Rules Question

[newtogolf]

The OP asked about the Rules of Golf, which Iacas and others provided answers to. If you choose not to follow them or interpret them differently when playing for fun that's your choice, but it doesn't change the rules.

[TheGeekGolfer]

Not really the same - you're arguing in favor of lying in order to violate a rule.

UH....yes it is the same, you are still violating the rules and/or agreeing with a fellow competitor to 'ignore the rules' which you often argue against, I never said you should lie in order to violate a rule. What I said is that 'virtually certain' is just that, 'virtually', not 100%. If they had left the new wording as 'known' and left out 'virtually certain', then that would be 100%.

I'd rather sleep at night with a clean conscience, and that means erring on the side of absolute in cases like this. You clearly believe in playing a bit more fast and loose with "known or virtually certain."

I sleep fine, I have NEVER cheated or played fast and loose with a rule in a tournament or a bet/competition with a friend. Do I sometimes violate a rule in the course of a normal round of golf? Yes...but then I don't post that score and I treat that as a practice round. Every time I step on a golf course is NOT necessarily a round that I count. Just like pros have practice rounds where they hit multiple balls, takes extra putts, etc.

If someone asks a rules question, they're going to get the Rules of Golf answer...

That's fine, I want to know the actual ruling and wording of the rules. I expect nothing less on here. There's still a logical reason to discuss it though, that's the point of a discussion board, isn't it?

Anyway...way to many points to debate and this is apparently off-topic with the OPs original thread. To fourputt, iacas, and the OP (or anyone else) if you were offended by my posts or replies, I'm sorry. I was just trying to bring up what I felt was a valid point with the wording of 'virtually certain' and spark some healthy debate.

[iacas]

UH....yes it is the same, you are still violating the rules and/or agreeing with a fellow competitor to 'ignore the rules'

No I'm not. I don't violate the rules. I either play golf (by the rules) or I'm out there not writing scores down and just practicing on the golf course. It's not the same.

Simply put, "my ball should be 100 yards over there" is not enough evidence for me to satisfy "virtually certain" in absense of any other evidence.

What I said is that 'virtually certain' is just that, 'virtually', not 100%.

FourPutt has explained it to you pretty well.

That's fine, I want to know the actual ruling and wording of the rules. I expect nothing less on here. There's still a logical reason to discuss it though, that's the point of a discussion board, isn't it?

Not in an off-topic fashion, no. Start a new thread (or, preferably, find an existing one and revive it) if you change to a related but different topic.

To fourputt, iacas, and the OP (or anyone else) if you were offended by my posts or replies, I'm sorry.

I'm "virtually certain" nobody was offended.

Seriously, it's good to discuss, and if people get offended by something like this, well, I feel sorry for them.

[adelewong]

I am the golf beginner, how can I know more golf rules?

[Zeph]

I am the golf beginner, how can I know more golf rules?

First of all, get a rules book, keep it with you on the course. Whenever you find yourself in a situation, use the book. Perhaps not pull it out every second hole, but keep pace of play and read in the book while walking or waiting.

On USGA.com you can find all the rules and decisions. You can use the search function at the top of the page, but it's a bit flawed. You have to click the "GO" button to search, hitting "Enter" will only refresh the page. Not all decisions are written in the book, so using the internet to look up rules is useful. There are also books which describe rules and situations with pictures and examples, those are nice. I have a little book with 30 pages that describe in pictures the most common rules.

[adelewong]

Thanks Zeph! The USGA.com is very useful and I am reading it!

I downloaded the iPhone app called GolfSites for trial.
Is it suitable for the golf beginner?