3/3/2019 - The Golf Course of California

Our club is playing GCC next week, and I had never played there, so I thought I would get in a practice round on Sunday afternoon.

When I checked in, the guy at the counter gave me a yardage book, and pointed out that there is a sand trap in the middle of the green on #7 (par 3).  He was very clear that you are not allowed to chip on the green.  If you're on the wrong side of the bunker, then you have to putt around it, he said.  He did offer the alternative of trying to putt really hard through the bunker, which would probably leave your ball in the bunker*.  And then you could use your wedge.

It is clearly stated on the scorecard (in all caps, even) - "CHIPPING ON ANY PUTTING SURFACE IS PROHIBITED."

Can they do that?  Rule 13.1f (2019 rules) covers the wrong putting green, but that's different.  PGA tour pros will often use a wedge on the green, if they would otherwise have to putt through the fringe or whatnot.

To me, this is fundamentally changing the rules of golf.  Unless otherwise specified in the rules, you can use any club for any shot.  I did a fair amount of searching and googling, and I can't find anything that convinces me that this is not a fundamental change to the rules of golf.

Should you do it?  No.  I think the course is within their rights to prohibit this.  But it's allowed in the rules of golf.  So if I was playing for $100 per hole, then I would absolutely violate their rule and post my score with a clear conscience.  I would repair any damage done to the best of my ability, and hope that they didn't kick me off the property.

Fortunately, I did not have to deal with this scenario.  I missed to the right of the green, but above the bunker.  And I would certainly have putted around the bunker in a practice round.  And if it happens in our tourney next week, I won't use a wedge on the green.  I'm not that good.  And I probably want to go back.  I really enjoyed my round there, despite the light rain and cool temperatures.

They also returned my sweatshirt, which I left in my cart, so I like the place.

*There is a noticeable elevation difference between the front and back of the green, so I suppose if you were above the trap, putting downhill, you might have a chance of putting over the bunker.  But there's no way to stop the ball, unless you can put backspin on a putt.