As we know, COVID-19 has modified how we play golf for the time being. Social distancing is really not a challenge on the golf course, but some of the new rules for putting makes it easier to score. Regardless of the changes, I have decided to submit my scores following the current Golf Canada COVID-19 playing guidelines.

At Osprey Links, they have adopted the noodle at the bottom of the cup (for now) where a player only has to hit the noodle to be considered in the hole. Of course this is an easier way to play because just brushing the noodle counts. Additionally, we can be more aggressive on our putts because if it hits the noodle bounces off by 3 feet, it is still considered in the hole. Now, before you set your hair on fire and start calling me names, I have several reasons why I decided to post my scores.

First, I still have to hit the ball to the green as per normal rounds. I am a fairly solid ball striker and with my new Mizuno HP 20 irons I am hitting better approach shots than in the past. Hence, my GIR has increased, so my game is in better shape for this time of the year than ever before. I think it is important to capture this improvement moving forward.

Second, my putting is generally a strong point of my game. The noodle does offer an advantage, but I rarely charge the cup enough to miss by more than a foot or two, especially on lag putts. Additionally, I do not miss many three foot putts either, so the noodle does not really offer the advantage that other players may gain. Bottom line is that I still have to hit the noodle (hole) to score. So, I do not feel that the noodle really gives me a great advantage to shoot lower golf scores.

Lastly, the rules/guidelines from Golf Canada are our new normal…..for now. This means that all golfers should be playing under the same rules. If we are, then if everyone posts their score so all things should be equal.

Keeping all this in mind, I figure I should support Golf Canada’s efforts to sustain as much normalcy as possible. In the big scheme of things, the new guidelines/rules will not raise or lower my handicap to any major degree. I entered my last four 9-hole rounds (38, 35, 39 and 34 – par 35). It lowered my handicap index by 0.1. So, given that there really is no paradigm shift right now, I am comfortable supporting Golf Canada by posting all my golf scores this year.

Will you enter your golf scores under the new Golf Canada / USGA / R&A rules/guidelines?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!