Setting standards for LD

[AP]

Ok, here´s my take on organizing LD in Europe. If someone don´t like what I´m writing, so be it, but I´ve learned a thing or 2 trying to tie up sponsors to our event in July and from competing in regular golf.

There has been a few tries to organize before, LDE, ELD and lately the players are talking about doing a "tour". I think the LDE was closest at being able to do something but they never got the players with them.
Even if there are 30 events one year it will still not succeed, I believe, unless there are a standard for competing and running events. When we travel around Europe each year we are subject to at least 4 or 5 different formats( in golf there´s 2), we pay different money to enter(understandable) and so forth, you get the idea.

I don´t know how many of you who´s tried to talk to sponsors and when they ask how we are organized and how we run things and so on, the answer is none. It´s up to each and everyone. It would be great to have something to fall back on and show to potential sponsors, like a rules and regulations manuel of some sort.
The Swedish Golf Tour for example collects the money for the events, for 1.5% in administration, and everybody is paid from the SGT instead of events themselves. This example would have made the Cabos thing impossible since money is in long before events start. That way events become legit and players don´t risk not getting paid. Events get approved I guess.

It´s hard to get a company to sponsor when some things are a bit.... "loose" if you will. They have obligations as well and needs to see that we are serious as well. And the players need a union like the PGA, for instance when Paul G got shut out of the LDE final the players could have supported him collectively. Now if you don´t like something, shut up and live with it or else you´re out, period.

I have written a few rules and regulations, ranging from tee box, grid size to clothes, times and formats. While not perfect it´s a start. At the wpgmc we will use a few of them. Everybody should be able to see what will happen, even newcomers and spectators. While I kind of like the Double elimination we will do matchplay since it´s exciting. Just look at Knistad last year, spectators stayed til the end. Not too common at LD.

Please don´t just read this, comment if you agree...or disagree or especially if you have ideas. Johan tried to start something in the previous thread but it took a different turn
If we ever want to grow LD this is as good a time as ever. Without the rules there will be no tour, no growth. Just small events and arguments leading nowhere. Just ask the guys that have competed how BIG LD has become in the last 10 years I´d guess US has grown but we have lost opportunities over here.

First we need rules, then the tour. Just my opinion.

AP

 

[ukrainien]

I am the Ukranian National champion!

[thekid]

Andreas,

We have some great tournaments coming up this year in Europe. I too think we need to set some rules and standards. But what we need foremost right now is:

Someone to act as a governing body, to collect membership fees and work with this!

In order to make a ReMax European Longdrive Championships this year I need to have qualifying events prior to the final, this according to LDA. I will in due time therefore ask some other events such as yours and Karis and others if they want to also be such. it will probably be 3 events with top 2 going into 1/16 finals, others have chance to qualify during the finals.

Who wants to start running the tour?

Or shall we make one together?

[AP]

Finally someone replys   Thanks JT

That is why I believe that the rules need to come first. What amount of money should it be to be member? What is included in the membership? How does qualifying work? Websites( we can´t do this on incepta forever) Etc... Until we have a governing body we at least have rules to follow and to give as a guidance for events.

And I think there need to be a separate body for players and events. If something happens at Orresta and I´m on a players committee, I´m not fit to rule. Should I do something that is potentially bad for our event that I work my a** off for or bad for the players that I care for.
A player organisation can function even without events. If Kari, me and Tony, Johan, Janos and Yvan was to stop having events, the tour would be dead and we have to start all over again unless there´s a separate organisation for players. People who wants to run events can have an organisation of their own. Like the PGA and PGA Tour. If events do something wrong, the player representative can sort it instead of me and Stef or Adam or 5 guys at a time or whatever.

I get carried away as you all can see( I write as much as I talk ) but if someone steps up or is chosen then that person will set the rules for good or bad. This is an opportunity to get that sorted before that happens so it don´t become a fulltime nonpaid job and alot of unhappy LDers wondering what just happened. Makes it easier for that guy. Not everybody wants to run events but all has opinions on how to run it for sure so here´s the chance.

We need more people involved, other than Kari, Johan, Dan , me, Tony and Panda doing all the talking. That´s why I did this on incepta instead of a short list by mail. It´s easier to set rules then to get a guy to step up and run a tour. Or not!

AP

[The Windmill]

Good showing Andreas. Something needs to be done, and it should be done pretty quickly.
Rules and quidelines has to be made and if I remember right, you already have a good document for it
from previous years. I think we need 4-6 bigger international comps and that has happened in previous years.

I think that the guys who run an event, should have more credit on DOING IT. Meaning that there should be some
base on money prizes available from a larger organization. After that, your income of running event depends on local
sponsors. Summa summarum, I would hope to get things in that shape that running an event would be desirable and seen
as a positive chance.

One guy, nice suit, good contacts for sponsoring and help of guys organizing international events----> fun!

-Giraaf

[AP]

Here is a start for the rules. Please take the time to read it even if it´s boring or long or no nude pics...

 I think most things need a little discussion, some need alteration, something is certainly forgotten but it is a starting point. Names and the order of the rules and if it is an event rule or players rule, I havn´t cared about, just making sure most things are covered. This is a European tour to start with, it should I think, be reflected in some ways when rules are written.

Add things that need to be there or write why something shouldn´t, and I´ll say how me and Tony reasoned, yes I´m dragging you into this

If a non-european by any chance reads the Euro posts and have good ideas, jump in since this is really concerning all of LD in the end.



RULES for the tour events.
1.Dress Code
All competitors must adhere to the host facility dress code. They must wear collared golf shirt (no tank tops), golf shorts or slacks (jeans or denim is not permitted). It is the responsibility of each competitor to know the dress code of the site.
 
 2. Format. Three formats are allowed. Double-Elimination. Matchplay with matches of best out of 1,3 or 5. Super qualifier format, everybody hits 3 rounds 50% through, hit 2 rounds 50% through, final 1 round. Format sheets will be formalized and on the website.

 3. Qualification. Exempt are last 3 years winners and top 8 on Order  of
 Merit + 2 wildcards from eventhosts. Everyone else have to qualify.  In matchplay there is 1 or 2 rounds for ranking.
 
 4. Start fee is 50-250 Euro. Organizers are allowed a 5-7 Euro Qualification fee in Double-elimination. Hopefully we can have a low fee but I don´t think it will be to start with. This can actually be a good thing generally since it means more competition, more hitting and can generate a little extra for the host.
 
 5. Top 16 or making the "cut" gets paid. 150 Euro.  Paid for Longest drive. Even though we have lower top money more guys can travel since some costs are covered this way.
 
 6. Membershipfee. Events pay 1,5% to the event organization, all payments go through them. Makes sure someone gets paid to actually run it properly and player are sure to be paid. 
 
 7.Grid. 50 yards or 45 meter, to 60y or 55m. Must be the same width all along the grid. Teebox should accommodate 2 or preferably 3. 1 only in special cases.

 8: Rules for measurements. No GPS allowed and preferably measured by hand.
 Grid should be marked every 10 or 20 meters for easier measurements. Laser
 only in special cases.
 A qualified drive must be a minimum of 225 Meters,250 yards, for the Open Division and 200 Meters, 225 yards, for the Senior Division and is measured from the tee line to the farthest point of the golf ball.

 9. On tee. Players will always get an estimate after each drive and preferably
 spectators as well. Competitors have 2:45 to complete their set of six balls.
All competitors will hit the provided official golf ball. Tees must NOT be longer than 4 inches in length and must be approved by the USGA or R&A.
USGA rules apply for the teeing ground, tee and intent to strike.

 
 10. A practice range should always be at hand. In rare cases nets could be
 allowed close to the players tent/area.
 
 11. Scoreboard. Always a visible scoreboard for spectators and if possible
 one at the players tent/area.
 
 12. Livescoring on internet via website etc
 
13. Only those clubs on the LDA or (ours) Approved Conforming Club list are eligible for competition. All clubheads must conform to USGA standards. Clubs must not appear on the USGA non-conforming list.
All golf clubs must measure 50" (vertically at 90 degree angle) or less. A club deemed illegal will be disassembled and returned.
 
 14. Also if at least 10 seniors (45+ the year you turn 45) or ladys become members there needs to be a comp for them on tour as well. Otherwise it´s up to the event to do what they want. Just a suggestion.
 
 15. Pro-am the day before the event. Mandatory if chosen.
 
16. Etiquette.  Proper golf etiquette is required during all levels of the competition. At no time will disorderly conduct, abusive language, intoxication, possession of firearms, and/or possession or use of an illegal substance be tolerated. Violations of this rule shall be cause for immediate expulsion from the event and forfeiture of all monies paid.
..... has the right to refuse service to anyone
 
Breaking club: 10 Euro
Shouting profanity: 5 Euro
Shouting profanity in finnish: free
Punching fellow competitor: 3 Euro
Breaking dresscode: 10 Euro             All going to a party at the last event of the year
 
17. An event must be confirmed by the players.......... to be able to call itself a ......tour event
 
18. Amateurs must declare before an event what status they are. Prize money is divided between professionals and they are moved up in case of an amateur finishing high enough to be in the money.
 
Player organization. Marcus has a really good name for it but I´ll let him tell that.
 
Fee 50 Euro for administration and profile on the website. .... will also look after players interest according to ..... rules. No membership allows you to compete but as an amateur only. Prices must not exceed 500 Euro for amateurs. This should probably be one player we all could go to, who would make sure events are run by the rules we make. And help out with questions on everything concerning LD.

AP

[KH]

Many good propositions Andreas.

The more I start thinking about this the more I feel like we would be better of having somebody who knows nothing about long driving as the boss for the European "tour", circus or fightclub (whatever you wanna call it). Somebody who is experienced and well respected business man, maybe an old sportsman and who is very professional and his former business/private success is a proof of that.

I can't give you one single name in long driving who everyone or almost everyone is going to listen to and respect - so that person has to come from outside. That kind of person could give the whole European long driving a breath of fresh air in many ways. Somebody who would take long driving to modern age and think about it more as a business, not just a fun game.

Maybe it should be a woman 

[AP]

I agree Kari, if the sport is going to grow, it has to be treated as a business. As the LDA already has done. An outsider could give us a boost as you say.

[psg8802]

Many good propositions Andreas.

The more I start thinking about this the more I feel like we would be better of having somebody who knows nothing about long driving as the boss for the European "tour", circus or fightclub (whatever you wanna call it). Somebody who is experienced and well respected business man, maybe an old sportsman and who is very professional and his former business/private success is a proof of that.

I can't give you one single name in long driving who everyone or almost everyone is going to listen to and respect - so that person has to come from outside. That kind of person could give the whole European long driving a breath of fresh air in many ways. Somebody who would take long driving to modern age and think about it more as a business, not just a fun game.

Maybe it should be a woman 

What you need is a marketing guru(s) to make an honest assessment as to whether LD is something that could, with the right promotion and tweaking, appeal to the masses. If they say no, then it will remain a hobby for the few blessed with the talent to hit a golf ball a long way. If they say yes, they might be interested in promoting the sport and help in obtaining the coverage (for a tasty fee of course) most in the sport think it deserves. Joe Miller told me a few weeks back that he has a marketing/PR agent so it might be worth asking Joe whether he'd make enquiries on your behalf, perhaps inviting his agent to one of the events. Whatever the outcome, at least you will know what the score is and this perenial issue can be laid to rest.

[WuTangLD]

i like the rule if I punch 3 guys, it will be 1 euro cheaper than breaking the dress code

great work guys, i wish i could hit at all of your events....

and to quote the great J Tizzy "love and longdrives to all"

[AP]

i like the rule if I punch 3 guys, it will be 1 euro cheaper than breaking the dress code

great work guys, i wish i could hit at all of your events....

and to quote the great J Tizzy "love and longdrives to all"

It´s easier to cut the punches from TV than it is if you break the dresscode and win

[rasschaffer]

You have a point there.
Out of the masses you will get a base for the select few who can make a sufficiant long drive to compete on a higher level.
Why should a potential sponsor invest in LD, EXPOSURE !!.
Work on getting the mass to compete, More Exposure More Sponsors.
The Longdrivers of Holland have a plan to get the mass involved ( ask Johan ) .

Richard

[PhilJost]

The idea of a well structured and organized european Tour is great.
But I think we need to take things one step at a time.
Here's a thought...

One board of players that will have as a first duty to establish or make official the Rules and regulations (I definitely need to learn finnish !!!). Let's say for example one player from each country that has an impact on Long Drive (Sweden, Finland, UK, Holland, France, ?), each player elected or approved if the only one by his fellow countrymen. Therefore the guys that will be in charge will automatically have the respect from the other players.
I agree with Andreas, none of those guys elected on the board should run an event, because the board has to be perfectly neutral.
Membership for the Tour : definitely yes, but it has to give you automatic access to tournaments.
Let's try to compare it with "traditional golf"..
Put on an order of Merit for the year, and the top 40 gets the card for the next year. Others can go thru a Qschool (say like 5 more cards for example) and others can go thru qualifications or get sponsors invite. Let's create some categories. Joe for example, has to be exempted for the rest of his life as he was the first European WLD Champ.
Here's a shot at some categories :

Cat 1 : Former World Champion
Cat 2 : Former Winner of the Order of merit
Cat 3 : Top 10 of last year's OOM
Cat 4 : Former European Champion
Cat 5 : 10 - 40 on last year's OOM
Cat 6 : Qschool Graduates
Cat 7 : Former member of the tour that doesn't fit into cat 1 to 6

Let's say you enter a tournament depending on your category...

This is just a few ideas to start with...

Love and Long Drive to All (I love that saying !!!)

Phil

[Geekoman]

One thing that has always been on my mind concerning Sponsors...There are always x amount of premium Sponsors...but why not have a 'minimum' Sponsor program.  For a minimum amount of $$$ you get a bunch of them.  That adds up! 

Make it doable and realistic for small sponsors.  I mean really doable.

JMO

[StevePratt]

Andreas,

I applaud your passion and time invested in thinking about this.  I think those guidelines, while of course just a jumping off point, are really well stated and reasonable.

At some point, somebody or a few somebodies will have to take a ballsy step forward and establish this governing body and make the rules official.  People will have to suck it up or just not play.