Is Golf Doomed?

The PGA is worried that since the number of people playing golf has decreased, the sport is in trouble. They want to increase play and they want to make golf more fun, which they believe means make golf easier. So some genius devised a brilliant idea to enlarge the cup to approximately 24" diameter. The current diameter of the cup is 4 1/4". This will make it easier to putt, lots more birdies, and no more missed two footers when the cup itself is two feet in diameter. But this enlarged recessed suburban garbage can pothole could be a tripping hazard and birds will now think they are members of a club with 18 new in-ground birdbaths. So by eliminating the challenge and reward of that nasty business called "the short game", the game will become more enjoyable. Everyone will become a single digit player not with practice but just by showering. Would basketball be more fun with five foot wide hoops, set at an 8 foot elevation instead of 10 feet? You bet it would.

How about tennis without that stupid net thing that always seems to get in the way of my backhand?

Absolutely!

And fishing is no fun when you don't catch anything, "Hey I have an idea "- instead of attaching a lure or bait to your line, just attach the fish - a big fish and cast it in the water, reel it in and I guarantee you will catch a big fish. Wow now fishing is fun! Yeah I just made an eagle sinking a fifty foot putt, snagged a 50" striper and threw down a tomahawk jam over four foot 6 year olds. Must everything now be instant satisfaction? We are in the age of one touch apps, immediate relief or we can't deal with it.

So grab your smartstupidphone and click on "Uber" send the car to pick up the nearest golf professional (use "Find Me a Pro Now!") have the car pick up the golf pro speed him to the course via Googles' new app "Drive Really Fast Without Killing Anyone" and have the ball teed up and when he arrives (by the way in the "Uber" car the pro will be applying a likeness of your face onto his face, so the pro actually will be you when he shows at the first tee via the app "Your Face my Head") and away you go. The app guarantees he (but a dead ringer for you, just don't tell anyone) will shoot anywhere between 64 and 74, nice round, and you are now a scratch golfer! Your friends will be impressed. Now even golf is fun and you might even qualify for The Open.

The greatest game doesn't require outlandish fixes that strip away the meaning, the beauty and the challenge of the game. Playing a wedge dead to the hole and then making that four footer is what the game is all about. But there are plenty of realistic remedies to get more people, especially young people hooked on the game. Kindly refer to my list below and follow this list and golf will be on the upswing:

Slow Play Fix

This is easy, first we all must admit that we suck. I stink, you stink, your great player friend he sucks also. Even Tiger can't hit it now, so who are you kidding? Why take all that time? Why take so long to hit a shot? It certainly doesn't help to ponder, think, waggle, throw up some grass, aim your rangefinder, cut off the end of the cigar, waggle a bit more, Just get up there and hit the damn thing already!

Be like Snedeker, Baddely, or Fowler. They're pretty good and they waste no time. Don't walk around the hole when putting and take a year and a day like Nicklaus did or Tiger, check out your putt line while your partner is putting then just feel the stroke and putt. On the tee, picture your drive and then hit it.

And when talking to your girlfriend, do it on the walk or ride to your next shot not when you are about to play a shot. There is no reason a round should be a second more than 3 hours and 15 min. Or 3 and half hours but that is it. 4 hours is not acceptable.

Take a Lesson with a Pro (a real pro)

As I said earlier you suck, I suck we all do so what do we do? We buy the latest driver and the latest putter but the truth is the clubs don't really matter, it's the player and the player will only become a player when they have a sound balanced swing and a good grip. So take lessons. Spend the money you were about to spend on that driver and take a lesson or two or three or ten with a pro. This will improve your game and enjoyment more than any new stock can. And then when you begin to crush it, treat yourself to that $500.00 driver.

Play a Match

Another great benefit about the game of golf is that you can play a real match against a player much much better than you and have a serious full on match. Due to the handicap system and the fact that you are really playing against the golf course not your competitors. I can play a match vs Rory Mcllory of course he would be giving me a lot of strokes but we could have a real competitive match due to the handicap system and also the fact that even though I may play a match against him, we are realistically both playing against the equalizer - the golf course. You can't do this in Tennis, or basketball, or any other sport but maybe bowling. But if you played a match against Federer, you wouldn’t be able to return a serve or a shot. He would have to lob it in, but you could play against Jason Day and he could play his best without easing up.

Encourage Young People to Play

Create golf programs at all golf courses in the U.S. Both private and public and invite any kid that wants to play, let them play. Why do you think Australia has produced approximately 15 of the top 50 golfers in the world and more people live in Texas than the entire country Australia. They encourage the young to get into the game. And as a kid who grew up playing on City courses (and there are plenty of good ones in NYC) I remember that first time sneaking onto a private course and it was nothing like Douglaston. The teeing areas had a thing called grass, the cart girl was not a senior citizen, and there was real sand in the bunkers. It's inspiring for a young person to play a beautiful challenging course and it will have a greater impact on youth golfers, so open up those gates!

Enjoy the Outdoors and Nature

When do we take a four hour walk outdoors through a field and play within the beauty of the land, the sea, the wind and wildlife? Basically never unless you're a park ranger, landscaper, or a hiker. And why take a hike when you can play golf instead? I think this is one of the main reasons we enjoy the game - to be outdoors in nature, with our friends, it's good for the soul. 

So, what do you think about making the game of golf easier?

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Joel Napach is NY architect trying to shoot 66 while renovating spaces throughout The City. Lets connect!