What Golf Rule Would You Eliminate?

[GolfSpy_X]

Lots of odd and bad rules in the game of golf...which one would you like to see eliminated?

[TWShoot67]

I don't have the official rule book in front of me but addressing the ball ie... putting your putter behind the ball ready to but the the ball rolls for whatever reason, when clearly you didn't cause it to move.

 

Tim

 

Ball Moving After Address

If a player's ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be replaced unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

[Andrew Bush]

playing out of a divot in the fairway my major one i wish would change followed by fixing spike marks on the green be number 2

[Tony Covey MGS]

I'd like to see all white stakes turned red. Take a drop...always. No more excessive provisionals, returning to the tee, etc. I think i would do wonders for pace of play, and would make it much more likely that amateurs will play by the same rules as professionals.

[Dave]

I'd like to see all white stakes turned red. Take a drop...always. No more excessive provisionals, returning to the tee, etc. I think i would do wonders for pace of play, and would make it much more likely that amateurs will play by the same rules as professionals.

 

That'll never happen and nor should it. You have WHOLE golf course to hit the ball on. All we have to do is avoid hitting it over a couple of fences to avoid the penaltys. What would do wonders for the speed if day would be if people actually hit the provisionals before they walked off the tee block.

 

I can't pick one rule so I'll go with 2. Spike marks obviously. Why you can fix any other mark and remove anything on your line but cant tap down a spike mark is beyond me.

And the 5 minute rule when you've lost a ball. Cut it back to 3.

[Phana24JG]

I'd like to see all white stakes turned red. Take a drop...always. No more excessive provisionals, returning to the tee, etc. I think i would do wonders for pace of play, and would make it much more likely that amateurs will play by the same rules as professionals.

 

I would agree except for REALLY off course areas. I would also like to see the same idea for a lost ball. Take a drop and hit 3. the pros and top amateurs have marshalls and staff finding their balls, so it would equal out the rules for all golfers.

[mainuh]

This one's easy because I think its a rule that 99% of amateur / recreational golfers break evey day -

 

27-1. Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes

At any time, a player may,

under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5), i.e., proceed under penalty of stroke and distance.

 

Now while I obviously agree with the penalty stroke, walking back to the tee after searching for that ball, 200 / 250 yards out is insane and will possibly find you with a 5 iron wrapped over your skull by the foursome on the tee on a busy Saturday / Sunday.

 

Common sense ( not something that the USGA takes into consideration when it comes to amateurs) would be a rule that tells you to take a penalty and play a new ball in the general area where you know where it disappeared.

 

rob

[Tony Covey MGS]

That's where the provisional ball is supposed to come into play, but it doesn't always happen. Of course, there's also those occasions where one is 100% certain his ball is in play, only to find out he's wrong. I'm mostly in agreement with you. From a practicality standpoint, it borders on asinine to expect amateurs to return to the tee, or even from the spot of the previous shot. There's a big enough pace of play issue as it is. Hell even hitting a 2nd ball off the tee contributes to the problem. If anything I'd like to see a modified set of rules for non-tournament golf where white stakes mean roughly the same thing as red stakes.

 

After reading one of the other threads I got to thinking that it might be beneficial to have a 2nd set of rules for kids. It's brutal to be behind a kid learning the game on a Saturday afternoon (even if you do eventually get waived through). 8, 10, sometimes more shots to get on to the green. 4 more putts and we're done. It might be a stretch, but I'd love to see kids markers on the course. Something along the lines of if you haven't made it this far in 4 shots, advanced your ball the 4th shot spot...to the chipping area...to this spot on the green. The idea being to keep the game moving, not hold up other golfers, while still allowing kids to learn every aspect of the game, because the alternative of not enough kids playing golf sucks to.

 

This one's easy because I think its a rule that 99% of amateur / recreational golfers break evey day -

 

27-1. Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes

At any time, a player may,

under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5), i.e., proceed under penalty of stroke and distance.

 

Now while I obviously agree with the penalty stroke, walking back to the tee after searching for that ball, 200 / 250 yards out is insane and will possibly find you with a 5 iron wrapped over your skull by the foursome on the tee on a busy Saturday / Sunday.

 

Common sense ( not something that the USGA takes into consideration when it comes to amateurs) would be a rule that tells you to take a penalty and play a new ball in the general area where you know where it disappeared.

 

rob

[mainuh]

GST - your reasoned reply would fall under the category of Bifurcation - A word that just the mention of in the hallowed halls in New Jersey cause grown men to spit their coffee,poop their pants and otherwise require an immediate visit to their Doctor to lower their blood pressure.

 

Its pretty evident that the gene which endows us with common sense is a pre-requisite gene to lack in order to serve on the USGA governing rules board.

It was only until Frank Thomas / Frank Hannigan left their employment that they had their "Come To Jesus" moment of clarity as far as the game is concerned.

 

rob

[Tony Covey MGS]

Ahh yes Bifurcation. One of my favorites. In principle I almost agree, except well, the game the pros play looks nothing like the one most amateurs play. If I was playing for millions or hell, even a few thousand, maybe I wouldn't mind watching guys wandering around in the woods looking for their balls, or hitting their 4th of the tee. Thing is though, me and the pros - we're playing two very different games, so why not two sets of rules.

 

GST - your reasoned reply would fall under the category of Bifurcation - A word that just the mention of in the hallowed halls in New Jersey cause grown men to spit their coffee,poop their pants and otherwise require an immediate visit to their Doctor to lower their blood pressure.

 

Its pretty evident that the gene which endows us with common sense is a pre-requisite gene to lack in order to serve on the USGA governing rules board.

It was only until Frank Thomas / Frank Hannigan left their employment that they had their "Come To Jesus" moment of clarity as far as the game is concerned.

 

rob

[mainuh]

In principle I almost agree, except well, the game the pros play looks nothing like the one most amateurs play

GST - I think that 99.5% of the rules work just fine between us and them.

 

Ya' think that the MLB cares that college and softball teams use aluminum bats, that youngsters play TeeBall ? Does the NFL come down with a set of rules that say no flag football ?

No one on any level has seriously ever suggested that basketball is so difficult that the basket should be at 7'.

 

Fact of the matter is - Golf,without a doubt, is the hardest recreational sport to play.

And at the end of the day, what are we really talking about ? Certainly not the rules that pertain "through the green". As it stands even drivers that are close to or trying to approach the limit of C.O.R are very fragile things. I'm certainly not advocating 500cc+ drivers but at least let the OEM's. both major and minor, should be able to work towards advances on the amateur level in the current assigned C.O.R and size.

As to grooves - what a joke.

We do not have nearly the skill to stop them on a dime - who was the last guy in your foursome that had your mouth open as he dropped shots within 6' of the pin ?

 

I love this game, why else would I be here, but the pig headedness of the USGA causes me to be less vigilant about its "rules" than I would be if they recognized the amateurs who participated in and funded their events.

 

rob

[Moecat]

Rule 13-4, which caused Stewart Cink to be disqualified from an event in 2008: “Except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard … the player must not:

 

a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard; …”

 

Cink's caddy raked the first bunker from where he hit the ball, and that was considered "testing" after the ball landed in another bunker.

[AndrewG]

I'd make a rule allowing distance measuring devices at any time, not this rediculous 'fudge' of a rule we have over here with the R&A, and their local rule cop-out...

[xxio]

I'd make a rule allowing distance measuring devices at any time, not this rediculous 'fudge' of a rule we have over here with the R&A, and their local rule cop-out...

 

 

I'm not in the US but isn't a local rule required there as well?

[Moody]

Spike marks. One of the more ridiculous rules in sports n

[paperclip]

Spike marks. One of the more ridiculous rules in sports n

 

Ditto

[pom]

Rule 13-4, which caused Stewart Cink to be disqualified from an event in 2008: “Except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard … the player must not:

 

a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard; …”

 

Cink's caddy raked the first bunker from where he hit the ball, and that was considered "testing" after the ball landed in another bunker.

That situation would seem to be covered by this

Exceptions to rule 13/4

1 Provided that nothing is done that constitutes testing the condition of the Hazard or improves the lie of the ball, there is no penalty if a player {a} touches the ground in any hazard or water in a water hazard as a result of, or to prevent himself from falling , in removing an obstruction , in measuring or in retrieving , lifting , placing or replacing a ball under any rule or {B} places his clubs in a hazard.

2 After making his stroke, A player or his caddie may smooth sand or soil in the hazard provided that , if the ball is still in the hazard , or has been lifted from the hazard & may be dropped or placed in the hazard, nothing is done that improves the lie of the ball or assists in his subsequent play of the hole.

[EdGolf]

playing out of a divot in the fairway my major one i wish would change followed by fixing spike marks on the green be number 2

 

+1 on the above.... seem not fair to hit a beautiful drive and only to find luck not on your side Also the spike marks also get to me !!

[RoverRick]

Carl Peterson brushes a leaf on his back swing in the hazard on Sunday. Two stroke penalty, which ended up costing him damned near $500k. Last year at Harbor Town or whatever it is with the candistiped lighthouse, some one else did it in the play off. Cost him just as much money. Loose impediments.

 

This rule is to keep you from ..... you know, I have no idea what this rule is for. You can pick them up, but you can not go hit them with a club on the way back.

 

 

And what is up with the yeawhoos that call in and say he hit a leaf in his back swing. They should have said thank you for calling now get a life and move on. Why are you chasing down a player two holes later? Ok, I can understand asking did you hit a leaf in your backswing. Two answers, yes I did. Penalty. No, not that I am aware off. No penalty.

 

I will grant you that this ultimately cost him instead of second place, $865K. He got tied third place money $384K. For almost $500k you can look for the leaves, however, if you are going to penalize someone that much of hitting a freaking leaf, than do not ****** about slow play.

 

 

You can not have all these rules and have such stiff penalties and not expect for it to take longer to play the game.

[TwoSolitudes]

Another vote for the stoke and distance on a lost ball. It's a rule that makes the game easier for Pros and harder for Amateurs, that's not right.

[GolfSpy WD]

Can I add a rule? "Rule 9871234: If some douchebag picks up your ball and pockets it, knowing it's not theirs, you are obligated to shoot the person in the gut. After the fact, the body should be treated as a loose impediment, sorry Carl"

[Golf Drills]

The Mulligan

[JMiller]

I'd like to see all white stakes turned red. Take a drop...always. No more excessive provisionals, returning to the tee, etc. I think i would do wonders for pace of play, and would make it much more likely that amateurs will play by the same rules as professionals.

 

I know a lot of groups that play it that way anyways but with a 2 stroke penalty rather then a 1, to make up for the stroke and distance becomes 2 strokes.

 

Think this is been a common one here, so I guess I have to agree half heartily, I personally just play a provisional if I think i might be lost or OB, if I find my first in play i pick up the provisional and play the first ball. Not really that hard of a rule people are just lazy or hold on to some sort of false reality that their ball is findable.

[BK in TEXAS]

I know a lot of groups that play it that way anyways but with a 2 stroke penalty rather then a 1, to make up for the stroke and distance becomes 2 strokes.

I'm guilty of that on occasion. Unless I'm on route to have a great score, I will drop where it went out and hit my 4th shot from there. There is very little OB where I play (all but 2 holes are red laterals) so I can go several rounds without even worrying about it.

 

Anyway....Rules I think need axing: Fairway divots & sand trap footprints.

[JMiller]

I think I agree with the rules over all, I might not agree with the complexity of how to proceed under the rules when you find yourself in a situation, and I think the rules my not be 100% clear all of the time if you even fall into a rule violation or not. Most sports it is pretty cut and dry if you have a violation or not, I think golf needs to become a little more clear cut and dry in general. Here are a few things that I fell are ridicules in the rules and professional game.

 

 

 

1) No one sitting behind a TV should be allowed to call in a PS on a player for any reason. No other sport would change the result of a games score after the fact because a fan or someone else reported the officials got something wrong during the game. I think we need to put the trust in the players hands and the opponents hands that are on the course and the walking officials with the group. If human eyes can't see it at real speed then I don't see a reason for a penalty. Assessing someone a DQ or 2 strokes because super slow motion video reveled something is dumb. I mean really is a dimple rotation going to effect the over all result of the shot, COM'ON MAN.

 

2) Weekend golfers flat don't play on the same well maintained courses that touring professionals do. Country Clubs might be better off then public golf courses here but dang I have had some TERRIBLE lies on public golf courses in the center of the fairway. I would love to see a touring pro have to play out of 6in deep divots from the center fairway that are not replaced sod or sand filled at all. I think the game might rethink the rule of hitting form divots in the center of the fairway pretty fast. It is my opinion that if you find yourself in any unplayable lie (a massive divot for example) in the center of the fairway it should be like an embedded ball and free relief. Thankfully I have yet to find myself in a beaver pelt sized deep shovel divot in a tournament, knock on wood.

 

3) I feel that more people need to learn what the rules are for a "Lost Ball", I see it all the time at my home course (Duke University G.C.) we have trees on literally every hole on one side or both and none of them are clearly marked as hazards (well some spots are lateral and marked but rare). People always think that they can find a ball regardless of how deep it goes so they don't really bother to play a provisional ball. I am not sure the answer here but after a given point at our course if you are deep enough that ball is toast and lost you are not finding it the trees are thick and so is the poison ivy undergrowth.

[JMiller]

I'm guilty of that on occasion. Unless I'm on route to have a great score, I will drop where it went out and hit my 4th shot from there. There is very little OB where I play (all but 2 holes are red laterals) so I can go several rounds without even worrying about it.

 

Anyway....Rules I think need axing: Fairway divots & sand trap footprints.

 

A foot print is what it is a bunker is technically considered a hazard, playing from any hazard you can't expect a clean great lie all the time it is a hazard for a reason. I mean it sucks like hell when someone is rude enough not to fix a really deep foot print, or foot print in general. I saw a guy get bit in the a$$ in a tournament because of that and he refused the rake out all his prints saying "the people behind us can play out of the same conditions that I had to" we happened to be the first group out in the tournament wave public play was on the course earlier that day I think. Look at the pot bunkers common in The Open championship, it is a 1 stroke penalty 9 times out of 10, here in the US we get spoiled as most the time a bunker might only be a 1 stroke penalty 1 out of 10 times.

[BK in TEXAS]

I saw a guy get bit in the a$$ in a tournament because of that and he refused the rake out all his prints saying "the people behind us can play out of the same conditions that I had to"

That's exactly my point. Golf is punishing enough not to suffer indignation from another players carelessness!

[JMiller]

That's exactly my point. Golf is punishing enough not to suffer indignation from another players carelessness!

 

Like I said a bunker s a hazard technically, when I hit into any hazard I am happy to be able to just find my ball and play it at all, I have zero expectations on a good lie in a hazard period. I see a foot print like a plugged ball in a bunker, either way you have to dig it out of the sand and swing hard right?

 

My example was just that the guy made a poor decision on how to deal with the lie, he tried going directly at the green up 15 feet or more from the lie. The play was to play backwards into the bunker more (had a ton of room it was a 100 yard long bunker literally). Here is a picture of the hole (bottom right of the score card), it is a reachable par 4 but if you miss the green makes for a HARD short game shot --> http://www.legendsgolf.com/legends_Moorland.pdf... this guy went for the green and two and missed left right at the end of that massive waste bunker. That is number 16 if you wanted to pair it with the score card.

[Ice]

14 Club Rule. I'd need two carts for my two staff bags full of every Scor 4161 wedge, and my two sets of irons one normal lofted one with lofts in between normal lofts, drivers with many loft and shaft options, I'd always have THE PERFECT club for the job!

[dru_]

I know a lot of groups that play it that way anyways but with a 2 stroke penalty rather then a 1, to make up for the stroke and distance becomes 2 strokes.

 

Think this is been a common one here, so I guess I have to agree half heartily, I personally just play a provisional if I think i might be lost or OB, if I find my first in play i pick up the provisional and play the first ball. Not really that hard of a rule people are just lazy or hold on to some sort of false reality that their ball is findable.

 

I have to admit though. There is nothing worse than the ball that should be findable disappears like a fart in the wind.

 

Had this happen last sunday. Great drive, the trajectory put the ball in the fairway, perhaps on the right side fringe, but it is a blind landing, so I could only see where it *should* be. Never entered my mind that it wouldn't be findable or playable. Get to the landing area. No Ball. No Ball Marks. Nothing. Looked around, had a group come up behind us onto the tee box, so I dropped took my and 2 and went on. At this point we assumed I had shorted the shot and it was in the hazard short.

 

Funny part to this is that this happened on 5, and is parallel to 13. Coming back on 13 we found the ball, over 30 yards from where it should have been. Our best guess is that it hit a yardage marker and took a crazy sideways bounce, onto the cart path and then rolled another 10-15 yards.

 

Frustrating, but part of the game.