anauthor

Okay, here's a situation for tiger. He hits in the water, and this time, he actually tries to drop as close as possible. He is hitting from a downhill lie. So let's say the slope and speed of the fairway is such that when he drops the ball, it lands and rolls closer to the hole. He drops again, and this time it lands an inch closer to the hole that his original shot. Does he drop a third time, or place the ball where it landed, an inch closer to the green than he hit his first shot. Or place the ball as close as possible to where he dropped it, but no closer to the hole? If the second drop doesn't count, how many times can he try to drop the ball? 3,4,5,6... Let's say it is super windy, can he drop and take how far he thinks the wind will blow his ball before it hits the ground? I know I'm venting. I'ts only because I would really like this rule changed. I know that if you get to move the ball 2 club lengths, you can get away from trees, bad lies, and the like. But you've already got hit by a 2 shot penalty. All I care about is, it would still be fair for everyone. And would iliminate what the player was thinking. Consider this my final vent on the issue. Thanks for listening!

How do you post , and put in what another person has said?

I'm just a bit upset. I have a hard time giving a penalty for intent. Who's to say that someone dropped in a flatter area, or an area where it is less likely to roll into a divot. If they don't say they were intentionally doing so, they get away with it. Then again, why have any rule where you get 1 or 2 club lengths? Just determine closest spot and always drop there. I'll bet ever pro when dropping after going into a water hazard, has been trying yo get a good lie for there next shot, not just dropping as close as they could to last spot. But that's just my opinion.

2 questions. 1) if tiger had not said 'couple of yards back.' Would he have been given a 2 shot penalty? 2) if not, how much farther back could he have been before he would have?

Why couldn't they just have them place ball?

Sorry about last post about closer to hole. As it is now, what is clear? Close as possible... 6 inches? 1 foot? I never see pros drop into their divot, or within several inches. At what distance should I have my competitor redrop? My opinion is 1 or 2 club lengthens. Not approximately anything. Funny, no pros have come forward and discussed how they drop. We will see this rule again this weekend. Usga must change it. Can't have some golfers use 3 inches, others 6 inches, still others 12 inches. But usga will drag their feet. Only more regrettable drops, that end in penalties will force issue. God how I wish nick Nicklaus, Palmer, or other great would pick this up. How come masters people didn't show other drops this masters and compare distances? Is it just intention of getting better lie, or distance from original spot? Looking forward to Thursdays round at heritage. Let the rules carnage begin!

If we keep it the way it is. Then what if I drop the ball and it rolls 3 inches closer to the hole, than the original shot? Rule stats, close as possible, not close as possible but no closer to hole! This brings in a real and disturbing possibility. I drop ball as near as possible, and after, after I finish round, high definition camera shows I am 1/4 inch closer to hole than original shot. DQ. Really, that's where we're going unless they bring in the 2 club lengths rule.

Bkuehn1952, Well said. Rule needs changing to 2 club lengths. Will be interested in how long usga will let it slide.