Artificial alignment aid or not??

[IanM]

Played with a (Senior ) guy today who has tower tees of all colours tied together on a piece of string.

When he tees off, the string is stretched out on the ground, perpendicular to the line of play.

Looks very funny, but could this fall foul of rules about an illegal alignment aid??

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Yes, but would say it depends on the players actions.

If he puts the tee in and the straight line seems to appear, then fine.

If he purposely stretches the line to the playing line, I would say it is a breach of the rules

 

[clubchamp98]

Played with a (Senior ) guy today who has tower tees of all colours tied together on a piece of string.

When he tees off, the string is stretched out on the ground, perpendicular to the line of play.

Looks very funny, but could this fall foul of rules about an illegal alignment aid??

If doing it on purpose yes imo.
If not on purpose then no.

 

[Steven Rules]

Just going a bit deeper on this.

Rule 6.2b(2) says that the player must not make a stroke at a ball on a non-conforming tee or a ball teed in a way not allowed by this Rule.

The Definitions say, inter alia, that a tee must conform with the Equipment Rules.

The Equipment Rules (6.1) say that tees may only be tethered together for difficult turf conditions:

As an exception for difficult turf conditions, tees tethered together or to an anchor may be used during the round provided that the player does not align the tees or tether in such a way that could indicate line of play or otherwise assist the player in making a stroke.

I'd never heard of that before until I just looked it up, but the Equipment Rules tell me that tees may only be tethered together in difficult turf conditions, rather than as a matter of routine, convenience, or habit.

 

[clubchamp98]

Just going a bit deeper on this.

Rule 6.2b(2) says that the player must not make a stroke at a ball on a non-conforming tee or a ball teed in a way not allowed by this Rule.

The Definitions say, inter alia, that a tee must conform with the Equipment Rules.

The Equipment Rules (6.1) say that tees may only be tethered together for difficult turf conditions:

As an exception for difficult turf conditions, tees tethered together or to an anchor may be used during the round provided that the player does not align the tees or tether in such a way that could indicate line of play or otherwise assist the player in making a stroke.

I'd never heard of that before until I just looked it up, but the Equipment Rules tell me that tees may only be tethered together in difficult turf conditions, rather than as a matter of routine, convenience, or habit.

Only time I have seen them is on frozen ground.
Small rubber ones of different heights.
Never in a comp!

 

[IanM]

P

Just going a bit deeper on this.

Rule 6.2b(2) says that the player must not make a stroke at a ball on a non-conforming tee or a ball teed in a way not allowed by this Rule.

The Definitions say, inter alia, that a tee must conform with the Equipment Rules.

The Equipment Rules (6.1) say that tees may only be tethered together for difficult turf conditions:

As an exception for difficult turf conditions, tees tethered together or to an anchor may be used during the round provided that the player does not align the tees or tether in such a way that could indicate line of play or otherwise assist the player in making a stroke.

I'd never heard of that before until I just looked it up, but the Equipment Rules tell me that tees may only be tethered together in difficult turf conditions, rather than as a matter of routine, convenience, or habit.

Interesting. I'm sure you're not alone in not knowing that.

Now, I suppose I should tell him?

 

[Colin L]

Only time I have seen them is on frozen ground.
Small rubber ones of different heights.
Never in a comp!

Also useful when tee mats are in use. It can be difficult with some mats to get a tee to stand up.

 

[salfordlad]

On Rule 4.3, it's all about intent. Using it to align, general penalty first time, DQ for subsequent use.

On the is it conforming to have tees 'tethered', there is a long history here. The R&A has historically not had any issue with such tees, the USGA has taken a more restrictive view. The words in the book now are the current version of this longstanding difference of opinion. My understanding is that the R&A has given regular rulings that take little notice of the "irregular turf conditions" restriction, that is, they have said no problem with using such a tethered tee providing there is no alignment skullduggery.

But I would think twice about using such a tee in a big event in the USA.

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

I play with a guy who uses one of his clubs as an alignment stick, not just on the tee box, either, but all over the course.
The first time he actually hits a shot on line, I'm going to complain about it.

 

[rulefan]

On Rule 4.3, it's all about intent. Using it to align, general penalty first time, DQ for subsequent use.

On the is it conforming to have tees 'tethered', there is a long history here. The R&A has historically not had any issue with such tees, the USGA has taken a more restrictive view. The words in the book now are the current version of this longstanding difference of opinion. My understanding is that the R&A has given regular rulings that take little notice of the "irregular turf conditions" restriction, that is, they have said no problem with using such a tethered tee providing there is no alignment skullduggery.

But I would think twice about using such a tee in a big event in the USA.

I had discussed this with the R&A number of times prior to the rules change. The R&A justified their use on 'traditional' grounds.
More recent, informal conversations however confirm your comment re a more relaxed view than the USGA, citing potential loss of a single tee in longer grass as an irregular turf condition.

 

[salfordlad]

I had discussed this with the R&A number of times prior to the rules change. The R&A justified their use on 'traditional' grounds.
More recent, informal conversations however confirm your comment re a more relaxed view than the USGA, citing potential loss of a single tee in longer grass as an irregular turf condition.

Gotta admire the practical streak there! But I get it, the historical USGA view makes limited sense.

PS The 'similar threads' section links to you advising on this same issue in May 2014!

P


Interesting. I'm sure you're not alone in not knowing that.

Now, I suppose I should tell him?

I'd only be guiding/warning on the alignment assistance angle. Do not do this to assist alignment - and repeatedly placing it perpendicular would not pass the sniff test. Interestingly, deliberately placing the tethering line to assist alignment appears to breach both 4.3 and 10.2b(3) but these different rules bring different penalties. 4.3 is general penalty first offence, DQ any subsequent 4.3 breach. But 10.2b(3) is just general penalty each time it happens. Another significant difference is 4.3 breach only applies if the assistance is there when the stroke is made while the 10.2b(3) general penalty also applies even if the assistance is removed before the stroke is made. So which rule the Committee uses is relevant but I am aware of no official guidance that requires them to use one or the other - and the absence of guidance means they have discretion.

 

[clubchamp98]

I play with a guy who uses one of his clubs as an alignment stick, not just on the tee box, either, but all over the course.
The first time he actually hits a shot on line, I'm going to complain about it.

Lend him one if your 16 clubs

 

[rulefan]

PS The 'similar threads' section links to you advising on this same issue in May 2014!

I think I've mentioned it a few times over the years. It must be my age.

 

[Arleneg]

As far as rules go, using a string like that could be seen as an alignment aid, which might be a problem in official play. For casual rounds, it’s probably fine.

 

[rulefan]

As far as rules go, using a string like that could be seen as an alignment aid, which might be a problem in official play. For casual rounds, it’s probably fine.

As far as rules go, if it is used for alignment, it is an alignment aid and would be a problem in any play. Even in casual play you may be called out by an opponent or other player in your group who prefers to play by the rules.

 

[clubchamp98]

As far as rules go, if it is used for alignment it is an alignment aid and would be a problem in any play. Even in casual play you may be called out by an opponent or other player in your group who prefers to play by the rules.

Yes especially if there’s a £5 on it.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Only time I have seen them is on frozen ground.
Small rubber ones of different heights.
Never in a comp!

I used to play on a links course and these were used by everyone in a cold snap. The ground would be too hard to get a tee in, it was the only way to tee a ball up. No difference whether casual or completion round.

Never any thought of using it as an alignment aid, I was naive back then

 

[clubchamp98]

I used to play on a links course and these were used by everyone in a cold snap. The ground would be too hard to get a tee in, it was the only way to tee a ball up. No difference whether casual or completion round.

Never any thought of using it as an alignment aid, I was naive back then

My mate had a small toffee hammer ( remember them )
He hammered a nail in the ground when frozen and we all put out tees in the same hole.

Now I just don’t play if frozen

 

[clubchamp98]

I think I've mentioned it a few times over the years. It must be my age.

Golfers have selective hearing.!
Pardon .

 

[rulefan]

Golfers have selective hearing.!
Pardon .

And very selective and repeating memories