Changing size of putter grip during a round.

[bignev]

During a mid week comp this week one of my 3 ball was trying out using a thicker grip.
Fine I hear you say but because the thicker grip wouldnt fit in his bag he was fitting it before putting
then taking it off after. (he was actually using a piece of pipe insulation as a grip).
Is this strictly legal or should I have said something?
As an after it didnt help his putting

 

[duncan mackie]

During a mid week comp this week one of my 3 ball was trying out using a thicker grip.
Fine I hear you say but because the thicker grip wouldnt fit in his bag he was fitting it before putting
then taking it off after. (he was actually using a piece of pipe insulation as a grip).
Is this strictly legal or should I have said something?
As an after it didnt help his putting

pretty clear cut. 4. 2 a tells us that during a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means. Adding, and then subtracting, the additional grip material would change the playing chacteristics.

 

[bignev]

Yeah thanks for that Duncan thought so will have a word with the bloke next week if he is still doing it.
Thankfully his score had no effect on the result other than he went up .1 lol

 

[slicer79]

If nothing else it just sounds like a total pain putting it on & off the putter for shots

 

[PhilTheFragger]

But surely if he is using the putter with the same grip each time, then the club isnt being modified, it is just being dismantled to fit in his bag, then reassembled to take the next putt.

If he were taking some shots without the big grip then clearly this is a breach, but I dont see the above as a problem

total pain in the doo dahs though

 

[Colin L]

But surely if he is using the putter with the same grip each time, then the club isnt being modified, it is just being dismantled to fit in his bag, then reassembled to take the next putt.

While what you say makes some sense, although you might argue that there is no saying that each time the grip is put on, it is exactly the same.

But that's irrelevant. Rule 4-2 is quite clear - you cannot change the playing characteristics of a club during the round. There is no allowance for reversing the process before you use it. Changing is a breach.

 

[rulefan]

See Decision 4-2/2(2)

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Decision-04/#4-2/2

 

[Crow]

I've got a feeling that I read in the Decisions that you could wrap a towel round a grip if you so wanted, this practice wouldn't be too far adrift from that.

I've been looking for it but can't find it so maybe I dreamt the whole thing.

 

[duncan mackie]

I've got a feeling that I read in the Decisions that you could wrap a towel round a grip if you so wanted, this practice wouldn't be too far adrift from that.

I've been looking for it but can't find it so maybe I dreamt the whole thing.

14-3 c (iii)

 

[Crow]

(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around the grip.

Thanks Duncan.

So to the OP, your playing partner just needs to blow his nose a few times on the pipe insulation and everything's fine.

 

[cliveb]

While what you say makes some sense, although you might argue that there is no saying that each time the grip is put on, it is exactly the same.

But that's irrelevant. Rule 4-2 is quite clear - you cannot change the playing characteristics of a club during the round. There is no allowance for reversing the process before you use it. Changing is a breach.

Does this mean that removing the head cover from my driver when I take it out of the bag (which certainly changes its playing characteristics) is a rule breach?

 

[Colin L]

Does this mean that removing the head cover from my driver when I take it out of the bag (which certainly changes its playing characteristics) is a rule breach?

Absolutely So if you start with the cover on, keep it on and enjoy its playing characteristics.

 

[Foxholer]

Absolutely So if you start with the cover on, keep it on and enjoy its playing characteristics.

Boom Boom! - 2!

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

If I remove the foam to get my putter in my bag then attach the foam to put I'm breaking a rule.
But if I simply carry the putter around or attach it to the outside of my bag or trolley between holes I'm not breaking the rules?

 

[rulefan]

You are correct.