How do you rule this one?

[GolfSpyC]

It was brought to our attention last night at practice that one of our players, played his entire round last week with 15 clubs in his bag.  According to him, one of his playing competitors noticed it, they discussed it in front of the entire group, and they did nothing about it.  What is obvious is that a clear breach of  the rules occurred.  What is not as clear is how we proceed from here since the round is over and in the books.

 

How do you rule for the player? The group?

[Golfspy_CG2]

I'm not an expert, but I say he's disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard, since he should have been penalized two strokes for the first two holes.  But that's just me going off my very rudimentary knowledge of the rules. 

[furu]

Was it discovered during the round or after the card was signed?

 

I believe there's a rule change saying that you're not DQ if it's discovered after the card is signed. It's two penalty strokes + the penalty strokes for the violation. 

 

If they knew about it during the round and didn't do anything - wouldn't that be any easy DQ? The player has knowingly recorded a lower score because he didn't include the penalty strokes? Rule 6-6 http://www.randa.org/Rules-of-Golf/MainRules/6-The-Player/SubRules/6-Scoring-in-Stroke-Play 

 

The cases of Villegas and Harrington caused this change of the rules.

[LobWedge]

The penalty, per Rule 4-4, is 2 strokes at each hole where the breach occurred, to a maximum of 4 strokes per round.

 

If the player knowingly signed for a score on any hole lower than he was entitled to, he is disqualified. Per Rule 34-1b (iii) the DQ must be applied, even after the competition is closed.

[revkev]

For the player it's a DQ. I think the bigger issue would be the other players in the group. That would be a matter for your officers, if the game is that organized, or the Pro if it's simply a regular group. Some sort of stuff warning might be in order for them.

 

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[GolfSpyC]

The penalty, per Rule 4-4, is 2 strokes at each hole where the breach occurred, to a maximum of 4 strokes per round.

 

If the player knowingly signed for a score on any hole lower than he was entitled to, he is disqualified. Per Rule 34-1b (iii) the DQ must be applied, even after the competition is closed.

 

 

Great thoughts here! Thanks for your input...To the point of applying a DQ after a round is closed, how much time is reasonable to allow?

[Aladage]

A DQ is mandatory in this case for signing an incorrect scorecard. I feel bad for the kid...I always play with more than 14 when I'm practicing and it's easy to forget for competition.

 

 

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[LobWedge]

Great thoughts here! Thanks for your input...To the point of applying a DQ after a round is closed, how much time is reasonable to allow?

 

The rule says that the DQ must be applied, which implies that there is no time limit.

[cksurfdude]

Also, presumably, when it was discovered that player declared which club was the extra and would not be played that round???

 

No extra penalty but I believe that's what the rule intends?

[RookieBlue7]

The DQ has to occur within a REASONABLE amount of time.  Reasonable being within minutes, time to sign scorecards, etc.  Not a few days later or several hours later after play had concluded.