simple game made exasperating!

[6inchcup]

As we all know golf is a simple game,hit a ball in the least number of strokes into a hole,why then are the rules the most complicated of any sport,as this new feature proves some rules don't make sense and can be used in different circumstances to give different results,would it not be a more accessible game if the rules were cut down dramatically and only those that stopped down and out cheating used,if every rule in the book was adhered to to the letter NOONE would be able to talk or do anything on the course other than hitting the ball.How about rules for the pro game and more simple rules for us mere mortals.

 

[Colin L]

would it not be a more accessible game if the rules were cut down dramatically

The problem with an admirable wish for greater simplicity is knowing which rules to cut down. Any suggestions?

 

[louise_a]

I gues the rules are designed to try to cope with all possible situations. I doews seem to be a minefield sometimes though.

 

[Jigger]

The problem with an admirable wish for greater simplicity is knowing which rules to cut down. Any suggestions?

I'd probably start with not being able to ground your club in the bunker, free drop out of a divot and the ability to clean your ball when caked in mud.

 

[6inchcup]

I'd probably start with not being able to ground your club in the bunker, free drop out of a divot and the ability to clean your ball when caked in mud.

i would go along with the divot and cleaning the ball also no course can have internal ob's also only if ALL the players in a group have a gps or distance measuring devise can they be used OR a player can ask the distance from his opponent who is using one if he doesn't have one,all comps should be single ball only.

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

Do you not think that the longer you have been playing that the more familiar you are with the rules. I'm all for making things simpler but during play how many of them do you actually encounter and how are they enforced.

In truth, not many and on the whole they aren't enforced outside of your playing group and only when you come across something all of you are unsure about is it discussed, and usually answered at the 19th by fellow golfers

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree that there rules can seem difficult. Heck we've even introduced a separate section to ask questions. It seems we all have issues at various time interpreting them. How do you strip them down though

 

[Foxholer]

Well, the game was played without rules for a few hundred years before Edinburgh Council went all bureacratic when HCEG wanted a prize! There were only 13 initiallyh!

BTW. OP was suggesting fewer, or simpler, rules. Most of the posts on the thread are actually seeking additions to them!

 

[Scadge]

I agree the sentiment and I think we over complicate the rules but I think the principles are simple

play your ball as it lies and if you can't do what's fair.

If I was to simplify the rules I would try to provide guidance as to which rules generally boil down to knowing which situations are a free drop and relief is then one club length from the nearest point of relief and generally which situations or choices involve a penalty drop two club lengths, or go back keeping the hazard from which you are being relieved between you and the hole or replay the shot from the last position.

I would remove the ability to say that if a leaf falls from a tree during the practice swing this could be interpreted as improving the lie and try to make all transgressions two shot penalty in stroke play, loss of hole in matchplay (to simplify the penalty regime). I would ban anchoring and allow people to drop out of fairway divots but that's another thread and possibly at odds with the aforementioned principle.