Dear Industry Colleague,

First, our congratulations must go to Dustin Johnson, who completely dominated the Masters. He seems ever more comfortable with his golf game and also with being in contention. He is bound to be an even greater threat in the majors for the next few years.

None of our regular readers of this column will be in any doubt of my general poor view of England Golf. Their decisions and judgements have been dreadful across a number of key areas. I do not like the bullying nature and the presumption that we will all behave when they want us to and support them even when they are profoundly wrong. In last month’s editorial I gave them ‘What for’ because of their ridiculous treatment of individuals who do not wish to give their data up in order to get a new WHS handicap index. England Golf stuck to their guns and said no email address, no handicap - take it or leave it, showing an enormous lack of sensitivity to many sections of society who love their golf but loath having to give up their data.

However, they have just introduced a detailed paper outlining their plans for independent golfer handicaps. In essence, they are seeking approval from the counties to integrate independent golfers into the Worldwide Handicap System (WHS) and provide these independent golfers, who do not have a home club, the chance to hold a proper handicap. Credit where credit is due. This is a visionary piece of work and one that should be supported across the golfing industry. Golfers should not be penalised for being unable - or reluctant - to join a club for whatever reason. There is a huge number of highly competent good quality golfers who just don’t want to be a member of the club even if they could afford to. These people have been left behind and are golf’s forgotten millions. Now England Golf proposes to include them. It is a brilliant plan. My only fear is the short-sighted and entrenched county representatives, who hold the power at England Golf, may vote it down and set golf back many years in its potential development.

It is also important that the counties do not add caveats that dilute the integrity of the new offering. There should be no difference between a golfer playing as an independent player and a club golfer in handicap terms. It would be such a shame to create a tiered system when equality is easier, fairer and far better for the game.  Ultimately, this may pave the way for all affiliation fees to be paid by the golfer directly, with the clubs left free to concentrate on golf operations and those keen golfers who want a handicap can buy the service directly from the regional golf unions. 

So on this rare occasion I salute England Golf wholeheartedly. And, if you are a county executive, please ensure that you support this excellent initiative.

This could be their finest achievement. 

We are introducing a new series of articles by a young golfer called Louis Marr. The ‘Louis Likes‘ series of articles will give a younger person’s slant on various golf facilities across the country.  This month we have a double whammy focused on the Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range. It is an exceptional facility, run beautifully by my good friend, Declan Malone. The first article looks at the range from Louis’ view, a young golfer with a completely different outlook from that of your ageing, world-weary and cynical editor. The second article explains how the new technology from Inrange is helping to transform the user experience. We hope you enjoy them.

Best wishes, 

Colin Jenkins