Top 10 misunderstood rules!?

[TheJezster]

I'm thinking of printing up a document for all members, perhaps explaining the top 10 most misunderstood rules, with the correct use of them.

I was also thinking of adding something on the back about improving your experience around the course, which would include things like etiquette and slow play, and what to do.

Get the whole thing laminated and handed out to all the members.

Has anyone done anything similar before? They can keep these in their bag for quick use rather than having to go through the book or app for rules (which can be a little time consuming)

So, what would you all say the Top 10 misunderstood rules are?

Provisional (declaring lost)
Dropping a ball
Nearest Point of Relief

My mind has gone a bit blank now!!!

Anyway, any advice or help you can give me would be great.

Cheers

 

[chrisd]

Virtual certainty

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Stoke and Distance - specifically - that your ball does not have to be somewhere horrid (or unplayable) for you to be able to take advantage of it.

Removing loose impediments from the green - what you can remove and when

Repairing pitch marks on the fringe or on the green - when you can and when you can't

 

[Slab]

If it's laminated etc would it not be better to do this based on the new rules that come out in Jan?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

When you get your top 10 please post them. I reckon I probably could get most of them wrong so I will print it out as well

 

[Crazyface]

Unplayable lie !!!!

 

[chimpo1]

Options at yellow versus red hazards

 

[Colin L]

If it's laminated etc would it not be better to do this based on the new rules that come out in Jan?

My immediate thought as well. The previous post illustrates this very point: better to inform your members about penalty areas.

 

[North Mimms]

Might not be quite so useful with men, but one year I put a "rule of the month" notice on the back of the loo doors in the ladies toilets . A bit of light reading

 

[TheJezster]

If it's laminated etc would it not be better to do this based on the new rules that come out in Jan?

Actually, this isn't a bad idea at all. It also gives me time to get the rules and format I would like together too.

Thanks

 

[TheJezster]

Might not be quite so useful with men, but one year I put a "rule of the month" notice on the back of the loo doors in the ladies toilets . A bit of light reading

Hahahahaha I like this idea! You're right though, might not get as many pairs of eyes on it in the mens...

 

[duncan mackie]

There will be loads of material from the R & A on the new rules, and either laminating or maintaining stocks of it will be your best route.
Paraphrasing and clarifying rarely work long term - although the series of one page posters done by the Scottish Golf Union (may have been ladies) about a decade ago were excellent!

 

[ManinBlack]

Hahahahaha I like this idea! You're right though, might not get as many pairs of eyes on it in the mens...

Just stick it above the urinal. Nobody looks down.

 

[user2010]

Don't forget the most common rule amateur golfers hardly take any notice of...…..The Advice Rule.
Probably the most abused rule going. imo of course.

 

[jim8flog]

My comment echos others - If you are going to do this my advice would be to wait until the new rules are issued in their final format.

I tried Rule of the Month but it's very clear people are just not interested in reading the notice boards, back of the cards or the local rules books they just want someone to tell them what to do.

 

[jusme]

Don't forget the most common rule amateur golfers hardly take any notice of...…..The Advice Rule.
Probably the most abused rule going. imo of course.

As someone who takes a keen interest in rules I would agree with this 100%. Mind the scores will be enormous if enforced strictly. Advising on club selection or asking is very basic regards advice, but being penalised 2 shots for putting your hand on a playing partners shoulder and encouraging them to slow down or take their time would be hard to take......its advice - look it up if your in doubt. Its the only golf rule that I knowingly ignore - just don't have it in me to penalise someone who is trying to comfort someone having a mare

 

[North Mimms]

As someone who takes a keen interest in rules I would agree with this 100%. Mind the scores will be enormous if enforced strictly. Advising on club selection or asking is very basic regards advice, but being penalised 2 shots for putting your hand on a playing partners shoulder and encouraging them to slow down or take their time would be hard to take......its advice - look it up if your in doubt. Its the only golf rule that I knowingly ignore - just don't have it in me to penalise someone who is trying to comfort someone having a mare

After many threads on here on this subject I now avoid the ubiquitous "take your time" (advice) and instead say "we're in no hurry" (fact).
I suspect its just as dodgy!

 

[chrisd]

After many threads on here on this subject I now avoid the ubiquitous "take your time" (advice) and instead say "we're in no hurry" (fact).
I suspect its just as dodgy!

We had a team comp on Sunday and the group in front were held up and we waited for them to tee off. One of their group teed off at least 2 feet in front of the tee markers, as they prepared to leave the tee I mentioned to him that he ought to be careful as he'll be pulled and penalised in a proper comp. - he looked at me as if I was a Martian

 

[backwoodsman]

Not sure if our ladies do the same as North Mimms suggested, but we occasionally do MiB's amended version & have something on the wall in front of the urinals. I recall seeing one about embedded ball through the green, when we had it in place, and it was where we put the notice about a) extended period of winter rules & then b) end of winter rules. It's certainly a place where the info gets noticed!

 

[Kellfire]

We had a team comp on Sunday and the group in front were held up and we waited for them to tee off. One of their group teed off at least 2 feet in front of the tee markers, as they prepared to leave the tee I mentioned to him that he ought to be careful as he'll be pulled and penalised in a proper comp. - he looked at me as if I was a Martian

I got a similar look from a new member who'd left the sticker dots on his driver face after a lesson. Told him he'd need to remove them before a competition - "I've had them on all season and I've had no trouble so far."

I assumed he left them on his driver.