Of course, these are all rhetorical questions, Archie. But putting them up there, I do not mean to imply that I have the answers. Smarter folks than I have, I suspect, tried (like you?!? lol) and yet there is still debate.

As far as grading goes, I have read the Club's position on grading before....in fact, it was the first thing I read when I decided to step up my involvement in chipping. I think the trouble starts with the description of "Average"....something like "typical condition after months/years of use". Can we at least agree that that can encompass a wide range of conditions? A chip on the table for three months will look different from a chip on the table for 3 years. Again, I don't say that I have the answer, but there are definitely numerous chips that fall between these two conditions, better than "Average", yet not quite nice enough to be called "Slightly Used".

And by we, I do mean you and I. People who care about chipping, and the Club. Archie, it is just my opinion, but I think this issue is the 500lb Gorilla sitting in the corner of the room. With the increase in popularity in chipping, it is just a matter of time before some slimeball scams some folks for big money. It is human nature. What I don't want to see happen is opportunists from OUTSIDE our community in the aftermath come in and set up a successfull service that cuts us out of the equation.

Again, for the record, if I had the choice, I would never slab a chip. They are like my best girl......I like their "feel"! I just think that in todays' world, if you are not prepared to adapt to the changes, you get run over. I don't want that to happen to us, Archie.