Also haven't been in one this year, they're not difficult to play from though, just play a punch shot and move on.
Rules that you would like to see changed in golf.
- Thread starter MadAdey
- Start date
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
As an equaliser to some of the points on this thread I would make golfers replay any shots that result in a lucky rebound/ bounce from trees and mounds.
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
Harsh and frustrating though it is I think the closer the game sticks to the principles of playing the ball as it lies and the course as you find it the better.
Playing from bad lies is a skill. It doesn't happen that often and it adds to the vareity of the game.
Incidently I think the problem with divots is not that people don't replace them but that the birds turn them over. On one fairway recently about a dozen divots were lying next to the divot holes. Our members aren't that inconsiderate.
However, having said that, not raking bunkers is unforgivable. I just don't understand it. If I was going to change the rules to stop this being an issue, I'd make it a 2 shot penalty if you don't rake/restore the bunker after playing from it and before playing your next shot.
Playing from bad lies is a skill. It doesn't happen that often and it adds to the vareity of the game.
Incidently I think the problem with divots is not that people don't replace them but that the birds turn them over. On one fairway recently about a dozen divots were lying next to the divot holes. Our members aren't that inconsiderate.
However, having said that, not raking bunkers is unforgivable. I just don't understand it. If I was going to change the rules to stop this being an issue, I'd make it a 2 shot penalty if you don't rake/restore the bunker after playing from it and before playing your next shot.
NWJocko
Tour Winner
Not divots for me, people would've trying to take preferred lies on almost every fairway.
Spike marks and scrapes on the green is an odd one for me, don't see why you can't repair/tap them down on the line of your putt.
Spike marks and scrapes on the green is an odd one for me, don't see why you can't repair/tap them down on the line of your putt.
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
I did one in a "recent" round with midnight, 5 iron from 140 yards to 20 ft from the pin... simple game eh? ;-)
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
at first sight this seems reasonable - however the issue is the same as that with divots etc in that there is no easy definition to 'a spike mark or scrape'; effectively all and any defect on the green becomes repairable and, before you know it, players will walk down the line of their putt tapping down such spike marks - leaving a lovely little trench to putt along!
so, whilst I agree that having a tufted up spike mark bang on your line facing a curving downhill putt is a real frustration (insert your own stronger words) it's better than tearing up the whole rule book, or endless arguments about whether something was a spike mark or just a long blade of grass that would make some of Monty Python's sketches look bothe short and tame!
sydney greenstreet
Journeyman Pro
^^^^^ This
Apart from in a hazard.
Garesfield ACE
Tour Rookie
more on the etiquitte side of things..............players to shut the f**k up in a 3/4 ball when your preparing your tee shot
Deadlydan
Assistant Pro
And what about the overly stuffy dress code at some clubs?
Garesfield ACE
Tour Rookie
Yeah I am with you on that one.....although its quite relaxed at my club,especially in the bar
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
and what about the overly relaxed dress code at others?
however it's not a 'rules of golf' issue so lets not raise it (or mobile 'phones) here.
Deadlydan
Assistant Pro
Let's not digress it's against the rules....
How bout altering that one?!
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
+1 and not much I don't really like. Only thing might be where a player suffers because of the carelessness or selfishness of others. So the likes of being just off the fringe of a green and on your line is a load of unrepaired pitch marks. However I understand why I can't repair them, because someone would take advantage and 'repair' damage to improve their line to the hole beyond simply repairing the damage others have left behind. The answer here is - we all know that there could be unrepaired pitch marks in the fringe of the green so just make sure our approach shot finishes past them - easy really.
Other than that sort of thing - the rules of golf have evolved to be as fair as possible to the player whilst restricting the opportunity for the unscrupulous or indeed very knowledgeable to gain significant advantage from where they lie. We can all think of instances where rules sem daft or unfair - but truth is they are as they are for very good reasons.
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
As DV said, lift and drop from a plugged lie except in a bunker
