Should lift and place stay for non elite amateur golf

[Ibuyalotofclubs]

Covid had hit us all bad but the rules of golf have become flexible, especially the options given for clubs with bunkers. Our club opted for the mark, lift and place rule. Under normal rules when you walk up to a bunker and find your ball in a animal foot or someone has decided to play sand castles in it, golf has just become an even harder game.
My question is; could the R & A give clubs the option to keep the covid rule in force, this could possibly speed up play, make the game more enjoyable and possibly stop players leaving clubs due to those who find it fun to damage golf courses

 

[Imurg]

Problems occur when bunkers aren't raked.
Had a potential situation a couple of weeks ago where it looked like there'd been a route march through a bunker.
My ball was ok but there were several areas where you wouldn't have found a respectable lie within 6 inches so doubling the disadvantage
To my mind bunkers should either be kept raked smooth or just left and play it as it lies and make it a disadvantage going into one.

 

[ger147]

Covid had hit us all bad but the rules of golf have become flexible, especially the options given for clubs with bunkers. Our club opted for the mark, lift and place rule. Under normal rules when you walk up to a bunker and find your ball in a animal foot or someone has decided to play sand castles in it, golf has just become an even harder game.
My question is; could the R & A give clubs the option to keep the covid rule in force, this could possibly speed up play, make the game more enjoyable and possibly stop players leaving clubs due to those who find it fun to damage golf courses

No.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

One of the fundamental rules of golf is play the ball as it lies. No need to change anything.

 

[sunshine]

One of the fundamental rules of golf is play the ball as it lies. No need to change anything.

No need to go any further than this comment.

 

[rulefan]

My question is; could the R & A give clubs the option to keep the covid rule in force, t

They could if they wished. They make the rules after all. But they are unlikely to do so as long as the prohibition on touching rakes continues..

 

[jim8flog]

My view is that should not.

This is no real difference to walking to your ball in the middle of a fairway to find it 2" down in a hole taken by somebody who has not replaced the divot.

Tell players they will always get relief and even more players will not bother raking a bunker with a "it does matter attitude".

 

[HampshireHog]

Genuinely, can’t understand why Mini rakes are not mandatory everywhere.

 

[KenL]

I am a firm believer that we should have preferred lies in bunkers when there are no rakes available.

Happy to go back to where we were when rakes are back.

 

[KenL]

Genuinely, can’t understand why Mini rakes are not mandatory everywhere.

Perhaps because they are rubbish and would add a lot of plastic to our already ruined planet.

 

[HampshireHog]

Perhaps because they are rubbish and would add a lot of plastic to our already ruined planet.

Unlike all the tees and ball rubbish golf generates. I don’t accept they are rubbish our bunkers have been no worse for using mini rakes, it just takes a bit more effort from the greens staff to keep bunkers maintained and players to do their bit.

 

[KenL]

Unlike all the tees and ball rubbish golf generates. I don’t accept they are rubbish our bunkers have been no worse for using mini rakes, it just takes a bit more effort from the greens staff to keep bunkers maintained and players to do their bit.

Adding to plastic doesn't help even if there are already 100 billion tons out there.

I assume you are not taking preferred lies at your place?

 

[HampshireHog]

Adding to plastic doesn't help even if there are already 100 billion tons out there.

I assume you are not taking preferred lies at your place?

Normal bunker rules in place since week 2 of golf resuming. I take the ECO point but I can’t foresee bunker rakes returning in less than 9 months & probably longer than that, so I am not seeing it as a throw away product.

 

[jim8flog]

Adding to plastic doesn't help even if there are already 100 billion tons out there.

I assume you are not taking preferred lies at your place?

We are taking preferred lies at our club but there are times when it looks like a heard of elephants with golf shoes on have been in the bunker at times it is the best place in one of the three footprints to remain within 6 ".

 

[garyinderry]

I think it's been a great change. Certainly gives the player a chance of making an up and down.

It does remove the jeopardy of finding out why lie awaits after an errand shot.

It also removes the skill, luck and spectacle of a player pulling off a brilliant recovery.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I was actually disappointed with the rakes at Bearwood Lakes even on a dry day. Very doubtful they would have been much use in wet bunkers like today so until we can get a functional rake back in use pick and place is a sensible option. If you can't find a suitable spot within 6 inches then that's the rub of the green like a ball in a divot or a bad bounce

 

[SammmeBee]

I am a firm believer that we should have preferred lies in bunkers when there are no rakes available.

Happy to go back to where we were when rakes are back.

We do don’t we?!

 

[KenL]

We are taking preferred lies at our club but there are times when it looks like a heard of elephants with golf shoes on have been in the bunker at times it is the best place in one of the three footprints to remain within 6 ".

Surely all footprints have a high spot?

 

[KenL]

We do don’t we?!

Not if a club decides to not use that local rule.

 

[SammmeBee]

Not if a club decides to not use that local rule.

Then they need a good look at themselves then!!!