6 rules changes the PGA Tour is enacting in 2026

[Steven Rules]

If I had a piece of A4 paper, held in portrait, then yes, the length would be the longest side (11.7 inches) but if the paper was turned to landscape, the width would be 11.7 inches. The ruler part just goes to prove that people see things differently.

What if we rotated the paper by 90 degrees around its z axis, rather than its x or y axis? (terminology which would also be dependendent on context and a standardised frame of reference) Could we then say that the paper is about 0.07mm long?

 

[Swango1980]

Can we just have a different set of rules for engineers?

 

[Neilds]

Can we just have a different set of rules for engineers?

How do you know that I don’t play to a different set?

 

[rulefan]

Can we just have a different set of rules for engineers?

I reckon everyone has their own set.

 

[jim8flog]

So as an engineer how would you define length. I am pretty certain if you ask the vast majority of non engineers, the dictionary one quoted would be pretty close. PS What is the length of a 12 inch ruler.

A ruler would be about 13 inches a rule would be 12 inches.

 

[clubchamp98]

I find it weird when people state "scorecard" length for embedded ball relief. Are we sure that scorecards are universally the same size at all the courses they play? Why not just say "one foot" or "6 inches" or whatever they want it to actually be?

What about metric countries!?

 

[Steven Rules]

Not an insurmountable problem, which they already deal with in other aspects. For example:

The hole must be 4 ¼ inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep.

A tee must be no longer than four inches (101.6 mm)

 

[salfordlad]

Not an insurmountable problem, which they already deal with in other aspects. For example:

The hole must be 4 ¼ inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep.

A tee must be no longer than four inches (101.6 mm)

Beware that 101.7mm tee!

 

[mikejohnchapman]

You may think I am digging, but would you not prefer to see a set distance to be stated - and for that distance to be the same throughout golf?

Whilst I have never seen one I believe the 6 inch measurement was based on the stymie stick length which golfers carried when it was part of the rules. This in turn was used as the usual size of a scorecard.

 

[rulefan]

Not an insurmountable problem, which they already deal with in other aspects. For example:

The hole must be 4 ¼ inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep.

A tee must be no longer than four inches (101.6 mm)

Does that measurement include the point of 'stepdown' tees

 

[salfordlad]

Does that measurement include the point of 'stepdown' tees

A tee has a top and a bottom. Measure between them.

 

[rulie]

Does that measurement include the point of 'stepdown' tees

It's the length of the tee which has a limit, not the height the ball is above the ground.
And we don't need another discussion about "length" (of scorecards).

 

[rulefan]

It's the length of the tee which has a limit, not the height the ball is above the ground.
And we don't need another discussion about "length" (of scorecards).

The 'question' was supposed to be a joke

 

[Colin L]

I reckon everyone has their own set.

"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them, I've got others."
Groucho Marx

 

[salfordlad]

"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them, I've got others."
Groucho Marx

A very principled answer?

 

[Colin L]

What about metric countries!?

Your remind me of a refereeing job some a few years ago when on day 2 it rained extremely heavily (I discovered that day that knowing the Rules doesn't qualify you as a squeegee manager) On Day 3 we had preferred lies. I was called over by a mystified French player at one point to explain what 6" meant.. Fortunately I knew.

Don't let me start on a rant about the absurdity of still using imperial measurements when we stopped teaching them in schools something like 50 years ago.

 

[chrisd]

Don't let me start on a rant about the absurdity of still using imperial measurements when we stopped teaching them in schools something like 50 years ago.

They use them cos people of my age had left school more than 50 years ago and use imperial measurements all the time

 

[clubchamp98]

They use them cos people of my age had left school more than 50 years ago and use imperial measurements all the time

To be honest I still do Ft and inches.

When it changed we still did a lot of engineering work for the USA and that’s why I never stopped using it.