Taylor Made CEO: "The USGA within 10 years will be...a non-factor in golf because...no one is signing up for what they represent."
Score one for Rick Young at Scoregolf, who gets Taylor Made CEO Mark King talking up a storm. Without copying the entire interview (it's that provocative!), I encourage you to click the link and read the entire thing.
But in the interest of discussion and clipplings storage, my autopsy...
King: "I don't think this is an equipment issue. I think it’s a golfer issue. What I think needs to happen is the industry needs to come together without the USGA. Leave them out."
SG: That's pretty extreme.
King: "I know but it needs to be extreme. We have an industry that should be growing, it should be exciting, it should be fun and it’s not. And it’s not because the USGA won't let it. Now the USGA would tell you 'Oh, we don't have that power we only make the rules.' But the way this is constructed is the top of the pyramid is the USGA and until they support a new form of golf that is fun and engaging, nothing is going to change. Nothing."
King may have a vision for the game that would support this argument, but to date all data suggests that (A) technology has not grown the game (B) the economic state of affairs along with changing attention spans is hurting the sport more than anything and (C) golfers like being part of something with a tradition and core values that reward skill.
SG: So what needs to happen?
King: "If I were running the PGA of America I would write my own set of rules. I'd do it with the PGA Tour. Right so then what would happen with the U.S. Open and those 11 tournaments? They would follow suit because they would have no choice. Because if they don't have any players they don't have any tournament and if they don't have any tournament they don't have any money."
There is no money to be made in writing rules, so the PGA's won't do it.
Asked if he was concerned for the sport...
King: “No not yet. But the conversations are intensifying. If we don't do something different and new and creative then the game is in trouble. If we weren't having these conversations right now then I would say yes, it’s in trouble. Here's a prediction: the USGA within 10 years will be a non-entity, they will be a non-factor in golf because they are choosing to be on the outside and no one is signing up for what they represent. The industry is going to move away from them and pass them. They're obsolete. I hate to say that but that's their behaviour.”
Gee, I guess me complaining about getting in the Stimpmeter won't look so bad after those remarks!
Now this is interesting, because as most of you know the USGA/R&A rules are completely optional and equipment makers are free to make what they want, but don't because golfers might not care for non-conforming labels. King is now saying they will forge ahead with non-conforming clubs no matter what happens.
King: “What we’re (TMaG) going to do whether there is bifurcation or not is we will continue to make long putters for golfers. If they roll the ball back we're not going to roll our ball back. We will for a tournament ball but we’re still going to sell you a ball you can play. Like I said, two sets of rules are coming. Whether they're sanctioned or not we are not going to stop making long putters and I'm not going to stop playing one. I won't. By the time it happens the USGA is either going to have to get with it or stand off somewhere all by themselves.
And I would agree with this sentiment simply because of Tim Finchem's comments from earlier in the week:
And look I'm still not convinced the PGA Tour is going to completely embrace the long putter rule. I'm not. So what's going to happen? If Tim Finchem says he's going to use all the USGA rules EXCEPT the long putter rule there you go. You have two sets of rules. That's where it’s going and it’s coming fast. The sadness I have for the USGA is instead of leading this they're fighting it and for what reason? I don't know.”
Well, that should spark some discussion! And I say good for King for expressing his views to promote some discussion. Thoughts?
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 04:51 PM
Reader Comments (66)
And courses need to be shorter, fans have to stop trying to/wanting to play 7000 yard courses for their ego
T/M seems to be priming the pump, wouldn't you say?
Stay cool, man; you must be a hell of player to be a 7-- I'll be 63 on Monday, and got it to a 5.1 before my body starting falling apart worse than it was, but if I can get healthy, a 7 at 70 would be a great goal. You have inspired me, and those who have seen me post a long time know that my desire for a realistic set of rules will never come from out friends in the Blue blazers, several of whom I deeply respect. But it needs to come.
I also think that the USGA has long since gotten away with a high and mighty attitude. Look at their executive committee. Not an average joe/jane among them. All of them live in a bubble. They wonder why the game isnt growing? Many of the fans that Tiger brought to the game cant hardly affor the equipment or rounds of expensive golf. Pebble is open to the public? Yeah okay but good Lord its too expensive. Torrey? Yeah its cheap if you live in San Diego county. Outside and you are coming off a few dollars to play.
Taylor Made CEO also needs to realize hes partly to blame too.
I want to play the same game as the pro's, by the same rules and protocol because what they play is golf and that's what I want to be involved in. Anchoring is the same as "spooning or lifting"" a ball to get a chip in the air, sure it's possible and the clubs will allow you to do it, but my golf shoes are part of my equipment and I'm not allowed to kick the ball into the hole.......
You certainly can, no different than a hacker taking a mulligan.
I can see weekly games, like the Clay/Kizer Tuesday nooner, that can have a half dozen or more pros always playing to the letter of the law, but I can also see a few 4somes on the other course playing to a ''casual'' set of real rules, that would make their day, and the time it takes to play a round what it should be. No one has ever come up to us and said we need to move up a tee box- if we play ghin golf we play ROG, if we are having an outing we don't....but it would be nice to have an alternate set of rules, not some make em up as you go.
Historic Old tracks becoming too small for the game? 1) that applies to what? 25 courses worldwide? 2) time marches on.
I wonder how much money TaylorMade has poured into turfgrass research, amateur championships, and grant programs to allow organizations the chance to function?
I wonder if in the wake of this the USGA might consider no longer accepting clubs from TaylorMade for certification? Wouldn't that be something. Then the PGA Tour would really be in a pinch because all TM equipment would be by default non-conforming.
Insane......can't wait for Act 2!
Umm, that horse left the barn some time ago. There was a time when the manufacturers (lead primarily by TaylorMade and Titleist) were not simply a Marketing Juggernaut with little regard for anything other than the CEO's bottom line. But when the engineers figured out how to domesticate the Pinnacle and make thin-faced trampoline-like "woods" out of titanium that was no longer needed to spend the Warsaw Pact into the ground (even Tom Watson has been seen promoting a fairway wood that behaves like a driver in that regard!, albeit for a minor partner in the Juggernaut), there was nothing to hold them back. These companies are following the path blazed by the NGF and its acolytes (one course a day, preferably a country-club-for-a-day). The end is predictable even if its final form remains unknowable.
...long putter is back up off the mat and is throwing some serious haymakers!!
I wonder if he realizes that the USGA and extending branches (state golf associations, committee members,and such) essentially run the game of competitive amateur golf? Not just the USGA events, but state, regional and many junior events are typically run by those affiliated with the USGA. Often those same people are involved with numerous organizations and even college golf uses many of those people as well for rules officials.
What about the R&A, they are a joint partner with the USGA in rules and equipment? Not sure if King realizes that the R&A bankrolls much of the amateur golf in Europe and other parts of the world. They provide a lot of funding and education for smaller and up-and-coming nations in golf.
I'm guessing all these thousands of people wokring and volunteering with the USGA/R&A aren't doing it so Taylor Made can sell more clubs!
www usga org/equipment/testing/submission_process/Getting-Equipment-Tested-Submission-Process/
Here lies a big part of why our nation and world is in such big trouble. We are living in a time that, for many, nothing is good enough and we need new stimulation all the time to keep interested.
I started playing golf 35 years ago with blades the size of a matchbook and persimmon woods. Golf was hard, it was frustrating...but it was addictive and I loved every minute of it and couldn't wait to get back on the course. Now it seems that people are more worried about getting the latest and greatest equipment more than the concept of spending a few (or more) hours on a serene golf course with no other care in the world but playing the game that we love.
So if consumers want what is new and exiting, I guess we should shut down all the classic courses as they are "old and boring". There are many people like myself that don't need the latest and greatest, love the challenge of playing the game by the rules and look at golf more than just a hobby, but a passion.
I am really disappointed and saddend by the comments of Mr. King. But I guess he is a businessman at heart and not a golfer like many of us here.
The greatest misconception of all, is that golf should be more easy to be enjoyable. Bullshit! I grew up with blades, persimmon and balata and liked the sport back then as much as I do today (some will say that is because old guys like me can still play thanks to modern material, but that is simple not true). You have to work hard, spend a lot of time on the practice range and on the putting green to master the most beautiful game on the planet. This challenge, so essential to golf, probably is in contradiction with the modern (American) attitude that all things in life should come easy.
For another example... Per Geoffs article from Friday showing that the USGA is now pimping an officially licensed stimp meter that most of us could make in 15 seconds with an old hot wheel track from a box in our garage and a thumb tack from a kitchen drawer. Yet some people will gladly pay the money to have an offical USGA logoed POS. Channeling the fool and their money quote from the cliche machine. Just saying. ;-)
The game was never meant to be easy. If it were, we'd all be bored to death with it and cease playing.
If the male ego weren't as big as Phil Mickelson's bank balance then I would simply suggest golfers unable to derive sufficient "fun" from the game move to a more forward tee position!
Well, TM knows now that the usga has lost enough authority that they can act independently.... and that other equipment mfgrs may join them.
Geoff this was all part of the plan, wasn't it?
I got $20 that says the USGA will still be around in 10 years but Mr. King won't.
There is already a different set of rules being used.Just go join a different group each day and they have their own set of rules.
It's very hard to find anyone that is playing to the rules as written currently.Heck the group I have played with tees it up even on the fringe or first cut of the green.I suggest playing it down and you think I was cussing their mother.
I would love to play the game as written.The course manager promotes the altered playing methods or thats what I was told.I like the structured method of golf and The Mr. Kings are ones that want to change to suit their bottom line..
I believe it's society that is changing , if I don't like it then I don't do it... The courses are too long, more and more and the tee locations are much too far apart taking more time to play.
I have avoided playing TM because they keep releasing a new product every 10 weeks it seems like. And then you're not playing the same stuff the tour pros are (and yes, I'm looking to play the same heads as I play competitively and reshaft my own stuff).
This jackass have Tourets? Crazy.
Much more likely TaylorMade is gone in 10 years than the USGA. I'd buy put options on that.
Reply: No, actually the USGA regulates the rules of golf. Just like you can't side-straddle your putting line ala Sammy Snead.
King idiotic statement # 2: "What I think needs to happen is the industry needs to come together without the USGA. Leave them out"
Reply: That would work really well. I'm sure Mr. King would strong-arm and bully his way around with the rules just like they do to other golf companies.
King ignorant statement # 3: "We have an industry that should be growing, it should be exciting, it should be fun and it’s not. And it’s not because the USGA won't let it."
Reply: The game not growing and not being exciting is not because our driver/ball combo doesn't go an extra 6.2 yards or our wedges don't spin an extra 300 rpm it's because of 6 hour rounds. It's because of archaic things like the collared shirt rule which alienates younger golfers who feel weird in such attire. It's because these younger golfers don't want to shell out an extra $15-20 to ride a cart (which is often mandatory). If they are allowed to ride the newer courses sometimes have 1/4 mile stretches from green to tee... hardly walk-able. And Mr King, it's because the game is too expensive... they don't want to jack balls over the fence at $4 apiece. They don't want in course OB. They want to walk, play fast, and have fun for under $50.
King ignorant statement # 4: "Now the USGA would tell you 'Oh, we don't have that power we only make the rules.’"
Reply: The USGA has done more to try to grow the game and introduce to kids through outreach in the past year than all golf manufacturers combined in the past decade. And speaking of kids, why is it Mr. King that golf manufacturers (including TM) put out such a lousy lineup of clubs for them? The effective swing weight for a 3 year old’s 7-iron is somewhere in the F range. Way too heavy… my little guy could tell you that. And why is the entire lineup of TM iron sets $900 to $1400?! We were getting down to a $600/set standard just a couple years ago. Did your purchase of Adams Golf factor into that?
Look at the griping here about the clubhead size, the ball, the course lengths, the putter--- and where have the Blue Blazers been? Not taking care of the game. King says they should be, and if they don't, then they will not be a factor, and he is right, whether we like it or not.
Things change. It is not a matter of Golf having to b easy, but when pros have to call an official, who then has to consult with others, to apply a rule, how can you expect a player on Tuesday to adhere to the rules, even when he wants to. This is my gripe, and I believe this is a lot of King's point....... the USGA is moving by USPS, while even the most challenged of us who ''don't want change'' are here, on a computer.