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Using back side of club

GJT

By GJT,
in Rules of Golf

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Note: This thread is 2408 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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GJT Member

GJT

I searched for this and found no hits. 

So...I have been known to use the backside of a long iron when my ball is up against a tree. It works for me (usually) and I will get about 30 yards out of it.

I am a righty. Is this legal?


Club Rat Super Member

Club Rat

10 minutes ago, GJT said:

Is this legal?

I've done it for years, hope there's no infraction.
Although I may be incorrect, I believe it's Ok.

The only situation which I believe it not allowed, would be using the club in the manner similar to using a pool cue.
Guy's have horsed around and stroked in a short putt on the green in that manner for fun.

Johnny Rocket - Let's Rock and Roll and play some golf !!!

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David in FL Incredible Member

David in FL

Perfectly legal.

You also might want to try/practice flipping a wedge upside down for those short left handed trouble shots.  The shorter club is easier to control, and even upside down, the flat clubface is more forgiving...

 

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In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw
Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
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Ball: ProV1

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GJT Member

GJT

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24 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Perfectly legal.

You also might want to try/practice flipping a wedge upside down for those short left handed trouble shots.  The shorter club is easier to control, and even upside down, the flat clubface is more forgiving...

 

I have seen the backwards wedge used but never tried. Will check it out. Thanks!


Wally Fairway Great Member

Wally Fairway

There is another option for that up against a tree type obstruction - for years I've played a 6 or 7 iron, swung with only my right had as I stand facing away from the target and swing it "backwards".

Here are a couple of examples - Kuchars is tough as it is in deep greenside rough

 

 

 

 

Players play, tough players win!

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Piz Great Member

Piz

The backhander is detailed in Ken Venturi's book: Stroke Savers.  

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Cleveland Hi-Bore driver, Maltby 5 wood, Maltby hybrid, Maltby irons and wedges (23 to 50) Vokey 59/07, Cleveland Niblick (LH-42), and a Maltby mallet putter.                                                                                                                                                 "When the going gets tough...it's tough to get going."

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Rulesman Great Member

Rulesman

The Rule (14-1a) only says "The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club ........."

It does not specify which part may or may not be used.


ghalfaire Great Member

ghalfaire

On ‎2‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 7:41 AM, David in FL said:

Perfectly legal.

You also might want to try/practice flipping a wedge upside down for those short left handed trouble shots.  The shorter club is easier to control, and even upside down, the flat clubface is more forgiving...

 

I am a "lefty" playing "righty" and I do this.  Works well but take some practice to figure out trajectory, direction.  I have never tried to use the back of the club but sounds/looks more difficult.  Maybe I'll try it at the range. 

Butch


Marty2019 Great Member

Marty2019

I hit one the other day, it was up against a tree and I choked up on my 3-hybrid and hit it lefty, punched it about 20 yards back into the fairway.  One of the best shots I hit all day.  First time I've ever done that. 

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GJT Member

GJT

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13 minutes ago, Marty2019 said:

I hit one the other day, it was up against a tree and I choked up on my 3-hybrid and hit it lefty, punched it about 20 yards back into the fairway.  One of the best shots I hit all day.  First time I've ever done that. 

You’re welcome ..... :)


  • 3 weeks later...
6Aces Member

6Aces

On 2/24/2018 at 9:25 AM, GJT said:

I searched for this and found no hits. 

So...I have been known to use the backside of a long iron when my ball is up against a tree. It works for me (usually) and I will get about 30 yards out of it.

I am a righty. Is this legal?

Decision 14-1a/1

Playing Stroke with Back of Clubhead

Q.May a player play a left-handed stroke with the back of the head of a right-handed club?

A.Yes. A player may play a stroke with any part of the clubhead, provided the ball is fairly struck at (Rule 14-1a) and the club conforms with Rule 4-1.


NEhomer Well Established Member

NEhomer

I thought there was a rule that a clubhead must be wider than its depth. If so, would hitting the ball with the edge of the clubhead be a violation? ...not curious enough to bother researching it!

 

I putt with a bullseye putter and the back side of the blade is very useful for backwards recovery shots.

John C.

In the bag: Nike Covert Driver, #3 wood and #5 Wood. Titelist AP1 710series irons regular graphite shafts. Sounder 60 degree wedge. Titleist Bullseye putter.  Prov-1 balls.


Rulesman Great Member

Rulesman

(edited)
1 hour ago, NEhomer said:

I thought there was a rule that a clubhead must be wider than its depth. If so, would hitting the ball with the edge of the clubhead be a violation? ...not curious enough to bother researching it!

 

I putt with a bullseye putter and the back side of the blade is very useful for backwards recovery shots.

That only applies to putters. 

There is no violation for hitting the ball that way but the putter would be non-conforming and its use would result in a DQ

Edited by Rulesman

NEhomer Well Established Member

NEhomer

23 minutes ago, Rulesman said:

That only applies to putters. 

There is no violation for hitting the ball that way but the putter would be non-conforming and its use would result in a DQ

Interesting. Would that apply to the putting surface or anywhere through the green?

John C.

In the bag: Nike Covert Driver, #3 wood and #5 Wood. Titelist AP1 710series irons regular graphite shafts. Sounder 60 degree wedge. Titleist Bullseye putter.  Prov-1 balls.


Missouri Swede Great Member

Missouri Swede

1 hour ago, Rulesman said:

There is no violation for hitting the ball that way but the putter would be non-conforming and its use would result in a DQ

Why would the putter be nonconforming?

Craig
What's in the :ogio: Silencer bag (on the :clicgear: cart)
Driver: :callaway: Razr Fit 10.5°  
5 Wood: :tmade: Burner  
Hybrid: :cobra: Baffler DWS 20°
Irons: :ping: G400 
Wedge: :ping: Glide 2.0 54° ES grind 
Putter: :heavyputter:  midweight CX2
:aimpoint:,  :bushnell: Tour V4

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Patch Incredible Member

Patch

8 minutes ago, Missouri Swede said:

Why would the putter be nonconforming?

Good question. I can't give specifics, but I know I have see pga players nonchalantly tap in with the back side of their putter.

In My Bag:
A whole bunch of Tour Edge golf stuff...... :beer:

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iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Administrator
2 hours ago, Missouri Swede said:

Why would the putter be nonconforming?

He said a putter that was deeper than it is wide would be non-conforming.

Not tapping the ball in with the back of the putter, or the toe, etc.

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