Nothing will happen until a spectator is speared with a broken shaft...madgolfer hitemstraight

The PGA Tour does privately address these issues with fines and even suspensions. They just do a good job of keeping it private. Now fines used to be a big deal but with today's money, the better the player, the less they care about writing that check. I personally don't mind the occasional club slam from frustration. I do think the offensive language outbursts are a problem, especially around kids when spectators return. For now, they need a time delay edit on live broadcasts where players are mic'd. My two cents worth...

I actually think people like to see the pros frustrated and take out their anger. It's something the typical player can relate to. That being said, I completely agree with you. I would attack the shouted F bombs first.

Not sure if it is still enforced, but in high school matches it was a 2 stroke penalty for throwing clubs - even dropping them, flipping them in your hand and catching it. Everyone knew the rule and it would get enforced. As a kid I had a bad habit of dropping the club after a bad hit. When I got my first set of name brand clubs, my dad simply said if he sees me drop the club it would become his until he determined that I was ready to have it back - never dropped a club again. I also find it pathetic when amateurs overreact to bad shots and have temper tantrums and slam or break their clubs. What's the point?

I totally agree with you, Dave. There should be a 2-stroke penalty for throwing clubs. It seems that fines and 'suspensions' are not effective.

While I agree there is, and should be rightfully so, rules of etiquette as to how to uphold oneself...there is some benefits to letting out your frustration in the moment and not letting it build and fester all round. I am not persons who typically swears and do not throw clubs (too much $$$) but have been known to slam my club head down and let out a grunt to get it out of my system. I never have seen it do damage to a fairway or rough, but assure you I will be cautious and notice this ongoing.

This is not that dissimilar to the rules governing slow play. Until either officials are given the power to do something about it, nothing will change.

I agree with you 100% about the younger generation looking up to us and the pros. At least with the anger aspect, the golfer is only hurting himself. Slow play by one group effects the entire golf course.

Your point is well taken, you get caught tearing up a green, you're outta here! Or at least should be.

The rules are there, just enforce them.

Have not seen enough serious felonies by Pro to get amped up.... Sergio spitting into the cup, needed teeth knocked in (JMO)! I’m fine with a club slammed into bag, additional swipe in bunker or even shaft over the knee, which only hurts the player.

How about fixing real world issues like ball in center of fairway, but in a divot...... Slow play is still affecting Pros down to beginners..

I agree with you, Todd. Unrepaired/unfixed fairway divots and excessive slow play are other major concerns which are to be properly addressed, however, without the crowds/patrons on the course, players' anger management issues have become evident.

Call me 'old school', but there are many ways you can show frustration as a golf player without swearing or smashing your club. This despicable behaviour/misconduct does not align with the ideal golfer's demeanor my grandfather and father showed me.

Personally, I don't have a problem with venting a little frustration. We've all been there. If it's a slight slam of the club on the ground, no problem;if a pro "tosses" the club back to his bag with a little more vigor than normal, no problem. That said, if a guy pulls a Judge Smails, and heaves the club far enough that he's given Olympic consideration, then obviously that's an issue which most certainly should result in a fine and or DQ

The anger with slamming, breaking, and additional swipes are similarly common in most sports. In part to how junior phenoms are coddled rather than corrected. My sons weren’t phenoms and were taught to equate sports and sportsmanship. I can be seen hanging my head and muttering crap to remind myself of the quality of that swing. It is still supposed to be a game to have fun.

I do agree that playing from a divot in the fairway is as archaic as not marking balls on a green and the longer putt having to play that obstacle in the path. Maximum relief of +/- 6 inches left or right.

But I did find watching John Daly putting 2 balls and a 7 iron in Lake Michigan at the Straits a guilty source of entertainment.

I don't know about penalties but joker hit and official with the ball that's a big difference jmo

I think there are much bigger issues in golf than this to worry about.

I disagree, the average golfer can relate to the frustration a professional shows. I think a club toss towards a fan that injures them is a big issue and the PGA does a good job of addressing issues in house so I believe that even if 1.2a was loosened that would still be handled well. Golf needs these moments of personality and human emotion. Take JT’s “f bomb” for example, it was one of the most viral and retweeted clips from the tourney that weekend. Let the professionals who do this for a living, cause it ain’t no hobby, show their emotion as long as it isn’t harming anyone else physically or endangering people, and if they cuss be a parent and teach your kid that that isn’t okay for them or let your kid cuss if you’re okay with that. As long as they respect the course and aren’t putting divots all over a green or fairway from slamming their club or tossing the putter 3 fairways to the left at your local muni I think they are okay.

I think this also brings up a bigger point in golf where there’s a big gap between the older buttoned up “gentleman’s game” golf crowd and a younger crowd who enjoy to see the golfers having fun, like the spring break crew of Spieth, JT, Rickie, and Smylie as well as the fans of the Fore Play boys and Barstool.

I know not everyone will agree but I think it boils down to let the pros show their emotion as long as it doesn’t endanger fans, staff, or competitions and if you disagree with something they do parent your kid not to do that and as an adult don’t repeat the behavior yourself.

I have taken up a new four letter word to get out my frustrations GOLF!! My buddies enjoyed it and it subtlety reminds me it is just a game, although the most frustrating I know.
Seriously, if it is not egregious, no harm to the course, a pound after a bad approach doesn't bother me. Tees and greens should be off limits as I have seen too much damage done.

I disagree. I think it adds a little spice the entertainment value of the sport in terms of viewership. I think watching a bunch of emotionless robots can become a little mundane and I don't see any issue with showing a little frustration and passion out there. Granted, I don't think destroying the course or putting spectators in harms way is acceptable, but there is nothing with these guys occasionally dropping an F bomb here or there when they hit a bad shot. Some people are just a little bit more vocal and expressive when it comes to dealing with frustration and trying to hinder that is the wrong way to go. Plus, it's always more interesting when there is a villain in the plot line. It makes rooting for the "good guy" a little more fun.