[kelmerp]

Golf does have referees and even some of the biggest golfers have been caught cheeting ala Vijay Singh.

All sports go up and down, but overall, every sport has lost some popularity even with greater television time, quite simply beause there are so many choices available today and so many ways to spend you time and money.

Golfers aren't all honorable or nice and they do scratch themselves. Read up on John Daly: he's about as crass and disgusting as any athelete can be.

Golf does change its rulings over time, and so on...almost everything you said is wrong.

[Phantom Lord]

Golf does have referees and even some of the biggest golfers have been caught cheeting ala Vijay Singh.

Yes and no. While there are "Rules officials" they are not out there watching every shot taken, as in other sports where the refs are paying constant attention.

And in golf players call penalties on themselves and even disqualify themselves! You will NEVER have a player in another sport go to the ref and say, "actually I was out, you got the call wrong," "That was a ball sir, not a strike," "I really did fumble that ball," etc...

[Phantom Lord]

Golf does change its rulings over time, and so on...almost everything you said is wrong.

Golf has changed its rules over time because of technology, both to embrace and advance it, and to slow down its influence and incorporation into the sport.

The USGA and the Royal and Ancient do not change the rules in an attempt to increase ticket sales and TV viewership.