Play our way, or try your way
The AGA in January 2011 introduced four game formats for Project Flogton testing. After several months of evaluation and analysis from media, testers and Commissioner Scott McNealy’s rules committee, the AGA developed a five-level approach that consists of variations on three games: Flogton Basic (levels 1-3), USGA golf (level 4, for players who can break Flogton Par of double-bogey scoring, or 36-over on an 18-hole course) and Flogton Ultra (level 5, for players who can break USGA par).
Flogton Ultra is being developed for the players we watch on TV. It prohibits practice swings, does not allow the use of tees, encourages unlimited heckling, and severely restricts equipment -- with players allowed to bag only seven clubs, perhaps even old-style, retro clubs of persimmon and steel. Bubba Watson and friends, try out Flogton Ultra and let the AGA know how you like it.
For the rest of us, it’s Flogton Basic all the way. Look over the information below, download the PDF summarizing Flogton Basic – then get out and try the rules and let us know how you like them.
Equipment
Flogton Basic players are free to use any existing equipment on the market, including nonconforming balls and clubs not considered "legal" for USGA play. Test players found they may help hit the ball farther or straighter. For some, applying a lubricant or plastic shield on the face of the driver or fairway wood takes the spin out of the ball and makes it go straighter.
Eventually, inventors and innovators will produce the kind of equipment for Flogton that performs rather than conforms. Project Flogton says, bring it on!
Scoring
The rules are the same for the first three levels of Flogton. At Level 1, designed for those who have not played golf or Flogton, players score a point just by finishing a hole. Once they’ve completed 54 holes at Level 1, they can move on to Level 2, which is match play against Flogton Par (double bogey). Once they beat Flogton Par in match play three times, they can move on to Level 3, which is stroke play scoring.
Definitions
Mulligan: The golf term for a do-over, in Flogton it’s an either-or shot. You can use either the do-over or the original shot if it was better. Flogton Basic allows one mulligan per hole.
Gimme: A third putt in Flogton Basic is good. The player should pick up the ball and go to the next hole.
Bump: Improving the lie by moving the ball up to one club length (no closer to the hole) is permitted everywhere except on the green.
Penalty stroke: Players only count the shots they hit, and upon hitting into a hazard or out of bounds may either reload or drop near where the ball went out of play.
Rules for Flogton Basic
Use these rules for the first three levels of Flogton
- Move up: Start a par-3 hole 50 yards closer to the green, a par-4 hole 100 yards closer to the green, and a par-5 hole 150 yards closer to the green.
- Don’t dawdle: No more than one practice swing per shot permitted. Violating this rule results in a penalty stroke. (If your real swing misses the ball, however, don’t count that.)
- Tee it up: Use a tee on any shot.
- Bump it: Improve your lie by one club length anywhere but on the green.
- Toss it: Once per hole you can use your hands to toss a “stroke.” (Try it from a bunker!)
- No penalties: Hit it OB or into a hazard? Lose a ball? Either reload or drop near the point where the ball disappeared.
- Putting particulars: Leave the flagstick in – and if you hit it, consider your ball in the hole! Don’t mark the ball – and when it’s your turn, putt until you’re in the hole or have taken two strokes, whatever is sooner. Flogton Basic has a three-putt maximum.
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| Download instructions PDF (570.1kb) | |
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