know I will be rooting for the same excitement.

Golf Tech Making A Splash?

From GPS to game analyzers to swing analysis; golf technology is moving fast and becoming more available.

(source = LifeWire.com)

Best GPS/Rangefinder: Bushnell White

Get the precision of the pros with the Bushnell White Hybrid GPS/Laser Rangefinder, a high tech way to determine exactly how far to the hole. The Rangefinder gives full-color view of up to 1,000 yards, including bunkers, the green and the pin. The distance is accurate within three yards, making it easy to determine which club you should use and eliminating the time walking the course to determine how far to the hole. The added efficiency saves plenty of time, making rounds shorter and more enjoyable. The device also acts as a GPS, with more than 30,000 courses pre-loaded for convenience and distance-tracking to the back, front and center of the green. Extra features such as Auto Hole Advance and Auto Course Recognition are further time-savers, making this a great tool for improved efficiency and skill.

Best Game Analyzer: Game Golf Live Tracking System

The Game Golf Live Tracking system is a real-time shot tracking device you can attach to the end of your golf club to target improvement opportunities for real leaps in your game. Clip the red attachment to your belt and put a feather-weight sensor tag on each club to get instantaneous performance data that shows how far and where every shot went on every hole you play. Plot your weight onto the course and let the integrated software platform advise you on what went right and what needs work. The insights can be sorted by club or hole, allowing you to track your performance over time. You can even compete with your friends or other golfers with the online challenges mode, providing further motivation to keep improving.

Best Cell Phone Accessory: SelifeGolf Recording Swing System

Ever wish you could watch your golf game to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses, but don’t want to make your friends tape every hole? This new SelfieGolf product is the perfect solution. The Recording Swing System attaches to smartphones with an innovative clip-on design, functioning as a selfie-stick that you can attach to your golf bags. The device holds your phone in place and a gives you the ability to film and capture every swing without any shaking, an easy-to-use tool that shows you your swing. The lightweight and ergonomic design is the perfect training tool for both amateurs and pros, as it keeps track of everything from drive to put. The device is sturdy and won’t break from regular wear and tear.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL NEW TECHNOLOGY

In closing 2018 is shaping up to be a great year. The Masters set the bar high for one of the more exciting final rounds and it was the first year Augusta used shot tracer technology on a live broadcast!  Another first is Augusta announcing that they are hosting a female golf tournament next season!  All good for the game and will be exciting to watch.

Learn More About Girls Golf program offered at The Oaks

Off The Tee will have you covered from golf to course maintenance to weddings. With many great posts ahead feel free to let me know what you want to read.