Ever Wonder About the Rules?

[golfthyme]

They are so illogical? 

I wonder what we’re they thinking?

some of the rules are very old i know but no one ever says what we’re the thought process behind the rules, or why? 

for example: you cannot ground your club in a bunker! Why? who knows why? Maybe cause you could cause the ball to move. Ok but why not make the rule to say if in the act of grounding your club or addressing the ball, “anywhere” not just the bunker, if you could cause the ball to move then you cannot ground your club! That would be logical! We can’t have that!
 

What if your ball is in the middle of a bunker on the flat part there is no chance to moving your ball if you ground your club! But a rule is a rule! and you cannot ground your club in a bunker!

What if a ball is in the ruff? Setting up? Grounding your club will likely cause it to move but there no rule against doing so! Crazy

”not nearer the hole” if you take relief from a cart path 100 yards from the green and you drop a few feet nearer the hole, does it really matter? Are you really getting a great advantage! I don’t think so! I also don’t think it really matters which side of path you drop on, but it has to be the “nearest point of relief”! I know a rule is a rule!

oh well! That’s my rules rant! At least I fell better!

[GolfLug]

Lol! Can't help but be a little snippy, but the half informed find the rules of golf illogical all the time..

[golfthyme]

We are half informed because they only give the rules! They don’t tell you the whys!

i have the usga rules of golf but there is never and explanation for the rules!

[No Mulligans]

Start with the principles behind the rules of golf.  There are only three of them.

PLAY THE COURSE AS WE FIND IT.
PLAY THE BALL AS IT LIES.

IF WE CAN'T CARRY OUT THE FIRST TWO, PLAY FAIR.

The third one is complex.  In your example, you should be penalized for being in a hazard, don't improve your lie seems fair enough.

Nearer the hole, come on... the rules shouldn't be left up to each individuals interpretation.  What are you going to do, just move a bit closer to pick out the nicest lie.  That is taking advantage.

If you move your ball in the rough you should access yourself a penalty.

 

 

Edited August 8, 2020 by No Mulligans

[Sandy Divot]

18 minutes ago, golfthyme said:

We are half informed because they only give the rules! They don’t tell you the whys!

i have the usga rules of golf but there is never and explanation for the rules!

There is no explanation for the 10 Commandments, either.

[golfthyme]

What great advantage do I get by being a few feet nearer the hole? Eagle? I don’t think so!
I could ground my club in a bunker have the ball move and be in a much worse lie that I started with! Why always assume it’s going to be to my advantage???

These are my opinions not gospel! I play according to the rules but the usga seems to love taking all the fun out of the game, and it is just a game!

10 commandments! That’s  a good one! Way to go! 

At least you can appeal to God for help, ask and you shall receive!

good luck with the USGA!

they think they are gods!

[Sandy Divot]

You can't ground your club in a bunker because you could improve your lie, and, also, test the surface. Best advice, if you don't like the bunker rules, don't hit it in the bunker. What sport provides reasons for their rules? I really hated that 3 strike rule. If I could have stayed at bat until I hit the ball, I'd be in the HOF. The rules are the rules. You don't have to like them. I play by them, but you can do whatever you want. I really suggest you contact the USGA , and tell them what changes you would make to the rules. They do modify them every so often, and I'm sure they would value your input.

[Double Mocha Man]

3 minutes ago, Sandy Divot said:

You can't ground your club in a bunker because you could improve your lie, and, also, test the surface. Best advice, if you don't like the bunker rules, don't hit it in the bunker. What sport provides reasons for their rules? I really hated that 3 strike rule. If I could have stayed at bat until I hit the ball, I'd be in the HOF. The rules are the rules. You don't have to like them. I play by them, but you can do whatever you want. I really suggest you contact the USGA , and tell them what changes you would make to the rules. They do modify them every so often, and I'm sure they would value your input.

Don't forget my favorite.  When nobody is looking I draw a line behind the ball to indicate where I want my club to enter the sand.

[Sandy Divot]

3 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Don't forget my favorite.  When nobody is looking I draw a line behind the ball to indicate where I want my club to enter the sand.

I was going to say that, too, but I didn't want to confuse him with too many options.

[David in FL]

1 hour ago, golfthyme said:

We are half informed because they only give the rules! They don’t tell you the whys!

i have the usga rules of golf but there is never and explanation for the rules!

If you’re genuinely interested, spend a couple of dollars, get this pamphlet and you’ll learn much of the “why”...

 

Principles Behind The Rules of Golf: Paperback (effective through 2018 to 2019)

---

USGA Members, please sign in to receive your Member discount: Sign In SALE - 50% Off This 72-page booklet is an update to the original version of The Principles Behind The Rules of Golf...

 

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, golfthyme said:

We are half informed because they only give the rules! They don’t tell you the whys!

i have the usga rules of golf but there is never an explanation for the rules!

Gotta go with you there.  I thrive on explanations and the "whys".  Though I do that with my kid and he just gets a glazed look in his eyes.  One day he'll appreciate Dad's verbose explanations.  😁

[David in FL]

2 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Gotta go with you there.  I thrive on explanations and the "whys".  Though I do that with my kid and he just gets a glazed look in his eyes.  One day he'll appreciate Dad's verbose explanations.  😁

Get a copy of Tufts’ book.  There’s also an interesting thread here that discusses it...

 

 

 

[Rulesman]

6 hours ago, golfthyme said:

 

”not nearer the hole” if you take relief from a cart path 100 yards from the green and you drop a few feet nearer the hole, does it really matter?

How much neared would you like to drop it? 1,10,100 yards? I would like to drop 20 yards nearer than you did.

 

6 hours ago, golfthyme said:

 

for example: you cannot ground your club in a bunker! Why? who knows why? Maybe cause you could cause the ball to move. Ok but why not make the rule to say if in the act of grounding your club or addressing the ball, “anywhere” not just the bunker, if you could cause the ball to move then you cannot ground your club! That would be logical! We can’t have that!
 

What if your ball is in the middle of a bunker on the flat part there is no chance to moving your ball if you ground your club! But a rule is a rule! and you cannot ground your club in a bunker!

 

Just how do you determine that you could cause the ball to move?

[Zippo]

8 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Gotta go with you there.  I thrive on explanations and the "whys".  Though I do that with my kid and he just gets a glazed look in his eyes.  One day he'll appreciate Dad's verbose explanations.  😁

I'm betting he doesn't use the word "verbose" to describe your explanations!  😁

[Double Mocha Man]

22 minutes ago, Zippo said:

I'm betting he doesn't use the word "verbose" to describe your explanations!  😁

Funny!  I think in 2016 it was once the word of the day. So he might use it.

[boogielicious]

19 hours ago, golfthyme said:

They are so illogical? 

I wonder what we’re they thinking?

some of the rules are very old i know but no one ever says what we’re the thought process behind the rules, or why? 

for example: you cannot ground your club in a bunker! Why? who knows why? Maybe cause you could cause the ball to move. Ok but why not make the rule to say if in the act of grounding your club or addressing the ball, “anywhere” not just the bunker, if you could cause the ball to move then you cannot ground your club! That would be logical! We can’t have that!
 

What if your ball is in the middle of a bunker on the flat part there is no chance to moving your ball if you ground your club! But a rule is a rule! and you cannot ground your club in a bunker!

What if a ball is in the ruff? Setting up? Grounding your club will likely cause it to move but there no rule against doing so! Crazy

”not nearer the hole” if you take relief from a cart path 100 yards from the green and you drop a few feet nearer the hole, does it really matter? Are you really getting a great advantage! I don’t think so! I also don’t think it really matters which side of path you drop on, but it has to be the “nearest point of relief”! I know a rule is a rule!

oh well! That’s my rules rant! At least I fell better!

Please read the book cited in this thread. It will help you understand the rules more.

 

[CarlSpackler]

20 hours ago, golfthyme said:

We are half informed because they only give the rules! They don’t tell you the whys!

i have the usga rules of golf but there is never and explanation for the rules!

Ours is not to question why. Ours is just to do or die. 

[Piz]

No...I do not wonder about the rules of golf.  Competition requires parameters.  We make rules and determine outcomes based on those rules.  This is true on a playground and it is true at the highest levels of activity.