rogolf

Rules officials at The Masters are instructed to be "conspicuously inconspicuous". This instruction might exist because of television or that it's known that the players will call for referees when they need them. Regardless, and back on topic about Rules guidance for juniors, teach them to call an official and proceed as follows: 1. ask "Are you a rules official (referee) for this event?" 2. if the answer is no, then request a rules official (referree) 3. if the answer is yes, then ask "What are my options here?" The rules official (referee) should then outline all of the options available to the player for the current situation. If the player is not satisfied, he should ask for a second opinion. I do admit that I give more leeway to juniors (because they are still learning) than I do to adults, whether they are amateurs or professsionals.

We aren't the cold, unfeeling automatons that you make us out to be. I take it that you refuse to accept the word of those of us who have actually worked as on course officials and have been trained for it . Tell me, by what real world experiential authority do you come by your information? You can include me in that same group. My Rules credentials, training and experience are extensive; I'm not going to list them, nor ask for yours. This isn't a poker game. :) We seem to be hung up on two different points - 1. Trying to prevent a player from breaking a Rule is part of a referee's responsibility, and I have no disagreement with that what-so-ever. 2, Volunteering information on the Rules and their options to players who have not asked, and that is not part of the referee's responsibility, imo. This is where the warning "if you can't do it for everyone, don't do it for anyone" enters the picture. An example of this would be seeing a player proceeding correctly under 26-1a or 26-1b for a lateral water hazard and going over, without being asked, to advise him of the other (perhaps more beneficial) options of 26-1c.

That's not how I interpret it. To me it means not to volunteer information on the Rules to a player when he cannot provide the same information for all the players, ie don't volunteer information, but do address/answer questions. I do agree that the referee must treat every player equally and with respect, and part of treating them equally is not to volunteer Rules information individually or one off.

See Decision 34-2/3 Referee Warning Player about to Infringe Rule "If he volunteers information about the Rules, he should do so uniformly to all players."

Good performance! It's always good for him to become his own "official" by knowing the most used Rules. Two questions to teach a player: - "are you a rules official (referee) for this competition?" - if yes, then "what are my options here?" A rules official (referee) loves to hear the open questions (what, how?) as it gives them a chance to "strut their stuff". Referees are warned about giving options to players when they haven't been asked for them, on the basis that they don't (can't) do this for everyone. It's up to the players to ask, and the good ones make use of the resource available.

I know that if i am in a sandy bunker and my ball is up against or near some stones i am permitted to remove the stones so to remove any danger to self or others when the shot is played. Just re-clarifying for the original poster that this is not part of the Rules of golf, and such "relief" is not permitted unless the Committee in charge of the course or competition has implemented the required local Rule for that course/competition. Touching/removing stones in a bunker when the local Rule is not in place is a breach of Rule 13-4 and the player incurs a penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.

Saw this on another site, it's online.... http://rulesofgolf.golfcanada.ca/01-00-0001/

Bad luck starts somewhere, play hard or use the unplayable rule.

And that's the beauty of match play, which, by the way, is the original form of play (and why match play is covered first in each Rule). Stroke play is slow, match play is fast, and it's fast because of the permitted concessions and the loss of hole penalties. Why continue play of a hole when you're lying eight on the green and your opponent is lying three beside the green? Concede the hole and move on to the next. :)

Here's a slight modification to the last question - player goes into the bunker with two clubs, sets one down properly, but then decides to change clubs to use the one that he has placed in the sand. Any breach of 13-4?

It's unfortunate that TV does not show PGA Tour players between shots, because they really move quickly. For instance, in a one hundred yard walk, I'd finish 20 yards behind Mickelson or Ben Crane. The latter is well known as being a slow player on Tour, and his pre-shot routine is very slow, but he does have a second/third gear that allows him to get back into position quickly once notified or warned. While in position with respect to the group in front, players can take as much time on their pre-shot routine as they wish, and that's what we see on TV.

Pace of play is important, but seems to have become a common excuse for not playing by the Rules, viz, - not using stroke and distance - not taking the opportunity for 3-3 - not putting out - not correcting serious breach As correctly stated above, officials will make allowances in a group's pace for situations of following the Rules, but there is also an expectation to regain any lost time. Many players do not have a second gear!

In my opinion, 2 (that you know of) out of 30 is far too high of a percentage, and there might be a case for a "bunch of cheaters". I'd expect less than 1 in a hundred, maybe two hundred.

It was on the 18th hole and the OP called it before the cards were turned in - that's "timely" in my book of definitions. All the player had to do was add the two strokes before he turned in his scorecard, then there is no DQ. But, the two strokes do need to be added! I can't believe the Committee in charge of the competition wouldn't apply the Rules - certainly all of the players in the competition expect it to be played by all of the Rules! Otherwise, as Kramer says, it's Chaos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ4J5NBNp5k

In our groups, we say "move them if you think you need to" and it's amazing how often it's not needed! Egos do kick in regularly.

There needs to be a local Rule in order to obtain relief for aeration holes through the green - they are not "holes made by a greenkeeper". The aeration plug is a loose impediment, same as an acorn, rock or a divot. Play the ball as it lies, take your chances moving the loose impediment, or deem it unplayable (with the one stroke penalty).

I suggest that you also check the next Decision, 33-8/18, which gives the Committee permission to implement a local Rule that permits line of play relief for a safety net/screen.