Edoardo Molinari DQ'd Because His Caddie Took Cart to Tee

**boogielicious** · April 19, 2015

From golf.com

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/edoardo-molinari-disqualified-because-his-caddy-took-cart-tee

This is a rule we never really have to worry about.

by Marika Washchyshyn

File this under bizarre penalties on the golf course.
Italy's Edoardo Molinari was disqualified from the European Tour's Shenzhen International on Friday after failing to include a strange penalty on his round of 75 Thursday; his caddie hopped a golf cart between the ninth and 10th tees, but Molinari didn't see it.

**DocPangloss** · April 19, 2015

I'm curious what the rationale is for that rule. I don't see how this gives Molinari an unfair advantage.

**SavvySwede** · April 19, 2015

The governing bodies of the Tours really need to cut this kind of nonsense from the rulebook. The fans don't want to see this kind of thing happen.

***iacas*** · April 19, 2015

I'm curious what the rationale is for that rule. I don't see how this gives Molinari an unfair advantage.

I disagree, and think that clear lines are better than fuzzy lines where we try to determine whether an "advantage" was gained. Sometimes you fall afoul of a "goofy" rule but keeping the clarity and solidity of the line is important in the end.

The rules say players and caddies can't take carts. It's a clear line, and unfortunately the caddie broke that rule.

Some tournaments will shuttle players on long walks from a green to a tee or something, but it's done for EVERY player (or player/caddie).

And… it is an advantage. A very, very small one, but again: clarity is more important than trying to judge "how much" something was an advantage.

**jamo** · April 19, 2015

I'm curious what the rationale is for that rule. I don't see how this gives Molinari an unfair advantage.

[quote name="iacas" url="/t/81490/edoardo-molinari-dqd-because-his-caddie-took-cart-to-tee/0_30#post_1131720"] I disagree, and think that clear lines are better than fuzzy lines where we try to determine whether an "advantage" was gained. [/quote] Right. The rule isn't "players and caddies can't use carts unless oops maybe the caddie can do it once even if it's an honest mistake," it's "players and caddies can't use carts." You break the rule, you get punished. Probably not a mistake the caddie will make twice.

**Fourputt** · April 19, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocPangloss

I'm curious what the rationale is for that rule. I don't see how this gives Molinari an unfair advantage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

I disagree, and think that clear lines are better than fuzzy lines where we try to determine whether an "advantage" was gained.

Right. The rule isn't "players and caddies can't use carts unless oops maybe the caddie can do it once even if it's an honest mistake," it's "players and caddies can't use carts." You break the rule, you get punished. Probably not a mistake the caddie will make twice.

The caddie may not have a job any more.

**dkolo** · April 19, 2015

The caddie may not have a job any more.

He may be the guy driving the cart next week, haha.

**Rulesman** · April 19, 2015

The governing bodies of the Tours really need to cut this kind of nonsense from the rulebook. The fans don't want to see this kind of thing happen.

Are they really that bothered? It will never happen to them. Will anyone stop watching pro golf or playing as a result?

**Rulesman** · April 19, 2015

I'm curious what the rationale is for that rule. I don't see how this gives Molinari an unfair advantage.

How many rules are concerned with an 'unfair advantage'? If advantage comes into it, it is about potential advantage, whether gained or not.

But is this about advantage at all? It is more about all players being treated equally and the logistics of providing transport for 150 or so players and caddies between greens and tees (or around the course in general).

**acerimusdux** · April 19, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

From golf.com

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/edoardo-molinari-disqualified-because-his-caddy-took-cart-tee

This is a rule we never really have to worry about.

Yup. It's not actually against the "rules of golf" generally to take the cart, it's a breach of the conditions of the competition. So unless you are playing in a competitive tournament that adopts this rule, then you don't have to worry about it. Technically, it's a breach under 33-1:

Quote:

The Committee must establish the conditions under which a competition is to be played.

Very likely, the Committee had adopted the suggested language in Appendix I, part C, rule 8:

Quote:

8. Transportation

If it is desired to require players to walk in a competition, the following condition is recommended:

"Players must not ride on any form of transportation during a stipulated round unless authorized by the Committee.

*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION:

Match play - At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred; maximum deduction per round - Two holes.

Stroke play - Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round - Four strokes (two strokes at each of the first two holes at which any breach occurred).

Match play or stroke play - If a breach is discovered between the play of two holes, it is deemed to have been discovered during play of the next hole, and the penalty must be applied accordingly.

Bogey and par competitions - See Note 1 to Rule 32-1a .

Stableford competitions - See Note 1 to Rule 32-1b .

*Use of any unauthorized form of transportation must be discontinued immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. Otherwise, the player is disqualified."

And this is further addressed by decision 33-1/9.5:

Quote:

33-1/9.5

Breach of Transportation Condition by Caddie

Q.The Committee has adopted the Transportation Condition in Appendix I as a condition of competition. During the stipulated round, a player's caddie accepts a ride on a golf cart without the authority of the Committee. Is the player penalized for the caddie's breach of the condition?

A.Yes. The player is responsible for any breach of a Rule during a stipulated round by his caddie and incurs the applicable penalty (Rule 6-1 ).

So it's similar to any other tournament condition, such as the "one ball rule", or requiring drivers and balls used to be listed on the USGA conforming driver and ball lists. Players and caddies in PGA Tournaments are responsible for knowing these conditions.

**GolfLug** · April 20, 2015

I get the DQ, but two shots a bit steep for this kind/level of violation, yeah? Maybe a fine or something?

**Rulesman** · April 20, 2015

I get the DQ, but two shots a bit steep for this kind/level of violation, yeah? Maybe a fine or something?

How can you apply financial penalties in a game that played mainly by amateurs?

**ColinL** · April 20, 2015

Molinari's caddie has probably suffered a financial penalty anyway. His man was disqualified which doesn't leave much in the way of a percentage of the prize money, does it?

**GolfLug** · April 20, 2015

How can you apply financial penalties in a game that played mainly by amateurs?

I have no idea. I see your point.

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Edoardo Molinari DQ'd Because His Caddie Took Cart to Tee

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8. Transportation

*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION:

33-1/9.5

Breach of Transportation Condition by Caddie

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