Another Pro Who Hasn't Read the Rules (Improper Dropping Technique)

[turtleback]

I am!  I also remember when you could leave the flag in on the greens!

No excuse for him not to know.

I remember when the penalty for hitting the flagstick was not based on whether the ball was on or off the green but whether it was more or less than 25 feet from the hole.  And 25 ft. tape measures were sold in the little ads in the back of Golf Digest.

Getting old sucks.  But it beats the alternative.

[iacas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtleback

I remember when the penalty for hitting the flagstick was not based on whether the ball was on or off the green but whether it was more or less than 25 feet from the hole.  And 25 ft. tape measures were sold in the little ads in the back of Golf Digest.

I did a quick Google search of the posts at http://ruleshistory.com - didn't find that one. Could you locate it? I believe you, I'd just like to know when/where that rule changed.

Edit: your memory may be a bit off. Is it possible you are remembering 20 yards as 25 feet? http://ruleshistory.com/green.html .

Quote:

R&A; definition amended to be within 20 yards of the hole, excluding hazards.  That definition lasted until 1952 , when the putting green was given its present day definition of being an area specially prepared for putting.  But, references to being within 20 yds of the hole still existed in relation to a ball striking the flagstick until 1956 , or a competitor's ball in stroke play until 1968 when finally, all 20-yard references were removed.

Many of us remember seeing footage of some older pros hitting putts with the flagstick in at Augusta National (though a quick YouTube search for that came up empty as well…).

[turtleback]

I did a quick Google search of the posts at http://ruleshistory.com - didn't find that one. Could you locate it? I believe you, I'd just like to know when/where that rule changed.

Edit: your memory may be a bit off. Is it possible you are remembering 20 yards as 25 feet? http://ruleshistory.com/green.html .

Many of us remember seeing footage of some older pros hitting putts with the flagstick in at Augusta National (though a quick YouTube search for that came up empty as well…).

I'm wondering if somehow I got a hold of an old Golf Digest and saw those ads there (this is a very clear memory).  But I agree with you that the distance was 20 yards and the change was made back in the 50's, and I'm not quite THAT old.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

I did a quick Google search of the posts at http://ruleshistory.com - didn't find that one. Could you locate it? I believe you, I'd just like to know when/where that rule changed.

Edit: your memory may be a bit off. Is it possible you are remembering 20 yards as 25 feet? http://ruleshistory.com/green.html .

Many of us remember seeing footage of some older pros hitting putts with the flagstick in at Augusta National (though a quick YouTube search for that came up empty as well…).

I'm wondering if somehow I got a hold of an old Golf Digest and saw those ads there (this is a very clear memory).  But I agree with you that the distance was 20 yards and the change was made back in the 50's, and I'm not quite THAT old.

I am, but I wasn't quite playing golf yet at that time (my 6th birthday was in December of 1952).

[rogolf]

http://www.ruleshistory.com/green.html

[iacas]

http://www.ruleshistory.com/green.html

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