WoodenHands:
Golf courses until reasonably recently were measured in yards only , therefore why is it necessary to change ?
You've known it like that 50 years ago, didn't you old pal? *chuckles*
The international agreements date back to 1889 BTW.
And while I agree that it's not a relevant difference if lengths are measured in yards or meters (280 is 280 anyway), it becomes difficult for the metric players (as in continental Europe) when smaller distances are involved, feet & inches, and when conversions have to take place.
This is particularily true for bigger elevations on the greens. Take STA #17 as an example, putting from the very front of the green. It demands for some extra awareness for us.
@Ron: You will eventually become used to conversions of 1 yard = 3 feet, 1 foot = 12 inches.