Lexi Thompson

[Deleted member 16999]

Not sure if many are aware of Lexi’s latest rules infringment last sunday.
https://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/2018/08/19/lexi-thompson-rules-penalty-lpga/amp/

Can any of the rules guys try and explain why they may of used the local rule mentioned in the article please.

 

[User 99]

She oozes class that woman, the manner in which she handled that incident under the circumstances was exceptional. As for her latest one, I doubt many would be aware of that ruling but it is the players responsibility to know the rules.

Off topic, did you know her caddy goes out with Anna Norquest (sp?)

 

[Deleted member 16999]

She oozes class that woman, the manner in which she handled that incident under the circumstances was exceptional. As for her latest one, I doubt many would be aware of that ruling but it is the players responsibility to know the rules.

Off topic, did you know her caddy goes out with Anna Norquest (sp?)

I get that, it says it was a local rule that they were informed of before the tournament.
I just wondered why and if the guys on here can think of a reason for it.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Logically, although that is not always how things work, being on a parallel fairway is equivalent to being in the rough. You can't clean from the rough so why be able to clean from an even wider position. It makes sense to me although that is not based on knowledge of an actual rule.

 

[rulefan]

Can any of the rules guys try and explain why they may of used the local rule mentioned in the article please.

An explanation from the authorities.

If a player hits his own fairway, then he probably expects (certainly nowadays) a good lie, hence preferred lies may apply. However, if he hits a bad shot onto another fairway, the Committee may not be inclined to be as sympathetic, after all he has hit a bad shot and he should take his medicine. Therefore, as the fairways may not be too bad, the Committee may feel that it is right to have preferred lies only on the hole being played.

Incidentally, the local rule has been used by the European Tour for over 20 years

 

[Deleted member 16999]

An explanation from the authorities.

If a player hits his own fairway, then he probably expects (certainly nowadays) a good lie, hence preferred lies may apply. However, if he hits a bad shot onto another fairway, the Committee may not be inclined to be as sympathetic, after all he has hit a bad shot and he should take his medicine. Therefore, as the fairways may not be too bad, the Committee may feel that it is right to have preferred lies only on the hole being played.

Incidentally, the local rule has been used by the European Tour for over 20 years

Thank you.

 

[Papas1982]

Logically, although that is not always how things work, being on a parallel fairway is equivalent to being in the rough. You can't clean from the rough so why be able to clean from an even wider position. It makes sense to me although that is not based on knowledge of an actual rule.

Makes sense to me. It’s how winter rules are interpreted.

Imo it’s a silly mistake made by both her and her caddy. Not ideal after her imposed break.

Love watching her play, but she seems to have little brain farts!

 

[shortgame]

Every day's a rules school day!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Makes sense to me. It’s how winter rules are interpreted.

Imo it’s a silly mistake made by both her and her caddy. Not ideal after her imposed break.

Love watching her play, but she seems to have little brain farts!

I agree on the mistake bit, not sure I follow on the Winter rules bit, at our place we have teeing up, some use mats and others move the ball to the first cut, all of these methods are used to protect the course in winter. Are you saying if it happens on a course in winter where they use one these methods the ball should be played as it lies and not, tee’d up etc?

 

[Papas1982]

I agree on the mistake bit, not sure I follow on the Winter rules bit, at our place we have teeing up, some use mats and others move the ball to the first cut, all of these methods are used to protect the course in winter. Are you saying if it happens on a course in winter where they use one these methods the ball should be played as it lies and not, tee’d up etc?

It may be a southern thing. But winter rules on all courses I’ve played locally are pick and place (in the fairway). We only ever use this rule when on the fairway we’re playing. As it’s seen as an advantage, and you should gain an advantage from hitting the wrong fairway.

 

[atticusfinch]

I like hot chicks as much as the next guy, but it's depressding that lady players have to debase themselves to maximize income. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/s9YshHA-zw8/maxresdefault.jpg

 

[backwoodsman]

My thoughts are that preferred lies are generally introduced because of poor conditions, and it makes things "eqitable" for the field. In this case, the rationale of the LPGA (as posted by rulefan) makes sense. Hit a good shot - to where you are supposed to be aiming - and it is probably "unfair" that you end up with a crappy lie and dollops of mud on your ball. So you get to lift & clean your ball and are able to "prefer your lie". Hit a bad shot; tough, and you take your medicine. Personally, I've often been playing from an adjacent fairway, with a slight nagging doubt about it being "right" that i get to prefer my lie after hitting such a wild shot.

If preferred lies are brought in to protect the course, then it would make sense to allow it regards of whether or not the ball is on the "right" fairway. But the question is, are preferred lies really a course protection measure? Mats, yes. Dropping in first cut, yes, etc. But to me, preferring the lie is really only an aid to the player rather than the course.

So on balance l think the correct thing is to only prefer lies on the "right" fairway - as per the Lexi thing.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

My thoughts are that preferred lies are generally introduced because of poor conditions, and it makes things "eqitable" for the field. In this case, the rationale of the LPGA (as posted by rulefan) makes sense. Hit a good shot - to where you are supposed to be aiming - and it is probably "unfair" that you end up with a crappy lie and dollops of mud on your ball. So you get to lift & clean your ball and are able to "prefer your lie". Hit a bad shot; tough, and you take your medicine. Personally, I've often been playing from an adjacent fairway, with a slight nagging doubt about it being "right" that i get to prefer my lie after hitting such a wild shot.

If preferred lies are brought in to protect the course, then it would make sense to allow it regards of whether or not the ball is on the "right" fairway. But the question is, are preferred lies really a course protection measure? Mats, yes. Dropping in first cut, yes, etc. But to me, preferring the lie is really only an aid to the player rather than the course.

So on balance l think the correct thing is to only prefer lies on the "right" fairway - as per the Lexi thing.

Agreed, preferring the lie only on the fairway being played makes sense.

 

[rulefan]

As suggested above, PL is often assumed to be a course protection policy. However, the LR is not in that section, it is the the section titled Course Conditions, so is intended to improving the the player's lot as much as protecting the course.

The restriction to 'fairway of the hole being played' is an optional restriction in the same way that PL may be restricted to part of a fairway or specified fairways only.

 

[Colin L]

I don't really understand the course protection idea. Your ball is lying on a grotty spot. You move your ball to a better lie, play and what do you now have? Two grotty spots.

 

[Crow]

What about if you deliberately play to an adjacent fairway as after your first shot it's the best option for playing the hole.

You've hit a good shot to where you intended but are then being punished for course management?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I don't really understand the course protection idea. Your ball is lying on a grotty spot. You move your ball to a better lie, play and what do you now have? Two grotty spots.

Surely moving the ball off the fairway to the first cut is protecting the fairway and why would you think the fairway is grotty?

 

[rulefan]

What about if you deliberately play to an adjacent fairway as after your first shot it's the best option for playing the hole.

You've hit a good shot to where you intended but are then being punished for course management?

If you read the local rule you would then consider your strategy and proceed accordingly. Although you may feel the other fairway suits you, I doubt the are many courses designed such that intended play involves another fairway.

If there are other players on that fairway I hope you would not be holding up those behind you whilst you delay your play.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If you read the local rule you would then consider your strategy and proceed accordingly. Although you may feel the other fairway suits you, I doubt the are many courses designed such that intended play involves another fairway.

If there are other players on that fairway I hope you would not be holding up those behind you whilst you delay your play.

I suspect that there are many where the line of intended play changes significantly after a shot - especially a tee shot. Our 1st and 18th - both par 5s - run parallel in opposite directions. For the last 200yds when paying the 1st hole, there is a large stand of mature trees between the 1st and 18th - the stand finishes maybe 50yds from the 1st green. If you badly mishit your tee shot on the 1st onto the 18th fairway, the best line can be to play down the 18th fairway toward the 18th tee and then from the 18th fairway when past the stand of trees play back to the 1st green. Doing this is frowned upon (risk to player playing 18th etc) - but nothing to stop you playing the 1st that way.

Might suggest we bring in a LR for winter pick and place so that when P&P on the fairway is in operation, it does not apply where you intentionally play to the wrong fairway. Doubt that would be very popular though as there are times when you have no option but to do so (not the case on our 1st)

 

[Colin L]

Surely moving the ball off the fairway to the first cut is protecting the fairway and why would you think the fairway is grotty?

I was referring to preferred lies which are only on closely mown areas and involve moving your ball only a small distance - 6" is common or maybe up to a club length. It's a permitted local rule and so allows a competition to be a qualifier. If the fairways aren't grotty you wouldn't need to have preferred lies to improve things for players. Generally, inland turf tends to get grotty in the winter time - links turf doesn't.

Moving your ball to first cut isn't an approved LR and thus rules out qualifiers. It does of course as you say protect the course and I expect there will be many clubs like mine where that is an option during the winter for social golf. I think the use of fairway mats is the best approach as it achieves all 3 things - protects the course, makes winter golf better for players and allows you to hold qualifiers.