Level of rules awareness to expect in UK

[dejf]

I've posted this a couple of days ago in different section, but it was unanswered as it was probably unread (sorry if it was not).

What level of knowledge of rules of golf can one expect in UK?
If I pick up a random/avg. golfer, what should I expect?
Does the level changes if I pick up only from golfers that attend competitions?

In other words, are UK golfers passionate about golf rules or are the rules a problem here for many?
Are there lots of myths around?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yes there are lots of myths

In most cases a good amount of golfers who have been playing for a while will have a good understanding of the rules

Each club will have it sprinkling of people who know the rules inside and out and you will also have a few who "think" they know the rules but mainly get it wrong

Newer golfers learn as they go - some really like knowing all the rules but most will know where to get a ruling if needed

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Depends on the golfer - some are obsessive - others think they get in the way of their enjoyment so can be applied flexibly

 

[rulefan]

I would suggest very few clubs would have a members who would qualify as a referee.

 

[chrisd]

I would suggest very few clubs would have a members who would qualify as a referee.

Quite correct Rulefan but I don't think most clubs have management who care enough about rule keeping and we had a rules evening recently that imho was a farce.

I'd love to do a rules course but they don't seem to do any locally

 

[upsidedown]

I would suggest very few clubs would have a members who would qualify as a referee.

We have an England Golf referee

 

[dejf]

Thanks for replies. So, how does a golfer react here if he is told he broke a rule?
And do golfers here point out on breaking rules if they see so?
In CR, people are often afraid to point that out because this usually turns into anger response and the whole round of golf is ruined. Is it different here?

 

[Foxholer]

Thanks for replies. So, how does a golfer react here if he is told he broke a rule?
And do golfers here point out on breaking rules if they see so?
In CR, people are often afraid to point that out because this usually turns into anger response and the whole round of golf is ruined. Is it different here?

Nope! Pretty much the same in many cases! Human nature is pretty much international!

 

[dejf]

That's kind of sad
I remember one of my worst round on golf.
The guy was very angry after he found out that I did not provide him with an advice.
I told him I could not do that just to face an argument that "we were not on PGA to follow the rules that much".

 

[JohnnyDee]

I believe most players do have a good understanding on most rules. However there have been sometimes when I'm just not 100% sure. Take today in our foursomes comp. My PP trying to muscle a fairway metal from a bunker caught the very thin earthy lip and half-buried our ball in the vertical face. Totally unplayable but we had to have a conlab with our PPs to be sure on how to proceed.

My PP was unsure and I thought that we'd have to take a drop under penalty back within the bunker. The other two in our group, one being a 7 handicapper agreed, so that's what we did. In truth I think we did the right thing but if all four in our group had been asked to go into the bookies and put £1000 on us having followed the correct course of action then I honestly think none of us would have done.

It was a fun comp and we weren't in contention so when we came in we didn't query it. Had it been a medal or had we been in the shake-up we would've done so.

But were we right?

 

[Leereed]

I think it's how you are told you have broken a rule.Because most of us won't know we have.And at the end of the day we are not playing in the British open.Not saying it makes it correct.Chances are it will be minor infringements.

 

[dejf]

JohnnyDee: Such situations are not really a problem. No one is perfect, and if players know basic rules, it is just OK. For me, it is more important that golfers can accept they could be wrong and know what to do if they are unsure (e.g. finish the hole with two balls and ask for the ruling later). And if they find out they are wrong, not to get angry, but to be pleased they learned something new and accept the penalty.

 

[Colin L]

I believe most players do have a good understanding on most rules. However there have been sometimes when I'm just not 100% sure. Take today in our foursomes comp. My PP trying to muscle a fairway metal from a bunker caught the very thin earthy lip and half-buried our ball in the vertical face. Totally unplayable but we had to have a conlab with our PPs to be sure on how to proceed.

My PP was unsure and I thought that we'd have to take a drop under penalty back within the bunker. The other two in our group, one being a 7 handicapper agreed, so that's what we did. In truth I think we did the right thing but if all four in our group had been asked to go into the bookies and put £1000 on us having followed the correct course of action then I honestly think none of us would have done.

It was a fun comp and we weren't in contention so when we came in we didn't query it. Had it been a medal or had we been in the shake-up we would've done so.

But were we right?

:thup:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Many have a knowledge of the rules. Whether it's accurate, sketchy or even adhered will vary from golfer to golfer.

 

[duncan mackie]

I've said it before, and I will say it again, but the rules you need to know are 2-5 & 3-3;after that the priorities revolve around basic etiquette and being a human being.

Not knowing the rules only really becomes a problem when you don't accept your real knowledge level.

There's also the matter of people who will argue for months but back their view with less than 10p in the real world; personally I find that it's more difficult to avoid embarrassing some people than winning huge bets ... I don't bet on rules issues because it ultimately proves nothing

 

[dejf]

I've said it before, and I will say it again, but the rules you need to know are 2-5 & 3-3;after that the priorities revolve around basic etiquette and being a human being.

Very nice but maybe too simplistic for me. One should now at least one option on how to proceed in case of water hazard or out of bounce ... If you do not, it just might be the case that you play two balls and neither can be count. That would be awkward

 

[Robobum]

Rules knowledge at your average club is, in my opinion, very limited. Application of those rules that are (kind of) known is absolutely shocking.

Having said that, I can cope with dodgy application as lingas what is being done is close to correct and , ultimately, fair.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

My own limited experience is that quite a number of golfers have very limited knowledge of the rules and apply the common sense approach. I have seen decisions made that were technically iffy but were made in all innocence and without advantage to the player. At the level I play at I am happy with that and have said nothing. Why ruin a nice game of golf by being pedantic? I appreciate that some heads will explode with this approach and I also accept that if you are playing at the sharp end of competitions then your rules appreciation needs to be tighter. If a playing partner, who I did not know, was in contention and made an iffy decision I would suggest they talk to the pro in the shop at the end of the round just to make sure. I would not attempt to quote rules that I was not sure of, nor would I make a song and dance of it. A quiet word would be my own approach.

At every club there will be one or two players who would take glee in pointing out an error, quoting the rule book and humiliating other golfers but most people have an average knowledge and have no wish to ruin someones day.

 

[guest100718]

You often see rules broken, often without the offender realising. Its difficult to decide whether you should point it out or not.

 

[woody69]

You often see rules broken, often without the offender realising. Its difficult to decide whether you should point it out or not.

Yeah, this is the biggest issue IMHO. How to proceed as you know someone has technically broken a rule but calling them up on it could result in some bad feeling and ruin the round if you're playing with someone who you don't know how they will take you raising it.