Rules Changes

Bratty said:
Agree with most already, but two that I really feel strongly about:

Having to play out of a divot on the fairway is definitely one that NEVER made sense to me, both from a course maintenance and fairness point of view.

And stones in bunkers should definitely be moveable obstructions.
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Amen to those brother.
 
Bratty said:
Having to play out of a divot on the fairway is definitely one that NEVER made sense to me, both from a course maintenance and fairness point of view.
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What wording would you use to define exactly what did and didn't constitute a divot so there was no danger of confusion among every golfer playing the game? Without such legally precise wording one player's minor turf imperfection becomes another more liberally minded player's divot.

I appreciate the idea of relief from divots is borne out of a desire for fairness and parity, but across the board it would actually have the very opposite effect.
 
JezzE said:
What wording would you use to define exactly what did and didn't constitute a divot so there was no danger of confusion among every golfer playing the game? Without such legally precise wording one player's minor turf imperfection becomes another more liberally minded player's divot.

I appreciate the idea of relief from divots is borne out of a desire for fairness and parity, but across the board it would actually have the very opposite effect.
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I agree with this.

This could be a nightmare without very clear wording and clear guidance and I'm not sure that is possible.

We have a local rule about relief from wheel marks and one guy I was playing with tried to get relief from a faint mark made by a trolley where the grass was very slightly pressed down!

I actually think playing from a divot is just a rub of the green and a traditional part of the game. There is a technique to it and it doesn't happen that often. Playing the shot well is a skill we should learn. I know people think it is unfair but it's also unfair when a well struck shot to the green bounces sideways and goes in a bunker or takes a hop and rolls off the back down a dip up against the fringe (ask Tom Watson) or if you end up in someone's foot mark in a bunker or up against a loose impediment that you can't move because it will move your ball. There are lots of these types of scenarios which are just a reflection of the fact that the game is played in a natural setting. I always feel that "playing the ball as it lies" is one of the fundemental principles of the game and should be departed from only rarely.
 
MashieNiblick said:
I agree with this.

This could be a nightmare without very clear wording and clear guidance and I'm not sure that is possible.

We have a local rule about relief from wheel marks and one guy I was playing with tried to get relief from a faint mark made by a trolley where the grass was very slightly pressed down!

I actually think playing from a divot is just a rub of the green and a traditional part of the game. There is a technique to it and it doesn't happen that often. Playing the shot well is a skill we should learn. I know people think it is unfair but it's also unfair when a well struck shot to the green bounces sideways and goes in a bunker or takes a hop and rolls off the back down a dip up against the fringe (ask Tom Watson) or if you end up in someone's foot mark in a bunker or up against a loose impediment that you can't move because it will move your ball. There are lots of these types of scenarios which are just a reflection of the fact that the game is played in a natural setting. I always feel that "playing the ball as it lies" is one of the fundemental principles of the game and should be departed from only rarely.
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Despite hating having to play from freshly dug attempts to visit our colonnial friends down under, I can see your point.
 
MashieNiblick said:
I agree with this.

This could be a nightmare without very clear wording and clear guidance and I'm not sure that is possible.

We have a local rule about relief from wheel marks and one guy I was playing with tried to get relief from a faint mark made by a trolley where the grass was very slightly pressed down!

I actually think playing from a divot is just a rub of the green and a traditional part of the game. There is a technique to it and it doesn't happen that often. Playing the shot well is a skill we should learn. I know people think it is unfair but it's also unfair when a well struck shot to the green bounces sideways and goes in a bunker or takes a hop and rolls off the back down a dip up against the fringe (ask Tom Watson) or if you end up in someone's foot mark in a bunker or up against a loose impediment that you can't move because it will move your ball. There are lots of these types of scenarios which are just a reflection of the fact that the game is played in a natural setting. I always feel that "playing the ball as it lies" is one of the fundemental principles of the game and should be departed from only rarely.
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Very wise words!
 
i think the smart phone gps unit should stay banned. I used to use my iphone app, and the issue become that i had to have my phone on when on the course or the app doesnt work. ok i had my phone on silent, but family and HID knew my phone was on, and knew i looked at it every hole, so "my time" was killed.

there are lots of cheap gps systems out now starting at around the £100 mark, so... buy one of these and leave the phone in the car, the course will be a better place for it.
 
Ban all GPS in amateur golf. It promises so much but frankly most people can't hit the distance even when they know it to the nearest yard. Its just an unnecessary distraction. This is simply my opinion.
 
Brendy I do agree to an extent, I dont use my iphone in comps and having checked markers on the course with my gps I know they are pretty spot on. I have a decent judgement/guesstimate of distance and if I need to be more exact then I will pace it out from the marker (very rarely), something which in itself is part of the skill of golf is it not, as its a game of judgement and not an exact science :)

I still like using golfshot though as it gives me stats and I luuuurve stats :D
 
brendy said:
Ban all GPS in amateur golf. It promises so much but frankly most people can't hit the distance even when they know it to the nearest yard. Its just an unnecessary distraction. This is simply my opinion.
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G1BB0 said:
Brendy I do agree to an extent, I dont use my iphone in comps and having checked markers on the course with my gps I know they are pretty spot on. I have a decent judgement/guesstimate of distance and if I need to be more exact then I will pace it out from the marker (very rarely), something which in itself is part of the skill of golf is it not, as its a game of judgement and not an exact science :)
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Not going to start another GPS debate but if you're going to ban GPS then you may as well ban all course yardage markings completely - including those on the card, strokesaver and hole information at the tee.
 
Why not ban caddies then, they can tell you distance and also how the course should be played.

GPS may advise you distance, but You may still setup and hack the ball only 2/3rds of the way there through your choice of the wrong club?

GPs doesn't advise on relative changes in elevation, so you might no the yardage, but club selection is more than a straight relationship of distance and loft.

Make GPS legal in amateur games.....

Make the compass feature legal, so iPhones can be used and keep the gps prices reasonable.

Cheers
Andy
 
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brendy said:
Ban all GPS in amateur golf. It promises so much but frankly most people can't hit the distance even when they know it to the nearest yard. Its just an unnecessary distraction. This is simply my opinion.
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Banning something because most can't use properly will have the effect of self banning your own clubs:eek:

Agree with touching/moving ball accidentally on greens should be no penalty.
Nearest point of relief should stay as its just another rub of the green and can work in your favour as well.
 
Not getting into the pros and cons but just to clarify that GPS and other distance measuring devices are already banned under the Rules of Golf as artificial devices (Rule 14-3).

They are only allowed under a local rule at present.

As for using the GPS argument in relation to caddies, stroke savers, markers, etc, I understand the R&A view is that these are "traditional" elements of the game whereas GPS devices etc are not.
 
MashieNiblick said:
As for using the GPS argument in relation to caddies, stroke savers, markers, etc, I understand the R&A view is that these are "traditional" elements of the game whereas GPS devices etc are not.
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sorry but those were not traditional in years gone by and i'm sure they were met with the same comments at the time they were introduced too.

the game moves on all the time, the rules MUST be updated to clarify this or we would still be playing in plusfours.
 
I would like to see a change so that you need to pass a basic etiquette exam before you can take to the course. Upon successful completion of such a course the person will be able to demonstrate the following:

a) Dont be afraid to call the group behind through.
b) Walk briskly between shots and when leaving the green (no more chatting or marking cards on the green).
c) Rake bunkers after you.
d) Repair divots
e) Wear appropriate golf attire
f) No shouting on the course (other people are on the course too).
g) Have a round of golf without making phone calls.
h) Not standing on opponents lines
I) Not standing in opponents line of sight.
j) standing still and being quiet when others are playing

etc.....
 
sawtooth said:
I would like to see a change so that you need to pass a basic etiquette exam before you can take to the course. Upon successful completion of such a course the person will be able to demonstrate the following:

a) Dont be afraid to call the group behind through.
b) Walk briskly between shots and when leaving the green (no more chatting or marking cards on the green).
c) Rake bunkers after you.
d) Repair divots
e) Wear appropriate golf attire
f) No shouting on the course (other people are on the course too).
g) Have a round of golf without making phone calls.
h) Not standing on opponents lines
I) Not standing in opponents line of sight.
j) standing still and being quiet when others are playing

etc.....
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These are examples of "Etiquette" (Guidelines on the manner in which the game of golf should be played) and not "Rules".
 
CliveW said:
These are examples of "Etiquette" (Guidelines on the manner in which the game of golf should be played) and not "Rules".
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Sure, I know they are not rules. Maybe a rule of golf should be to learn etiquette before you take to the course like a profiency test or something.
 
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