HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
I don't see the issue either. It's the same situation for all of them and they would all do the same thing. As long as it's a level playing field, surely there is no issue?
Pro's sacrificing clubs
- Thread starter Lump
- Start date
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
On the 1st day of the "Survivors Bowl" three day competition at Crowborough a few years ago I accidentally bent the shaft of my 7 iron playing from beside a tree.
Luckily for me it happened towards the end of my round (16th hole) so it didn't hamper me too much.
I was annoyed with myself for doing it, but my only thought after that was where I could get a replacement for the following day.
Pro couldn't fix it in time, so borrowed a similar club from my mate that evening.
It didn't even enter my head that I was guilty of bad sportsmanship or anything "underhand".
Luckily for me it happened towards the end of my round (16th hole) so it didn't hamper me too much.
I was annoyed with myself for doing it, but my only thought after that was where I could get a replacement for the following day.
Pro couldn't fix it in time, so borrowed a similar club from my mate that evening.
It didn't even enter my head that I was guilty of bad sportsmanship or anything "underhand".
Lump
Tour Winner
but the key word is accidentally.
These guys are taking shots on knowing full well they are about to destroy a club.
That to me is just not cricket. But again as I started this thread, it's only my opinion.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I reckon you're in a pretty small minority here Lump...
Put yourself in your Club Championship playoff - your Oppo has carved one into the rough but you're next to a tree. He can only hack out and needs an up'n'down from 140 yards for par.
You can get a 9 iron on the ball but the follow through will mean the shaft snaps against the tree..but the ball will be on or near the green, giving you, probably, 2 putts or a chip and putt for the title....
Gonna go for it and break a shaft or chip out and probably go another hole....?
Put yourself in your Club Championship playoff - your Oppo has carved one into the rough but you're next to a tree. He can only hack out and needs an up'n'down from 140 yards for par.
You can get a 9 iron on the ball but the follow through will mean the shaft snaps against the tree..but the ball will be on or near the green, giving you, probably, 2 putts or a chip and putt for the title....
Gonna go for it and break a shaft or chip out and probably go another hole....?
The surprise for me is that they take on that type of shot knowing it may damage their wrists. Weeks out due to a sprained wrist is not worth it for a shot saved, unless you absolutely are in with a real chance of winning the tournament. They are professionals and they need to protect their bodies.
Lump
Tour Winner
Not my game. I'd always chip out and trust the best part of my game. (wedges and putter)
I'd not hold it against anyone if they went for the shot, broke a shaft and beat me. But its just not something I believe in.
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
I would never hit a shot knowing full well it will put a club put of action. Fair chance I would end up hurting myself doing this.
I will take a swipe at times knowing if I go too far I will hit something. I'll play it to stop the club head at impact if I must. A dunt if you will. What's the point following through into something? your body knows you will hit it so will tense up and try and put the breaks on skewing the shot.
I will take a swipe at times knowing if I go too far I will hit something. I'll play it to stop the club head at impact if I must. A dunt if you will. What's the point following through into something? your body knows you will hit it so will tense up and try and put the breaks on skewing the shot.
PhilTheFragger
Provider of Entertainment for the Golfing Gods 🙄
A club is just a tool to get the job done, if it gets damaged during a round, either by accident or as a result of a deliberate stroke then so be it
The only difference is that we wouldnt have a replacement on tap, whereas the pros would send a message to the tour truck and another one would be on its way smartish.
The only time I wouldnt want to see a pro getting a replacement is if there was an element of club abuse, like if he smashed his club into the ground after a sherman, thats just tough in my book
The only difference is that we wouldnt have a replacement on tap, whereas the pros would send a message to the tour truck and another one would be on its way smartish.
The only time I wouldnt want to see a pro getting a replacement is if there was an element of club abuse, like if he smashed his club into the ground after a sherman, thats just tough in my book
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
I think the Rules of Gold already cover that......
el marko
Head Pro
What an absolutely bizarre opinion? How does it affect the other players in anyway? It only affects the players who's club it is.
Tongo
Journeyman Pro
Exactly. There isnt a rule that says you should bump back into the fairway if you are up against a tree root etc. You play the shot how you feel, with the inherent risks. The club may break but there is also the risk of a player damaging his wrist / hand etc.
There's enough petty rules in the game that one can be caught out by, lets not take some of the excitement away with another.
BTatHome
Tour Winner
Btw. Most tour trucks disappear before the weekend, so unless the guy has a spare already then it's unlikely he'll get a replacement from them for next round unless it happens early in the tournament.
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
Only if the tour van is still there, most disappear on the Wednesday of regular tournaments on tour, for majors etc they are therefor the week
SVB
Challenge Tour Pro
Quite appart from the right / wrongs of the intent- I'm not sure I could actually commit and pull off a decent shot if I know the shaft and quite possibly my hands / wrists would be damaged - it would play too greatly on my mind to allow me to commit to a proper shot.
I'm another that doesn't see the issue. Of course for mere mortals like us doing it regularly becomes expensive but for the pros who have gear on tap it seems a logical option to limit damage on that hole and stay in contention. Imagine you're trying to hang onto the tour card and need to make the cut and you're on the cut mark and faced with the shot described. No brainer that you'd get it as close as you can and hope to make an up and down, play the weekend and keep the card.
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
I definitely get that its not a great example to set but the rules currently in place do not deter it so the only deterrent is the cost that us regular golfers have to pay to get it fixed/replaced.
A new shaft is not the end of the world but I am not for encouraging the willfull damage of a club in a shot. Accidental is fine but hitting a shot sure to break a club is not within the spirit of our club level game.
A new shaft is not the end of the world but I am not for encouraging the willfull damage of a club in a shot. Accidental is fine but hitting a shot sure to break a club is not within the spirit of our club level game.
BubbaP
Occasional Player of Golf
It is not all roses. Matt Every was disqualified yesterday. Made it "non qualifying" in first round but used it in 2nd.
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
you are using the wrong compass
golf is played to rules that tell you what you may and may not do and they are written against equity (equal application) and avoiding judgement calls, rather than moral decisions.
so the question becomes "when should a player be permitted to replace a club damaged in the normal course of play?" and apply equally to all golfers.
it avoids such issues as whether, and to what extent, you were risking damage in your play! for damage in normal play the rule sets out to avoid the issue of when in the round it happens - although as discussed this will always come into play for most players in most situations.
