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ev123uk

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Guys and girls, can you help me with a little research?

in your experience as a golfer, are there any rules that you find are mis-interpreted (either deliberatley or through lack of knowldege) more than others?

I'm thinking rules 26 and 28 over what to do when encountering a ball in a water hazard or an unplayabale lie are the most common rules that are not always followed. Are there any others that spring to mind to you?
 
I'd agree dropping is the most mis-interpreted area. The concept of the nearest point of relief is a mystery to many. Players interpret this as "the best place I can find not on the path/in the puddle" etc. Even if they do determine the right place they then drop the ball at that point rather than within a clublength often to their disadvantage.

Another common one is not grounding a club in a hazard. Many players believe that this means you can't take a bag of clubs into the hazard and put them down.

Ball unplayable being dropped along the line it went into the trees rather than in line with the flag happens too.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. In my experience, golfers often use the excuse of not having time to examine the rule book etc when challenged on any issue related to dropping the ball or playing a provisional ball. Woulod you say some sort of quick guide easily accesible on course would be a benefit? maybe on the rear of a bag tag for example?
 
Yeah ive used those quick guides for my society members in the past but even those end up in a state and for beginners are not that easy to follow. I was thinking of something much more basic just covering the options when encountering an unplayabale lie or a Water Hazard/OB.

i guess what i'm really trying to do is produce something that leaves no excsue but to follow the rules (that that anyone should need an excuse but things do happen dont they).
 
Anything that makes it a level playing field for everyone gets my vote. I'll take a slightly lenient view in a friendly game but still point out the error, but I'm afraid if I see a rule being broken in a competition I'll call it as everyone has a responsibility for knowing how to proceed or having the common sense to ask for help before doing ANYTHING.

I quite like the mini guide produced by the R&A that robobum found as they deal with the most common problems and can easily be slotted into a pocket or in a bag. I think the main problem though is one of laziness. I've played with people in the past who have broken a rule (usually relating to a lost ball or dropping from hazards) and yet when challenged they are carrying a rule book with them.

Not sure a bag tag would be big enough to cover the salient points but I was wondering if clubs couldn't accommodate them onto scorecards somewhere. We have the simple two page (fold in the middle) format but there are plenty of clubs that have a three page version. Maybe that could become the standard and the R&A could devise a set text that could be printed on all club cards along with the local rules
 
Thanks Homer, agree with all you say above. I may have an idea on this to put to the R&A. I've already sounded out the EGU to see if anything exists that i'm not aware of. I expect what i'm thinking may be a little too basic though.
 
Thanks Homer, agree with all you say above. I may have an idea on this to put to the R&A. I've already sounded out the EGU to see if anything exists that i'm not aware of. I expect what i'm thinking may be a little too basic though.
Click to expand...

Reading the Rule Book.I don`t think the R&A do basic :)
 
absolutley! i've not got high hopes to be honest but the EGU seem more open to anything thats increases the chance of new golfers getting to grips with the game/rules.
 
Would I be right in saying that you get one club length for free drop ( GUR etc ) and two when you have a penalty ?
 
I can't believe I'm typing this. I've got to admit that I am in agreement with Homer. :p :p

Nurse! I need my medication NOW!!!

Not knowing the basic rules is pure laziness. It's not rocket science. People should realise that the rules are not just a list of punishments should you do something wrong, but rather trying to provide a level playing field for all.

To my mind, there is absolutely no reason why a golfer should not know and understand at least the basic rules - if nothing else, the quick guide to the rules of golf as set out on pages 19 - 25 of the R & A Rules of Golf. If I can read and understand them then anyone can.

All sports and games have rules that all participants have to know and play by. Why should golf be any different? In fact, WHY IS golf different.

Could it be that at the amateur level it is generally self regulating? There is no referee or umpire to pull you up if you transgress. It is solely down to you and your playing partners, and it is too easy to do what YOU want to do rather than what you should do, and then claim that the rules are too complicated or you haven't got time to learn them, or whatever.

Too complicated? I tried to explain the football offside rule to my wife once and having seen some of the decisions over the last few years either I don't understand it, the officials don't understand it or the players and managers don't understand it

Have you ever tried to explain cricket to an American - when your side is in you each go out in turn, you are then in and stay in until you are out when you come back in, and when you have all be in and out then you all go out and the other team are in, etc etc.
 
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