Know the Rules of Golf

Leftie

Leftie

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I urge everyone to learn the rules or at least get a good basic understanding of them. Knowing the Rules can actually save you shots.

For example. Played this morning with a mate. Nice and friendly game. 16th green he had an awkward putt along the edge of the green and there was a ridge running along the line of his putt. He didn't hit it quite hard enough on the right line and instead of feeding in towards the hole, it went the other side of the ridge, off the green and into a bunker.

The ball was just under the lip and it could have been a 'Hamlet Moment' watching him trying to get it out. Cursing his luck, he got into the bunker to start the assault.

He has been playing the game for many, many years and didn't believe me when I said he could replay the putt under one shot penalty. (You can declare any ball unplayable anywhere on the course, except from a water hazard).

If nothing else, at least read and understand "A Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf" which is at the front of the rules book.
 
Don't you have to drop it in the bunker?

Ball Unplayable (Rule 28)
If your ball is in a water hazard, the unplayable ball Rule does not apply and you must proceed under the water hazard Rule if taking relief.
Elsewhere on the course, if you believe your ball is unplayable, you may under penalty of one stroke:
• play a ball from where the last shot was played, or
• drop a ball any distance behind the point where the ball lay keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball lay and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or
• drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lies not nearer the hole.
If your ball is in a bunker you may proceed as above, except that if you are dropping back on a line or within two club-lengths, you must drop in the bunker

Reading this again you're right. The "drop in the bunker" only applys to dropping back on a line or 2 clubs away.
Its getting late and the eyesight's fading........
 
Don't you have to drop it in the bunker?

Ball Unplayable (Rule 28)
If your ball is in a water hazard, the unplayable ball Rule does not apply and you must proceed under the water hazard Rule if taking relief.
Elsewhere on the course, if you believe your ball is unplayable, you may under penalty of one stroke:
• play a ball from where the last shot was played, or
• drop a ball any distance behind the point where the ball lay keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball lay and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or
• drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lies not nearer the hole.
If your ball is in a bunker you may proceed as above, except that if you are dropping back on a line or within two club-lengths, you must drop in the bunker
Click to expand...

This is exactly my point about knowing the rules.

The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.
If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must under penalty of one stroke:
a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.

Note. The player may proceed under clauses a, b, or c. Only if choosing options b or c does he have to drop it in the bunker. If you don't fancy the bunker shot, consider option a. :)

btw 20-5 relates to how you drop/place the ball from the point of your original shot i.e. whether on the teeing ground, putting green, hazard, etc.
 
You are quite welcome to come and try the same putt on 24th Sept matey.

There again. After a marathon charity day with HTL a while back, perhaps the thought of 36 holes in a day is too much for an old geezer like you now... :D :D :D :D
 
I've got 36 holes in the company of HTL on the 12th at our members/guest day and the option of 36 next Sunday on our annual Masters event (open only to winners of club competitions in the previous 12 months). Not sure the Masters is a good idea (but tempted) but well up for the members/guest day and hoping HTL and his 309 yard driver are on fire like they were against Smiffy the other week
 
The problem is, no one knows all the rules, even R&A officials have to refer to books often.

Its great having a sound knowledge of the basic rules of play, but its even better to play in such a way that you rarely have to think about rules. :D drunk often does it! :D
 
The problem is, no one knows all the rules, even R&A officials have to refer to books often.

Its great having a sound knowledge of the basic rules of play, but its even better to play in such a way that you rarely have to think about rules. :D drunk often does it! :D
Click to expand...

Totally agree Herb. But having a reasonable knowledge of the basics can be to your advantage - even when sober :o :o :o (whatever that is :eek:)
 
The problem is, no one knows all the rules, even R&A officials have to refer to books often.
Click to expand...

Sorry, have to disagree there Herbie.
The reason they carry around the rule book and decision book is to prove to the stroppy player that his decision is correct by showing the rule in the book.
These guys are good, but are sometimes questioned by even the Likes of Faldo in the carrier bag incident.
Faldo's ball had come to rest on a spectator's empty bag.
Faldo thought he could simply lift his ball, pull away the bag and place the ball on its spot.
The ref insisted that the ball had to be dropped not placed. The ref was right without having his rule book handy.
I'm not saying that all refs are perfect, but they are all pretty dam good :)
 
Is there a website which lists some of the most frequently misunderstood rules or gives a quick guide to the rules? I know people will be thinking just read the book but I've tried & it's not easy.
 
The rules and decisions are online at the R and A website.
You can read them there or listen to them being read out.
I'm sure there are other sites that could help you, you just have to look (google)
 
These guys are good, but are sometimes questioned by even the Likes of Faldo in the carrier bag incident.
Faldo's ball had come to rest on a spectator's empty bag.
Faldo thought he could simply lift his ball, pull away the bag and place the ball on its spot.
The ref insisted that the ball had to be dropped not placed. The ref was right without having his rule book handy.
Click to expand...

I remember that incident well, Bob. Faldo was adamant that he could place the ball and when the ref insisted that he had to drop it, he said he would be having a word with John Paramor about it. Luckily the ref stood his ground. I seem to recall some idiot commentator suggesting that Faldo was an expert on the rules and it was a brave man who would argue with him. He seemed to be forgetting that it was the ref's job to know the rules! I wonder if Faldo came back to apologise to the plucky ref after going to John Paramor and being told that he was wrong and the ref was right? Yeah...and pigs might fly!
 
Is there a website which lists some of the most frequently misunderstood rules or gives a quick guide to the rules? I know people will be thinking just read the book but I've tried & it's not easy.
Click to expand...
Perhaps something this forum could do?

everyone suggests something, but it it to a vote and the most popular/useful make it into an article in the mag?
 
The problem is, no one knows all the rules, even R&A officials have to refer to books often.
Click to expand...

Sorry, have to disagree there Herbie.
The reason they carry around the rule book and decision book is to prove to the stroppy player that his decision is correct by showing the rule in the book.
These guys are good, but are sometimes questioned by even the Likes of Faldo in the carrier bag incident.
Faldo's ball had come to rest on a spectator's empty bag.
Faldo thought he could simply lift his ball, pull away the bag and place the ball on its spot.
The ref insisted that the ball had to be dropped not placed. The ref was right without having his rule book handy.
I'm not saying that all refs are perfect, but they are all pretty dam good :)
Click to expand...

Im not saying all officials dont know all the rules Bob, that would be presumptious of me, I am certain that there are a number of experts in the ancient martial art of golf fu, I just dont believe that many know them so well that they dont need a reference now and then before making a decision. The circumstances that require a ruling and the rules relevant are so numerous these days (and growing) that I find it hard to believe all refs have absolute rule knowledge. As far as showing stroppy golfers the rule in a book, why should they? no other refs in sport whip out a book to qualify their decision. :D
 
The rules should be simplified and pros should know them! and be penalised if they get them wrong instead of waiting 20mins for a "ruling" before they play the shot. :D
Every other game expects its players to know the rules, and when does an amateur get a "ruling"?
 
Can any one tell me the rule on dog excrement and any other animal for that matter?? ie do you get a free drop or play as it lies

Regards
Click to expand...

Unfortunately it's play it as it lies, or take a drop under penalty. But who's gonna pick it up & drop it?
 
I'm sure there is a good magazine piece here tied in with what is already going on rules wise each month. I'd like to see Jezz or one of the guys perhaps go through each rule and explain in laymans terms what the options are etc. Failing htat perhaps some of the more confusing issues like red and yellow hazard markers etc
 
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