New Golf Format Attempts to Mimic Pro Pool

[Colin Colenso]

In an attempt to replicate the professionalism and popularity of the American Pool games of 9-Ball and 8-Ball, a PGA think tank has recommended a revolutionary change to the game.

When they realized the break shot provides a near random initiation of pool games, which determines nearly 70% of game results, they knew they had to do something about the predictability and consistency of the standard drive from a set tee format which has long tarnished the game with a 'level playing field based on talent' mentality.

Their first step in changing the game to a more 'luck-centric' environment will be to introduce a multifaceted driver. Where it goes, nobody knows.

In recent trials, a former pro and hired consultant told reporters that the game had never been more fun and he hasn't got to practice shots out of the woods that often since he played in the 'Golf Across the Rocky Mountains Challenge'.

Is this the panacea Golf has been waiting for?

 

[336Robin]

Lol.....

That is such a scream......really?

So what are now to do drop the balls on the table out of a bag? lol....and ball in the center of the foot rail!!

On the serious the most fun I think I ever had playing pool was as a child when we were going for every shot. It would keep the rigging out of thats for sure.

I bet the ball manufacturers would love that club I would imagine it would cut the balls a bit.

 

[Colin Colenso]

That is such a scream......really?

So what are now to do drop the balls on the table out of a bag? lol....and ball in the center of the foot rail!!

Glad you enjoyed my parody of the silliness of the break in these games.

As to what to do:

Keep in mind that in the most popular games historically, the break has had very little to do with the outcome of frames. e.g. Early billiards, English and US and European, Snooker, 14.1, bank pool, 1-pocket.

For average players, 9-ball and 8-ball are ok as a talent challenge, but as players reach pro-level, the degree to which breaking affects games increases substantially. The recent example of Mika getting shut out is a good example.

There are ways to play these type of games without breaking being such a big part of determining the outcome. A few come to mind:
1. Breaker gets BIH after non-foul break, regardless of if a ball goes in. Alternate break.
2. Make the actual game more difficult, such as tighter pockets, more balls, must hit additional rails each shot, must bank some, must pass zones (used in English Billiards).

Others may have other ideas, but as the games stand now, the luck of the break is the elephant in the room of the mainstream pool games.

 

[336Robin]

Go for it!

Glad you enjoyed my parody of the silliness of the break in these games.

As to what to do:

Keep in mind that in the most popular games historically, the break has had very little to do with the outcome of frames. e.g. Early billiards, English and US and European, Snooker, 14.1, bank pool, 1-pocket.

For average players, 9-ball and 8-ball are ok as a talent challenge, but as players reach pro-level, the degree to which breaking affects games increases substantially. The recent example of Mika getting shut out is a good example.

There are ways to play these type of games without breaking being such a big part of determining the outcome. A few come to mind:
1. Breaker gets BIH after non-foul break, regardless of if a ball goes in. Alternate break.
2. Make the actual game more difficult, such as tighter pockets, more balls, must hit additional rails each shot, must bank some, must pass zones (used in English Billiards).

Others may have other ideas, but as the games stand now, the luck of the break is the elephant in the room of the mainstream pool games.

Colin,
I have to agree with you and its one of the reasons I have become a One Pocket Person. The randomness of what can happen with the break and the first reply does give some chances for the incoming player to overcome the break but we are talking amateur players. Already among amateur players the break is getting to be a determining factor because of weekly/daily play.

I was discussing this with another poster the other day when we were talking about how to entice new people to become interested in pool. I was for 8-ball and I liked having a King of the Hill type situation whereby people can challenge the table to keep things interesting socially. A little drama is good when people want excitement and then it occurred to me something I had never considered.

How about just removing the safety from the game? If you go safe then make it a requirement that you also have to go for a shot as in Ring Games.

Probably the most fun I ever had was when a bunch of children at a Recreation Center were shooting each shot the best of their abilities and some great entertaining shots were being made that appeared way above the skills of the players. People would stand and watch because it was a true shoot out and not something that would put you to sleep.

To me this is a not so obvious solution to a part of what you mention, as well as making some other changes. Lets face it, pool can be boring to the non believer.

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

IF true - this is the best news for any aspiring Pro Pool Group.
Golf would be certain to F$£K ITSELF IF it goes this way which will only serve to the benefit of Pool. :thumbup:

 

[Colin Colenso]

Colin,

How about just removing the safety from the game? If you go safe then make it a requirement that you also have to go for a shot as in Ring Games.

Sure, that's a very interesting alternative... if you don't like where the CB is left after a miss by the opponent, send him back in.

Won't work too well for 8-ball though, as one man's safe is anothers set up in that game!

 

[Colin Colenso]

IF true - this is the best news for any aspiring Pro Pool Group.
Golf would be certain to F$£K ITSELF IF it goes this way which will only serve to the benefit of Pool. :thumbup:

hmmm, maybe all those game show watchers would switch over to the golf :embarrassed2:

 

[Donny Lutz]

sports and luck

In an attempt to replicate the professionalism and popularity of the American Pool games of 9-Ball and 8-Ball, a PGA think tank has recommended a revolutionary change to the game.

When they realized the break shot provides a near random initiation of pool games, which determines nearly 70% of game results, they knew they had to do something about the predictability and consistency of the standard drive from a set tee format which has long tarnished the game with a 'level playing field based on talent' mentality.

Their first step in changing the game to a more 'luck-centric' environment will be to introduce a multifaceted driver. Where it goes, nobody knows.

In recent trials, a former pro and hired consultant told reporters that the game had never been more fun and he hasn't got to practice shots out of the woods that often since he played in the 'Golf Across the Rocky Mountains Challenge'.

Is this the panacea Golf has been waiting for?

As one who's played quite a number of sports and been pretty good at a couple, I've always disliked the luck factor.

What's the point in trying to improve if the outcome is determined largely by luck? I suppose the ultimate pool game would be no rules at all, - hit any ball in any game and just blast away.

I know that's not what you're suggesting, but when you play your best and lose on a slop shot, it's not much fun, and I would say not all that fair.

I gave up competitive bowling more than forty years ago, partly because there was so much luck involved (not to mention no defense!). There's already a lot of luck in both golf and pool, why add more?

For those who like to rely on luck, go to Las Vegas.

 

[Masayoshi]

I think its time for Deuel to make his debut in pro golf with a "soft drive". Which will be followed shortly by the Magic Tee.

 

[Colin Colenso]

As one who's played quite a number of sports and been pretty good at a couple, I've always disliked the luck factor.

What's the point in trying to improve if the outcome is determined largely by luck? I suppose the ultimate pool game would be no rules at all, - hit any ball in any game and just blast away.

I know that's not what you're suggesting, but when you play your best and lose on a slop shot, it's not much fun, and I would say not all that fair.

I gave up competitive bowling more than forty years ago, partly because there was so much luck involved (not to mention no defense!). There's already a lot of luck in both golf and pool, why add more?

For those who like to rely on luck, go to Las Vegas.

There's a little luck in all games, and I think that's ok, and even unavoidable to a degree. But I can't think of any professional games that have such a feature as the smash'em up break, that decides such a significant proportion of game results.

FWIW: For every game I lose on a slop shot, I probably lose 20 times more than that on a bad break result. Be it, my own break turning sour or my opponent's break coming out peaches.

 

[Colin Colenso]

I think its time for Deuel to make his debut in pro golf with a "soft drive". Which will be followed shortly by the Magic Tee.

Insightful... that driver would bring the soft drive into the game I'm pretty sure... probably a 40 meter chip drive.

 

[Colin Colenso]

News alert !!!

In addition to the multifaceted driver, the P.G.A. advancement exploratory committee has proposed a groundbreaking new strategy to deal with the hyper-offensive, ground-levelling problems polluting the game.

As of 2016, opposing pairs will have the option of hitting their opponent's balls into safety zones.

This is another perspicacious move in the direction of the 9-ballization of golf!

 

[cuesblues]

I think its time for Deuel to make his debut in pro golf with a "soft drive". Which will be followed shortly by the Magic Tee.

and Woodpecker clubs

 

[Colin Colenso]

bump for new audience...

 

[KMRUNOUT]

Glad you enjoyed my parody of the silliness of the break in these games.

As to what to do:

Keep in mind that in the most popular games historically, the break has had very little to do with the outcome of frames. e.g. Early billiards, English and US and European, Snooker, 14.1, bank pool, 1-pocket.

For average players, 9-ball and 8-ball are ok as a talent challenge, but as players reach pro-level, the degree to which breaking affects games increases substantially. The recent example of Mika getting shut out is a good example.

There are ways to play these type of games without breaking being such a big part of determining the outcome. A few come to mind:
1. Breaker gets BIH after non-foul break, regardless of if a ball goes in. Alternate break.
2. Make the actual game more difficult, such as tighter pockets, more balls, must hit additional rails each shot, must bank some, must pass zones (used in English Billiards).

Others may have other ideas, but as the games stand now, the luck of the break is the elephant in the room of the mainstream pool games.

I understand the problems with the *rack*, but I don't see why the break shot should be diminished in importance. It is a skill that requires considerable practice to do well. The only reason there is a "problem" is because the majority of the so called "pros" don't do their job and master this important shot. Because only a few do, it makes it seem like the break is such a big deal. If every pro worked on their break like Shane does, it wouldn't be so big an issue I believe.

Your analogy is puzzling. You think the break is a hit and hope affair? All luck? I could not disagree more. If you *learn* the break *shot*, skill directly translates to results. It sounded like you were implying that the PGA would be more like pool by turning the opening shot into an uncontrolled luck shot. Do you really see the break this way?

KMRUNOUT

 

[KMRUNOUT]

As one who's played quite a number of sports and been pretty good at a couple, I've always disliked the luck factor.

What's the point in trying to improve if the outcome is determined largely by luck? I suppose the ultimate pool game would be no rules at all, - hit any ball in any game and just blast away.

I know that's not what you're suggesting, but when you play your best and lose on a slop shot, it's not much fun, and I would say not all that fair.

I gave up competitive bowling more than forty years ago, partly because there was so much luck involved (not to mention no defense!). There's already a lot of luck in both golf and pool, why add more?

For those who like to rely on luck, go to Las Vegas.

So you are advocating the pro pool players hit the "driving range" and learn how to break, taking control of the variables better and eliminating most of that luck?

KMRUNOUT

 

[Colin Colenso]

I understand the problems with the *rack*, but I don't see why the break shot should be diminished in importance. It is a skill that requires considerable practice to do well. The only reason there is a "problem" is because the majority of the so called "pros" don't do their job and master this important shot. Because only a few do, it makes it seem like the break is such a big deal. If every pro worked on their break like Shane does, it wouldn't be so big an issue I believe.

Your analogy is puzzling. You think the break is a hit and hope affair? All luck? I could not disagree more. If you *learn* the break *shot*, skill directly translates to results. It sounded like you were implying that the PGA would be more like pool by turning the opening shot into an uncontrolled luck shot. Do you really see the break this way?

KMRUNOUT

My analogy is more about the importance that the break shot plays in the pool games.

I'm a reasonably good breaker, having worked on it a fair bit over the years, but breaking practice is probably the least of my joys. Here's my breaking video... excuse the low tech camera work as it's 8 years old: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1tsONEI_U

Personally, I think the influence of the break needs to be reduced, and subsequently the luck component of the break.

I'm not saying having or preferably winning the break ought not be advantageous, just that it ought to contribute a less significant role in the outcome of games.

Basically, I think 8, 9 and 10 ball US games and English 8-Ball are poor game formats because of the strong influence of the result of the break.