Rules that you would like to see changed in golf.

[MadAdey]

Today has really got me thinking about what needs to be changed in golf. 3 times today I got stuck in divots left by those inconsiderate people that grace our great game. Should they have not by now made a ruling that if you find yourself in a divot on your fairway, then you should get a free drop as you do under winter conditions? I find it very unfair when you hit a good tee shot down the middle, to then be punished in this way.

Other ones that wind me up are your ball being in a foot mark in a bunker because someone has not had the common courtesy to rake the bunker properly. Yes I put it in the bunker and so should take my medicine, but is it fair that things are then made harder because of someone else having poor etiquette?

Anything else you would change in the rules if you had the chance?

 

[FairwayDodger]

I had both of those today and found it annoying. From the divot I had to play safely for the middle of the green whereas I could have attacked the pin from a decent lie. From the bunker I was in a footprint on the down slope at the back of the bunker and ended up airmailing the green.

Despite that I wouldn't change the rules - thems the breaks! I would however give certain people a shake until they learn the etiquette of replacing divots and raking bunkers.

 

[ADB]

I always thought the ball striking you penalty was slightly unfair as It usually occurs after a close deflection which would never be on purpose e.g from a tree or bunker face.

 

[6inchcup]

tough call the divot one,what would be better being in a divot that you have a rough idea how the ball will come out(just hit down on the ball harder) or landing on a divot that has had the turf replaced and is loose you don't know if the divot will move if you address the ball thus moving the ball (penalty)or what type of contact you will get when you strike the ball??

 

[FairwayDodger]

tough call the divot one,what would be better being in a divot that you have a rough idea how the ball will come out(just hit down on the ball harder) or landing on a divot that has had the turf replaced and is loose you don't know if the divot will move if you address the ball thus moving the ball (penalty)or what type of contact you will get when you strike the ball??

It's funny though - I've had to hit out of a divot many times but don't remember ever playing from the top of a recently replaced divot. I guess the ball is more likely to stop in the hole left by a missing divot than on top of a replaced one.

 

[Master-putter]

Ban belly/long putters.


End of.

 

[CMAC]

plugged ball anywhere on the course, lift and drop no penalty

 

[duncan mackie]

Today has really got me thinking about what needs to be changed in golf. 3 times today I got stuck in divots left by those inconsiderate people that grace our great game. Should they have not by now made a ruling that if you find yourself in a divot on your fairway, then you should get a free drop as you do under winter conditions? I find it very unfair when you hit a good tee shot down the middle, to then be punished in this way.

Other ones that wind me up are your ball being in a foot mark in a bunker because someone has not had the common courtesy to rake the bunker properly. Yes I put it in the bunker and so should take my medicine, but is it fair that things are then made harder because of someone else having poor etiquette?

Anything else you would change in the rules if you had the chance?

basically you want preferred lies anywhere on the course........... I can understand it but it's not my idea of golf

 

[Foxholer]

It's funny though - I've had to hit out of a divot many times but don't remember ever playing from the top of a recently replaced divot. I guess the ball is more likely to stop in the hole left by a missing divot than on top of a replaced one.

I've certainly had a couple of instances of sitting atop replaced divots. I'd certainly prefer drop from on or in one, but would think it would encourage lazy green-keeping!

I'd also prefer being able to prepare spike marks/scrapes on greens.

 

[Ian_S]

I've always thought it unfair that you should have to take a penalty stroke when you lose a ball. I don't see why I can't just say "I don't like that shot, I'll play my next one from here again". There's probably a good reason for it, but penalty of stroke and distance (which is basically a two stroke penalty) just seems a very harsh punishment for what is basically a bad shot. Every other two stroke penalty is for foul play.

 

[Jon321]

Long putters and caddies lining up putts for me, saw a few doing it on the European tour today and thought it was shocking for a pro to need help ling up a putt.

 

[RGDave]

I've always thought it unfair that you should have to take a penalty stroke when you lose a ball. I don't see why I can't just say "I don't like that shot, I'll play my next one from here again". There's probably a good reason for it, but penalty of stroke and distance (which is basically a two stroke penalty) just seems a very harsh punishment for what is basically a bad shot. Every other two stroke penalty is for foul play.

Interesting. I often considered this in the early stages of learning.
The thought that I came up with was - if it's only 1 shot (I don't like that..!.) there's very little penalty for reckless attempts or OOB shots. Think about it. Me and Mr Big hitter get to a long par 4. He busts one OOB and then, having realised his mistake, loads another and goes straight down the middle. (Like when you re-load, it often happens). I hit 3 steady shots and 2 putt, he hits the green and 2 putts. Both make 5. Not really on is it?

I'm sure someone will know the real reason.

 

[CliveW]

Should they have not by now made a ruling that if you find yourself in a divot on your fairway, then you should get a free drop as you do under winter conditions?

When did that rule come into force and which one is it???

 

[RGDave]

basically you want preferred lies anywhere on the course........... I can understand it but it's not my idea of golf

I'm not sure that's what's being suggested. I'd never fight the cause for 100% preferred lies, but a change to divot or footprint rules might catch my attention.
t.b.h. it's rare to get more than the occasional annoying thing like this. Wouldn't make a difference to my score....

(I might feel differently I guess if I bombed it 290 yards into the wedge zone all day long..........)

 

[MadAdey]

When did that rule come into force and which one is it???

It's called preffered lies. Do you not ever have them in the winter?

 

[Imurg]

The real problem with drops from divots is what is defined as a divot..?
One Man's divot is another Man's minor scrape that actually makes no difference to the shot...
How deep does it have to be to be classified as a divot..?

 

[rosecott]

The real problem with drops from divots is what is defined as a divot..?
One Man's divot is another Man's minor scrape that actually makes no difference to the shot...
How deep does it have to be to be classified as a divot..?

Those were my first thoughts as well. Would you have it the same us "unplayable"? If I say it's in a divot, it's in a divot (but obviously no penalty involved).

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Divots and foot prints are rub of the green which in my mind is an integral part of the game. No-one ever said it was a fair game

 

[CliveW]

It's called preffered lies. Do you not ever have them in the winter?

No, not all the time anyway, and it is a local rule dependant on the course and conditions.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The thing I find odd is that you get a drop from an animal scraping but not a divot. However, despite knowing that by saying this I'm gonna end up in loads my next round, how big a problem is it?

I don't actually recall the last time I was in a divot, certainly wasn't this year.