Ava Romero
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many golf courses implemented raised cups as a safety measure to reduce common touchpoints on the course. This involved raising the cup liner above the ground to prevent golfers from touching the flagstick and the cup when retrieving their ball. While this modification was intended to enhance safety, it sparked debates among golfers regarding the validity of shots made into raised cups, particularly holes-in-one. Some golfers argued that these shots should not be counted as true holes-in-one, while others considered them valid under the USGA's temporary handicapping standards. The raised cups, along with other safety measures, may have influenced scoring during tournaments and recreational games, leading to discussions about their impact on the game's difficulty and the integrity of the sport.
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What You'll Learn
Raised cups were a Covid-era safety measure
During the Covid-19 pandemic, golf was one of the few activities that people could still do while practicing social distancing. However, there were concerns about golfers touching common surfaces, such as the flagstick and the cup when grabbing their balls out of the hole. To address this issue, many golf courses introduced raised cups, which were cups that were elevated above the surface and appeared larger than typical hole liners.
In addition to raised cups, some courses implemented other safety measures such as removing rakes from sandtraps and encouraging golfers to use their own carts or stand bags instead of sharing golf carts. These measures aimed to reduce the number of shared surfaces that could potentially transmit the virus.
The use of raised cups sparked debates among golfers about whether shots made with these modified cups should count, especially when it came to hole-in-ones. While some argued that it was disrespectful to the game to claim a hole-in-one on a raised cup, others pointed out that the USGA had made adjustments to handicap procedures during the pandemic, accepting scores played under these conditions.
Despite the raised cups, data from the USGA showed that there was no significant change in scoring among golfers. Steve Edmondson, the USGA's managing director of handicapping, stated that the number of golfers playing to their handicap or better was as expected, with no anomalies observed in over 20 million scores posted.
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Do aces on raised cups count?
The use of raised cups in golf was a safety measure implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce common touchpoints on the course. This change sparked a debate about whether aces on raised cups should count.
Some golfers argue that aces on raised cups should not count as the ball does not fall into the hole in the traditional sense. They consider it disrespectful to the game and believe that the ball hitting the flagstick or a pool noodle, for example, does not constitute a hole-in-one.
However, others defend the legitimacy of aces on raised cups, citing the USGA's temporary adjustment to handicap procedures during the pandemic. The USGA considered scores played under these modified conditions, including raised cups, as valid.
The impact of raised cups on scoring is also questioned. While some believe it has made golf easier, data reviewed by the USGA's managing director of handicapping, Steve Edmondson, suggests otherwise. He found no anomalies in the scores, indicating that golfers were playing as expected or a few shots above, rather than significantly improving their scores due to raised cups.
Ultimately, the decision to count aces on raised cups is a matter of personal judgment. Golfers are advised to use their conscience as a guide, recognizing that while it may be considered holed under temporary standards, it might not be considered a true ace by all golfers and golf courses.
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Raised cups may not have made golf easier
Raised cups, a safety measure implemented by many golf courses during the COVID-19 pandemic, have sparked debate among golfers and enthusiasts. While some argue that raised cups make the game easier, others claim that it is disrespectful to the sport.
The primary purpose of raised cups is to reduce common touchpoints on the course and promote social distancing. Golfers typically touch the flagstick and the cup when retrieving their ball from the hole, and raised cups eliminate the need for direct contact with these surfaces. Some courses have implemented alternative solutions, such as leaving the flagstick in at all times or using devices like pool noodles or putt pullers to prevent the ball from falling into the cup.
The controversy surrounding raised cups centres on the question of whether shots made with these modifications should count as legitimate holes-in-one. While the USGA made an adjustment to handicap procedures during the pandemic, accepting scores played under modified conditions, some golfers argue that it is not a true hole-in-one if the ball does not fall into the hole.
Despite the raised cups, data suggests that there has not been a significant improvement in scoring among golfers. Steve Edmondson, the USGA's managing director of handicapping, stated that after reviewing over 20 million scores, they found no anomalies, with golfers playing as expected or a few shots above. The new World Handicap System may have neutralized any potential scoring benefits provided by the raised cups, as it aims to prevent extreme movements in handicap indexes.
While the convenience and safety of raised cups are undeniable, it is essential to consider the integrity of the game and the skill involved in traditional hole-in-one shots. The debate highlights the passion and dedication of golfers, even in the face of unprecedented circumstances and adaptations to their beloved sport.
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The USGA adjusted handicap procedures during Covid-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many golf courses implemented safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus. One such measure was the use of raised cups, where the hole liner was kept above ground level to prevent golfers from touching a communal flagstick. This modification to the golf hole led to discussions about whether scores played under these conditions should count towards handicap procedures.
The USGA, the governing body of golf in the United States, addressed these concerns by adjusting their handicap procedures. They released a statement announcing that a temporary measure was in place to accept scores played under conditions that included playing with modified cups. This decision was made to adapt to the unprecedented circumstances brought about by the pandemic.
The USGA also provided guidance on other aspects of golfing during the pandemic. They relaxed the rules around holing out and posting scores to handicaps, allowing for variations in the game due to safety measures. Additionally, they addressed concerns about bunkers and rakes, recommending the use of "rake and place" techniques or preferred lie local rules.
The adjustments made by the USGA aimed to balance the need for safety precautions while still allowing golfers to enjoy the game. While some golfers questioned the validity of scores achieved with raised cups, the USGA's decision ensured that golfers could continue playing and posting scores without negatively impacting their handicaps.
It is worth noting that despite the raised cups, data suggested that scoring among golfers did not significantly improve. Steve Edmondson, the USGA's managing director of handicapping, stated that after reviewing over 20 million scores, they found no anomalies, with golfers playing as expected or a few shots above. This indicated that the benefits of the new safety measures were likely neutralized by the handicapping algorithm.
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Other Covid-era safety measures on golf courses
During the Covid-19 pandemic, golf courses implemented several safety measures to ensure social distancing and prevent the spread of the virus. One such measure was the use of raised cups, where the cup liners were pulled partly out of each hole, allowing golfers to avoid touching the flagsticks and the inside of the hole. While this safety measure was intended to reduce the common touchpoints on the course, it also sparked debates about the validity of holes-in-one achieved under these modified conditions.
- Encouraging golfers to walk and carry their bags instead of using a cart, and if riding, ensuring one player per cart and sanitizing the cart before each round.
- Removing sand-trap rakes and ball washers to prevent golfers from touching items handled by other players.
- Implementing social distancing guidelines, such as maintaining a gap between golf holes and standing at a distance on the tee box.
- Some golfers suggested limiting the number of players per group to twosomes to reduce close contact.
- Golf courses also advised golfers to only touch their balls and avoid touching anything handled by other golfers.
While some golfers adhered to these safety measures, there were concerns about the lack of strict social distancing on the courses, with reports of groups of golfers standing close together and not covering their sneezes.
The closure of golf courses as a public health measure during the pandemic was also a controversial topic, with some arguing that it was unnecessary as golfers could easily maintain social distancing while playing. However, health officials defended the closures as a way to send a strong message about the seriousness of community spread and prevent socialization that could inadvertently occur during golf games.
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Frequently asked questions
Raised cups are cups that are elevated above the ground. This was a safety measure implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce common touchpoints on the golf course.
The two things golfers touch throughout a round are the flagstick and the cup when retrieving their ball. Raised cups, along with other methods like pool noodles, prevented golfers from touching the cups.
It is difficult to say whether raised cups made golf easier. Some argue that striking an elevated cup liner is easier than holing a putt in the traditional fashion, but USGA handicapping data suggests that there were not more people playing to or better than their handicap.
This is a contentious issue. Some say that aces on raised cups do not count as the ball never fell into the hole. However, the USGA made an adjustment to accept scores played under these conditions during the pandemic.
