Let’s Talk Ryder Cup: 3 Rules That Need to Change!

Alright, golf enthusiasts! Let’s dive into something that’s been buzzing around the Ryder Cup. I know, I know—you’re probably thinking this is just another post about why the U.S. lost, but hold on. Honestly, I wasn’t even rooting for the Americans. What really got my heart racing was that wild comeback attempt on Sunday. I mean, who could tear themselves away from the screen during those nail-biting moments?

But enough about my personal vibe during the tournament. Let’s chat about three outdated rules that totally need a revamp. It’s time the Ryder Cup caught up with the times—after all, it’s 2023, and we can only stay stuck in tradition for so long!

Why Keep Changing?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s remember that the Ryder Cup has evolved a lot over the years. Adding continental Europe to the mix in 1979 was revolutionary! Major tournaments do it consistently, tweaking rules about qualifications or how cuts work, so why is the Ryder Cup still hanging onto some outdated practices? Let’s give it the upgrade it deserves!

Rule 1: Time to Ditch the “Retaining” Possibility

First up on our list is the “retaining” rule. If a team wins the Ryder Cup, they only need to snag 14 out of 28 points to keep the cup. Yeah, you heard that right. This opens the door for a 14-14 tie, which is just plain weird. Sure, it’s a rare occurrence—it’s just happened twice in history—but come on! Winning by a technicality? No thanks!

Imagine the drama and excitement if teams had to strive for 14.5 points instead. It would mean more intense battles on the green and might even lead to a nail-biting playoff scenario. Picture your favorite players going head-to-head in a sudden-death shootout! Talk about gripping television!

Rule 2: Injuries Should Equal Forfeitures

Next is something that should definitely strike a chord with sports fans across the board: if a player’s injured, they should forfeit the point. Golf is a sport steeped in tradition, but holding onto this half-point award for injuries just doesn’t make sense in today’s world. Can you imagine that happening in any other sport? “Oh, you can’t play? Here’s a free point!” Nope. Doesn’t fly.

Take Viktor Hovland’s exit from last Sunday’s play—everyone respected that he couldn’t go on. But the fact that Europe got a free half-point from it? Not cool! That half-point could have crucial implications down the line. What if that match was the tipping point?

I propose we adopt a rule similar to the Solheim Cup: if you forfeit, you lose the point entirely. Seems fair, right?

Rule 3: Course Setup Needs an Upgrade

Now, onto the last point: course setup. The chaos we saw at Bethpage Black was nothing short of a hot mess. Let’s be real: when hosting the Ryder Cup, the course should play as its original design intended. The rough cut down way too short? Seriously? It’s like saying to world-class athletes, “Hey, you don’t need to actually try hard.”

Imagine the excitement if the pros had to navigate some real challenges. Instead, we watched a glorified birdie-fest, which was just disappointing. Golf should showcase skill and strategy, not just how many holes you can birdie because the course is set up like a Sunday stroll in the park.

American captain Keegan Bradley even mentioned regretting the course setup, which tells you it’s time for a change! Let’s pass the torch to a neutral party and let them set the course up as it should be: a true test of golfing prowess.

The Bottom Line

To wrap it up, these are my three rules that desperately need a makeover: ditching the retaining option, enforcing that injuries equal forfeits, and letting a neutral authority handle course setup. Changing these rules could breathe new life into the Ryder Cup, making it a more thrilling spectacle for fans and players alike.

So what do you think? Are these ideas wacky, or do they have merit? Let’s get the conversation going and hope for a Ryder Cup that’s as electric as it can be!

Top Photo Caption: Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm celebrate a Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage. (GETTY IMAGES/Mateo Villalba)

Ready to debate? Let’s hear your thoughts or any other suggestions about ways the Ryder Cup could evolve! Happy swinging, folks!