Tees in the Butt End of the Grip

[iacas]

Tell me what you think, because this came up in another thread.

I've seen the advice that on wet days when you don't want your clubs soaking up water from the bottom of your bag, that you should put tees in the butt ends of your grips.

You'd then swing with the tees still in there.

I believe, however, that this violates the Rules of Golf. The tee is a modification to the club that's done mid-round and which is not permanent. For example, the Harrison Shotmaker can be installed by cutting a hole in the grip of your club and then covering the hole with a plug, but they make the point of saying that you have to GLUE the cap in to be conforming.

So is that accurate: that putting tees in the butt end of your club is illegal unless they're permanently affixed there?

[TourSpoon]

Does anyone really do this?  I have never seen anyone hit a ball in casual or tournament play with a tee in their grip.

[MiniBlueDragon]

My father in law stores the relevant tee for each club in the grip on his but of course removes it to use it on tee shots. Might have to pull him on it when he uses a wood off the deck and it has a tee in the grip though.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by MiniBlueDragon

My father in law stores the relevant tee for each club in the grip on his but of course removes it to use it on tee shots.

I've seen this too, but never thought it was against the rules. But if you are putting them there to help you with your swing, surely it is against the rules.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

I've seen this too, but never thought it was against the rules. But if you are putting them there to help you with your swing, surely it is against the rules.

On things like this the Rules don't care about intent. You've either broken the rule or you haven't - why you say you put them there is irrelevant.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by iacas

On things like this the Rules don't care about intent. You've either broken the rule or you haven't - why you say you put them there is irrelevant.

Read the text below in red . It seems you can put tees in the butt end of the club, but be careful with the text in the third line. I'm certain that if you used tees to help you get your hands in by grazing the tee against your right thigh, you'd have a rules official tapping you on the shoulder very early in your round. I guess you'd just have to say it's to stop the rain getting in!

External Attachments

In 2008, the USGA amended the wording of the provision relating to external attachments in order to accommodate a change in interpretation, which previously prohibited any “external attachments” to the club (with certain specific exceptions). While the Rule continues to prohibit the attachment of anything to the club which could potentially have an effect on its performance (e.g., aiming bars or weights), other ”harmless” items may now be permitted to be attached to certain parts of the club provided (a) no performance benefit can be derived , and (b) no other Rules are breached, including Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment).

Prior to 2008, two notable exceptions to this Rule included the permission to apply lead tape to the shaft or clubhead for weighting (see also Design of Clubs, Section 1b and Decision 4-1/4 in “Decisions on the Rules of Golf”) and the use of a suction cup at the end of the shaft of a putter to assist with retrieving the ball from the hole. Even though these exceptions may be considered counter to the provisions in this guideline, use of these items will continue to be permitted on traditional grounds.

The change in wording reflects a broadening of the types of items which may be attached to an existing club, provided the items meet the given criteria:

• Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the shaft, such as decals for identification or tape to protect the shaft (also permitted prior to 2008). Such attachments, for identification only, may also be permitted on the clubhead, other than the face. However, such attachments must not serve any other purpose, such as for alignment. In the case of driving clubs, such attachments must not be applied in a manner that would cause any confusion with the correct identification of a driving club on the List of Conforming Driver Heads. In other words, any such attachments must be plain in appearance and carefully positioned.
• Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the shaft, such as clip-on devices, provided such items do not excessively protrude from the shaft, their cross-section conforms to the shape of the shaft, and are sufficiently fixed. Other clip-on devices that do not conform to the shape of the shaft, such as club props, may be attached to the shaft provided such devices are removed prior to making a stroke.
• Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the butt end of the grip, such as tee pegs, ball markers or ball retrieval devices, provided:
  • such an item does not cause the grip to be considered molded for the hands or create a bulge or waist in the grip; and
  • the outer diameter of such an item is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the butt end of the grip and the item does not extend beyond the butt end of the grip by more than 2 inches.
• Other material added to the shaft, such as for alignment purposes, provided the material is considered semi-permanent, durable and not easily removable. However, such application must not breach Rule 14-3.
• Harmless attachments to the clubhead (other than the face), such as protective coverings or decorative items, provided the item is semi-permanent, durable and not easily removable. However, such items must not excessively protrude from the clubhead and must conform to the shape of the clubhead. Additionally, for driving clubs, such attachments must not serve to cause any confusion with the correct identification of a driving club on the List of Conforming Driver Heads. Permanent additions to a clubhead are considered a part of the head and, therefore, the head, in its modified state, would have to conform to the Rules of Golf, particularly the requirements of Rule 4a, Appendix II (i.e., ‘plain in shape’ and dimensions).

[iacas]

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

Read the text below in red. It seems you can put tees in the butt end of the club, but be careful with the text in the third line. I'm certain that if you used tees to help you get your hands in by grazing the tee against your right thigh, you'd have a rules official tapping you on the shoulder very early in your round. I guess you'd just have to say it's to stop the rain getting in!

Thanks. I was a bit lazy. :)

Perhaps the Shotmaker guys were just making absolutely sure that it wouldn't be considered illegal when they told you to cement it in place.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by iacas

Thanks. I was a bit lazy. :)

Perhaps the Shotmaker guys were just making absolutely sure that it wouldn't be considered illegal when they told you to cement it in place.

You've reminded me that I need to brush up on the rules over the winter as these types of questions come up all the time. I will definitely use the tees as a good practice drill on the driving range though.

[Ignorant]

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

Read the text below in red. It seems you can put tees in the butt end of the club, but be careful with the text in the third line. I'm certain that if you used tees to help you get your hands in by grazing the tee against your right thigh, you'd have a rules official tapping you on the shoulder very early in your round. I guess you'd just have to say it's to stop the rain getting in!

External Attachments

In 2008, the USGA amended the wording of the provision relating to external attachments in order to accommodate a change in interpretation, which previously prohibited any “external attachments” to the club (with certain specific exceptions). While the Rule continues to prohibit the attachment of anything to the club which could potentially have an effect on its performance (e.g., aiming bars or weights), other ”harmless” items may now be permitted to be attached to certain parts of the club provided (a) no performance benefit can be derived, and (b) no other Rules are breached, including Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment).

Prior to 2008, two notable exceptions to this Rule included the permission to apply lead tape to the shaft or clubhead for weighting (see also Design of Clubs, Section 1b and Decision 4-1/4 in “Decisions on the Rules of Golf”) and the use of a suction cup at the end of the shaft of a putter to assist with retrieving the ball from the hole. Even though these exceptions may be considered counter to the provisions in this guideline, use of these items will continue to be permitted on traditional grounds.

The change in wording reflects a broadening of the types of items which may be attached to an existing club, provided the items meet the given criteria:

Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the butt end of the grip, such as tee pegs, ball markers or ball retrieval devices, provided:

such an item does not cause the grip to be considered molded for the hands or create a bulge or waist in the grip; and

the outer diameter of such an item is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the butt end of the grip and the item does not extend beyond the butt end of the grip by more than 2 inches.

I find this text extremely controversial

Why would it be allowed to attach a tee extending 2 inches from the butt end as this most certainly may and will help the player in his swinging? I don’t get it! If one needs to block rain/water out from the shaft’s inside and that would be the only purpose of that tee, why would he leave the tee sticking out 2 inches but to gain an advantage? Why is it not dictated that the tee must be pushed into the grip as far as it goes and this way avoid any debate whether the tee helps in swinging or not? Very strange indeed.

As iacas pointed out it is not about intent but about breaking a Rule. Why would A be allowed to put the tee in there for the rain but B would be in breach should he have the intent of using that as an aiming aid? A would get the same benefit by having a different motive. And certainly no player would ever lie to the RO, no way!!

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by Ignorant

I find this text extremely controversial

Why would it be allowed to attach a tee extending 2 inches from the butt end as this most certainly may and will help the player in his swinging? I don’t get it! If one needs to block rain/water out from the shaft’s inside and that would be the only purpose of that tee, why would he leave the tee sticking out 2 inches but to gain an advantage? Why is it not dictated that the tee must be pushed into the grip as far as it goes and this way avoid any debate whether the tee helps in swinging or not? Very strange indeed.

As iacas pointed out it is not about intent but about breaking a Rule. Why would A be allowed to put the tee in there for the rain but B would be in breach should he have the intent of using that as an aiming aid? A would get the same benefit by having a different motive. And certainly no player would ever lie to the RO, no way!!

Keeping the rain out was just a joke. A better comparison would be just storing a tee in your driver so you have easy access to it on every tee. Perhaps there are people out there that play without pockets (some ladies where skirts with no pockets) or simply hate having things in their pockets. Storing it is fine, but not for gaining a performance benefit. I think the rule is very clear and is as I suspected right from the start.

[Ignorant]

Originally Posted by Ignorant

I find this text extremely controversial

Why would it be allowed to attach a tee extending 2 inches from the butt end as this most certainly may and will help the player in his swinging? I don’t get it! If one needs to block rain/water out from the shaft’s inside and that would be the only purpose of that tee, why would he leave the tee sticking out 2 inches but to gain an advantage? Why is it not dictated that the tee must be pushed into the grip as far as it goes and this way avoid any debate whether the tee helps in swinging or not? Very strange indeed.

As iacas pointed out it is not about intent but about breaking a Rule. Why would A be allowed to put the tee in there for the rain but B would be in breach should he have the intent of using that as an aiming aid? A would get the same benefit by having a different motive. And certainly no player would ever lie to the RO, no way!!

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

Keeping the rain out was just a joke. A better comparison would be just storing a tee in your driver so you have easy access to it on every tee. Perhaps there are people out there that play without pockets (some ladies where skirts with no pockets) or simply hate having things in their pockets. Storing it is fine, but not for gaining a performance benefit. I think the rule is very clear and is as I suspected right from the start.

I don't get your joke. What was your point and how do you see the rule clear in the light of your quote from USGA?

Btw, storing tees in the grip sounds peculiar...

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by Ignorant

I don't get your joke. What was your point and how do you see the rule clear in the light of your quote from USGA?

Btw, storing tees in the grip sounds peculiar...

It wasn't my joke, it was iacas'. However, re-reading the thread it appears he wasn't joking! Storing tees in your grip is peculiar, I agree, but I have seen it done. Only with the driver, but I have seen it done. The text below in red makes it very clear: you cannot place a tee in the butt of your club if it is performance enhancing. That was my point all along. Are you saying to interpret this rule another way?

External Attachments

In 2008, the USGA amended the wording of the provision relating to external attachments in order to accommodate a change in interpretation, which previously prohibited any “external attachments” to the club (with certain specific exceptions). While the Rule continues to prohibit the attachment of anything to the club which could potentially have an effect on its performance (e.g., aiming bars or weights), other ”h armless” items may now be permitted to be attached to certain parts of the club provided (a) no performance benefit can be derived , and (b) no other Rules are breached, including Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment).

[mymizunosrock]

Although not directly related to the topic, I have a question about the grip too. I carry with me a 60 grit sanding pad. Usually if Im practicing and I notice a grip is starting to feel a little smooth, I'll rub the grip a little to get rid of any build up. Its a very light rub just enough to rejunevate the surface. Can I do this on the course?? I have have wanted to do it but have not done so in order to not violate any ruling against this kind of club adjustment.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by mymizunosrock

Although not directly related to the topic, I have a question about the grip too. I carry with me a 60 grit sanding pad. Usually if Im practicing and I notice a grip is starting to feel a little smooth, I'll rub the grip a little to get rid of any build up. Its a very light rub just enough to rejunevate the surface. Can I do this on the course?? I have have wanted to do it but have not done so in order to not violate any ruling against this kind of club adjustment.

It's illegal. I knew I'd seen this on here before:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/42818/sand-paper-your-grips-during-a-round

[zeg]

Originally Posted by Ignorant

As iacas pointed out it is not about intent but about breaking a Rule. Why would A be allowed to put the tee in there for the rain but B would be in breach should he have the intent of using that as an aiming aid? A would get the same benefit by having a different motive. And certainly no player would ever lie to the RO, no way!!

While it's true in all cases that your intent with respect to breaking the rule is irrelevant, there are quite a few cases where your intent in taking an action is relevant to whether a rule is broken.  The most obvious example is in the definition of a stroke.

But "ignorance is no excuse"---whether you meant to or not, if you did break a rule, the penalty applies.

[Ignorant]

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

It wasn't my joke, it was iacas'. However, re-reading the thread it appears he wasn't joking! Storing tees in your grip is peculiar, I agree, but I have seen it done. Only with the driver, but I have seen it done. The text below in red makes it very clear: you cannot place a tee in the butt of your club if it is performance enhancing. That was my point all along. Are you saying to interpret this rule another way?

Well, if one may have a temporary extention of 2 inches long in the butt of a club how would it not ' potentially have an effect on its performance (e.g., aiming bars or weights) ' ??

I do find this USGA text extremely controversial.

[Ignorant]

Originally Posted by zeg

While it's true in all cases that your intent with respect to breaking the rule is irrelevant, there are quite a few cases where your intent in taking an action is relevant to whether a rule is broken.  The most obvious example is in the definition of a stroke.

How would you break a rule as far as a definition of a stroke is concerned...?

No, the intent is not about having an intention to strike a ball or not, it is about the intent of doing something that is or may be against the Rules.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by Ignorant

Well, if one may have a temporary extention of 2 inches long in the butt of a club how would it not 'potentially have an effect on its performance (e.g., aiming bars or weights)' ??

I do find this USGA text extremely controversial.

Perhaps they are referring to a ball retriever device or something else. I've seen people with these devices and they certainly don't enhance performance! They appear to me to get in the way more than anything.