Has the PGA Tour decided to suspend the rules of golf?

[neophytea]

Has the PGA decided to suspend the rules of golf?

In the USGA GOLF RULES ILLUSTRATED 2012-2015 Page 7 " Lost ball , ....Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue to play until that group has passed and is out of range."

This is one of several tenants of golf concerning pace of play that appear that are not enforced?

In the USGA GOLF RULES ILLUSTRATED, 2012-2015 Page 6
" Pace of Play
Play at Good pace and Keep Up
Players should play at a good pace. The committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. Where a group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind can play faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through."

In the USGA GOLF RULES ILLUSTRATED, 2012-2015 Page 7
"Conclusion; Penalties for Breach
If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance these guidelines.
In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7."

Has the PGA Tour agreed to suspend the rules/etiquette of golf over "slow play" and "...protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance these guidelines."?

Or has the PGA tour simply "failed to represent" the players and the game it claims to represent?

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by neophytea

Has the PGA decided to suspend the rules of golf?

In the USGA GOLF RULES ILLUSTRATED 2012-2015 Page 7 "Lost ball, ....Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue to play until that group has passed and is out of range."

This is one of several tenants of golf concerning pace of play that appear that are not enforced?

Does the PGA Tour have any rules that supersede these rules?  I was under the impression that in tournament play, groups are prohibited from allowing other groups to play through, and that if you fall behind on pace of play, you are penalized and sometimes DQ'd, depending on the club/committee's rules.

Brandon

[iacas]

Waving a group through is not a Rule of Golf. The word "signal" does not appear in Rule 27 or in the titles for the Decisions.

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-27/

And when you said "PGA" I believe you meant "PGA Tour." I'll adjust the title of the thread for you.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by neophytea

Has the PGA decided to suspend the rules of golf?

In the USGA GOLF RULES ILLUSTRATED 2012-2015 Page 7 "Lost ball, ....Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue to play until that group has passed and is out of range."

This is one of several tenants of golf concerning pace of play that appear that are not enforced?

In the USGA GOLF RULES ILLUSTRATED, 2012-2015 Page 6

"Pace of Play

Play at Good pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. Where a group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind can play faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through."

In the USGA GOLF RULES ILLUSTRATED, 2012-2015 Page 7

"Conclusion; Penalties for Breach

If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance these guidelines.

In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7."

Has the PGA Tour agreed to suspend the rules/etiquette of golf over "slow play" and "...protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance these guidelines."?

Or has the PGA tour simply "failed to represent" the players and the game it claims to represent?

When we write procedures at work we don't use the word "should" if we mean "must". "Should" is like a recommendation whereas "must" implies a requirement.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

When we write procedures at work we don't use the word "should" if we mean "must". "Should" is like a recommendation whereas "must" implies a requirement.

Yup.  Although we use "shall" instead of "must."  But the meaning is the same ... if we put "should" on our plans, it gives the contractors the opportunity to ignore the directive if they want.

[Rulesman]

As has been indicated these recommendations are not Rules of Golf.

It has in fact been shown that giving way for a 5 minute search actually slows the play for groups further behind. It only works if a player in a group has to wait for a referee to arrive and give or discuss a disputed ruling where is a significant delay and a resultant large gap ahead.

When they are 'encouraged', players will easily make up a 5 minute search within a couple of holes. But they have to be 'encouraged'.

It is nice to hear that John Paramor has indicated that they (the European Tour) intent to tighten up on slow play because it is affecting the amateur game too much.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/golf/kevin-garside-fishers-slowplay-penalty-should-give-dawdlers-a-hurryup-7815095.html

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

When we write procedures at work we don't use the word "should" if we mean "must". "Should" is like a recommendation whereas "must" implies a requirement.

Legal Educators are asking attorneys to use "will" instead of "must." I will say that "will" works well.

:-)

[Rulesman]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

When we write procedures at work we don't use the word "should" if we mean "must". "Should" is like a recommendation whereas "must" implies a requirement.

That's exactly what the Rules book says in the section 'Understand the words'.

Understand the Words

The Rule book is written in a very precise and deliberate fashion. You should

be aware of and understand the following differences in word use:

• may = optional

• should = recommendation

• must = instruction (and penalty if not carried out)

• a ball = you may substitute another ball (e.g., Rules 26, 27 and 28)

• the ball = you must not substitute another ball (e.g., Rules 24-2 and 25-1)