Re: The USGA Bureaucrats -- US Golfers Are Not Opinionated Troublemakers

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Date Posted: 12:10:40 09/23/99 Thu
Author: Bill Boehm
Subject: Re: The USGA Bureaucrats
In reply to: Duncan Mackenzie 's message, "Re: The USGA Bureaucrats" on 09:59:43 09/20/99 Mon

> Welcome Tim.
>
> >the USGA may never have a significant challenger
>
> I wouldn't be too sure of this. I suspect the NGHA are
> actively seeking recognition from the regional Golf
> Associations. And I am sure they will obtain
> advertizing revenue to support their operations if
> they recruit enough 'members' (site hits). The USGA,
> because of their protective attitude, are creating the
> opportunity for competition. If they embraced the
> technology, perhaps in co-operation with somebody like
> NGHA, they would effectively squash any future
> competition.
> This would be in the interests of the game, golfers
> and USGA members.
> Not to mention the time and dollars spent on
> ridiculous litigation trying to protect information
> that has been public knowledge for some time.
> What do they plan to do? Demand that all member clubs
> remove slope and rating info from their scorecards to
> prevent misuse?
> I am sure their position WILL change. But will it
> change before there are viable alternatives? Time will
> tell.
> Sincerely,
> Duncan Mackenzie

Duncan, Tim,

Yeah, the usga does seem to have that sorta way about them. It's what I guess any regulatory agency type entity is like.

In high-tech, its there as well. Aside from ISO, ECMA, etc.... there's also a lot of de-facto psudo standards committees that exist. Basiclly formed to create industry perception that key vendors (the committee members) are working towards common standards for the marketplace's benefit.

In fact, most of the time, the committee members are trying to either gather competitive info or create flanking tactics by trying to get a committee's majority to agree on something that goes against a key members current R&D investment. Actually, a pretty cool tactic when it works.

What is frustrating, is there is no competition, or at least any significant "other" organization that is a representative of the golfers, us, the weekend warriors, the hackers, etc...

That is where the private sector and business and marketshare will, I feel, eventually come into play and more directly re-direct the usga. We've seen it happen over the years with golf equipment. Do you think the usga would have gone to all the investment and effort in developing the means and capabilities of testing and monitoring balls, clubs, etc.... if there wasn't the enormous growth in that sector!

It is interesting to look at that arena. It is rather entertaining, because it looks like the usga is telling the mfrs what they can and can't do, but in reality, the mfrs have hold of the situation because they have the marketing and promotion to capture the golfers share of mind and point it in whatever direction the industry may see fit. There will be a period of time where things may be "not allowed", but if key mfrs really want it, they'll be able to get it approved by the usga because the mfrs will be able to rally the golfers at large on the topic.

The usga can't afford to be at odds with the industry and the golfers at the same time.

I think in the big, big picture, we're fortunate in that the usga, is really going to be a "administrative" entity.

In the handicap system marketplace, growth and consolidation will create enough vendor strength, that the usga will have to beg off.

But then, they'll make it look like it was their idea - for the betterment of the game - lol!!!

- bill

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