Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer to have ever played the game, if players are judged purely because of their records in the majors, of course.
As a result of his record, Nicklaus is a hugely respected figure and whenever he speaks, fans, golf journalists and indeed the game’s governing bodies usually listen intently.
However, back in 2019, one of the 85-year-old’s complaints about a specific rule very much fell on deaf ears at USGA headquarters.
Plenty of golf rules need to be changed to help properly bring the game into the 21st century.
And Nicklaus is someone who has been really outspoken about the rules of golf, especially since he stopped playing competitively.
How long should an 18 hole round of golf take?
Despite his huge success in the game, though, one of his suggestions for a rule change is still yet to be implemented six years down the line.
The USGA ignored Jack Nicklaus after he asked for golf rule to be scrapped
Some of the rules which have been implemented recently by the USGA and the R&A seem to be genuinely pointless.
The rules of golf should be about making the game as easy as possible, but some of them end up overcomplicating matters.
When speaking to Golf.com about the state of the game back in 2019, Nicklaus highlighted one ‘silly’ rule that needs to be changed.
“I think they’ll change the drop-it-from-knee-height rule,” Nicklaus said.
“It looks silly. How about anywhere between the knee and the waist?”
Nicklaus made such a good point there. Seriously, what is the point in the knee-high drop? Why not just say you can drop your ball from anywhere above the knee?
This is a great example of a rule which makes the game unnecessarily complicated for those who are playing it.
Jack Nicklaus’ radical idea to speed up the game
Nicklaus is never shy about expressing controversial opinions.
Does the rule on mud balls if you hit the fairway need changing?
And his idea to speed up the pace of play was a contentious one to say the least.
“I hope we’re not running people out of the game,“ Nicklaus stated with real concern.
“As it has become an easier game to play for the pros, the trend toward more severe courses has made it harder for the amateur.
“In most cases, the farther the amateur is able to hit the ball, the farther the ball goes off line. The old average drive was in the 190-yard range, but now it’s more like 210 to 220. And on many of the newer courses, off line means searching for golf balls. It’s making the game slower, and a lot less fun.
“The game is more popular than ever among avid golfers with the income and leisure to play a lot, but most people have less free time than ever. The current generation of younger parents spends a lot more time supervising their kids than previous generations, and it means they find it harder to justify a weekend round of golf. Leaving for the course at 7 in the morning and coming back at 3 in the afternoon is a hard sell for a family man. But getting back in time for lunch wouldn’t be.
“That’s why we should consider the possibility of making 12 holes a standard round. It might mean breaking up 18-hole facilities into three segments of six holes. Of course it would meet resistance, but eventually it would be accepted because it would make sense in people’s lives.
“Those who say that my comments are intended to help my course-design business are wrong. As a designer, I benefit financially from more land used, more renovations, more penal features. As for people thinking I favor a rollback in equipment because I don’t want Tiger to break my record, going back to older-style equipment would help, not hurt, Tiger because his skill level would make a bigger difference. If we took equipment back today, he might win 30 majors instead of 20.
“I’m more interested in the game of golf than in my records. I did what I could do in my time, and it was the best I could do. Now I just want what’s best for the game.“
To change something that has been common practice for golfers for nearly 300 years would be quite the move, wouldn’t it!
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
