Not knowing the very basics of rules in comps.

[Jigger]

I heard from a from a friend about a PP who wasn’t aware what white stakes meant. I also witnessed a guy trying to take a drop in the comp adjacent to the distance he landed in the lake rather point of entry, who we had to explain his options.

It had me thinking, what is the minimum people should know to enter a comp.

For me it would be.

- options for each coloured stake
- options for a lost ball
- when to take and play a provisional ball
- area for teeing up
- play it as it lies unless you know the abnormal conditions ground rule

They should also have to understand the etiquette of raking bunkers properly as well as repairing pitchmarks and divots.

Is there anything you would add and do you think clubs should have a “know your basics” board in the comps area and ask players to familiarise themselves with it?

 

[moogie]

Spoke about this a few years ago, to friends. (I still bring it up now) After the covid golf surge.
New breed of golfers, know very little with regards golf rules, or basic etiquette
Clubs are to blame.
Wave a cheque, or a wad of cash, and you can get a membership bag tag anywhere.
Nowhere I know locally is bothered enough to ask if you have a history or the basic knowledge needed to actually play golf on a golf course.
Greed.....that's what I see
Taking advantage of the post covid popularity
See plenty at my club now, clueless, balls flying over heads or at you without a shout, people dropping all over, and I've no idea if they're green fees, or new members playing comps, GP cards, or just for fun.
As the club is bursting at the seams due to greed, that I no longer recognise members from guests.

** just to add, I believe a club has a duty, when taking on new members, that are totally new to the game, to atleast try and educate them on basic rules, etiquette, scorecards and different formats of the game.....but I don't know any club in my area that bothers their arse to do so

 

[Imurg]

I've always said that there should be some form of gentle rules education/test before playing the game..especially competitions or cards for handicaps
You wouldn't join a football, rugby or tennis club and expect to play without knowing the basic rules of the game - why should golf be different?

 

[Billysboots]

What is added to the list is very subjective, but stories like the OP highlight to me precisely why competitions should have some element of a draw to them - to stop a group of 3/4 like minded golfers playing together.

The only comps at ours where you can play with your mates are midweek stablefords, where there is a nominal entry fee and equally nominal prize payout. None of our weekend comps allow it.

 

[wjemather]

I heard from a from a friend about a PP who wasn’t aware what white stakes meant. I also witnessed a guy trying to take a drop in the comp adjacent to the distance he landed in the lake rather point of entry, who we had to explain his options.

It had me thinking, what is the minimum people should know to enter a comp.

For me it would be.

- options for each coloured stake
- options for a lost ball
- when to take and play a provisional ball
- area for teeing up
- play it as it lies unless you know the abnormal conditions ground rule

They should also have to understand the etiquette of raking bunkers properly as well as repairing pitchmarks and divots.

Is there anything you would add and do you think clubs should have a “know your basics” board in the comps area and ask players to familiarise themselves with it?

I tend to agree but at most clubs, that would reduce the number of members eligible to enter competitions to fewer than 10.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

IMO there should be a basic rules quiz that people need to take before playing in a comp

No prerequisite to pass or get a certain score etc but take the quiz which should help fill in gaps

 

[Jigger]

IMO there should be a basic rules quiz that people need to take before playing in a comp

No prerequisite to pass or get a certain score etc but take the quiz which should help fill in gaps

Very interesting take and given that most bookings are via app now, probably quite doable.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Very interesting take and given that most bookings are via app now, probably quite doable.

It’s all on the R&A website and you can use an App

Three levels - beginner , intermediate and advanced

We ask our juniors to do them

 

[Maninblack4612]

Nobody can be expected to know all the rules but everyone should know enough to know when one might apply. If they don't know what to do they should have a Rules of Golf book or the Rules app. available to consult. I would say that rules are broken, deliberately or inadvertently in every competition played.

Golf is different from the likes of rugby & football. These are refereed, golf is largely self regulating.

 

[chrisd]

I've spoken to members about how they apply rules when playing club competitions. Some have said that, when they don't know the rule, that they come to a consensus between themselves and apply whatever they think is appropriate. I have never known any reference to the committee for a rules decision

 

[jim8flog]

I play with some guys who have played for over 30 years and still do not know some of the basic rules e.g. when, where and how to take relief.

One guy cost me a win a comp after a very heated argument about where I was dropping for relief for a road. He was adamant that I could stand on the road when ascertaining the nearest point of relief and could play my shot standing on the road. The result I was so fuming I messed the hole up and missed out by just one shot. I even offered to get the book out and show him but no...

Maybe we should become like they are are on the continent, you have to take and pass a basic rules exam before you can have a handicap.

 

[Backache]

Spoke about this a few years ago, to friends. (I still bring it up now) After the covid golf surge.
New breed of golfers, know very little with regards golf rules, or basic etiquette
Clubs are to blame.
Wave a cheque, or a wad of cash, and you can get a membership bag tag anywhere.
Nowhere I know locally is bothered enough to ask if you have a history or the basic knowledge needed to actually play golf on a golf course.
Greed.....that's what I see
Taking advantage of the post covid popularity

I don't know if it is anything to do with the post covid surge, None of the clubs I have joined have ever checked on my knowledge and all were joined pre covid.

 

[IanM]

Level 1 online Rules test on the R&A App.

Should be compulsory before you're allowed to enter a competition. It is in some places on the continent.

 

[moogie]

I don't know if it is anything to do with the post covid surge, None of the clubs I have joined have ever checked on my knowledge and all were joined pre covid.

Might not have checked your knowledge, but your application form would have asked for either or all of these, previous club, handicap, cdh number

It's the totally new to the game golfers I'm referring to.
With no experience or history in the sport/game

 

[D-S]

Level 1 online Rules test on the R&A App.

Should be compulsory before you're allowed to enter a competition. It is in some places on the continent.

This - nice and simple.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Since many pro's don't know the rules, how can amateur members rules knowledge be compulsary to play?
I think it's more that people don't pull up or correct wrong actions.
Perhaps more rules sessions would be a better idea

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Since many pro's don't know the rules, how can amateur members rules knowledge be compulsary to play?
I think it's more that people don't pull up or correct wrong actions.
Perhaps more rules sessions would be a better idea

Most Pro events have rules officials with them and most will have a decent understanding of the rules - especially the basic rules

 

[Jigger]

Level 1 online Rules test on the R&A App.

Should be compulsory before you're allowed to enter a competition. It is in some places on the continent.

It’s the only way of enforcing it. A few people have mentioned it but I’d estimate only 1% will have downloaded it or would bother to if asked.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Most Pro events have rules officials with them and most will have a decent understanding of the rules - especially the basic rules

As professional players, playing often for millions, it would be right to expect them to know the rules in full. The rules official should be just a neutral to provide agreement or not.

 

[3 jabber]

Spoke about this a few years ago, to friends. (I still bring it up now) After the covid golf surge.
New breed of golfers, know very little with regards golf rules, or basic etiquette
Clubs are to blame.
Wave a cheque, or a wad of cash, and you can get a membership bag tag anywhere.
Nowhere I know locally is bothered enough to ask if you have a history or the basic knowledge needed to actually play golf on a golf course.
Greed.....that's what I see
Taking advantage of the post covid popularity
See plenty at my club now, clueless, balls flying over heads or at you without a shout, people dropping all over, and I've no idea if they're green fees, or new members playing comps, GP cards, or just for fun.
As the club is bursting at the seams due to greed, that I no longer recognise members from guests.

** just to add, I believe a club has a duty, when taking on new members, that are totally new to the game, to atleast try and educate them on basic rules, etiquette, scorecards and different formats of the game.....but I don't know any club in my area that bothers their arse to do so

My club still has play in rounds before we let people join. The idea is to look for etiquette, ask some basic rules questions, check golfing ability etc. Many people on this forum seem to think that is outdated but it helps to prevent what the OP is describing.