RBC Heritage - Playoff Buggy Usage

[GaryK]

Why is it that during a playoff, the players are transported to the tee on a buggy, but not to their next shot?
Especially as the weather was about to take a turn for the worse.

Or at other tournaments when often the light is fading fast.

 

[Parsaregood]

Who cares lol

 

[GaryK]

Thanks for clearing that up

I don't particularly care, because I will never find myself in the same position, but I asked the question as I am curious as to whether there is a reason or rule around the situation.

 

[chrisd]

I think their rules make it as it is

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I always thought it was to speed the restart of play up for TV.

 

[Imurg]

I always thought it was to speed the restart of play up for TV.

Especially as the may have to walk 500 yards back to the 18th tee..
Quicker by buggy

 

[williamalex1]

Common sense, possibly saving people taking a holiday to come back to watch a one or two hole play off.

 

[GaryK]

Especially as the may have to walk 500 yards back to the 18th tee..
Quicker by buggy

Yes, I get that, but my question is why not continue to use the buggy through the hole.
The tee shot may go 300+yds - it would save time and if inclement weather is on the horizon, surely it would make sense to progress as quickly as possible.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Yes, I get that, but my question is why not continue to use the buggy through the hole.
The tee shot may go 300+yds - it would save time and if inclement weather is on the horizon, surely it would make sense to progress as quickly as possible.

Didnt think pro's were allowed to do anything but walk when on the course for play?

 

[Imurg]

I suppose it's because walking is considered partner the game. They had a pretty good line on when the storm was coming in and reckoned they had enough time. Playoffs rarely go more than 2 or 3 holes.
It's also, probably, in the Tour rules that buggys can only be used for transport on and off the course for bad weather breaks and playoffs.
Bending that sets a precedent they probably don't want.

 

[Val]

Didnt think pro's were allowed to do anything but walk when on the course for play?

It wouldn't be the first time a pro was taken back to the tee to reload for a lost ball, it happened to Tiger at RSG the year Ben Curtis won it (2003 maybe?)

 

[jim8flog]

Buggies are frequently used in playoffs to get them to the required tee quickly.

and as Val says they are often used to get a player back to the tee for a reload.

 

[garyinderry]

using a buggy to avoid rain should not be done imo.

the weather is part of the game. you have to adapt.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

using a buggy to avoid rain should not be done imo.

the weather is part of the game. you have to adapt.

Wasn’t rain tho was it, well not just rain. A tropical storm with tornado warnings

 

[garyinderry]

Wasn’t rain tho was it, well not just rain. A tropical storm with tornado warnings

Well that kind of weather may be ok and possibly fading light. American rain tends to be floods so they may need to get a move on.


Normal wind and rain I would say no. stick it out and play on as you were.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

The buggy isn’t used “because of the rain”

They mainly always use buggies to ferry the players around when it’s a playoff - instead of getting everyone waiting whilst they walk back up the 18th again or spend 10 minutes to walk from the 18th to the 6th for example - it’s happened in majors and even in the holy Masters - just to help speed up the playoff that’s all

Again that dirty phrase - common sense

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

Common sense quite often lacking though.

I was looking for a article on a US junior competition where two players were excluded from the comp for using a buggy to get to a bathroom during play. Couldn't find it but found this ridiculous one from 2001 when Gustafson was deemed to lose a play off hole and therefore the match when her caddy used a buggy to get to a toilet. Would have been fine I think if he had walked and play was just delayed slightly.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/g...-Gustafson-out-after-caddie-seeks-relief.html