Happened yesterday

[beggsy]

Playing yesterday I ended up in the fairway bunker on our 15th, the ball was in such a position I had to have one leg in bunker and one out but kneeling on it so rather than get my trouser knee covered in mud I took my towel off my golf bag and used it for my left knee, is there a rule that stops me from using it cheers

 

[Foxholer]

Yes!

 

[cleanstrike]

Could you cite the appropriate rule please, Foxholer.

 

[Spuddy]

14-3 probably applies

 

[MashieNiblick]

Rule 13-3 applies.

Decision 13-3/2 Making Stroke While Kneeling on Towel

Q. A player’s ball was under a tree in such a position that he found it expedient to make his next stroke while on his knees. Because the ground was wet, the player placed a towel on the ground at the spot where his knees would be situated so that the knees of his trousers would not get wet. He then knelt on the towel and made the stroke. Was the player subject to penalty under Rule 13-3 for building a stance?

A. Yes. The same answer would apply if he had wrapped the towel around his knees and knelt on it to make the stroke.
It would have been permissible for the player to have put on waterproof trousers.

 

[palindromicbob]

Yup. Breech of rule 13-3. This exact scenario is in decision 13-3/2

You are allowed to put on waterproof trousers before playing the shot though.

Edit: Mashie was quicker on the trigger.

 

[pbrown7582]

Classed as building a stance.

 

[cleanstrike]

What's the difference between 'the rules' and 'decisions' then? I've got a copy of the current rules and I've just googled decisions and they appear to be available in a separate volume. Could someone explain please? Should I have both books?


And what difference does it make whether you put a towel down or put waterproof trousers on? In the OP's scenario, either way you've got one knee on the deck so you're still building a stance whichever way you do it.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

And what difference does it make whether you put a towel down or put waterproof trousers on? In the OP's scenario, either way you've got one knee on the deck so you're still building a stance whichever way you do it.

Its a tough life, sometimes it seems unfair, but thems the rules

 

[cleanstrike]

Its a tough life, sometimes it seems unfair, but thems the rules

I don't know about unfair but it certainly seems bloody stupid. Can't see any logic or sense in that one at all.

 

[London mike 61]

This is where the R&A need to get real and look at these silly rules and make amends, the game is hard enough without needless pedantic rules. If I was a rule maker I would like to think I would ask myself is this fair and is this practical?

 

[Simbo]

Craig stadler was penalised for doing this

 

[Spuddy]

The decisions are how to practically interpret the rules in common circumstances. Like a set of FAQs. The difference between waterproof trousers and a towel could be because trousers are meant to be worn on the legs and towels are not. You're not allowed to use equipment to aid with a stroke if it's being used for something other than what it's intended.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I don't know about unfair but it certainly seems bloody stupid. Can't see any logic or sense in that one at all.

Im not going to disagree with you

 

[rulefan]

A player puts a towel down of wet grass. Another player rolls up a towel and puts it in a depression in the ground to even up his feet. Another player takes an empty sandwich box from his bag and puts it in a depression in the ground to even up his feet.

How would you word the rule to permit one and not the others?

 

[guest100718]

A player puts a towel down of wet grass. Another player rolls up a towel and puts it in a depression in the ground to even up his feet. Another player takes an empty sandwich box from his bag and puts it in a depression in the ground to even up his feet.

How would you word the rule to permit one and not the others?

I was going to say something similar but involving a ball above feet and a beach towel..

 

[MashieNiblick]

A player puts a towel down of wet grass. Another player rolls up a towel and puts it in a depression in the ground to even up his feet. Another player takes an empty sandwich box from his bag and puts it in a depression in the ground to even up his feet.

How would you word the rule to permit one and not the others?

Could it be dealt with by a revised decision which set the bar for "building a stance" a bit higher so that laying a towel flat under the knees would not be regarded as building a stance but the 2 other scenarios would be?

Maybe something like the way Decision 13-2/0.5 clarifies the meaning of "Improve" in Rule 13-2.

 

[rulefan]

Could it be dealt with by a revised decision which set the bar for "building a stance" a bit higher so that laying a towel flat under the knees would not be regarded as building a stance but the 2 other scenarios would be?

Maybe something like the way Decision 13-2/0.5 clarifies the meaning of "Improve" in Rule 13-2.

Why bother with all the palava? 13-2/0.5 takes a whole page. Just don't put anything under your feet (or knees if you are kneeling). Keep it simple.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Regardless of the rule all I can say is... YA BIG WUS

 

[USER1999]

Playing yesterday I ended up in the fairway bunker on our 15th, the ball was in such a position I had to have one leg in bunker and one out but kneeling on it so rather than get my trouser knee covered in mud I took my towel off my golf bag and used it for my left knee, is there a rule that stops me from using it cheers

Just take your trousers off, and play it Stenson style, like a man (ish).