Bit harsh on GMac?

[Imurg]

In case you havn't seen it, he was in the water and tried to play out. He very lightly brushed the surface of the water on the takeaway - 2 shot penalty.

Now I know its the rules and I'm not argueing as such but what is the advantage gained? Surely the rule in bunkers/other hazards is that an advantage may be gained by moving something out of the way to improve your swing path. In water that's not going to happen is it?

SHould there be a rule that says there must be some advantage gained from grounding your club in a hazard in order for there to be a penalty? Opens a can of worms with regard to itent and amount of advantage I guess..

GMac took it on the chin - like a good Pro should. Didn't go argueing to the Ref afterwards or bleat to the telly about how life's unfair.

 

[USER1999]

I thought that too. Stupid rule, needs amending.

 

[Fyldewhite]

SHould there be a rule that says there must be some advantage gained from grounding your club in a hazard in order for there to be a penalty? Opens a can of worms with regard to itent and amount of advantage I guess..

Exactly. Rules have to be black and white. You touched the water or you didn't. Agree it's harsh and there is little advantage gained but can't see any way it could be any different.

 

[drawboy]

The rules of golf are simply amazing, some work great for you, others annoy the heck out of you and you cannot see the purpose of them at all. Rules are rules and are clearly laid out in the book. Break one and it's a penalty, like it or not.
one of the most infuriating has to be playing the ball as it lies in someone else's divot aaaaaargh but it's a rule like all the others.

 

[brendy]

I agree entirely, daft but rules are rules.

 

[Spinn77]

That's harsh. Can't imagine there's any advantage in brushing the water, it must be a tough enough shot without causing riples making the view even more awkward.

He must have known the rule, he'll be annoyed he made the mistake in touching it bet

 

[DCB]

Lets not forgt that GMac elected to try and play a very high risk shot rather than take a penalty drop.

Wonder if the high risk startegy will be deployed in future events

 

[HomerJSimpson]

A shame but like others have said he must have aware of the potential dangers before electing to play the shot. I think we get so use to seeing the pros pull of fantastic recoveries and they must have such belief in their abilities that sometimes I wonder if they just assume they can make a shot without looking at the various options first and maybe pride comes before a penalty drop

 

[USER1999]

Yeah, but apart from skimming the surface, he pulled it off. Next time, he'll go for it again, except next time, he will hover the club a bit higher. He still made over 100 yards, so better than a drop out, if he hadn't had the penalty.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Of course the answer would be not to stick it in there next time

 

[DCB]

hey, you're using the If word again

If he hadn't put it in the water in the first place....

 

[USER1999]

If Tiger hadn't ..... so many women, he would still have ..................... sponsors.