Blackmar: Bifurcation Should Be Driven By The Amateur Game

Phil Blackmar says he's looked at the bifurcation of rules between amateur and elite golfers the wrong way.

In a GolfChannel.com commentary, the longtime professional writes:

So, instead of penalizing the professional player for working hard and taking advantage of all that is available today, my argument has shifted to wanting bifurcation in order to make the game easier, less costly and quicker for the average player.

My idea for the average player begins with distance; the game is too darn long. Think about it: If a player gives up 80 yards off the tee and 45 yards on a 7-iron (180-135), it makes sense that this player should play from 7,400 – ((80 X 14) + (45 X 14) + (4 X 50)) = 5,450 yards to relate to the tour game. Even for the player who averages 250 off the tee and 160 with a 7-iron, the same reasoning yields a 6,400-yard course, give or take a little. But I’m not stopping there, equipment rules need to be relaxed as well.

For instance, the allowable trampoline effect for amateurs should be increased with a focus to fit slower club-head speeds. The limit on the size of the club head needs to be removed and larger grooves for more control and spin should be allowed. Ball limits should be relaxed so the player with lower club-head speed gets more benefit from new ball technologies.

This has been the view of bifurcaters for some time: if in fact the growth of golf or the equipment business has been stifled by the current equipment rules, then why not deregulate for the average man and woman to see what happens, while protecting certain values that make the pro game play a little bit differently? 

Currently manufacturers refuse to make non-conforming issues out of legitimate concern about public perception, so why not detach that stigma?