Relief from divots

[hambugerpete]

This article popped up on the main site.

‘But Then, What Is A Divot?’ - Jon Rahm Weighs In On The Most Controversial Rule In Golf

Featuring on the Rick Shiels YouTube channel, the LIV Golf League Individual champion spoke about one of the hot topics in golf, relief from fairway divots

www.golfmonthly.com

For me it's a no, to easy to abuse any rule that could be bought in. And if JR is only in one per year then it's really a non issue I think.
I also looked at the thread in the article , it's a list of deleted members!

 

[Orikoru]

Are you actively trying to create 30-page topics?

Personally I think no relief for pros, they're pros and they should have to deal with a tiny bit of adversity every now and then - it's already near impossible for them to lose a ball with crowd spotters etc so let them have something to deal with. Especially if it's only twice a year like Rahm says - practically a non-issue for these guys.

However, I see no reason why the amateur game shouldn't just be pick, clean and place all year round instead of just winter. Would solve the divot issue in a heartbeat. Wouldn't slow down play or cause any debate since it's what we do in winter already so we're used to the process - and of course if we get another heatwave like 2022 when courses were baked and rock hard, the pick & place can help you in those conditions too. To me it's a no-brainer, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell me why I'm wrong.

 

[Springveldt]

 

[hambugerpete]

Are you actively trying to create 30-page topics?

Personally I think no relief for pros, they're pros and they should have to deal with a tiny bit of adversity every now and then - it's already near impossible for them to lose a ball with crowd spotters etc so let them have something to deal with. Especially if it's only twice a year like Rahm says - practically a non-issue for these guys.

However, I see no reason why the amateur game shouldn't just be pick, clean and place all year round instead of just winter. Would solve the divot issue in a heartbeat. Wouldn't slow down play or cause any debate since it's what we do in winter already so we're used to the process - and of course if we get another heatwave like 2022 when courses were baked and rock hard, the pick & place can help you in those conditions too. To me it's a no-brainer, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell me why I'm wrong.

That would be the only way it could work I guess.
But as it rarely happens to me or John then I'm happy with how it is.

 

[Backache]

There is not an absolute right and wrong , it's a sport and you can have whatever rules you like.But part of the skill of the sport is playing off different lies , otherwise it becomes like a simulator a bit sterile and dull. Divots are part of the natural variation around a golf course and I wouldn't change the rule.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I never have trouble with divots……

That’s coz I hit the ball to places on the course that nobody has ever visited before

 

[Orikoru]

There is not an absolute right and wrong , it's a sport and you can have whatever rules you like.But part of the skill of the sport is playing off different lies , otherwise it becomes like a simulator a bit sterile and dull. Divots are part of the natural variation around a golf course and I wouldn't change the rule.

Also part of the skill of the sport - playing a good tee shot to hit the fairway and get a good lie for your second shot.

 

[sjw]

I've played for 3 years and I think I've been in a divot twice. I think the current rules are fair. I find it amazing that, when asked what golf rule they'd change, the vast majority of people jump straight to hitting out of divots as if it happens all the time? Maybe I must just be such a big hitter I put it over all of them

 

[Backache]

Also part of the skill of the sport - playing a good tee shot to hit the fairway and get a good lie for your second shot.

Absolutely, avoid heavily played parts of the fairway where divots are more common.

 

[RichA]

A bad lie is just part of the random nature of the sport, isn't it?
Nobody complains when their misjudged putt deflects off a worm cast and goes in the hole or when a fallen branch stops their ball going in a bunker.

 

[hambugerpete]

A bad lie is just part of the random nature of the sport, isn't it?
Nobody complains when their misjudged putt deflects off a worm cast and goes in the hole or when a fallen branch stops their ball going in a bunker.

I've played golf with people who'd complain about all those things

 

[Deleted member 36735]

Why start a thread referring to an identical thread?

Hitting a good shot and ending up in a divot is a right buger.

 

[hambugerpete]

Why start a thread referring to an identical thread?

Hitting a good shot and ending up in a divot is a right buger.

It refers to a news article published yesterday on GM.

 

[jim8flog]

My biggest problems with divot holes is landing in the one I just created.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

 

[pokerjoke]

I’m 100% behind getting relief from a divot.
John Rahm plays on beautifully manicured courses and mostly plays from perfect lies.
I don’t play on a course like that divots are everywhere.
We haven’t got the resources to fix them regularly and birds will turn them over even when the divot is replaced.

 

[Mandofred]

I like the idea of getting relief from a divot, but I can see quite a few people taking a drop while claiming they were in a divot in anything that even remotely looks like a divot. It's a never ending issue if you start allowing it. Is an oldish divot still a divot if there is a little bit of grass starting to regrow in it?

 

[hambugerpete]

I like the idea of getting relief from a divot, but I can see quite a few people taking a drop while claiming they were in a divot in anything that even remotely looks like a divot. It's a never ending issue if you start allowing it. Is an oldish divot still a divot if there is a little bit of grass starting to regrow in it?

That's biggest problem, nothing wrong with the idea, just actual putting in to practice

 

[Orikoru]

I like the idea of getting relief from a divot, but I can see quite a few people taking a drop while claiming they were in a divot in anything that even remotely looks like a divot. It's a never ending issue if you start allowing it. Is an oldish divot still a divot if there is a little bit of grass starting to regrow in it?

Not if it's just pick, clean and place all year. Simplest solution.

 

[RichA]

Not if it's just pick, clean and place all year. Simplest solution.

Isn't preferred lies more about cleaning mud off the ball than giving yourself a nice lie?
Asking, not telling by the way - I don't know.
And good luck finding a nice lie within 6 inches of one of my massive divots.