Our Evolving World

The world continues to get smaller and smaller. Bits and bites of 1s and 0s have changed the process of spreading ideas, digesting information and collaboration. iPads and iPhones have become the preferred medium for television instead of looking through the black flat screen that rests on the living room wall.

Snapchat, Twitter, Vine, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, email and the plethora of mediums for communication have prompted shortened attention spans and a cultural obsession with instant gratification. Thus, “clips” that arrive on-demand are the future of television.

Watching these clips is akin to picking up on the 353rd page of a novel, tuning into the middle of a television series or watching people celebrate without knowing what they’re celebrating about. This is why television episodes begin with a “previously on…) segment. People need context!

While scrolling through my Twitter feed, I came across a short video of a highly regarded instructor teaching a “new way of reading putts.” Claude Harmon III demonstrated the process of walking towards the middle of the putt where golfers can measure the slope with their feet. Upon measuring the slope, golfers use their fingers to determine how much the putt will break.

But this system of green reading isn’t an arbitrary one. It’s been carefully developed through research and careful analysis by some of the smartest minds in golf today.

The system is known as Aim Point.

Yesterday evening, I shared my thoughts on the matter: “Claude Harmon III and the Golf Channel are restating the “Aim Point Express” green reading system without providing Aim Point with the credit they deserve.”

I had not seen that Claude Harmon III mentioned Aim Point earlier in the show. I wrongly jumped to conclusions — I should have contacted him directly and I extend my sincerest apologies to Mr. Harmon for failing to do so.

Millions of people watch short clips from the Golf Channel and other respected news organizations every day.

The average golfer does not know about Aim Point — Thus, the developers of Aim Point who have devoted time and money to developing a top-tier green reading system didn’t receive the credit they deserved.

I’d like to specify that the underlying issue stems from the lack of credit given to the inventors of Aim Point in the clip that was shared on Golf Channel’s website.

Clips are meant to be seen by people who did not watch the entire episode. Thus, credit is required.

I’m happy to see that the Golf Channel has modified their description of the piece. The description reads: Claude Harmon III shows off the Aim Point Express method of reading putts. Watch Morning Drive on Golf Channel.”

Moving forward, we must be thorough about the methods we use to cite sources on these short clips. Unlike full-length shows, they don’t provide viewers with credits at the end and thus… the optimal place to provide credit is in the clip description. It rests there to provide context for the high percentage of viewers who don’t know what was said earlier in the show.

Innovation breeds change.

The way that our culture digests information has adapted to our main channels of communication and the way we cite our sources should reflect that.

Let’s freely share the best information with the golf of improving the lives of golfers around the world. Just don’t forget to credit those who conduct the research and invent the methods that we use to teach our students.