What is a path?

[rulie]

I would basically never give myself a free drop without consulting with someone else in the group to be honest, unless it's blindingly obvious. I always make doubly sure I'm doing the right thing.

Can we stop talking about 'rules courses' now, as if any sane person in their right mind would ever do that. Cannot imagine a more boring way to spend one's time. "Siri - what's a good way to put people off golf for life?"

To do the "right thing" in the game of golf, somebody needs to know the basics of the Rules. Just because somebody else agrees with you doesn't mean it's permitted by the Rules.

 

[Orikoru]

To do the "right thing" in the game of golf, somebody needs to know the basics of the Rules. Just because somebody else agrees with you doesn't mean it's permitted by the Rules.

I'm glad you used that word and not me, because I'd get slated for it. The basics is exactly what the majority of golfers know, and it's generally enough to get by and enjoy the game. For me it's pretty simple, if I'm in any doubt then I'll just play it as it lies.

 

[salfordlad]

I usually think of it anything that looks like it's actually been created as a pathway on purpose. Muddy walkways where people have taken shortcuts through a bush or whatever don't really count. But muddy areas on the entry and exit to bridges and carthpaths I do count.

I know, for sure, that you are not alone in this view, but it is a misunderstanding. The Rules do not permit relief for bare, worn down dirt or muddy areas on the entry and exit to bridges and cartpaths (or, in fact, anywhere on the course) unless explicitly marked by the Committee as GUR or clearly identified on the Local Rules sheet. There is no discretion in the Rules that empowers players to choose to give themselves relief in these conditions.

 

[Neilds]

Maybe they should pave over the worn area by the bridge - what could possibly go wrong then?

 

[Orikoru]

I know, for sure, that you are not alone in this view, but it is a misunderstanding. The Rules do not permit relief for bare, worn down dirt or muddy areas on the entry and exit to bridges and cartpaths (or, in fact, anywhere on the course) unless explicitly marked by the Committee as GUR or clearly identified on the Local Rules sheet. There is no discretion in the Rules that empowers players to choose to give themselves relief in these conditions.

Yeah.. I clarified in #17 there's often a grey area where the dirt path actually ends and mud begins, but plenty of golfers will be too generous in their rulings I'm sure. Good to know anyway.

 

[backwoodsman]

For me, all one needs do is answer 3 simple questions. Does it fit the definition of Loose Impediment. Does it fit the definition of Obstruction? Is it specifically marked/mentioned by the Committee? If it's 'no' all round, then you just have to get on & hit it as it lies

 

[Deleted member 31467]

If in doubt look for tyre tracks from greenkeepers vehicles

 

[chrisd]

Can we stop talking about 'rules courses' now, as if any sane person in their right mind would ever do that. Cannot imagine a more boring way to spend one's time. "Siri - what's a good way to put people off golf for life?"

The trouble is, if you mainly play just with just your mates and they dont know the rules any better than you do then the "consensus" on how to proceed with a ruling is quite likely to be wrong - I've posted this before and recall you answering that you're more likely to be right but you often post that certain rules have been "stupid" which suggests you'd not come to the right conclusion

Learning the rules can be boring, but they can help you as much as hurt you, so having a better knowledge of them could be beneficial and if, by applying a correct ruling in your favour, you were to win a competition then, at least, you would know you did it fair and square

 

[Orikoru]

The trouble is, if you mainly play just with just your mates and they dont know the rules any better than you do then the "consensus" on how to proceed with a ruling is quite likely to be wrong - I've posted this before and recall you answering that you're more likely to be right but you often post that certain rules have been "stupid" which suggests you'd not come to the right conclusion

Learning the rules can be boring, but they can help you as much as hurt you, so having a better knowledge of them could be beneficial and if, by applying a correct ruling in your favour, you were to win a competition then, at least, you would know you did it fair and square

I'm allowed to have an opinion about the rules, that doesn't mean I don't obey them when playing competitively.

I definitely know enough of the rules to play at the level I'm at: average weekender who plays for love not money. The same as 99% of club golfers.

 

[Steven Rules]

If in doubt look for tyre tracks from greenkeepers vehicles

....from which, of course, there is no free relief by default unless specifically marked as GUR or declared as such in a Local Rule. See Clarification Ground Under Repair/1

 

[backwoodsman]

I'm allowed to have an opinion about the rules, that doesn't mean I don't obey them when playing competitively.

I definitely know enough of the rules to play at the level I'm at: average weekender who plays for love not money. The same as 99% of club golfers.

So, you don't play in any club competitions then? Oh, hang on ...

 

[Jason.H]

If a pro tournament came to our course they would go round marking up some of these areas as GUR.

 

[KenL]

I usually think of it anything that looks like it's actually been created as a pathway on purpose. Muddy walkways where people have taken shortcuts through a bush or whatever don't really count. But muddy areas on the entry and exit to bridges and carthpaths I do count.

I thought there had to be an "artificial" surface applied.
Gravel, shell, AstroTurf etc.

 

[rulefan]

If a pro tournament came to our course they would go round marking up some of these areas as GUR.

As they would if your course hosted any County events but why hasn't your committee?

 

[chrisd]

I'm allowed to have an opinion about the rules, that doesn't mean I don't obey them when playing competitively.

I definitely know enough of the rules to play at the level I'm at: average weekender who plays for love not money. The same as 99% of club golfers.

Yes, you are entitled to an opinion on the rules but it is almost always is a negative one, the rules are there to level the playing field for everyone.

Very few of us on here are rules qualified, but thankfully some of our posters are expert enough to give us the correct answers. I very much doubt that your 3 ball, in a competition on Sunday, would know enough of the rules to get by without entirely missing a breach of rules, or applying the correct penalty, or follow a correct procedure if and when they occur.

My opinion "but I'm allowed to have it"

 

[Orikoru]

Yes, you are entitled to an opinion on the rules but it is almost always is a negative one, the rules are there to level the playing field for everyone.

Very few of us on here are rules qualified, but thankfully some of our posters are expert enough to give us the correct answers. I very much doubt that your 3 ball, in a competition on Sunday, would know enough of the rules to get by without entirely missing a breach of rules, or applying the correct penalty, or follow a correct procedure if and when they occur.

My opinion "but I'm allowed to have it"

Do you not think it would be a bit odd to come out with something like "I really love rule about hitting provisionals" etc?? I'm not sure I've ever seen someone express a positive opinion about a rule. If a rule is up for discussion then generally it's being questioned otherwise what are you discussing it for?

So, you don't play in any club competitions then? Oh, hang on ...

Of course I do, again, like 99% of club golfers. What percentage of golfers in your weekend medal do you think have an encyclopaedic flawless knowledge of every rule? I'd argue it's less than 10%.

 

[SteveW86]

Do you not think it would be a bit odd to come out with something like "I really love rule about hitting provisionals" etc?? I'm not sure I've ever seen someone express a positive opinion about a rule. If a rule is up for discussion then generally it's being questioned otherwise what are you discussing it for?


Of course I do, again, like 99% of club golfers. What percentage of golfers in your weekend medal do you think have an encyclopaedic flawless knowledge of every rule? I'd argue it's less than 10%.

The rules allowing a provisional ball to be hit is great, just imagine if you werent allowed to and you were forced to look for your ball first before walking back to the tee.......that really would be stupid.

 

[chrisd]

Do you not think it would be a bit odd to come out with something like "I really love rule about hitting provisionals" etc?? I'm not sure I've ever seen someone express a positive opinion about a rule. If a rule is up for discussion then generally it's being questioned otherwise what are you discussing it for?


Of course I do, again, like 99% of club golfers. What percentage of golfers in your weekend medal do you think have an encyclopaedic flawless knowledge of every rule? I'd argue it's less than 10%.

Many of us will have had a rule that has helped us and not harmed us. Most rules "up for discussion " are about what the rule is, how its applied and what are the penalties - not whether we like it or not.

Hardly any golfer here has a "flawless" knowledge of the rules, but 99% of the golfers I play with have more than just an acquaintance with the rules.

 

[RichA]

Very few of us on here are rules qualified, but thankfully some of our posters are expert enough to give us the correct answers. I very much doubt that your 3 ball, in a competition on Sunday, would know enough of the rules to get by without entirely missing a breach of rules, or applying the correct penalty, or follow a correct procedure if and when they occur.

My opinion "but I'm allowed to have it"

It's notable that the experts on here give differing opinions often enough that social golfers like myself who only enter the odd comp can't see the point of enduring a rules course.
Basic knowledge plus the R&A app for unexpected scenarios is good enough for most of us, I suspect.

 

[Orikoru]

Many of us will have had a rule that has helped us and not harmed us. Most rules "up for discussion " are about what the rule is, how its applied and what are the penalties - not whether we like it or not.

Hardly any golfer here has a "flawless" knowledge of the rules, but 99% of the golfers I play with have more than just an acquaintance with the rules.

I never said I didn't like an aspect of this rule anyway, you were the one who brought that up for some reason.

Believe it or not I know more about the rules than most people I play with, the reason for that is this very forum. One reason why I like to get involved in these discussions. Always learning. If I didn't question things I wouldn't learn anything.