Canada gets that USGA rule change affecting handicaps is a real turkey

The USGA ruffled more than a few feathers when, not long before Turkey Day, the association announced a rule change to its handicap system that had many golfers crying fowl. Um, foul.

Yes, the organization that won’t let Adam Scott jam a putter under his chin come Jan. 1, 2016 engendered snark and hostility from all corners with its Monday pronouncement that pretty much buried the lede.

If rule-making officials believed they could sneak in that Section 5-1e vi) -- prohibiting golfers from posting scores from rounds they play alone -- during one of the few slow weeks of the unending golf season, well, they must be unfamiliar with how social media works. Because the US golf world took to Twitter and Facebook on Tuesday to suggest the USGA take its new rule and stuff it.

Here’s how the USGA explained its “Playing alone and necessary peer review” mandate:

“To further support the key System premise of peer review, scores made while playing alone will no longer be acceptable for handicap purposes. This change underscores the importance of providing full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability, and the ability of other players to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a posted score. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores)”

Golfers wanted none of it, with many noting the irony of the keepers of a game that constantly boasts about its honor and integrity requiring supposedly honest players to verify their scores.

Some pointed out the sheer idiocy of the new rule.

Still others saw the humor in the whole fiasco.

Seriously, though, how in the name of Bobby Jones will the USGA enforce such a ludicrous regulation?

As for the USGA, an association spokesperson told SB Nation by email on Tuesday that governing body execs were aware of the controversy and would “provide a little more clarity.” This is what they cobbled together:

“To be more clear, at least three of the other five world handicapping authorities have had this rule in place for some time,” the spokesperson told us. “As consistency across borders is good for the game, we have taken their existing policies into account. The Handicap Committee deliberated thoroughly and learned from others how this would improve the overall integrity of the system. To answer your question, it did not come out of thin air for that reason.

“As with all Rules and the Handicap System, we are still relying on the honor and integrity of golfers.”

At least one handicapping authority won’t be following in lock step with the USGA.

That was good enough for one avid golfer, who pledged to take his game north of the border.