Some golf rules are just daft - discuss

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The rules of golf have evolved simply to enable golfers to compete without being unduly, unfairly and inequitably disadvantaged by unusual circumstances outside of their control, and to constrain the wish of some to seek advantage where it is not merited.

Where a rule seems daft just take whatever variation or change to it you might propose to the limit and you generally soon see why the rule is as it is.

Well that's how I see it.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Relief from divots and the ability to repair spike marks are the 2 rules I'd change.

As above. In addition, being penalised when your ball moves on the green after address. There is no advantage, you have done nothing wrong. It has not happened to me but it is still a stupid rule.

Too many rules in golf go against common sense. There are also too many overly complicated rules. It makes rugby look simple.

 

[duncan mackie]

The one that always seems daft to me is a ball going down a rabbit hole which is in bounds ends up out of bounds due to the hole going under a fence.

don't understand why it's daft - the rules are generally concerned with where the ball ends up (unless an active outside agency is involved) and this is entirely consistent with that; as is the situation when a ball enters a rabbit hole OOB and comes back in.

it's no different from a ball that gets OOB via a path, road, stream or just keeps rolling...

 

[duncan mackie]

As above. In addition, being penalised when your ball moves on the green after address. There is no advantage, you have done nothing wrong. It has not happened to me but it is still a stupid rule.

Too many rules in golf go against common sense. There are also too many overly complicated rules. It makes rugby look simple.

if you know that something else caused it to move then there's no penalty....it was a stupid rule so it got changed

 

[MendieGK]

Sorry but I agree that you can't have relief from a divot - it would be manipulated by players who would look to take relief from the smallest scratch on the fairway to get a better lie

The plugged ball and spike marks would be the rules I would change

I agree, it quickly becomes a 'perception' rule rather than a 'fact'.

 

[MendieGK]

I have an issue with relief from a bunker that has casual water in it. Yes i accept that it a hazard, but i don't think you should be further penalised.

Last year, one of our bunkers was completely full of water, and unfortunately the club hadnt declared it out of play. My opponent literally had nowhere to drop it!

 

[woody69]

IMHO I actually think there are very few rules that are "daft". There are a few that could be better implemented by clubs in the form of local rules, i.e. declaring flooded bunkers GUR and dealing with balls plugged TTG, but for every rule where a player feels they are being unfairly penalised, i.e. dropping outside a flooded bunker under penalty there are incidences where they get a lucky break, i.e. ball inside a water hazard, but able to play the ball without a penalty as the water has evaporated.

The rules are fine.

 

[woody69]

Plugged ball in the semi rough, miss the fairway by inches and you could be really punished............



...........oh and that rule that you can only use the back of your hand to brush away sand on the green

Not sure if you're being serious here?

 

[USER1999]

The local rule is intended for temporary use when extreme conditions prevail and is not meant to be a permanent feature.

Or if you are on tour, when this local rule is in place every week, regardless of course conditions.

 

[bladeplayer]

Not sure if you're being serious here?

your answer lies in the

 

[woody69]

your answer lies in the

Not what I would use that particular emoticon for... not that I would ever use it, but thanks.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

if you know that something else caused it to move then there's no penalty....it was a stupid rule so it got changed

Thanks for the update. :thup:

 

[Slab]

I'm not 100% sure why there is a need for a penalty for causing your ball to move. Sure if you don't replace it then penalty but if you return it to original lie whats the damage that needs to be redressed with the rest of the field?

 

[jamielaing]

Something my grandad often told me was that the first ever golf competition was played with something like 11 rules. He always advocated that the rules need simplified and limited as there is so much to get your head around.

You put it there, you play it from there. If you can't play it from there, or choose not to play it from there then it's a shot penalty for your drop. There would be a small list of exceptions where a drop would be free

 

[Lord Tyrion]

JL - I like the sound of your grandad.

I came to golf late on, from other sports. I get the impression that people who have always played golf, have been brought up with the rules, accept them as the norm and are quite happy with them. Relative newbies look in and question the complicated nature of them. This is not a scientific statment, just an observation.

I have just read the Myth Busting thread that is currently going on, very good thread by the way. I can't think of another sport that would be able to run such a thread, not even rugby. If that does not confirm the over complicated nature of the rules of golf then I am not sure what does. If rules are clear and easy to understand then myths can not occur, certainly not in the volume we are seeing.

 

[jamielaing]

JL - I like the sound of your grandad.

I came to golf late on, from other sports. I get the impression that people who have always played golf, have been brought up with the rules, accept them as the norm and are quite happy with them. Relative newbies look in and question the complicated nature of them. This is not a scientific statment, just an observation.

I have just read the Myth Busting thread that is currently going on, very good thread by the way. I can't think of another sport that would be able to run such a thread, not even rugby. If that does not confirm the over complicated nature of the rules of golf then I am not sure what does. If rules are clear and easy to understand then myths can not occur, certainly not in the volume we are seeing.

He played golf from his 30s and taught me how to play. He liked the common sense approach and spoke about changing the rules at length. Although he was always armed with his rule book and pulling people up left right and centre!

I have to agree that they game is made too complicated by so many rules. To the point that I really don't know half of them. I need to learn them as there are so many that can give you relief when I haven't taken it before.

 

[duncan mackie]

Something my grandad often told me was that the first ever golf competition was played with something like 11 rules. He always advocated that the rules need simplified and limited as there is so much to get your head around.

You put it there, you play it from there. If you can't play it from there, or choose not to play it from there then it's a shot penalty for your drop. There would be a small list of exceptions where a drop would be free

and this bit is 90% of the 'rules' and nearly 100% of the complication!

fundamentally the rules say you play the ball as you find it, unless...

 

[jamielaing]

and this bit is 90% of the 'rules' and nearly 100% of the complication!

fundamentally the rules say you play the ball as you find it, unless...

The main point being that it is a small list. i.e. casual water, animal scrape, cart path etc

You could have maybe 10-20 exceptions where as now, each of these exceptions comes with 16 additional points stating what to do if a,b,c,d.

 

[Foxholer]

Something my grandad often told me was that the first ever golf competition was played with something like 11 rules. He always advocated that the rules need simplified and limited as there is so much to get your head around.

You put it there, you play it from there. If you can't play it from there, or choose not to play it from there then it's a shot penalty for your drop. There would be a small list of exceptions where a drop would be free

There were 13 - http://www.ruleshistory.com/rules1744.html

Worth noting that the game had been played for 300+ years without written rules - until bureaucracy got involved (Edinburgh Council was asked to provide a prize).

 

[jamielaing]

There were 13 - http://www.ruleshistory.com/rules1744.html

Worth noting that the game had been played for 300+ years without written rules - until bureaucracy got involved (Edinburgh Council was asked to provide a prize).

I wasn't far away! I do like all the talk of adversaries! Also the fact that it was obviously written by pirates- 'if the ball be stopp'd...'