The rules of golf are the rules of golf

[pigmeister]

I think if you are playing on your own it doesnt make a blind bit of difference if you move the ball out of a divit, kick it out of the rough or play two balls, it`s only practise. But if you are playing any form of competitive golf, with your mates or proper club competition, then the rules of golf have got to apply.

 

[slaznick]

I read about the golf balls thing the other day (using the same type), I am pretty sure it is only applicable to pro tournaments.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Pro events - same make of ball
Amateur (i.e. club level) any make and can be changed BETWEEN holes with no penalty but you can only change during a hole if the ball is damaged and ONLY with the consent of your partners. You don't have to tell them what make you are playing when you tee off but it is courtesy to do so but they must be clearly marked to enable correct identification

 

[theeaglehunter]

Who would actually argue that come a competition they can still play their own rules because they are not a pro? That would just be stupid and I would be very surprised to find anyone arguing that they knowingly cheat in a competition against other members.

 

[EchtLoon]

Who would actually argue that come a competition they can still play their own rules because they are not a pro? That would just be stupid and I would be very surprised to find anyone arguing that they knowingly cheat in a competition against other members.

The "pro" bit refers specifically to the different rule they have regarding balls.

I've never played with anyone who knowingly waved a rule in a competition, I have however frequently played with rule book thumpers who didn't know the rules.

 

[backwoodsman]

The only time I will play by the rules is in a competition, because that is what the majority of rules, general or local, are created for.

Nope, the rules weren't created mainly for competitions. The rules were created, and refined, for the game of golf. Period.

Ok when we play socially, we bend or break those rules but every deviation from the rules takes you further away from playing "golf". I think the only ones we break in social games are dropping one for 4 if a ball is unexpectedly lost, and gimmies.

Now if you're practicing, then rules don't apply - but I ain't going down the route of saying when does practice become play and vice versa

 

[viscount17]

playing on my own or socially I probably won't hike back up the course to 'play 3' but I will score it as such. I may also play a second if I duff the first to prove I can but the first is still the ball in play and scored and played that way.

what I have noticed though is that there are a lot of players in comps who will play a different type of ball (not just a different number) when playing a provisional. They do this not with the thought of cheating but to distinguish first from second.
I think that played off the tee this is legal, anywhere else it's not

 

[Herbie]

The only time I will play by the rules is in a competition, because that is what the majority of rules, general or local, are created for.

Nope, the rules weren't created mainly for competitions. The rules were created, and refined, for the game of golf. Period.

Ok when we play socially, we bend or break those rules but every deviation from the rules takes you further away from playing "golf". I think the only ones we break in social games are dropping one for 4 if a ball is unexpectedly lost, and gimmies.

Now if you're practicing, then rules don't apply - but I ain't going down the route of saying when does practice become play and vice versa

I disagree, when golf began it was a nothing more than an interesting pastime, became a game for more than one person, almost all the early games of golf were a matchplay type of play, rules were generated because of competition whichever way you look at it. If you look at any rules, they are there to ballance things amongst the masses, a way in which collective groups can do something without stepping on each others toes. If an individual created a game that no one else ever played why would there be a need for rules? If there was only ever one car and people never went anywhere near roads, why would there be a need for the highway code? Rules are about competition, natural competition, organised competition. Rules evolve with competition/s. You dont need rules to follow a basic game objective of hitting balls with sticks into a hole,you just need instructions. You do need rules to make it a competition that works and like all things with rules they evolve to suit new demands,greater achievements, technological advances etc all to do with competition.

 

[Cernunnos]

Practice & play...

When on solo practice round I'll play according to how I should. And should I choose to play say two balls when the course is stacked, its either one ball against the other, or only the first ball in play counts for the practice round score on each hole. So yes its a practice round, but also play. However because two balls are in play I cannot really count a score in either case, albiet what is capable, so still practice.

The moment you pick up on a hole & walk to the next its no-longer play but practice. If nothing else from a mental point of view.

But even in practice & even without scoring, is it not still best to play to the rules.

If you are on the course & not scoring & trying out different things, then its certainly practice.

Its interesting to note many courses actually put on their scorecards that practice is not allowed on the course, so in order to practice on these courses we must actually play & in order to play we must stick to the basic rules of the game. My opinion & each to their own.

How many people still use their mobile phones in the clubhouse when its suposed to be banned. Now on one hand I see nothing wrong with peopleusing mobiles, but seeing as its not allowed I don't use mine & would also expect anyone with me to also abide by that.

But at the end of the day, not only are rules the rules.

Now again my personal opinion the basic rules of golf are play it as it lays & it must be fair. This was the initial preface & idea behind the rules for golf way back in the early days of the game, for a game & a sport of gentlemen it is. Whatever the situation it must be seen to be fair.

 

[viscount17]

You dont need rules to follow a basic game objective of hitting balls with sticks into a hole,

actually, you do.

watch a kid playing, no matter what he's doing he evolves a set of rules, even if they are simplex; the stick is always dropped from the same spot on the bridge.

hitting a ball into a hole with a stick? well rule 1 is that the ball is hit with the stick not the foot, from that will come a rule as to what you do when the ball goes down a rabbit hole, or gets stuck behind a rock.

there are always rules even if the only competition is yourself

 

[Herbie]

You dont need rules to follow a basic game objective of hitting balls with sticks into a hole,

actually, you do.

watch a kid playing, no matter what he's doing he evolves a set of rules, even if they are simplex; the stick is always dropped from the same spot on the bridge.

hitting a ball into a hole with a stick? well rule 1 is that the ball is hit with the stick not the foot, from that will come a rule as to what you do when the ball goes down a rabbit hole, or gets stuck behind a rock.

there are always rules even if the only competition is yourself

Depends what you define as a Rule doesnt it? The word RULE can be used in many contexts, is the little boy with the stick creating a rule or simply a preference? Hitting the ball with a stick was originally a choice not a rule, did it become an instruction or requirement for the game as a RULE before any competition thoughts? My comment is in the context relating to the specific Rules of Golf, why they came about and not the wider meaning and interpritation of the word 'Rule'. If you look at most games ever created, you will see 'Instructions for playing' 'Things needed to play' and also 'Rules of the game'. Now all three may blend togeather within the rules, but not in every case. You could define an instruction as a rule, couldn't you? The point being that the intent for most games ever created is for competition. Even in the mind of a small child, natural competition is there from the earliest levels of development, which is why rules always come about from competitive thoughts, even in children.

 

[Cernunnos]

As we move slightly off atr a tangent & yet keep to the original theme of the thread I thought this was interesting

http://www.standrewsgolf.co.uk/rules_of_golf.php

Apparently its some of the earliest known rules of the game.

13 of them.


And another reference here:

http://www.leith-rules-golf.co.uk/theoriginalrules.htm

Seems the 13th was actually a local rule... First of many it seems...rofl.

And then this lists 8 though its essentially the same:
http://www.purgatorygolf.com/pages/Original_rules.htm

 

[Herbie]

As we move slightly off atr a tangent & yet keep to the original theme of the thread I thought this was interesting

http://www.standrewsgolf.co.uk/rules_of_golf.php

Apparently its some of the earliest known rules of the game.

13 of them.

Interesting post and I like the first two paragraphs but the following seemed very advanced rules even for the time, surely there must have been competition rules, however basic from its origin?

 

[Cernunnos]

Heres a copy & paste from the last link

Original Rules Of Golf
From the Old Course in St. Andrews Scotland;

1.You must tee your Ball within a Clubs length of the Hole.

2.Your Tee must be upon the Ground.

3.You are not to change the Ball which you Stroke off the Tee.

4.You are not to remove Stones, Bones or any break club, for the sake of playing your Ball, Except upon the fair Green and that only within a club’s length of your Ball.

5.If your Ball come among water, or any wattery filth, you are at liberty to take out your Ball & bringing it behind the hazard and Teeing it, you may play it with any Club and allow your Adversary a stroke, for so getting out your ball.

6.If your balls be found anywhere touching one another, you are to lift the first Ball till you play the last.

7.At Holling, you are to play your Ball honestly for the Hole, and, not to play upon your Adversary’s Ball, not lying in your way to the Hole.

8.If you should loose your Ball, by it’s being taken up or any other way, you are to go back to the Spot where you struck last and drop another Ball, and allow your adversary a Stroke for the misfortune.

HNJ, yes they do seem to be quite advances even for the 18thC.

So must have been some even more basic ones before even then, will be interesting searching for them. And the couple of paragraphs you refere to are very interesting indeed & quite poiniant.

 

[Herbie]

I'd be buggered then as tee'ing up on a squirrel isn't in the rules, unless it was in the rules from the earliest unrecorded origination of the game

 

[Cernunnos]

Could be made a local rule or in the desisions for the following edition...rofl.

Perhaps thats where the bones came from you are not allowed to brush away... Dead squirels used as tees...rofl. I supose if you've no sand...

 

[Smiffy]

A have had no end of arguments with a mate of mine when playing various courses where local rules dictate "all roads and paths are integral parts of the course"..he simply refuses to play off of them because he doesn't want to damage his club. Despite me saying he can putt it if he doesn't want to use an iron, he says he will take a "free" drop.
Nearly came to blows one day.....

And as for not really watching what other players are up to? Another friend of mine will always (always) mis-count his score (to his advantage) on one hole or another during a round. I did warn Leftie at Chartham Park the other day (as he was playing in his group) and sure enough....

 

[EchtLoon]

A have had no end of arguments with a mate of mine when playing various courses where local rules dictate "all roads and paths are integral parts of the course"..he simply refuses to play off of them because he doesn't want to damage his club. Despite me saying he can putt it if he doesn't want to use an iron, he says he will take a "free" drop.

I'm assuming these are just social rounds rather than Open comps when this is occuring? In which case what is the problem with having your own "local rule" that any roads or paths are free drops? It could just as easily be you having to play off the path, and I'm with your mate there, if I'm not playing an open (all 3 of my clubs would give relief) then I would drop off the road/path, penalty or no penalty, there's nothing at stake, so I'm damned sure not going to damage a club over it.

 

[viscount17]

A have had no end of arguments with a mate of mine when playing various courses where local rules dictate "all roads and paths are integral parts of the course"..he simply refuses to play off of them because he doesn't want to damage his club. Despite me saying he can putt it if he doesn't want to use an iron, he says he will take a "free" drop.

if local rules dictate "all roads and paths are integral parts of the course"..I'm sure he can still take a drop if he wants but it's not free.

what with him and your other cheating mate you must have some joyous rounds!

 

[Canfordhacker]

One of my first questions in a work situation when I'm told I shouldn't/can't do something is "Is that a rule or a guideline?" To not follow the rules should have consequences (penalties in a golf situation), but if it's a guideline then I'm free to ignore it. All the rules of golf are doing is identifying the consequences of breaking them, and you choose to take the penalty (if you want to move from an unplayable for example). I would align etiquette with guidelines - I can ignore, but I should be aware that it may not go down well.