Not knowing the very basics of rules in comps.

[2blue]

The problem was not my lack of knowledge but is and his total unwillingness to be shown what it said in the rule book

I know the rules in this situation as well as the vast majority of situations.
I have been the 'come to person' when players want rules advice as I was the person on the committee responsible. Last person I would seek advice from is a pro in my experience.

Most of the time I know where to look and sometimes for stuff I am unsure of I have found the actual experts on this forum a good place to ask.

Agree on both of these.
Pro's on the course simply want the rule decision confirmed so there is no further issue.

 

[2blue]

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'd add - Taking relief & knowing where the nearest point is!

 

[Crazyface]

I hope you dropped correctly....the nicest point of relief not the nearest

My conscience is clear.

 

[Crazyface]

I'm increasingly not bothering with competition golf at the club. Most of my golf these days is social. I've entered only four Opens this year, and those are new courses at daft Seniors Rate.

I'm doing the same.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I always has the written copy of the rules and usually my phone with the R&A app. If I play a club competition and someone breaks a rule, I will penalise them. If they argue I will how them the relevant rule and explain if I didn't a) they would never learn the correct rules to play under and b) I am protecting the field. We are still seeing an increase in new members and while some of these people are the newbies, sadly I have seen established players breaking rules, usually around penalty zones and the correct action. I do have a pang of sadness that they have been playing erroneously for so long. The club has held rules evenings, including several with an R&A tour official but these aren't always well attended. One thing playing with your mates but when you enter a club comp, you should at least attempt to have a basic knowledge

 

[jim8flog]

I always has the written copy of the rules and usually my phone with the R&A app. If I play a club competition and someone breaks a rule, I will penalise them. If they argue I will how them the relevant rule and explain if I didn't a) they would never learn the correct rules to play under and b) I am protecting the field. We are still seeing an increase in new members and while some of these people are the newbies, sadly I have seen established players breaking rules, usually around penalty zones and the correct action. I do have a pang of sadness that they have been playing erroneously for so long. The club has held rules evenings, including several with an R&A tour official but these aren't always well attended. One thing playing with your mates but when you enter a club comp, you should at least attempt to have a basic knowledge

Interesting the bit in bold.

The R&A stopped giving away free rules books some years ago.

Did you buy the 2024 book for yourself?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Interesting the bit in bold.

The R&A stopped giving away free rules books some years ago.

Did you buy the 2024 book for yourself?

We still had free copies of this given away. Having the app also helps for clarity

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Overall I don’t think the basic understanding of the rules of golf is too bad for the majority of players - if anything there are prob a lot of people who don’t take advantage of the rules more often

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know golf courses are businesses and so are only interested in getting members joining and their joining and membership fees but I do wonder if there was a basic playing/rule test for new members to sit (which I think happens elsewhere in the world) it would do wonders for pace of play and give people a broader initial knowledge

 

[D-S]

I know golf courses are businesses and so are only interested in getting members joining and their joining and membership fees but I do wonder if there was a basic playing/rule test for new members to sit (which I think happens elsewhere in the world) it would do wonders for pace of play and give people a broader initial knowledge

There is. R&A Level 1 - if you can’t pass then you are not eligible for a prizes - simple. It should be for all members though.

If you think you know the ‘enough of the rules’ then it should be really easy and really fast to pass.

What is there to be scared of?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

There is. R&A Level 1 - if you can’t pass then you are not eligible for a prizes - simple. It should be for all members though.

If you think you know the ‘enough of the rules’ then it should be really easy and really fast to pass.

What is there to be scared of?

What other sport has requirements that players must pass a rules test to be eligible for prizes ?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913948493615665393

 

[D-S]

What other sport has requirements that players must pass a rules test to be eligible for prizes ?

No idea.

 

[NearHull]

No idea.

Formula 1.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

No idea.

Can’t think of any that require a test

I agree that people need to look at the quiz’s but no requirement to pass anything though

 

[D-S]

Can’t think of any that require a test

I agree that people need to look at the quiz’s but no requirement to pass anything though

So there is a need for people to ‘look at quizzes’ - but how could they prove that they had actually looked at them?

Maybe if there was a simple multiple choice test at the end of the quizzes that proved that you had seen them and more importantly understood them. It might only need a mere 60% pass rate.

Perhaps we could call this R&A Level 1.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

So there is a need for people to ‘look at quizzes’ - but how could they prove that they had actually looked at them?

Maybe if there was a simple multiple choice test at the end of the quizzes that proved that you had seen them and more importantly understood them. It might only need a mere 60% pass rate.

Perhaps we could call this R&A Level 1.

The word “need” not to be confused with required

So no one is required to provide any proof

Maybe recommend would be a better word

People don’t need to pass rule quizzes to play other amateur sports and even professionals aren’t required

Educate members on where they can get rulings from in regards apps etc

 

[3 jabber]

My club sends out a weekly news letter and have started linking in videos explaining common rules.

 

[Mel Smooth]

My club sends out a weekly news letter and have started linking in videos explaining common rules.

We’re the same - last section is always a ‘Do You Know’ piece with some rules explanation.

 

[jim8flog]

We still had free copies of this given away. Having the app also helps for clarity

View attachment 57773

I think we probably only had two copies by then. Both kept by the office.