Whatta buncha crap -Pt.II

[Baynative]

A couple weeks ago I was ranting about an arbitrary call on Jonathon Byrd for either testing the sand or improving hisfooting in a bunker, the official ruling never made it clear what the infraction that cost him $70K was all about.

Anyway, I hate arbitrary and subjective rulings in golf and am always mad about the complexity and ambiguity of many rules as they are written. Today int the Ryder Cup my argument was supported.

On the 16th hole in the foursomes matches David Toms left Stewart Cink in a greenside bunker. Cink entered the bunker and stood very near the playing position for his shot, wobbled himself a bit and took two practice swings ...then he moved completely away from the ball and stood behind it to line up his shot once again. After surveying his target he took another preactice swing in a line perpendicular to the target (just to loosen up), then went back to his original position and played a beautiful shot without penalty.

Is there a different rule in Ireland? - Different officials, different network ...or maybe no telephones for interactive spectators?

In either case, today's incident is the way it should be played because he did nothing to afford a special advantage over his opponent. Then again, neither did J. Byrd.

[iacas]

Is there a different rule in Ireland? - Different officials, different network ...or maybe no telephones for interactive spectators?

Same rule. Byrd dug his feet in away from his stance, Cink did not. It's that simple. Byrd was testing the condition, Cink was not.

I often stand behind my ball to line up my shot. I loosely swing the club while picturing my landing spot, etc. to get a feel for the shot. I do not dig my feet in while standing back there.