Players Propose New Cut Rule

Filed in archive Golf News on February 14, 2008

Courtesy: Reuters
The PGA Tour Players Advisory council has expressed its deep concerns over the new cut rule implemented this season.

Many players are angry with the rule which essentially says you can make the cut but not make the cut. It's confusing and counter-productive, according to the pros.



And the 16-player Council has offered a solution: stick with the tried and true two round cut rule that's been in effect since 1969 but if the field still exceeds 78 players on Saturday, implement another cut to reduce the field to 70 players.

This is a much fairer method than the PGA's version which would prevent players who made the cut from playing on Sunday if the field was too big.

This whole issue of field size is a red herring; the Tour claims that too often a field is so large on the weekends that players must go off in threesomes, leading to lengthy rounds and invoking the ire of the networks.

Let's pray for the day when we are no longer bound by TV schedules but can turn to the internet and watch as much as often and for as long as we want.

But until that day comes, why not implement some old, low-tech ideas? If the fields are too large on the weekends, that means that scores are very low and that can only mean that a course is far too easy.

So grow the rough, shrink the fairways and shave the greens a little more. In other words, make the course harder to play and there will be fewer players making the cut.

I think the players would find this a preferred method - everyone is on the same level playing field.

The Players Council has indicated as much by wanting to stick with the substance of the old rule.

And the old rule worked fine until players began to bomb the ball off the tee, playing a driver-wedge-putter game and bringing many courses to their knees.