The Choice Via Inbox

On the eve of Election Day, this email started popping up within the inboxes of golfer's around the world. What may be perceived as a right-wing message played off Barack Obama's spreading of the wealth came attached with a USGA logo, and reached the computer of David B. Fay, USGA executive director. When asked by Golf World to comment, Fay responded in an email with three words that have become a keynote message in the Obama campaign: "Si se puede!" Translated, it means, "Yes We Can!"

Later, Fay added,

"Golf's been woven into the political-humor going back to the early years of the 20th century (W.H.Taft).   So, yes, it's part of our culture.   And the internet has increase creative flow -- and audience.    As far as I'm concerned, the more times golf is used as a prop, the better.

"This one was clever."

-- Tim Rosaforte

Subject: USGA RULES CHANGE

GENTLEMEN, IT APPEARS THE DOCUMENT IS NOW OFFICIAL. SEND IT TO EVERY GOLFER YOU KNOW.

THE USGA WOULD LIKE TO INFORM ALL GOLFERS

There is a possibility of MAJOR rule changes to the game of golf, this may occur sometime after November 4.

This is only a preview as the complete rule book is being written now.

Here are a couple of basic changes.

Golfers with handicaps:

The dollar amount put in for bets will be as follows:

The term "gimme" putt will be changed to "entitlement" and will be used as follows:

These "entitlements" are intended to bring about fairness in scoring so that the final scores of all players will be about the same.

In addition, a Player will be limited to a max of one birdie and/or six pars, any excess must be given to those fellow players who have not yet scored a birdie or par. Only after all players have received a birdie or par from the player making the birdie or par, can that Player begin to count his score again.

The current USGA handicap system will be used for the above purposes but the term "net score" will be available only for scoring those players with handicaps 18 and above.

This is intended to "redistribute" the success of winning by making sure that in every competition the above 18 handicap players will post only "net score" against every other player's gross score.

These new Rules are intended to CHANGE the game of golf. Golf must be about Fairness Only, it should have nothing to do with Ability.

------ End of Forwarded Message