I don't care if rules are rules, they need some discretion

The rules have grown with the game, the game is governed by R&A as the game grows as does the R&A and they listen to themselves and very few others. If he broke a rule then tough titty, he should know better at his level of the game.

If anyone has a complaint about such rules then write to the R&A. I know I have on occasion in the past and received the detailed explanation of the rule but not its purpose or fairness.Between the lines following the "Thank you for your letter... you may even see the hidden "We are the R&A we don't care what you think about fairness so sod off" line.
 
Between the lines following the "Thank you for your letter... you may even see the hidden "We are the R&A we don't care what you think about fairness so sod off" line.
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I must be very thick skinned Herbie as I've never seen that one in their replies to my queries.
 
It seems to me that it is the rules that make the game of golf simple. Black and white, right and wrong; you can play golf anywhere in the World and with anyone, the rules are constant and not open to interpretation. Marvellous.
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Correct. I used to have a lot of respect for Derek Lawrenson's work in the Daily Mail but after he started slagging off the penalty shot call in his column yesterday, it all went out of the window. He wanted a penalty only called "if there was intent". Like how the hell would you ever prove that?

Like so many people who have said on this thread, the rules are rules. If you don't like them, don't play competitions.

If only we could apply such black and white decisions to so many other things in life .....
 
Golf is a game that requires care and precision - no more so than when on the green. We all know that a false move on the green could cost us dearly - IJP is no different.

Many years ago I was playing in a junior pairs comp. We were just off the green but I decided to putt. I decided to have one more look at the line before I took my shot. As I crouched down I used the putter as an aid but, due to the dew on the fringe, the putter slipped forward thus knocking the ball. Thankfully, it knocked the ball towards the hole but was still some way short of the hole. It took us two more shots to complete the hole.

We lost the comp by one shot!

I never forgot that incident and even now, if I'm playing well, take extra care when on and around the green.

The rules are rules for good reason. Our great game has been played for centuries using these rules - long may it continue. I'd fear for the furture of the game if we changed to 'intent'.

Intent is what our criminal law system is based on, isn't it? "No, your Honour, I didn't intend to kill him, the gun went off by accident..."

"No mate, I didn't intend an air shot so let's pretend that never happened..."
 
The rules have grown with the game, the game is governed by R&A as the game grows as does the R&A and they listen to themselves and very few others. If he broke a rule then tough titty, he should know better at his level of the game.

If anyone has a complaint about such rules then write to the R&A. I know I have on occasion in the past and received the detailed explanation of the rule but not its purpose or fairness.Between the lines following the "Thank you for your letter... you may even see the hidden "We are the R&A we don't care what you think about fairness so sod off" line.
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He's back!! :cool:

You should check out Rule 34-3 to see why you got the standard 'Dear John'.....
 
Thankfully, it knocked the ball towards the hole but was still some way short of the hole. It took us two more shots to complete the hole.
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You should have actually replaced the ball and added a penalty shot as there was no intent to play a shot. It doesn't matter whether the ball had gone an inch backwards or 10 foot forwards.
 
I just love the arguments supporting the penalty, "rules is rules, so there!", "if you don't like it, don't play".

Rules can change folks.
 
Thankfully, it knocked the ball towards the hole but was still some way short of the hole. It took us two more shots to complete the hole.
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You should have actually replaced the ball and added a penalty shot as there was no intent to play a shot. It doesn't matter whether the ball had gone an inch backwards or 10 foot forwards.
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Curse you! Now we've lost by two! :(
 
And when they change then it wont be a problem.

Until then.....

Rules is Rules.

You can't bring intent into any sport rules.

I mean, in footy - sorry ref, I didn't mean to carve the winger up and break his leg, I did intend to get the ball first - it just doesn't work does it?

Impossible to prove - so make a rule to outlaw it.

Works for me.
 
You can't bring intent into any sport rules.

I mean, in footy - sorry ref, I didn't mean to carve the winger up and break his leg, I did intend to get the ball first - it just doesn't work does it?
Impossible to prove - so make a rule to outlaw it.
Works for me.
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How about when I'm stood on the tee getting ready to tee off and accidentally knock the ball of the tee? I didn't mean to do it and there's no penalty. However, if I take my shot, intending to send it down the middle (it does happen sometimes!) and I miss, it counts as a shot.

Seems like the rules already allow for elements of intent. I'm sure it's not the only one...
 
You can't bring intent into any sport rules.

I mean, in footy - sorry ref, I didn't mean to carve the winger up and break his leg, I did intend to get the ball first - it just doesn't work does it?
Impossible to prove - so make a rule to outlaw it.
Works for me.
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How about when I'm stood on the tee getting ready to tee off and accidentally knock the ball of the tee? I didn't mean to do it and there's no penalty. However, if I take my shot, intending to send it down the middle (it does happen sometimes!) and I miss, it counts as a shot.

Seems like the rules already allow for elements of intent. I'm sure it's not the only one...
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That's because the ball isn't actually in play until you make a stroke at it.

Next.
 
Absolutely, but only because I hadn't intended to hit it.

How about accidentally moving the ball when searching for a ball in a hazard covered by loose impediments. No intention, no penalty, yet I've still moved a ball in play in an otherwise illegal manner.
 
Absolutely, but only because I hadn't intended to hit it.

How about accidentally moving the ball when searching for a ball in a hazard covered by loose impediments. No intention, no penalty, yet I've still moved a ball in play in an otherwise illegal manner.
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I don't understand where your point is? Both of these situations are covered in the rules. Where is your beef with them? :D
 
Intent is what our criminal law system is based on, isn't it? "No, your Honour, I didn't intend to kill him, the gun went off by accident..."

"No mate, I didn't intend an air shot so let's pretend that never happened..."
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"I didn't intend to miss that putt, so put me down for a par" :D
 
Intent is what our criminal law system is based on, isn't it? "No, your Honour, I didn't intend to kill him, the gun went off by accident..."

"No mate, I didn't intend an air shot so let's pretend that never happened..."
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"I didn't intend to miss that putt, so put me down for a par" :D
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Yes James, yes!

We've got him! :D
 
Intent is what our criminal law system is based on, isn't it? "No, your Honour, I didn't intend to kill him, the gun went off by accident..."

"No mate, I didn't intend an air shot so let's pretend that never happened..."
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"I didn't intend to miss that putt, so put me down for a par" :D
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A par? That's being a bit generous don't you think? :D
 
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