Greetings Golfers,

Uniformity and diversity. Don’t worry, I’m not ready to take on that subject as to regarding our society. That gets into the old battle between culture and civilization, etc. This is just about golf.

As you probably know, Top Golf has recently opened in Brooklyn Center. And, I’ve heard from reliable sources, that the Brooklyn Center operation is setting records.

Is Top Golf good for golf? Is it even golf? I haven’t been to a Top Golf … it sounds like a huge cocktail lounge that has golf hitting areas. What’s wrong with that? Will it host the U.S. Open? Of course not. Top Golf does not affect the purity of pure golf.

Uniformity. Golf needs enough uniformity to be understood as a game. The USGA has done a pretty good job of doing that with their rules and handicap system. That uniformity allows people to play golf against each other, or in leagues, or in local, state or national championships. I think that’s a good thing.

Diversity. Golf does not have to always be played according to the USGA rules and handicap system. When I play my weekly game Down South, we play a Stableford, and we adjust our handicap every week to how we played the week before. And, we have own set of “local rules”. We aren’t playing in the U.S. Open (though two of the guys have played in U.S. Opens). We’re just some old guys having some fun while playing mediocre golf for a few bucks.

Golf instruction needs enough uniformity so that golfers learn the fundamentals. But, golf instruction needs enough diversity so that it allows for different body types and capabilities.

I believe that most golf courses are too uniform. They try to be everything to everyone. Not a good formula for success. We all know the restaurants that have everything on the menu: Steaks, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Seafood, French, BBQ, etc … you know it’s all bad. We need golf courses to be diverse in the sense of not all being the same. A golf course should know its unique market – just like a good restaurant knows who it is.

Is Top Golf, golf? Sure. Is a cotton-candy stand at the State Fair food? Sure. Would I want to eat all of my meals at the cotton-candy stand? About as much as I would want to play all of my golf at Top Golf.

We need a balance of uniformity and diversity.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com