Introduction to some rules of golf via Fred February 28th 2016

Court-on          Intro to        Rules of Golf

The game of golf is a game over a fixed sequence of holes, playing a ball from each teeing ground by a stroke or a series of strokes to the respective hole in accordance with the rules. The game is played in one of two basic formats, Strokeplay or Match play. Other than a maximum of 14 clubs and conforming golf balls in competitions there are three basic considerations: -

1.      Through the green, other than with the Club when taking a stance or playing the stroke, the ball shall not be touched unless it’s position is first marked prior to application of a ruling that permits the touching/lifting of a ball.

2.      No player shall take any action to influence the position of the ball or the movement of the ball, except in the latter case, when making a stroke.

3.      Differences in the application of some rules and consequential penalties exist between Match play and Strokeplay formats, therefore you cannot justify play in a Strokeplay competition and combine the play to achieve a Match play result.

Knowledge of the Rulebook is an essential part of the competitive golf as it promotes equity and fairness into the game, having made this statement there are on occasions in order to achieve fairness, apparent contradictions within the R&A decisions. Such apparent anomalies may generate discussion, but do not give license for a player or fellow competitor to formulate their own interpretation. Some members may find the rule book with its cross references difficult to follow, such players may find it most helpful to at least read the most overlooked and disregarded chapter within the rulebook marked Definitions. It is arguable that this “Definitions” chapter is the most important to be familiar with, as by itself is capable of resolving many situations.

Hence to some players the rules seem finicky, irrelevant or too complicated, it should be remembered the rules are devised, under constant review and worded in order to maintain consistency in all corners of the globe.

Unfortunately this equity and fairness is only valid if each and every one of us has an effective understanding and honest application of the rules. Hence it should be understood by each of us that when applying rules, such equity and fairness should be in respect of other competitors rather than the individual who may feel he or she is being punished.

Many scorecards return a score that may have penalties omitted due to a number of reasons, therefore to achieve an accurate scorecard return we need to ask “what does Equity and fairness mean; has the correct score been applied correctly to the hole played” for example,  a player may loosely apply a rule and consider  a position for relief on the basis it should enhances the prospects of the next shot and not specifically with regard to the obstruction from which relief is permitted under the rules.

Such action does not correspond to the spirit of intent that motivated the ruling or definition that has allowed a relief situation to be applied. 

In such a case, the position chosen would not be equitable and could be construed as a player enhancing his relief to gain advantage over and above that intended within the rules and consequently detrimental to the other competitors within a competition.

The offending player should be penalised under ruling 20.7 for playing from the wrong place (generally) or if the breach is considered serious disqualified if not corrected.

We need to encourage players to adopt an understanding that relief is specifically relevant to the object of consideration and does not consider anything other than the object that may be adjacent nor in line of sight, hence does not necessarily create a personal advantage. If, under an appropriate rule a relief situation is taken, then swallow the medicine resulting from that relief by applying relief correctly.

It is obvious that some competitors choose to avoid confrontation, maybe due to a weakness in understanding the rulebook or embarrassment, fail to challenge situations or discuss them during play. This statement is supported by conversations often overheard at the 19^th hole at a time when it is too late for committee or indeed a competitor to correct error prior to the closure of a competition. Unfortunately the outcome allows lower scores being posted inadvertently, a score that should otherwise have several penalty shots added.

So how are we able to improve?

Discuss the situation; follow the correct interpretation and application of the appropriate rules during the play of competition. If in doubt, elect to play two balls to complete the hole. Rule 3.3 then ask for ruling on completion.

Once into play, more for you to remember: -

1. When a ruling permits relief from a situation that interferes with a player stance or swing, a free drop(not nearer the hole) is permitted marked within one club length from the nearest point of relief.

2. If a ball is unplayable, one option is a penalty drop is marked within 2 club lengths (not nearer the hole) from the position in which the ball lays unplayable. Or on an imaginary line starting from the flag of the hole in play and passing through the position of the unplayable ball, drop a ball on this line. You may go back on this line as far as you wish. Or drop a ball as near as possible at the spot from where you last played (stoke and distance).

A dropped ball is valid if it is dropped and comes to rest within these guidelines, otherwise redropped: -

• The player concerned shall stand upright and at arm’s length, from shoulder height allow the ball to drop freely without influence.
• The ball shall strike the ground within the marked area.
• The ball shall not strike the ground and move closer to the hole than the marker, after striking the ground but may move and come to rest within 2 further club lengths not nearer the hole.
• Does not come to rest in a hazard

If the two club length option is taken and a valid penalty drop  not achieve a position to play the ball, then a further penalty drop is required until a playable position is achieved.

3. Play the ball as it Lies; The ball must be fairly stuck at;
4. A ball has moved if it comes to rest in a new position;
5. Preferred lays, if permitted, may be taken once only at each location.
6. Ink your own ID on each ball and every ball you play

Finally, apply any action you consider will minimise slow play:- walking briskly between shots; contemplation and evaluation of you next shot and/or club selection whilst waiting on others playing first: mark score cards without slowing your progress, for example, at the next tee when others in the group are teeing off.