Bob Charles and all things golf

By Neville Idour

Golfer Pacific was privileged to spend some considerable time with Sir Bob Charles discussing all things golf and we hope readers enjoy the results of that discussion.

We kicked off discussing his pre-covid comments that golf numbers were falling. However that is now not the case with numbers growing significantly since covid began.

Charles agreed: “That is mainly a result of covid anyway. People were shut up inside. They couldn’t get outside and realised what they were missing and now they are making up for lost time.”

Charles has said he would like to rejuvenate the game of golf because of the problems he sees. It is too costly, takes too long and is too difficult.

He then adds: “While we can’t control the cost we can control the speed of play. A huge majority of golfers are using tees which do not complement their ability. They should be using forward tees, therefore shorter golf courses, so will play a round more quickly. I would like to see three to three and a half hour rounds of golf rather than four to four and a half hour rounds.”

Charles then told of a South African friend who flew to the United States on a trip of a lifetime to play the iconic Pebble Beach.

“By the time he reached the 14th or 15th holes the round had taken six hours. So fed up he never even played the last few holes. What a sad situation for the game of golf.

“People these days are time poor and don’t have enough time for some activities. A case in point is the Christchurch Golf Club where many women are using the white tees and many men the blue tees.

``The average male player should be using the white tees. Some should also be using the red tees. As for the women, only the long hitters or low handicappers should be using the white tees. The rest should be using the red tees. Of course it is not happening.”

Charles next came up with something very game changing.

Caption: Bob Charles shows a hickory driver with a driver of today.

“I would like to see six sets of tees on most golf courses although for some shorter courses that may not be possible or necessary. But for six tees you could have tees at 6500 metres, 6100, 5630, 5170, 4600 and 3900 metres. So this is a formula or guideline I have worked out that could be used not only in New Zealand but throughout the world. However, I am not suggesting it to be specific but as a guideline.”

Charles then talked about simplifying the game.

“The world is too complicated compared to when I started playing so shorter tees will simplify the game as also will ready golf. I am a great believer if you are ready then play your shot. The rule book and some of the rules of golf are a turnoff. They are time consuming.

“My other pet peeve is I don’t believe you should be able to play a provisional ball. If you hit it into a water hazard you should take a drop next to it. Out of bounds I don’t believe in going back to the tee. You should be able to take a drop adjacent to where it went out of bounds for a one shot penalty not two. If you are not a good bunker player you could have the choice to drop out of the bunker for a one shot penalty. All of these things would save time.

“When I went to St Andrews in 1958 they had a course marshal and you were expected to finish within three and a half hours. What is happening now? The Open Championship at St Andrews last year, on the first two days, it took six hours for the final group to finish.

``On the LPGA Tour they are taking five and a half hours to play. I think it is inexcusable. We need more marshals and more severe penalties for slow play. First a warning then a shot or shots penalty. Finally disqualification. The officials are not tough enough with slow play. So, we need to simplify the game for the future which will make the game more attractive.”

We next talked about the length of courses and holes. We mentioned the driveable par fours in recent tournaments which seemed to provide a variety of outcomes and were not necessarily easy.

Charles responds: “My philosophy in course design and the end result should be that all golf courses should have a driveable par four on each nine which would be ideal. The same with par fives. If there are four par fives, two should be unreachable if possible and two reachable. The same with par threes. One at 180 metres, 165, 145 and 130 metres and that is off the back tees.”

It is pertinent to mention that the metre distances quoted here are at odds with Charles as they have been converted reasonably closely from his use of yards in all of the foregoing measurements. Charles points out that when you watch television, the United States and the United Kingdom still use yards.

“All my calculations are done in yards. Metres are a foreign language I know nothing about (much laughter).”

With the par three measurements varied, a variety of clubs can be used.

“My other concern, and I am glad to see the USGA (Untied States Golf Association) and Royal and Ancient are looking at the distance the golf ball goes now. I have been saying for quite a while now they have to restrict the performance of the golf ball.

``Not only myself but some of my contemporaries like Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player are saying the same thing. A ball could be produced that will not go further than 260 metres even for Tiger Woods or Bryson de Chambeau. Even 240 metres would be better. Do that and you don’t need to lengthen holes with longer tees. You can even have shorter tees and even in championships you may be looking at a maximum of four hour rounds.”

Charles then put me on the spot when asking me what the average club used on a par four for the second shot was on the PGA Tour. I suggested a nine iron and got it right.

Then Charles offered some real insights into his clear thinking on the game for every golfer.

“How would you enjoy your golf, and I know I would enjoy my golf, if my average second shot on a par four was a nine iron. Wouldn’t the whole world of golfers enjoy that? It doesn’t happen because most people are using the wrong tees, the golf courses are too long.

“In my opinion technology and the manufacturers are destroying the game of golf.”

Charles makes the point: “The cricket ball hasn’t changed over the years nor has the tennis ball. In 1968 Nicklaus was the longest hitter at 250 metres and I was always about 30 metres less than Jack, whereas today the average is 280 metres.”

Of course the longest hitters are frequently over 300 metres and sometimes up to 350 metres.

“St Andrews would be a much better course played with a reduced performance ball. When I first went there the tees were beside or in front of the greens. You didn’t have to walk far. Now you might go back 50 to 100 yards.”

“I have strong views having been in the game for over 70 years and my contemporaries would back me up. The performance of the ball is destroying the game that I know, knew and loved so much in my younger days.”

Caption: The New Zealand Hickory Open trophy.

What courses in New Zealand does Charles prefer?

“Links style golf with no trees and no rough. That is what I love. You have waste areas which take over the rough …. and with waste areas you don’t lose your golf ball because you can see it. You shouldn’t need rough to make a golf course difficult. The courses at Tara Iti are a good example.

“Here at Clearwater (where he lives) there is not too much rough but a predominance of water which is the challenge. Losing your ball in rough is a turnoff in golf. Narrow fairways are another turnoff. Also, in bunkers grounding the club should be okay as long as you don’t improve the lie.”

We asked Charles about his own game now.

“I reluctantly play the blue tees at Christchurch Golf Club (Shirley) but I play the white tees at Clearwater. I will play a course at around 5650 metres maximum where I can reach par fours in two shots. I struggle to reach a hole of 400 metres. Anything longer is a par five for me. My drives now go around 180 metres.”

He also revealed the ball he now uses. He said he used to use the Titleist ProV1 but now uses the Titleist Tru Soft. I asked why and he held both balls at waist height then dropped them on hard floor. Hey presto the soft ball bounced considerably higher. I have tried another brand of soft ball and it bounced even higher. The point? The soft ball should give more distance on a firm fairway.

Ego plays apart in many people’s games today?

“I accept that a game today is going to take four hours or so, but that is because most players are using the wrong tees which are not compatible with their game. Some are happy hitting three shots to par fours and two shots to par threes. Doesn’t make sense. However, my ideal world with six tees may be too expense and work time.”

Finally we talked about the changing face of golf today with the advent of LIV Golf. Charles was certainly concerned and saddened by developments and would like to see an end to the ongoing friction — and who would disagree?