berniethebolt
Newbie
I stand corrected!
Practice during round
- Thread starter effayjay
- Start date
WilliamSanders11
New member
During the round there is little difficulty in practicing. This is because the appropriate space is not available at that time. But if anyone can do it during the round, then practice is much better. My other hobby is finding Free Spins for UK Online Casinos, which is much easier than learning golf. 
Last edited:
huds1475
Journeyman Pro
Swango1980
Well-known member
Well, it was bound to happen. During last weeks Stableford competition Player A hit his shot out of bounds on the 12th. When he got to it, he realised he couldn't score, so gave up playing the hole. However, due to a relatively relaxed pace of play, he decided to just drop a ball down and play on up to the hole. I was the group behind, and when I got up to the green, one of his playing partners approached me and asked what the rules situation would be (he thought it would be a DQ). Oh, how I gave a nervous laugh. I gave my take on it, that it is not a DQ, but if it was considered a practice stroke between 2 holes then there is a 2 shot penalty on the next hole (13th). However, after being told I am wrong on this by multiple people, I did say that there is a lot of doubt, and we'd discuss it with comp sec after, and if required contact R&A. He applied the 2-shot penalty to 13th in meantime.
After round, it was discussed further, and another player, we'll call Player B, admitted that on another hole, be picked up in the trees as he had too many, and he to also put another ball down and played on up to the green. As he had submitted his card, potentially with an incorrect score, the thought was that could be DQ. It was agreed by all, including the "victims" that these penalties would remain. However, due to Rule 5.5a and the definition of "what is not a practice stroke", I did say I'd e-mail this to the R&A.
They have replied, and confirmed that we ere CORRECT in applying the 2-shot penalty to Player A. However, as Player B did not know he had broken the rule, we could have given him the retrospective 2 shot penalty rather than DQ. It's a pity we missed that one, I guess we were so muddled up with the correct application of the rule. Anyway, I copy both the query and response below
After round, it was discussed further, and another player, we'll call Player B, admitted that on another hole, be picked up in the trees as he had too many, and he to also put another ball down and played on up to the green. As he had submitted his card, potentially with an incorrect score, the thought was that could be DQ. It was agreed by all, including the "victims" that these penalties would remain. However, due to Rule 5.5a and the definition of "what is not a practice stroke", I did say I'd e-mail this to the R&A.
They have replied, and confirmed that we ere CORRECT in applying the 2-shot penalty to Player A. However, as Player B did not know he had broken the rule, we could have given him the retrospective 2 shot penalty rather than DQ. It's a pity we missed that one, I guess we were so muddled up with the correct application of the rule. Anyway, I copy both the query and response below
Swango1980
Well-known member
Query: In today's October Stableford on 12th hole Player A hit his ball out of bounds. Having found it he decided to pick up as he couldn't score at that point. However as the game was slow he dropped another ball down and hit a practice shot (full shot). His group asked us what the rule was. He was open that he stopped it down to play a practice shot as such he was given a 2 shot penalty for the next hole which he was happy enough with. After round another player Player B admitted doing pretty much the same thing in his round. Therefore the comp secretary DQ'ed him for signing for a lower score. I as handicap secretary said I would ask the R&A if both penalties were correct? The only small doubt I have is that some believe you can continue to hit shots in Stableford even if no score can be got and the rule break was playing from the wrong place which has a different penalty.
Response
Thank you for your email and queries on the Rules of Golf.
With regards to Player A he would be deemed to be between the play of two holes as he couldn’t score, therefore as per Rule 5.5b, between two holes, a player must not make a practice stroke. So the general penalty applying to the next hole was correct.
With regards to the ruling for Player B, as the competition will be closed the disqualification will stand, however please see the exception to Rule 3.3b(3) here: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/2019/rules/the-rules-of-golf/rule-3#3-3b
The specific wording that is relevant is as follows:
Exception – Failure to Include Unknown Penalty: If one or more of the player’s hole scores are lower than the actual scores because he or she excluded one or more penalty strokes that the player did not know about before returning the scorecard:
Therefore Player B should have received the general penalty on the following hole just as Player A did, rather than being disqualified.
I hope this information is helpful.
Kind regards,
Response
Thank you for your email and queries on the Rules of Golf.
With regards to Player A he would be deemed to be between the play of two holes as he couldn’t score, therefore as per Rule 5.5b, between two holes, a player must not make a practice stroke. So the general penalty applying to the next hole was correct.
With regards to the ruling for Player B, as the competition will be closed the disqualification will stand, however please see the exception to Rule 3.3b(3) here: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/2019/rules/the-rules-of-golf/rule-3#3-3b
The specific wording that is relevant is as follows:
Exception – Failure to Include Unknown Penalty: If one or more of the player’s hole scores are lower than the actual scores because he or she excluded one or more penalty strokes that the player did not know about before returning the scorecard:
- The player is not disqualified.
- Instead, if the mistake is found before the close of the competition, the Committee will revise the player’s score for that hole or holes by adding the penalty stroke(s) that should have been included in the score for that hole or holes under the Rules.
Therefore Player B should have received the general penalty on the following hole just as Player A did, rather than being disqualified.
I hope this information is helpful.
Kind regards,
robinthehood
Hacker
You specifically asked about practicing. What other repsnse did you expect?
Wow, this is still going....
robinthehood
Hacker
Some people will go to any lengths to try and prove them selves rightWow, this is still going....
effayjay
Club Champion
As the OP I am grateful to Swango 1980 for getting definitive clarification from the R&A. I never really doubted my original call, despite some of the nonsense posted.
robinthehood
Hacker
You were still wrong. Not sure why you think otherwsie.
effayjay
Club Champion
Wow! Just wow.
robinthehood
Hacker
Wow what? I I don't see why you think this vindicates you.
rulefan
Tour Winner
These words are key ro the ruling given.
However as the game was slow he dropped another ball down and hit a practice shot (full shot).
However as the game was slow he dropped another ball down and hit a practice shot (full shot).
rulefan
Tour Winner
These words are key to the ruling given.
However as the game was slow he dropped another ball down and hit a practice shot (full shot).
He was open that he stopped it down to play a practice shot
However as the game was slow he dropped another ball down and hit a practice shot (full shot).
He was open that he stopped it down to play a practice shot
Swango1980
Well-known member
Unbelievable.
What are we saying now? You have to ADMIT you are playing a practice shot. Because, myself and the OP where shot down time and time again when we made it clear that a practice shot was being played (e.g. when I said about dropping a certain yardage out). But no, we were wrong. Shut up. Apologise. Now, are you saying "well, if the player actually admits it is a practice shot, then that's a different story"? Incredible. By the way, Player B never said he hit a practice shot, he said that he was out of the hole so just dropped one down elsewhere and played up to hole.
Anyway, I've done my bit. I suspect people on here will just never admit to being wrong. At least I was open originally to being wrong despite my doubts. No more comment, take it how you want to take it.
What are we saying now? You have to ADMIT you are playing a practice shot. Because, myself and the OP where shot down time and time again when we made it clear that a practice shot was being played (e.g. when I said about dropping a certain yardage out). But no, we were wrong. Shut up. Apologise. Now, are you saying "well, if the player actually admits it is a practice shot, then that's a different story"? Incredible. By the way, Player B never said he hit a practice shot, he said that he was out of the hole so just dropped one down elsewhere and played up to hole.
Anyway, I've done my bit. I suspect people on here will just never admit to being wrong. At least I was open originally to being wrong despite my doubts. No more comment, take it how you want to take it.
effayjay
Club Champion
Oh dear.
robinthehood
Hacker
Im saying you take each situation on it merits and wording a question to the randa so that it will give you the answer you crave is all you have done.
Swango1980
Well-known member
OK, honestly last one. What is the difference between the scenario I posted to R&A and this below:
Playing a stableford qualifier last week when guy who’s card I’m marking loses his ball from his tee shot on 10th. Evidently, he can’t be bothered going back so he plays another into the green just for interest and putts out. I had assumed that he had found his ball, I was marking his card and when asked to clarify his score on the hole he explained “ no score just played one downâ€. On the next hole he scores a 5 and after this I consult my players guide to the rules and advise him it’s a 2 shot penalty and that he has, in fact scored a seven on that hole.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Well, I'd suggest the difference is the statement (specifically) mentioning 'practice' as opposed to 'just played one down'.
Personally, I don't believe there IS a difference (both being 'practice' imo), but another missive to R&A would clarify.
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
So just curious. And its a genuine question..
if i lost the ball say 165 (8iron) out and drop and it a ball its practice
BUT
If i walked forward to chipping distance .and dropped a ball its not ? All detetmined by the name the shot is given ?
If i took a gap wedge out at 165 and and hit 2 or 3 "chips" or putter and hit 10 "putts" instead of 1 full shot on route to the gree.. thats ok coz chipping and putting is allowed ?
Totaly puzzled now tbh ..
Enjoyed most of this thread and what a great question in the first place by the way
