Caddies sound off on rule changes; a fascinating player-caddie conversation
By Adam Fonseca · November 5, 2018
The United States Golf Association (USGA) recently announced a number of changes to the rules of golf, which will impact golfers at all skill levels. The majority of the changes are geared toward speeding up the game, which will help amateurs and professionals enjoy the game more.
As we inch closer and closer to the January 1 effective date, golfers and caddies are taking to social media to sound off on how the changes will be received. Some are even reflecting on how the changes may have helped in the past, like PGA Tour caddie Scott Sajtinac.
So thankful they didn’t bring in change #8 back in 1992. I snagged the ever-sweet 3rd runner up place in the Junior Club Champs – Net Division – due to an unfortunate and untimely doublee chip by my junior arch rival from Finland, Nils Neadalander. #oneshotatatime pic.twitter.com/lneoD9HcLT
— Scott Sajtinac (@SSajtinac) October 23, 2018
And, in some instances, revisiting the rules can be a helpful reminder on what you should — or should not — be doing on the course (this was tongue-in-cheek).
And as for rule change #10. I always thought that was the rule. My bad. pic.twitter.com/qoo64uIMHp
— Scott Sajtinac (@SSajtinac) October 23, 2018
One of the more interesting changes involves the option of leaving the flagstick in while putting, which would have resulted in a penalty prior to the new rule. While most of us weekend hackers probably leave the flagstick in anyway, how this rule will play out on Tour remains to be seen.
Caddie Kip Henley offered a glimpse into how this might look for some players, especially after the first time the new rule backfires for a player.
Guys will stop putting with the flag in (except on long ones where your speed can be so bad ) when they hit a couple perfect putts that tap the flag and come straight back to them short of the hole.
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) November 2, 2018
And ! Many of these “feel good” rules changes will be reversed I think once they are put into place. Putting with the flag in will be the first. Guys will be walking up straightening the flag b4 they putt and caddies will be playing merry go round with the pin on the greens.
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) November 2, 2018
Kip brings up a great point; the precision of a PGA Tour player should not be taken lightly, and the scenario he outlines is a real possibility. Despite having the option to leave the flag in, most players will likely opt to take it out for shots on and around the green.
Speaking of precision and flagsticks, the European Tour shared this conversation between Justin Rose and his caddie, Mark Fulcher, while playing last week’s Turkish Airlines Open.
Listening in on Justin Rose and his caddie 🔊 pic.twitter.com/pPCoFC1o6O
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 1, 2018
While it may seem like a lot of information to hit a wedge shot, this collaboration between two of the best in the game shows exactly how much thought goes into every swing.
