Rulesman

Prior to 2019 Many clubs had the LR declaring them to be movable obstructions and if the ball moved you simply replaced it. Since 2019 they are now loose impediments but if the balls moves when you remove one, that is now a one shot penalty (the ball still has to be replaced). Was this really thought through?

It is in the Rules. However, in such situations, the player may not, in a single procedure, concurrently take relief from two conditions by dropping a ball in a single relief area determined by a combined nearest point of complete relief from both conditions, except in the situation where the player has successively taken relief for interference from each condition and is essentially back where the player started.

The latter may be used by any committee for any level of competition. There was a time when the newly introduced local rule was used by committees who wanted to elevate the status of their comp. I think that idea bit the dust a while back..

👍👍

Tour players aren't playing for handicaps and they are all playing in the same competition on the same course under the same local rules.

In certain circumstances you can now. Primarily on the Tours and in some competitions where the organisers want people to think it's a 'big boys' event.

Thanks for the complement, much appreciated. However I have now retired from active refereeing. But have been invited to do a couple of big amateur events later this year.

So you go up the snakes and down the ladders? Don't try that with my grandkids.

Unfortunately yes.

If there is a rule dispute in match play the offended player must make a claim before the next hole is started. That must then be taken to the Committee on completion of the match. In this case the offending player would have been DQd as it would have been a serious breach but not his partner.

Can I wait until the next day?

The player is allowed a reasonable time to reach the hole and ten more seconds to wait to see whether the ball will fall into the hole. I must say, I thought everyone knew the 10 second rule.🙄

Yes. General Penalty. Loss of Hole.

Not necessarily. Providing you have virtual certainty that the the ball is in the penalty area. It depends on the colour of the markings. See Rule 17.1d https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=17 Yellow - you could go 'Back on the Line'. ie estimate the point where the ball last crossed into the margin of the penalty area. Take a line from the hole, through that point back as far as you wish within 1 cl of the line. Red - as above or 'Lateral Relief' within 2cl of that point not nearer the hole

Sorry.

9.1b. What to Do When Ball Moves During Backswing or Stroke If a player’s ball at rest begins moving after the player has begun the stroke or the backswing for a stroke and the player goes on to make the stroke: The ball must not be replaced, no matter what caused it to move. Instead, the player must play the ball from where it comes to rest after the stroke. If the player caused the ball to move, see Rule 9.4b to find out if there is a penalty.

Here (UK) It is common practice to identify/mark bunkers designated as GUR with a blue flag or stake. Depending in the density or consistency of the sand IMO 4" is unusually deep.

I don't see why people can't cope. Playing from a divot video - Golf Monthly Follow these simple tips on playing from a divot by Golf Monthly Top 25 coach Barnet Puttick, and you'll start making birdies from poor lies.

As the USGA/R&A have said: A fundamental challenge of the sport is to deal with whatever position your ball comes to rest in – whether good or bad. While there are some necessary exceptions (such as obstructions and other abnormal course conditions), the essential nature of golf means these must remain exceptions rather than the norm. Therefore, the new Rules do not provide relief without penalty from situations that some golfers complain about, such as when their ball comes to rest in a divot hole on a fairway or in footprints in a poorly raked bunker. In addition to being contrary to the fundamental principle of playing the ball as it lies, providing free relief in such circumstances would make the Rules harder to apply (for example, what is the difference between an irregularity of surface and an old divot hole?) and would slow down play.

See below for an excerpt from a joint USGA and R&A report on topics not addressed in the 2019 modernization of the Rules. Apparently, the discussion on divot holes was very short, about the length of time between the traffic light turning green and the guy behind you honking his horn. Certain Topics Not Addressed in the New Rules of Golf for 2019–March 2018 Update 2. Preserving the Fundamental Challenge of the Game• Play the ball as it lies–In its simplest form, golf is about playing the ball from tee to green by hitting it with a golf club, and not otherwise touching the ball. A fundamental challenge of the sport is to deal with whatever position your ball comes to rest in –whether good or bad. While there are some necessary exceptions (such as obstructions and other abnormal course conditions), the essential nature of golf means these must remain exceptions rather than the norm. Therefore, the new Rules do not provide relief without penalty from situations that some golfers complain about, such as when their ball comes to rest in a divot hole on a fairway or in footprints in a poorly raked bunker. In addition to being contrary to the fundamental principle of playing the ball as it lies, providing free relief in such circumstances would make the Rules harder to apply (for example, what is the difference between an irregularity of surface and an old divot hole?) and could slow down play when there are difficult questions about what is or isn’t a divot hole.

You are fortunate. Most trees seek to get in my way.

Generally it is a matter of swings and roundabouts compensation but the tee makers should not be placed more than 10 yards from the permanent marker. If the total length differs from the rated length by more that 100 yards, Appendix G specifies the adjustment to be made to the course rating and slope. If it is more than 300 yards the Authorised Association must be contacted.

Makes sense.

I have been asked by the Committee of a local club and the underlying question is as you suggest. Are the scores to be returned as Competition (in WHS terminology) scores or General Play? If the former, should each round be set up as one competition for all players (preferred I think) or a series of two man field competitions? Each game will be strokeplay and the lower scorer of the two players in that game goes into the next round