s052017

Fun
OFF THE
HOSEL
KEVIN HUESTIS / SIDELINE 30 EDITOR
Moderation in Golf Things
Golf's relationship with technology is
similar to the relationship between our
body and a bottle of fine wine.
According to experts, one glass is good
for me, but when I drink the whole
bottle—though I'm likely oblivious at
the time—I am ruining my ability to truly
enjoy the vintage, not to mention my
liver.
Similarly, too much technology on the
golf course can impair the true joys of
the game. On the other hand, certain
innovations have sparked joy
indisputably such as perimeterweighted
irons, a driver's trampoline
effect and the electric-powered
beverage cart… to name a few.
While the technology debate has been
going on in golf since the guttie
replaced the featherie, we can all agree
that the pace of technology affecting
the game today is astonishing. I'm not
going to waste your time with old news
like square grooves, GPS or TrackMan.
Let's discuss more recent and absurd
developments that may one day make
their way to the fairways of Whitevale.
Just last week the USGA/R&A made a
surprise announcement about a
pending crackdown on "green-reading
devices". I was appalled to learn
something like this even exists! I was
equally appalled when I couldn't get one
online because they were sold out.
Two weeks ago, The USGA/R&A issued a
new "Decision" to limit the use of video
evidence. The new Decision 34-3/10 puts
in place two standards to limit the use of
video. The first standard limits evidence
that cannot be reasonably seen by the
naked eye. The second relies on
reasonable judgement to "determine a
specific location". Obviously, this new
decision relates to the bizarre Lexi
Thompson fiasco last month where she
was penalized four strokes thanks to a
television viewer who waited a day
before calling in a rules infraction. Lexi
went on to lose the major tournament in
a playoff.
While video replay seems to be a "big
league" problem, could this someday
lead to controversy at Whitevale? Take
club championship for example. Today
there is easily accessible technology for
us to broadcast the last few holes over
the Internet. While there is always a
brigade of spectators (and carts)
following championship flight, wouldn't
it be cool to watch some live coverage
up in the clubhouse or from the comfort
of your own living room? What happens
if one of those viewers spots a rules
infraction and phones it in to our Pro
Shop?
Or, here's an even more likely scenario:
I'm following a pal on his way to winning
championship flight and decide to
record a couple of key shots on my
smart phone. After the round, as we
celebrate his victory and review some of
the highlights on my phone, we both
notice that my pal mis-marked his ball
on the 12th hole - a clear rules violation,
just like Lexi. Is he now obliged to report
himself for the infraction, and get nailed
for signing a wrong scorecard too? Most
of us would say yes. But what if he
wasn't my pal? What if he was my
opponent and I had something to gain
by intentionally submitting the video
evidence after he'd signed his card? It
gets complicated fast.
For several years, I have softly lobbied for
"a technology committee" at Whitevale
to assess, implement and moderate the
tsunami of technology that is crashing
over our club and the game. I have met
no fierce opposition to the concept, only
that we have more pressing issues and
it's too soon to make tech a governance
priority. That's probably true. But, I was
very encouraged last week attending a
Marketing Committee meeting, led by
board member Brian King, which had no
less than six first-time committee
members. It was a great discussion
dominated by the topic of technology.
Just like at work and at home, tech is
becoming a vital component of the
private golf club experience. Here's
hoping we find a way to swirl, sip and
savour in moderation.
15 / WHITEVALEGOLFCLUB.COM / MAY 2017