Use of 'non-standard' distance markers

[atticusfinch]

My point is, regardless of the method of measurement, sticking things in the course to aid him during a stiputlated round is not right. I can see no difference in practicing before a round. It is not the same as preparing a sketch of the same area. Violation of a specfic rule? Probably not. Violation of the spirit of the game worthy of some penalty, yes.

 

[Imurg]

I foresee the end of 150 yard markers.....

Are they not the same thing??

 

[atticusfinch]

I foresee the end of 150 yard markers.....

Are they not the same thing??

Who measured and placed them for what purpose?

 

[palindromicbob]

Who has the R&A contact? This would be an interesting one for a decision.

 

[atticusfinch]

I sent the following queston to the usga.

Should the following player be penalized?

On the day before a stroke play competition, the player goes onto the competition course and uses a range finder to measure distance from various locations on the course and then marks those locations with a stick so he can find them during the tournament. Is this allowed?

 

[rulefan]

Who measured and placed them for what purpose?

Possibly the head greenkeeper who is playing in the competition later in the day.

 

[Colin L]

I sent the following queston to the usga.

Should the following player be penalized?

On the day before a stroke play competition, the player goes onto the competition course and uses a range finder to measure distance from various locations on the course and then marks those locations with a stick so he can find them during the tournament. Is this allowed?

Thanks for going to the trouble of asking. Just one point about your question which may seem ultra pernickety but may have a bearing on your perspective of the matter. The day before a competition, the course is not the competition course.

 

[woody69]

I don't see the problem with this in the slightest other than fair play to the guy to going out and taking the time to put all that effort in to getting the various distances.

How would they know the sticks would still be in the same place as he put them? What would stop someone going out and moving them?

Just because he knows the flag is 145 yards away from his stick marker, he still has to hit it 145 yards.

 

[atticusfinch]

Just because he knows the flag is 145 yards away from his stick marker, he still has to hit it 145 yards.

Then let's do away with all the rules.

 

[Colin L]

Then let's do away with all the rules.

Please, no! Not when I've just been given a copy of the Rules by Golf Monthly and thought I might give them a read through.

 

[atticusfinch]

The usga replied and said nothing in the rules prohibits what the player did. I need to take my own advice and read the rules literally. I answered a comment on another site giving that exact advice. I am such a stupid.

 

[Birchy]

What happens if the twigs blew away? :mmm:

 

[Foxholer]

The usga replied and said nothing in the rules prohibits what the player did. I need to take my own advice and read the rules literally. I answered a comment on another site giving that exact advice. I am such a stupid.

I seem to remember that it was your USGA mate that told you to read them literally, with you merely reporting what he had told you. Or was that a different incident.

Does seem to be something slightly smelly about what he did, but some smells are deemed ok!

 

[woody69]

Then let's do away with all the rules.

What do you mean with this comment? I really don't follow. He isn't breaking any rules so why should we do away with them just because he has worked out a particular spot is so far from the pin the day before the comp? What if the green keep moves the pin position on a particularly large green?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Is a twig stuck in the ground a moveable or an immovable obstruction? I'm guessing 'moveable' but if I came upon a twig sticking out of the ground how could I be sure it was without trying to move it? Or am I allowed to test to see if it is 'fixed' =- can't imagine I would be as I could pull on it and find it was fixed to say a root just under ground surface. But once I have discovered that I wouldn't be able to 'replace' it.

 

[Colin L]

Is a twig stuck in the ground a moveable or an immovable obstruction? I'm guessing 'moveable' but if I came upon a twig sticking out of the ground how could I be sure it was without trying to move it? Or am I allowed to test to see if it is 'fixed' =- can't imagine I would be as I could pull on it and find it was fixed to say a root just under ground surface. But once I have discovered that I wouldn't be able to 'replace' it.

If it's movable it's a loose impediment.
If it's embedded in the ground you can't move it.
A twig is not an obstruction (obstructions are artificial things).
You can gently pull at something to find out if it is loose or growing without penalty but you need to restore it to its original position (Decision 13-2/26)

By Jove, see what getting a Rule Book can do.

 

[atticusfinch]

Solidly embedded.

 

[atticusfinch]

What do you mean with this comment? I really don't follow. He isn't breaking any rules so why should we do away with them just because he has worked out a particular spot is so far from the pin the day before the comp? What if the green keep moves the pin position on a particularly large green?

My comment has nothing to do with measuring and putting out sticks.

 

[Colin L]

You can gently pull at something to find out if it is loose or growing without penalty but you need to restore it to its original position (Decision 13-2/26)

If you find it is fixed, that is.

 

[bobmac]

Player A measures and records the distance from the front corner of a bunker to the middle of the green; Player B sticks a twig in the ground and measures the distance from it to the middle of the green. Each notes his distance and makes use of it during his round. What is the difference?

100 people could go out the day before and take notes of distances/ pin positions etc but if they all started 'planting' twigs/sticks it would be a right mess.