Top 10 Rules Mistakes

[WUTiger]

From JohnV:[*]Giving advice to non-partners. – Rule 8

Let's say I regularly play Course X, and the remaining people in today's foursome are playing it for the first time. Can I give geographic advice, such as:

* On a short par 4, the creek crosses the fairway about 230 yds. out. * Hole #8 doesn't have normal fairway yardage markers, but the red maple tree is 150 yds. from center of green. * Stay away from the inside corner of the dogleg left. Two big trees blew down in a spring storm, haven't been cleaned up, and you'll lose your ball for sure.

[zeg]

Let's say I regularly play Course X, and the remaining people in today's foursome are playing it for the first time. Can I give geographic advice, such as:

I think the first two are perfectly fine. In the third, I think you'll probably be ok if you leave off the first sentence: that's giving advice on how to play the shot. Everything else is factual information about distances or obvious information that was available before the start of the round. Actually I'd probably leave off the bit about "you'll lose your ball," which although obvious may cross the line from giving facts to advising about how to play.

[jamo]

Ha, I used to see that shit all the time too. Thing is, none of those people ever beat me. Never even came close. Basically, if they have to pull that stupid kind of stunt, they're beaten already.

I know what you mean. When i was a freshman and sophomore is was on the JV team and we played against some kids who flat out never had read a rule book. It's not that they were ignorant or cheating, they just never read the rule book, which i guess is a little ignorant. But i would be destroying them golf-wise, and they would be grounding their clubs in hazards (and bunkers) or not knowing where to drop, or not announcing, or sometimes not hitting, their provisional. Then i got to varsity and i assumed it would all go away, but it didn't. I wouldn't always be winning by a ton though, so i had to actually enforce the rules. It's just not a good situation for anybody.

[Fourputt]

Let's say I regularly play Course X, and the remaining people in today's foursome are playing it for the first time. Can I give geographic advice, such as:

I think the first two are perfectly fine. In the third, I think you'll probably be ok if you leave off the first sentence: that's giving advice on how to play the shot. Everything else is factual information about distances or obvious information that was available before the start of the round. Actually I'd probably leave off the bit about "you'll lose your ball," which although obvious may cross the line from giving facts to advising about how to play.

Good advice, Zeg.

When I read it my first thought was that #3 was a no-no, then I revised my thinking to the same as what you said. Just tell him about the trees, but don't offer any other embellishments. The other two are just giving information, which is perfectly allowable. This is the definition from the Rules of Golf:

Advice "Advice" is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules, distance or matters of public information, such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice.

[zeg]

Good advice, Zeg.

Thanks--I was not entirely sure about my reasoning about the trees, glad to hear someone who knows what he's talking about agrees.

[EightBlue]

let me add one which many people don't know

11) taking relief from line of play from an immovable obstruction. People just dont know that you cant take relief unless it impacts your swing or stance.

[iacas]

11) taking relief from line of play from an immovable obstruction. People just dont know that you cant take relief unless it impacts your swing or stance.

Yeah, the PGA Tour allows it because the "obstructions" they erect every week (scoreboards, hospitality tents, grandstands, etc.) aren't part of the golf course.

If a sprinkler control box or the halfway house is between you and the hole but not affecting the area of your stance or swing, tough beans.

[Yukari]

In tournaments i see a lot of people marking there ball and then replacing in a good couple inches closer to the whole. Or marking in front of the ball and then replacing the ball in front of the marker.

I

used to play with a colleague who did that sh!t. When I pointed out, he insisted he didn't do it intentionally. Well, that was the first and the last time I played with him. I rather play with strangers than play with a known cheater!

[sean_miller]

I

It's a wakeup call isn't it?!? You're supposed to trust people (often with decisions affecting your career) and then they cheat on the little things.

When I play with co-workers now, I don't even keep score. We use the scorecard for the map.

[jurban05]

I dont really know many of the rules except the basic ones that people teach me. I know all of the major stuff but when it comes to little things that is where I get lost. Is there anywhere you can get a hard copy of the rule book? that would be outstanding

[Fourputt]

I dont really know many of the rules except the basic ones that people teach me. I know all of the major stuff but when it comes to little things that is where I get lost. Is there anywhere you can get a hard copy of the rule book? that would be outstanding

Get it here:

Rules of Golf directly from the USGA Website. $2.00 + shipping.

[jurban05]

Get it here:

thank you

[mrt10x]

I have been playing this game for quite a while now... Consider myself fairly in touch with the rules of the game... why is it everyone I play with, and myself until just a couple of months ago, think/thought that if you were off the green you have to choose before the stroke is played whether or not to leave the flagstick in? Was this rule changed? Or is it just a total fairy tale?

[sean_miller]

I have been playing this game for quite a while now... Consider myself fairly in touch with the rules of the game... why is it everyone I play with, and myself until just a couple of months ago, think/thought that if you were off the green you have to choose before the stroke is played whether or not to leave the flagstick in? Was this rule changed? Or is it just a total fairy tale?

I can't quote a specific rule, but here's what we do. If we're off the green and might want the flag out, we have someone tend the flag. Once the putt is struck we pull the pin. If guess it depends on why the person putting was undecided. Do they want the pin in case the ball is struck too hard, and then want it pulled if the putt's going to die at the hole? That would be fishy.

[Fourputt]

I have been playing this game for quite a while now... Consider myself fairly in touch with the rules of the game... why is it everyone I play with, and myself until just a couple of months ago, think/thought that if you were off the green you have to choose before the stroke is played whether or not to leave the flagstick in? Was this rule changed? Or is it just a total fairy tale?

You can leave it in, take it out, or have it tended. If it is tended, then it must be removed before the ball gets to the hole. If the ball hits the flagstick when attended, it's a 1 stroke penalty.

[Ignorant]

You can leave it in, take it out, or have it tended. If it is tended, then it must be removed before the ball gets to the hole. If the ball hits the flagstick when attended, it's a 1 stroke penalty.

Isn't it 2 penalties? Rule 17-3:

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 17-3: Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes and the ball must be played as it lies.

[Fourputt]

Isn't it 2 penalties? Rule 17-3:

Ooops... my mistake. I should actually check on the stroke assessment before I post.

I was thinking that it had been changed like the penalty for a player's ball striking his equipment... that was changed from 2 strokes to one stroke.

[Ignorant]

Ooops... my mistake. I should actually check on the stroke assessment before I post.

No sweat, I had to check it, too. After all these changes I am still fairly puzzled and insecure