Theory Test - is it time?

[Imurg]

There have been numerous threads recently about slow play, lack of ettiqutte, weak general knowledge of Rules etc etc.

Is it time to introduce a kind of theory test before giving people a "licence" to go on the course?

There are few other games that you can just rock up and play without knowing the basic rules of what you are doing so should those that play in competition have to pass some sort of assessment before they can enter?

I'm not talking about casual/social golf here - at the end of the day if you take an incorrect drop when you're just out for the air it doesn't become a matter of life or death - but for seriuos, "proper" Golf I think it's time.

A short test based on the quick guide to the Rules. Only needs to take half an hour or so.


It wont happen because of the cost. Who's going to pay for it?
It happens in Europe - I think it should happen here.

 

[coolhand]

There are few other games that you can just rock up and play without knowing the basic rules of what you are doing

Imurg,

I don't think that's true - I actually can't think of any sports that have a test before you can play competitively.

There is a problem though but I think the answer is better support for those taking up golf – both initially and once they start playing in competitions – in realty that’s the clubs responsibilities. There needs to be a proper induction process both to the course and if appropriate competitions.

 

[Imurg]

Imurg,

I don't think that's true - I actually can't think of any sports that have a test before you can play competitively.

I know there's no test but you couldn't play many sports without a basic knowledge of the rules can you - footy, cricket, tennis - you need to know the basics don't you. YOu couldn't play in a cricket/footy team without knowing the rules, what you can and can't do. I could join a club tomorrow with no experience of golf, get 3 cards put in for a 28 handicap, play in the medal and not know what to do if my ball lands in a water hazard.

 

[User20205]

It's not a bad idea in principle, however knowing what to do and doing it are different things.

Everyone condemns slow play, no one admits to it, however it goes on.

It also becomes a barrier to participation. I can't see a local muni implementing/insisting on it, and these are probably the courses that benefit most.

There is a presumption that members of private clubs should be fairly familiar with etiquette etc. However some of the worst cases I’ve experienced have been at members clubs.

 

[richy]

I think it would be a good idea but I can't see it happening, like you said due to cost etc.

At my club they've started having a rules night at the start of the season where you turn up in groups and have a sort of quiz on different rules and situations. Sounds boring but it was actually a good laugh. Free pie and peas too

 

[coolhand]

It's true about Footy/Tennis/Cricket as they have a simple set of core rule but other sports Rugby/Hockey/Sailing with much more complex rules still manage without a test. You learn the rules in these sports by playing them in a supportive environment.

The clubs do need to take the lead by supporting new members but it is also every golfers responsibility to educate new players in the rules and etiquette of the sport.

 

[Imurg]

It's true about Footy/Tennis/Cricket as they have a simple set of core rule but other sports Rugby/Hockey/Sailing with much more complex rules still manage without a test.

I can't think of any sport that has a more complex set of rules than ours..........

 

[Bratty]

The dutch have been doing this for years. It's an etiquette and rules test, and having played out there a few times, I was impressed with the level of knowledge.

 

[HRC99]

The dutch have been doing this for years. It's an etiquette and rules test, and having played out there a few times, I was impressed with the level of knowledge.

I was going to say that they do this on the continent and have done for many years.

It is a good idea but set against this is that it could be off-putting for people taking up the game.

I would prefer to see such a test as part of getting your first handicap.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Imurg,

I don't think that's true - I actually can't think of any sports that have a test before you can play competitively.

I know there's no test but you couldn't play many sports without a basic knowledge of the rules can you - footy, cricket, tennis - you need to know the basics don't you. YOu couldn't play in a cricket/footy team without knowing the rules, what you can and can't do. I could join a club tomorrow with no experience of golf, get 3 cards put in for a 28 handicap, play in the medal and not know what to do if my ball lands in a water hazard.

Something similar was suggested on a thread a while back and I was quite surprised at the lack of support.

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk//showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/407055/page/0/fpart/1/vc/1

The thing about golf is that you are in effect your own referee and that of your playing partners. In other sports for any sort of competition you have an independent ref. That is why it is important that players should have a fairly decent knowledge of the basic rules and the insight to know when they need to check something.

However we are probably all guilty of the occasional inadvertent breach of the more unusual or unclear rules where no real advantage is likely to accrue (e.g. the thread on rotating a ball to identify it). There are probably many such breaches in every competition played at every club every weekend that players simply aren't aware of.

So where does that leave us? Do we just accept that as an inevitable aspect of the game a club level, and that as it is only a game played for fun it doesn't really matter that much?

 

[HRC99]

To add to that, it could easily be done online too through R&A, EGU, SGU etc with the results sent to your club.

I know some people would cheat at the test but the very act of taking the test is going to improve people's knowledge even if they do cheat.

 

[MashieNiblick]

To add to that, it could easily be done online too through R&A, EGU, SGU etc with the results sent to your club.

I know some people would cheat at the test but the very act of taking the test is going to improve people's knowledge even if they do cheat.

If there were a test I think it should be on the basis that you can look up the answer. Learning how to use the Rule book and knowing where to look for different things is a part of the knowledge players should have.

As I have mentioned on other threads there is an excellent quiz on the R&A site with different levels of difficulty which changes all the time.

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-Quiz.aspx

I've learned loads just by doing that now and again.

 

[coolhand]

Sorry - my email wasn't clear the sports mentioned have more complex rules than tennis/football/cricket not golf. Although if you strip away a lot of the no advantage rules as per MashieNiblick things do become closer to something like Rugby or Sailing.

 

[Gazboy]

To add to that, it could easily be done online too through R&A, EGU, SGU etc with the results sent to your club.

I know some people would cheat at the test but the very act of taking the test is going to improve people's knowledge even if they do cheat.

There was a post yesterday about a chap owning up to accidentally carrying 15 clubs for months and was wondering whether to own up to his captain and be DQ'd from every past comp with the 15 clubs - it's refreshingly honest in a time where it's considered normal for a football player to fake a foul/injury/mortal wounding to get a penalty.

I don't think a test would put people off entering competitions, but the amount of rules perhaps do.

 

[DaveM]

What about a two pronged attack? First sort and simplyfied the rules. After all you really need a rule book at the moment to find out where to look in the rule book. Nearly all the rules could be simplyfied without any lose or gain. Then and only then would it be a good idea to expect people to have an understanding of the rules (not sure if any of that makes sence still its just my view, I've been told I very seldom make sence!! Oh and I cant' spell either)

 

[bladeplayer]

It's true about Footy/Tennis/Cricket as they have a simple set of core rule but other sports Rugby/Hockey/Sailing with much more complex rules still manage without a test.

I can't think of any sport that has a more complex set of rules than ours..........

or ones that are self policing .. as i said when this cropped up before , have a hand out that can be taken home by the new member & the answers can be looked up , filled in & handed in before handicap is activated , gives basic knowledge of rules & how to look them up .. how you try to get established member on board is a tricky one tho , & alot of the established ones have opinions on the rules that are way out ..

 

[Monty_Brown]

There is nothing to stop clubs introducing this sort of test already, after all they set their own club rules. Not much different to an interview before joining. And most (in my experience) put a copy of the rules in the joining pack.

As for munis and pay and play.... I'm not sure you'll ever sort out the hackers on there. TBH, I really don't care if hackers are cheating each other. I do care about their lack of etiquette on slow play, playing through, and raking bunkers, which all affect other players following them.

 

[chris661]

As for munis and pay and play.... I'm not sure you'll ever sort out the hackers on there. TBH, I really don't care if hackers are cheating each other. I do care about their lack of etiquette on slow play, playing through, and raking bunkers, which all affect other players following them.

And who ever said golf was played by elitist snobs?

 

[Monty_Brown]

Is it untrue to say that there are more hackers on pay & play, with less regards for rules and etiquette, than there are on members' courses?

If not liking bad course etiquette makes a snob, then I'm happy to be one.

 

[USER1999]

Does it really matter if people inadvertantly cheat?

Probably 95% of the time, the person breaking the rule gains no advantage what so ever.

Take free drops. Most people don't mark their ball, find the nearest point of relief, mark it, mark out 1 club length, drop between, let it roll up to two club lengths etc.
What they will do is pick it up, have a rough look, and say 'is here ok?' and drop it.
Have they gained much? Probably not. Is there any real difference between doing that and doing it properly?