Recent content by Cobbslane

I think you might be misunderstanding my earliest point. I have no problem with the application of the penalty stroke and certainly do not think that this is against the spirit of the game. My original point was that to declare a ball lying perfectly on the sand in a bunker without any...

Yes I agree. But I said elsewhere this aspect of the game in not just about reading the rules but their interpretation and application in different circumstances too.

Yes that would be my understanding too. Similar to three of the tee.

That's good advice, thanks.

I understand that as it is explicitly stated in the rules by the R&A but as they seem to take great care to define things such as 'holed', 'stance', 'flagstick' which to many may seem blindingly obvious I thought I'd see if such a definition of 'unplayable' existed which as we have seen is down...

Played Goswick Golf Club at Berwick upon Teed earlier this year (and if you haven't you should - Open qualifier 2018/9. Perfect James Braid links course.) Full membership £565 and if you just play 9 holes then full 9 hole membership is £240 !! For a Braid qualifier course. Unbelievable value.

Might not be exactly the same but have a look at this.. http://topsport.co.uk/portfolio-item/chart_hills_anaconda_bunker/

Thanks to all who have responded. This has introduced me to a whole new area of course management that I had not really considered which is clearly widely used. It's not so much about knowing the rules as about their interpretation and correct application. My sense of 'spirit of golf' now seems...

No I have highlighted the elements of 6.3b in red that seem to apply here to support your earlier point about ball substitution. In particular bullet pt 2.

As we gain experience in golf there are some 'rules' that are picked up along the way. They aren't in the R&A handbook. What rules have you observed? Here's a couple for starters: 1. A provisional shot will always be perfect. 2. The more you spend on golf balls the quicker you will lose them...

Ok fair point....I was being devil's advocate! :)

Thanks for that. Rule 6.3b says: b Substitution of Another Ball While Playing Hole (1) When Player Is Allowed and Not Allowed to Substitute Another Ball. Certain Rules allow a player to change the ball he or she is using to play a hole by substituting another ball as the ball in play, and others...

That is a fair and important interesting point. Need a heads up on that one

Personally I would rather it be a 2 shot penalty rather than one. That way it would better represent the advantage gained. (it is stroke and distance hence one shot penalty btw. To be played from same spot as first ball.) Only a few replies so far, thank you..... but all in favour which is...

So let me be devil's advocate then. By extension to your argument which I fully understand should we do away with bunkers to speed up the pace of the game even more? BTW you are assuming they are 'choppers' - many of them aren't.