Not knowing the very basics of rules in comps.

[Doon frae Troon]

In the 1990's my club hosted the County Championship
The course was a modern Hawtree design containing 5 holes with water hazzards.
None of the other county courses had water hazzards at that time.

Watching where low handicap golfers took drops from the water hazzards was very entertaining.
Nearest point of relief where I don't have to play over the hazzard was a popular choice by some.
I mentioned this to the County secretary and he just shrugged his shoulders.

 

[timd77]

Just come back from a few days in Portugal, 18 of a us, a mix of club golfers who play in comps regularly, and the rest who play every now and then, in some cases only on these golf trips!

The most frustrating thing about playing with non golfers is not knowing basic rules. Playing with one chap, an old school friend, hole was a dog leg right over water, sensible shot is a hybrid or long iron to the corner. He decided to take the water on, straight away you could see he took too much on going across the longest point. It was a good hit but I suggested that it probably hasn’t crossed and he could always play a provisional from the point of entry, and if he did then find his original ball the other side he can carry on with that.

He wasn’t having any of it, nope, it definitely crossed, it must be down there somewhere… after a few minutes searching again I said he’ll have to go back to the point of entry, take a drop and play from there. He didn’t like that because he knew it was ‘down here somewhere’. Getting a bit annoyed, I confirmed his only choice with a lost ball then was to go all the way back to the tee and hit his 3rd from there. He took a drop as originally suggested!

Generally though I don’t mind helping with the rules, we’ve all been there, it’s just part of the game. The problem is there are so many of them, with slight differences for very slightly different situations.

 

[NearHull]

Just come back from a few days in Portugal, 18 of a us, a mix of club golfers who play in comps regularly, and the rest who play every now and then, in some cases only on these golf trips!

The most frustrating thing about playing with non golfers is not knowing basic rules. Playing with one chap, an old school friend, hole was a dog leg right over water, sensible shot is a hybrid or long iron to the corner. He decided to take the water on, straight away you could see he took too much on going across the longest point. It was a good hit but I suggested that it probably hasn’t crossed and he could always play a provisional from the point of entry, and if he did then find his original ball the other side he can carry on with that.

He wasn’t having any of it, nope, it definitely crossed, it must be down there somewhere… after a few minutes searching again I said he’ll have to go back to the point of entry, take a drop and play from there. He didn’t like that because he knew it was ‘down here somewhere’. Getting a bit annoyed, I confirmed his only choice with a lost ball then was to go all the way back to the tee and hit his 3rd from there. He took a drop as originally suggested!

Generally though I don’t mind helping with the rules, we’ve all been there, it’s just part of the game. The problem is there are so many of them, with slight differences for very slightly different situations.

What?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

No need for a rules quiz.

My old junior section had a 4 stage improvement certificate system.
First two were based on length and accuracy of shots and putting. Not too difficult to achieve
The third involved a tougher form of the above plus bunker shots and two random rules questions
If they passed they could play in adult club competitions.
The fourth involved a tougher form of above but instead of the rules questions they were given an on course rule situation [eg ball resting against a red water hazzard marker] and they had to find the correct ruling from the rule book.

There were quite a lot of first time failures on the rule book for 4th certificates

Set a few decent golfers on their way. The quality would surprise many.

That would be an ideal thing for our junior and adult acadamies

 

[r0wly86]

played a stableford at an old course, they were giving gimmes.

I pointed out you can't have gimmes in a strokeplay, they had no idea, also saying that stableford isn't strokeplay only a medal is. These guys had been playing for years

 

[Steven Rules]

There are at least of couple of posts in this thread that expose the inherent risks in jumping too quickly to sneer at others for not knowing the basics of the Rules.

Pot....kettle....black.

Sometimes we might do well to pause, take a breath, and reflect on our own understanding before we sledge others.

 

[Imurg]

There are at least of couple of posts in this thread that expose the inherent risks in jumping too quickly to sneer at others for not knowing the basics of the Rules.

Pot....kettle....black.

Sometimes we might do well to pause, take a breath, and reflect on our own understanding before we sledge others.

Or just completely proving the whole point.......

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Or just completely proving the whole point.......

There is a lot of focus on “new” to golf players not knowing the rules when they start and quizzes etc

But there are plenty out there who have been playing for years that believe they know the rules but are very much also lacking

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There is a lot of focus on “new” to golf players not knowing the rules when they start and quizzes etc

But there are plenty out there who have been playing for years that believe they know the rules but are very much also lacking

I think this has been covered extensively and how longer playing members have rules in their head they were either told or think they knew which are erroneous. It is disappointing and I made the point I will always point out what I feel is an infringement and carry the abridged latest version in my bag which covers the main points

 

[Slab]

I think this has been covered extensively and how longer playing members have rules in their head they were either told or think they knew which are erroneous. It is disappointing and I made the point I will always point out what I feel is an infringement and carry the abridged latest version in my bag which covers the main points

However well intentioned, when it comes to pointing something out it’s going to be better going on fact rather than feel

 

[HomerJSimpson]

However well intentioned, when it comes to pointing something out it’s going to be better going on fact rather than feel

The reality is, if I see what I think is an infringement, i.e touching the sand, incorrect drop etc I will raise it at the time and if there is a discussion following can use the rule book to show why I said what I did and why it is an error and we can proceed from there.

 

[Slab]

The reality is, if I see what I think is an infringement, i.e touching the sand, incorrect drop etc I will raise it at the time and if there is a discussion following can use the rule book to show why I said what I did and why it is an error and we can proceed from there.

Fair enough, I’m just saying if another player said to me they feel I have infringed a rule I’ll say fine, let me know when you’re sure and we’ll talk

Too many unnecessary situations crop up because someone feels like a rule as been breached/not followed. You literally just said that yourself a couple of posts back :

and how longer playing members have rules in their head they were either told or think they knew which are erroneous.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Fair enough, I’m just saying if another player said to me they feel I have infringed a rule I’ll say fine, let me know when you’re sure and we’ll talk

Too many unnecessary situations crop up because someone feels like a rule as been breached/not followed. You literally just said that yourself a couple of posts back :

And we have already seen in this thread where people have quoted rules incorrectly

I will never approach anyone whilst playing to suggest a rule break beyond the 3 min unless the rule break is clear as day and would first discuss with the other person in the group ( if in a 3 or 4 ball )

 

[Doon frae Troon]

That would be an ideal thing for our junior and adult acadamies

Simple to operate, we had monthly certificate 'exam' days. Took a couple of hours to complete for around a dozen players.

PM me if you want full details.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Simple to operate, we had monthly certificate 'exam' days. Took a couple of hours to complete for around a dozen players.

PM me if you want full details.

Let me put this to the GM and the pro who runs the academies

 

[HomerJSimpson]

And we have already seen in this thread where people have quoted rules incorrectly

I will never approach anyone whilst playing to suggest a rule break beyond the 3 min unless the rule break is clear as day and would first discuss with the other person in the group ( if in a 3 or 4 ball )

Visibly grounding a club, dropping in the wrong spot, leather wedge? You wouldn't mention