Level of rules awareness to expect in UK

Pretty much every club I have been at has run an annual rules evening.

IMO thats a pretty poor idea and never has a decent enough attendance (mostly due to it being limited to a handful, mostly those who do not need it).

We should be doing more than just an evening! The GM rules page is a step in the right direction but clubs NEED to proactively TEACH rules to ALL members who play in competitions or represent the club!
 
ScienceBoy said:
Pretty much every club I have been at has run an annual rules evening.

IMO thats a pretty poor idea and never has a decent enough attendance (mostly due to it being limited to a handful, mostly those who do not need it).

We should be doing more than just an evening! The GM rules page is a step in the right direction but clubs NEED to proactively TEACH rules to ALL members who play in competitions or represent the club!
Click to expand...

People join a golf club to enjoy themselves not to be in school whilst someone teaches thrm

As with all sports - the rules are there for players to pro actively research the rules as they so wish as opposed to forcing the clubs.
 
Interesting thread.

In my experience Rules knowledge is very variable but mostly not as good as it should be.

Thinking about how things could be made a bit easier for people who aren't that familiar with the Rules, maybe on holes where there is a significant chance of the need to apply a Rule (e.g, a hole with OOB nearby, or a large water hazard, or where there is a large area of GUR) there could be a notice on the tee or alongside hazard markers explaining what to do. E.g. on a tee something like

"The lake on the left of the fairway is a lateral water hazard. If your ball goes into the hazard you may...(explain options)"

Obviously not overdo it, but it might not only help on those holes but help to increase rules knowledge generally.

Out of interest has anyone ever seen something like this anywhere?
 
MashieNiblick said:
Interesting thread.

In my experience Rules knowledge is very variable but mostly not as good as it should be.

Thinking about how things could be made a bit easier for people who aren't that familiar with the Rules, maybe on holes where there is a significant chance of the need to apply a Rule (e.g, a hole with OOB nearby, or a large water hazard, or where there is a large area of GUR) there could be a notice on the tee or alongside hazard markers explaining what to do. E.g. on a tee something like

"The lake on the left of the fairway is a lateral water hazard. If your ball goes into the hazard you may...(explain options)"

Obviously not overdo it, but it might not only help on those holes but help to increase rules knowledge generally.

Out of interest has anyone ever seen something like this anywhere?
Click to expand...



This is very nice idea! One/two rules with bold statements that are most important on each hole just next to the map, that would be great.
On the other hand, not sure how about in UK, but in CR, a lot of courses have their local rules set in a way that they are against the rules of golf, so I would be afraid of myths here too.
 
MashieNiblick said:
Interesting thread.

In my experience Rules knowledge is very variable but mostly not as good as it should be.

Thinking about how things could be made a bit easier for people who aren't that familiar with the Rules, maybe on holes where there is a significant chance of the need to apply a Rule (e.g, a hole with OOB nearby, or a large water hazard, or where there is a large area of GUR) there could be a notice on the tee or alongside hazard markers explaining what to do. E.g. on a tee something like

"The lake on the left of the fairway is a lateral water hazard. If your ball goes into the hazard you may...(explain options)"

Obviously not overdo it, but it might not only help on those holes but help to increase rules knowledge generally.

Out of interest has anyone ever seen something like this anywhere?
Click to expand...

I wrote some rules specifically for holes at my place with a view to the club sending one a month or so by email, a sort of " so you tee off down the first ......" I can't decide whether to submit them as I don't really want to be the "rules guru" ( which I'm not) that no one wants to play in comps with!
 
chrisd said:
I wrote some rules specifically for holes at my place with a view to the club sending one a month or so by email, a sort of " so you tee off down the first ......" I can't decide whether to submit them as I don't really want to be the "rules guru" ( which I'm not) that no one wants to play in comps with!
Click to expand...

I do a regular column for my club. I have no problem with members I play with in competitions. They are on their best behaviour I suspect but know that I will warn them if they may be on the point of a breach and will help then out with relief problems. In social play I used to get fed up with being asked questions but now recognise that most members want to learn.
 
rulefan said:
I do a regular column for my club. I have no problem with members I play with in competitions. They are on their best behaviour I suspect but know that I will warn them if they may be on the point of a breach and will help then out with relief problems. In social play I used to get fed up with being asked questions but now recognise that most members want to learn.
Click to expand...

But you're a qualified rules official, I'm just a keen student of the rules. I do get asked on the course by passing players what this or that rule is...... Like you I do tend to try and be helpful in bounce games but will try and stop someone fouling up beforehand in comps.
 
chrisd said:
I wrote some rules specifically for holes at my place with a view to the club sending one a month or so by email, a sort of " so you tee off down the first ......" I can't decide whether to submit them as I don't really want to be the "rules guru" ( which I'm not) that no one wants to play in comps with!
Click to expand...

I have exactly the opposite experience. The true rules gurus always were most wanted players to get in the flight and even on 19th hole there simply do not have a minute for themselves as they are still being asked for rulings. I am probably in a similar position as you - a keen student, fan of rules, not a real guru. I am also asked quite a lot about rules, but I do not remember them as much as I would like to, so I am usually only able to provide good answer upon looking into the books.

I think it is an excellent thing to go in flight with a real guru as you can always ask if you are unsure and thus you do not need to look into the book and the whole game is faster and you know you can rely on that advice. I find it much more difficult to go in a flight with someone who thinks he is a guru, but his knowledge is poor. So, if you are honest with yourself, people will love to play with you.
 
dejf said:
I am probably in a similar position as you - a keen student, fan of rules, not a real guru. I am also asked quite a lot about rules, but I do not remember them as much as I would like to, so I am usually only able to provide good answer upon looking into the books.
Click to expand...

Pretty much sums me up too. Definitely NOT a guru, but probably above average knowledge in my group. I find the hardest place to remember a Rule is when I am asked about it on the course! :o

I am so glad Duncan, Colin and rulefan are on this forum. Their contributions are brilliant and I love their discussions. Don't ever leave guys! :thup:
 
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