Rules knowledge test

[freddielong]

There was some talk on here recently about juniors meeting certain requirements before being able to enter club competitions, something I strongly disagree with.

But as there are certain rules question that come up on here all the time, that are so fundamental to playing the game, that I don't understand how some people manage to get the ball around in competion correctly.

Do you think it would be a good idea if golf clubs brought in a rules test for everyone, before they are eleigble for major club competitions, the test would include ettiquette and be standardised across the country?

 

[DCB]

Do you think it would be a good idea if golf clubs brought in a rules test for everyone, before they are eleigble for major club competitions, the test would include ettiquette and be standardised across the country?

Thus giving the impression that Golf really is an eliteist sport.

No I think everyone has to start somewhere and has to learn from their mistakes. We've all been there it's part of learning to play this great game.

 

[JustOne]

Good idea but sounds complicated. Maybe you could teach people to let groups play through instead of saying "you won't get anywhere we've got two 4-balls in front of us"

 

[freddielong]

I can see what you mean about adding to the elitest image but I was thinking it may actually intergrate people quicker, they would then have a knowledge base and feel like they belong there.
I wouldn't envisage it being a failable test as such more a chance to learn the things you need to know.

 

[viscount17]

I think that they do something like this in Italy and Germany (well they would).

Problem is though that if you are only introducing this as a precursor to entering an 'important' competition it is missing what is presumably the intended target of raising the general knowledge base.

You would have to apply it as part and parcel of getting a handicap but that still misses all those 'casual' (no intention of getting a handicap) golfers.

I would say though, that the pros at my club are frequently overhead giving pop-tests to juniors during their coaching.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If it was introduced for new members it'll drive them away. Lets get the memberships in so clubs survive first. Most newbie golfers, even novices are always quick to learn and most will take on baord any rules misdemeanours and learn from mistakes. Its the veterans in the club that have been playing for years and still take illegal drops everywhere that need the education. Sadly they are so intransigent in their ways (never letting faster players, let alone singletons, set tee times etc) that you'll never convince them they are in the wrong.

 

[Fyldewhite]

I agree that many players fail to grasp some of the very basic rules. I've seen players dropping in the wrong place out of GUR because they interpret nearest point of relief to be "behind the GUR", "outside the GUR" or even "anywhere I want". I've seen players interpret "on line with the flag" in all sorts of ways and this sort of thing goes on at every club every week. Counting up to 8 or 9 can sometimes be a challenge too !

I don't think an exam is the answer though. Just tell them what they are doing wrong if you know they are. Explain what their options are and where they are allowed to drop and why, even in friendly games. If nothing else it starts a debate which can always be settled over a pint later.

 

[Putting_Green_Pro]

Golf is supposed to be social and not like bloody school.

 

[freddielong]

I know but it would be an incentive to pick up a rule book and look at it and ask people to explain things you didn't understand.

The problem with not knowing stuff is you don't know what you need until you need it. I think a lot of these common mistakes are learned playing with others who don't really know.

 

[Dodger]

And the ball chute Craw......!

 

[muttleee]

I think a lot of these common mistakes are learned playing with others who don't really know.

Precisely. I've played with plenty of people who have a pretty shaky grasp of the rules and I'm sure they've led many another golfer astray by insisting that something is within the rules when it isn't. Relying on other players to keep you right is a risky business.

I queried a situation once where I was forced to play off a path despite the scorecard stating that all artificial surfaces were immovable obstructions. The path was made of compacted stones, which other players insisted was a 'natural' surface. I pointed out that someone had had to put the stones there to make the path so they were artificial in my view. A committee member told me that the artificial surfaces rule was there to cover tarmac areas, such as the carpark. The fact that the carpark is clearly OOB didn't seem to register with him.

 

[Smiffy]

And while we're at it lets bring back the smoking room, blazer shirt and tie at all times, and keep those pesky woman and juniors off of our courses too.

You got in just before me.
Fully agree

 

[thecraw]

And while we're at it lets bring back the smoking room, blazer shirt and tie at all times, and keep those pesky woman and juniors off of our courses too.

 

[thecraw]

Ball shute. Happy days indeed. I was always a fan of tailored shorts with knee high socks, now that did look smart.

Bring it back.

 

[Stevenc]

I agree with many that it's a bit far but i can see the OP has a point.

Can think of nothing worse than a beginner playing in a comp, hits his/her shot of there life, only to be given a penalty for playing out of turn, or some obscure rule!!! If anything would put them of golf - that would!!

 

[freddielong]

I think the whole point of the thread was to find a way of getting new members or players new to golf, to pick up the Rule book and look at it and understand what they would need to know. At the moment the Rule book is widely availible but people still don't know some of the basics

It really isn't to alienate anyone or make the game more eliteist.

 

[viscount17]

I can understand what you're trying to do freddie but 'exam' or 'test' are a bit too emotive.
I've heard that some clubs do a rules based quiz night but that works only for the handful that use the club of an evening.

Courses (to cover clubs and munis) could be more proactive, a few did you know posters <u>explaining</u> one or two rules, and changed every month or so, could go a long way.

 

[Herbie]

Do you think it would be a good idea if golf clubs brought in a rules test for everyone, before they are eleigble for major club competitions, the test would include ettiquette and be standardised across the country?

I personally agree in principal with this idea, though I doubt that enough would agree with it for it to be widely acceptable.

If I had any say in running a club, I would vote for someting of this nature, if it turns people away from such a club, are they really the people the club needs?

Its a game, it has rules, the least anyone who choses to play this game should do, is learn the basic rules of play and etiquette. The trouble with golf is, you hit a golf ball with golf clubs with the aim of getting it in a hole, and sadly thats all a lot of people know or want to know about golf.

The rules of golf are not the best developed nor the least complex sporting rules especially when it comes to decisions, I believe they could be simpler and easier to understand, but that aside, I dont see any reason at all why any person who takes up the game cannot know and understand a basic version of them before acceptance as a member, whats the big deal? yet all to many have to make it a big deal.

 

[haplesshacker]

As I understand it, a lot of clubs have a weekly newsletter (or sales pitch, if you prefer!), extolling the virtues of this that or the other new club, waterproofs, lesson etc.

Perhaps, a rule a week explained in clear English would go a long way to help. But this is something that the individual Pros attached to the club would probably have to do. Bear in mind that this doesn't achieve the aim of trying to sell more kit though.

Before you say that only keen golfers sign up to such emails. Even the longer term player doesn't know everything.

Only last weekend, I saw a golfer trying to play his second shot from an OOB area!

 

[rgs]

We ran a rules evening earlier in the year with a local PGA Rules Official. Very informative but not as well attended as it should have been.