I took an on-course lesson, which means that I can't post the score. For the record, I shot 42 on the front, while the lesson was still in my mind (or shoulders), and 53 on the back after it had escaped.
I hear a lot of bad opinions on how / when to post. There are sandbaggers, to be sure, but I've never met anyone who admitted to it. I have played with numerous people who admitted that they only post their good rounds. Consequently their handicap (or handicap index if you're being pedantic) is artificially low. They are anti-sandbagging as it were.
The other time you can't post is if you're playing solo. This seems silly to me, since the random strangers I play with never see the score that I post, but that's the rule. I think there's another rule about you can't post "off-season," which is meaningless here in San Diego. But it probably matters elsewhere.
If you play between 7 and 12 holes, you must post a 9-hole score. If you play 13 or more holes, you must post the 18 hole score. For any holes that you didn't actually play, post the score your handicap would have given you. We skipped #12, because we were racing sunset. My course handicap (calculation below) is 19 on that course, it's the #4 handicap hole, so if I were to post, then I would put a bogey for that hole. At 19, I would post a bogey for any given hole, except #6, which is the #1 handicap hole. I would post a double-bogey for that hole.
I think another thing that people mess up a lot is ESC (Equitable Stroke Control) scoring. ESC scoring is used so that one bad whole doesn't have too big of an impact on your handicap. If your course handicap is under 10, then the most you can post for any hole is double-bogey. If your handicap is 10-19, then the highest score you can post for any hole is a 7. If your course handicap is 20-29, then the max is 8, 30-39, max is 9, and at 40 and up, the highest score you can post for any hole is a 10. I had an 8 on one hole, so if I were to post, then my 95 would have posted as a 94.
On more than one occasion, I've played one set of tees on the front, and a different set of tees on the back. You can do that. Just post them as two different 9-hole scores.
You shouldn't change tees in the middle of a side. I do recall an occasion where there was a temporary tee box on #4 at TP South, and there is a formula for recalculating the slope for that scenario, based on the yardage differential. But I won't get into that.
Your course handicap is calculated by taking the slope of the course (on the scorecard) divided by 113, multiplied by your handicap index (the number you receive in your email twice per month).
Worth noting is that your handicap index is based on the best 10 of your last 20 rounds. So you should only expect to "beat" your handicap about 25% of the time.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Monday, June 10, 2019
6/8/2019 - Mount Woodson GC
Our club played Mount Woodson this weekend, and I had several interesting encounters with the rules.
The first encounter involved hitting my ball into ahazard penalty area. I found the ball, but it was not in a position that I wanted to play it. It was in between several large rocks. I was pretty sure that it was a penalty area, but there were no stakes or markings. In retrospect, I looked at the scorecard, and there is a Local Rule at Mt. Woodson that all native areas are hazards. But I wasn't certain at the time. I thought about taking an unplayable, but I'm not sure two club lengths would have gotten me to a better position. So I decided to play it.
I'm not sure exactly what the ball hit, but it flew up and skimmed my face before dropping down the ground and bouncing across the cart path, out of the penalty area. Previously this would have been a penalty. But not any more. 2019 Rule 11 says that if this is unintentional, then there is no penalty, and you must play the ball as it lies. It didn't really bounce off of my face, it just sort of whizzed by, spinning, and barely grazed me.
The lesson here is that you should be aware of the Local Rules. I could have taken relief outside the penalty area without the risk of the ball taking a horrible bounce.
The second encounter also brought up a few rules. I should start out by mentioning that our club has adopted the optional local rule E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds, which can be found at the link below. This is a great local rule for improving pace of play. It came up again later in the round when another member of our foursome couldn't find his ball (which may have been hit by the group in the opposite fairway).
https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/golfs-new-rules-stroke-and-distance.html
I missed the fairway badly in the vicinity of a penalty area. In searching, I found several other balls, but not my ball. Another member of our foursome found a ball that was the brand I was playing (Kirkland), but it was not my ball. Finally, I found my ball massively embedded in the mud. A quick look determined that the ball was within the hazard. The new rules allow for relief for an embedded ball on the green, in the fairway, and even in the rough, but not in a penalty area. My ball had crossed the hazard 150 yards back, so if I was going to take relief from the penalty area, I would have needed to go almost all the way back to the tee.
So I took advantage of the new local rule. Basically you're allowed to take a two stroke penalty, and drop up to two club-lengths in the fairway. So I was laying three in the fairway. Under the old rule, I would have had to go back to the tee (or near the tee) and hit my third shot from there. It's 50/50 as to whether I would hit the fairway. Actually, I average 5.4 fairways per round, so it's much less than 50/50.
With this rule in place, I may never hit another provisional ball.
Another lesson - make sure you can positively identify your ball, not just by brand and number.
The third encounter was uncertainty about a potential rules violation. After lipping out a putt, I pulled the flagstick with my left hand, and putted the ball in with my right hand. As I was doing it, I was thinking that maybe that used to be a rule, but I wasn't sure. Our esteemed Tournament Director pointed out that it could be a violation, but no one was sure. Later in the round, we had a chance to look it up, and it was formerly covered by Decision 17-1/5, which explicitly says that this is not a penalty. 2019 rule 13.2 covers the flagstick, and only indicates a penalty in the above scenario if the ball had hit the flagstick. It did not.
The first encounter involved hitting my ball into a
I'm not sure exactly what the ball hit, but it flew up and skimmed my face before dropping down the ground and bouncing across the cart path, out of the penalty area. Previously this would have been a penalty. But not any more. 2019 Rule 11 says that if this is unintentional, then there is no penalty, and you must play the ball as it lies. It didn't really bounce off of my face, it just sort of whizzed by, spinning, and barely grazed me.
The lesson here is that you should be aware of the Local Rules. I could have taken relief outside the penalty area without the risk of the ball taking a horrible bounce.
The second encounter also brought up a few rules. I should start out by mentioning that our club has adopted the optional local rule E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds, which can be found at the link below. This is a great local rule for improving pace of play. It came up again later in the round when another member of our foursome couldn't find his ball (which may have been hit by the group in the opposite fairway).
https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/golfs-new-rules-stroke-and-distance.html
I missed the fairway badly in the vicinity of a penalty area. In searching, I found several other balls, but not my ball. Another member of our foursome found a ball that was the brand I was playing (Kirkland), but it was not my ball. Finally, I found my ball massively embedded in the mud. A quick look determined that the ball was within the hazard. The new rules allow for relief for an embedded ball on the green, in the fairway, and even in the rough, but not in a penalty area. My ball had crossed the hazard 150 yards back, so if I was going to take relief from the penalty area, I would have needed to go almost all the way back to the tee.
So I took advantage of the new local rule. Basically you're allowed to take a two stroke penalty, and drop up to two club-lengths in the fairway. So I was laying three in the fairway. Under the old rule, I would have had to go back to the tee (or near the tee) and hit my third shot from there. It's 50/50 as to whether I would hit the fairway. Actually, I average 5.4 fairways per round, so it's much less than 50/50.
With this rule in place, I may never hit another provisional ball.
Another lesson - make sure you can positively identify your ball, not just by brand and number.
The third encounter was uncertainty about a potential rules violation. After lipping out a putt, I pulled the flagstick with my left hand, and putted the ball in with my right hand. As I was doing it, I was thinking that maybe that used to be a rule, but I wasn't sure. Our esteemed Tournament Director pointed out that it could be a violation, but no one was sure. Later in the round, we had a chance to look it up, and it was formerly covered by Decision 17-1/5, which explicitly says that this is not a penalty. 2019 rule 13.2 covers the flagstick, and only indicates a penalty in the above scenario if the ball had hit the flagstick. It did not.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
5/24/19 - Torrey Pines North
I've heard confusion about this one a couple of times lately, and it came up again during a round at TP North. What is the penalty if your ball hits another ball on the putting green while you're putting? And who gets the penalty?
If you're chipping (or putting) from off the green, and your ball hits a ball on the green, then you play your ball as it lies, and the other ball is replaced to the original position. And there is no penalty. That one is easy.
But if you're putting, then this is covered by the Exception in Rule 11.1a (2019 version) which states:
So I advise you to ask the other player to mark his ball if it's anywhere near the line of your putt.
Another interesting part of Rule 11 (2019 version) is 11.3, which says that you can't move any object that may affect a ball in motion. The exceptions to this rule include the flagstick, equipment, or another ball. So if someone's putt (including your own) looks like it may hit one of those three objects, then you can move the object.
This gets into the realm of the recent "backstopping" controversy on the LPGA. As far as I read the rule, if your opponents putt is coming in way too hot, and your wedge is laying off the green between the ball and a bunker, you can move your wedge, allowing your opponents ball to go into the bunker. Or if you like your opponent, you can leave it there and stop the ball.
Interesting....
If you're chipping (or putting) from off the green, and your ball hits a ball on the green, then you play your ball as it lies, and the other ball is replaced to the original position. And there is no penalty. That one is easy.
But if you're putting, then this is covered by the Exception in Rule 11.1a (2019 version) which states:
Exception – Ball Played on Putting Green in Stroke Play: If the player’s ball in motion hits another ball at rest on the putting green and both balls were on the putting green before the stroke, the player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes).The penalty is on the player who hit the putt. Presumably the other ball is replaced to its original position.
So I advise you to ask the other player to mark his ball if it's anywhere near the line of your putt.
Another interesting part of Rule 11 (2019 version) is 11.3, which says that you can't move any object that may affect a ball in motion. The exceptions to this rule include the flagstick, equipment, or another ball. So if someone's putt (including your own) looks like it may hit one of those three objects, then you can move the object.
This gets into the realm of the recent "backstopping" controversy on the LPGA. As far as I read the rule, if your opponents putt is coming in way too hot, and your wedge is laying off the green between the ball and a bunker, you can move your wedge, allowing your opponents ball to go into the bunker. Or if you like your opponent, you can leave it there and stop the ball.
Interesting....
Sunday, April 28, 2019
4/28/2019 - Balboa 18
I was introduced to a new term on the course today - "complete relief." My ball went into a lateral hazard, and I dropped very close to the hazard, such that my ball was in play, but my stance was still in the hazard. A member of our foursome indicated that I needed to take "complete relief."
As I read the rules, it looks like this applies to an immovable obstruction (2019 rule #16) or a "No Play Zone." (2019 Rule #17.1e) That was also a new term to me, but I think it's an area where you are not allowed to play. You must take relief. I know The Crossings has environmentally sensitive areas that you are not allowed to play out of. And I have played other courses where flowers were considered a No Play Zone or Ground Under Repair.
I could have taken more relief (two club-lengths), but I didn't. So I believe that since I could have played from the hazard, I was allowed to take relief with my stance in the hazard. In fact, I believe that once my ball came to rest in the relief area (area #3 below), the ball was live, and I had to play it from that spot.
As I read the rules, it looks like this applies to an immovable obstruction (2019 rule #16) or a "No Play Zone." (2019 Rule #17.1e) That was also a new term to me, but I think it's an area where you are not allowed to play. You must take relief. I know The Crossings has environmentally sensitive areas that you are not allowed to play out of. And I have played other courses where flowers were considered a No Play Zone or Ground Under Repair.
I could have taken more relief (two club-lengths), but I didn't. So I believe that since I could have played from the hazard, I was allowed to take relief with my stance in the hazard. In fact, I believe that once my ball came to rest in the relief area (area #3 below), the ball was live, and I had to play it from that spot.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
4/13/19 - Balboa
There was some good-natured discussion this morning about whether or not one of the players had teed up illegally on the 13th hole. Is it he middle of the tee markers or the front? Does the whole ball have to be within the teeing area? So of course I had to look it up.
Rule #2 defines the front edge of the teeing area by the forward-most points of the tee markers. It doesn't specify whether the whole ball has to be in the teeing area. So I would play it back an inch or two, just to be safe.
A coyote was watching us tee off. I handle the pressure and hit the green, and then two-putted for a par.
Rule #2 defines the front edge of the teeing area by the forward-most points of the tee markers. It doesn't specify whether the whole ball has to be in the teeing area. So I would play it back an inch or two, just to be safe.
A coyote was watching us tee off. I handle the pressure and hit the green, and then two-putted for a par.
Sunday, April 7, 2019
4/6/19 - Bonita Golf Course
I hit my ball into a fairway bunker, and it came to rest against the rake, which was in the bunker. I didn't think this was a rule that changed for 2019, and it did not, though the number probably did. The current applicable rule is Rule 15-2 - Movable Obstructions. You can remove a movable obstruction with no penalty. If the ball moves, you simply place it in the original position, still with no penalty.
It gets a little messy when the ball won't stay where placed. Per rule 14.2e, you have to place it within the bunker, and you must place it no nearer the hole. So if your ball came to rest against a rake on the back side down-slope of a bunker, and you can't place it anywhere in the bunker that isn't closer to the hole, then you have to play under the new bunker rule (19.3b) and take two penalty strokes. That sucks.
In researching this, I read that the USGA recommends putting rakes outside the bunker to avoid this scenario.
I looked at rule 12 (Bunkers), and there was nothing about this scenario. Rule 14.2 indicates that you must re-create the same lie that you had previously.
The ball didn't move when I removed the rake, but I did hit a really crappy shot out of the bunker. I did manage to make a ~20 ft putt to save par, though.
It gets a little messy when the ball won't stay where placed. Per rule 14.2e, you have to place it within the bunker, and you must place it no nearer the hole. So if your ball came to rest against a rake on the back side down-slope of a bunker, and you can't place it anywhere in the bunker that isn't closer to the hole, then you have to play under the new bunker rule (19.3b) and take two penalty strokes. That sucks.
In researching this, I read that the USGA recommends putting rakes outside the bunker to avoid this scenario.
I looked at rule 12 (Bunkers), and there was nothing about this scenario. Rule 14.2 indicates that you must re-create the same lie that you had previously.
The ball didn't move when I removed the rake, but I did hit a really crappy shot out of the bunker. I did manage to make a ~20 ft putt to save par, though.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
3/30/2019 - Terminology
I can get used to "Penalty Area" rather than hazard, but I don't know why they needed to change it.
But watching the #DellMatchPlay, I can't get used to hearing "tie" the hole. The announcers have slipped up several times and said "halved." Why change the terminology?
Most of the rule changes were to speed up the game, or make it more accessible. Is "Halved" too pretentious? Is the new terminology more mainstream? If it is, then I guess that's why they changed it. But like putting with the flagstick in, it's going to take some getting used to.
But watching the #DellMatchPlay, I can't get used to hearing "tie" the hole. The announcers have slipped up several times and said "halved." Why change the terminology?
Most of the rule changes were to speed up the game, or make it more accessible. Is "Halved" too pretentious? Is the new terminology more mainstream? If it is, then I guess that's why they changed it. But like putting with the flagstick in, it's going to take some getting used to.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
3/9/2019 - The Golf Club of California
Our club has adopted a couple of the optional local rules for 2019, and this was the first tournament that they were in effect.
One is the two-stroke penalty for a lost ball or OB, rather than stroke and distance. I think this is a great rule for pace of play. It was not utilized in our foursome.
The other one is a max score of 9 on any hole. This is another one that I think is great for pace of play. There were a couple of new players in our foursome, so this was utilized a number of times. I had a legit 9. I would like to not utilize this new local rule, but I'm glad it's there.
We have also had a local rule for quite some time that treats unpaved cart paths the same as paved cart paths (free relief) That is a good local rule for this course, as a lot of the cart paths are dirt. That one didn't come into play for us this round.
One is the two-stroke penalty for a lost ball or OB, rather than stroke and distance. I think this is a great rule for pace of play. It was not utilized in our foursome.
The other one is a max score of 9 on any hole. This is another one that I think is great for pace of play. There were a couple of new players in our foursome, so this was utilized a number of times. I had a legit 9. I would like to not utilize this new local rule, but I'm glad it's there.
We have also had a local rule for quite some time that treats unpaved cart paths the same as paved cart paths (free relief) That is a good local rule for this course, as a lot of the cart paths are dirt. That one didn't come into play for us this round.
Monday, March 4, 2019
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.
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.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
2/23/19 - Encinitas Ranch
Very unusual local rule at Encinitas Ranch:
150 yard flax bushes are defined as immovable obstructions.
I guess it makes sense. A normal barber pole would be an immovable obstruction (unless you can move it). Stakes are movable obstructions. But these are bushes. Big honkin' bushes. It came into play a couple of times.
I guess it's along the same lines as a staked tree.
150 yard flax bushes are defined as immovable obstructions.
I guess it makes sense. A normal barber pole would be an immovable obstruction (unless you can move it). Stakes are movable obstructions. But these are bushes. Big honkin' bushes. It came into play a couple of times.
I guess it's along the same lines as a staked tree.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
2/9/2019 - The Crossings at Carlsbad
I did an on-course lesson at the Crossings today, and on the first par 3, my tee shot hit the cart path and bounced up the hill, way left. It was in a thin strip of gravel between the cart path and the OOB fence. I get free relief from the cart path (but not the OOB fence). We determined that my nearest point of relief would be way back in the fairway (see image, near the shadows of the trees).
You can't tell from the overhead shot, but it's a steep hill up to the next tee. It looks like taking relief on the next tee would have been an option, but it didn't even occur to us because it wasn't really in sight.
Can't post a score from a lesson round anyway....
Can't post a score from a lesson round anyway....
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
1/16/2019 - Golf Channel
Note that the new rule for double contact applies for accidentally hitting the ball a second time.
This would still be a penalty:
https://www.golf.com/news/2019/01/15/dj-koepka-double-hit-challenge-new-rules/
This would still be a penalty:
https://www.golf.com/news/2019/01/15/dj-koepka-double-hit-challenge-new-rules/
Sunday, January 13, 2019
1/12/19 - Eastlake Country Club
Our first tournament under the new rules was at Eastlake (Chula Vista, not Atlanta) under soggy conditions. I got to drop from knee height, putt with the flagstick in, and I might have had a double-contact, but that doesn't matter any more. My club hit something in the air, but I think it was part of my divot. It didn't sound or feel like I hit the ball.
We had a discussion centered around if you ask someone to tend the flagstick, then they must remove it. I wasn't sure, so I looked it up.
New rule #13.2 covers the flagstick.and indicates that you must decide before the putt whether you are going to putt with the flagstick in or out. Having someone attend the flagstick indicates that you intend to putt with the flagstick out.
New rule #11 covers ball deflected while in motion. If it is unintentional, then there is no penalty. If it is intentional, then it is the "general penalty." (two strokes).
Note that if your opponent is attending the flagstick, and intentionally deflects your ball out of the hole, then they get the penalty. If it's your caddie leaving the flagstick in because you hit the putt way too hard, then you get the penalty.
We had a discussion centered around if you ask someone to tend the flagstick, then they must remove it. I wasn't sure, so I looked it up.
New rule #13.2 covers the flagstick.and indicates that you must decide before the putt whether you are going to putt with the flagstick in or out. Having someone attend the flagstick indicates that you intend to putt with the flagstick out.
New rule #11 covers ball deflected while in motion. If it is unintentional, then there is no penalty. If it is intentional, then it is the "general penalty." (two strokes).
Note that if your opponent is attending the flagstick, and intentionally deflects your ball out of the hole, then they get the penalty. If it's your caddie leaving the flagstick in because you hit the putt way too hard, then you get the penalty.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
1/6/19 - Balboa 9
I wanted to play at least one round with the new rules prior to our next tournament, which is next weekend. The 18-hole course at Balboa was flooded, so I played the 9-hole course.
Other than putting with the flagstick in out of laziness, none of the new rules came into play. I thought I was going to have to drop out of casual water in a bunker at one point, but I found the only dry bunker on the course.
This is the best summary of the new rules I have seen:
The 20 Most Important Changes to the Rules of Golf 2019
1. Search Time – Reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes
2. Ball moved during search – Replace no penalty
3. Embedded ball – Free relief anywhere through the course
4. Measuring a drop – Use longest club (except putter)
5. Dropping – Drop from knee height rather than shoulder
6. Taking stance on wrong green is not permitted
7. Ball unintentionally hits player or equipment – no penalty
8. Double hit – no penalty, now only counts as the 1 stroke
9. Touching sand in bunker incidentally is permitted
10. Loose impediments can be removed anywhere including hazards
11. Dropping a ball out of bunker – 2 penalty strokes
12. Water hazards – now called “Penalty Areas:
13. Touching ground in penalty area –no penalty
14. Ball moves on green after being marked – replace without penalty
15. Ball accidentally moved on putting green –replace without penalty
16. All damage to green can now be repaired
17. Positioning a club for alignment is not permitted
18. Caddie assisting with alignment is now not permitted
19. Putting with flag stick in hole is now permitted
20. Ball wedged against flag stick and side of hole is deemed as holed
Other than putting with the flagstick in out of laziness, none of the new rules came into play. I thought I was going to have to drop out of casual water in a bunker at one point, but I found the only dry bunker on the course.
This is the best summary of the new rules I have seen:
The 20 Most Important Changes to the Rules of Golf 2019
1. Search Time – Reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes
2. Ball moved during search – Replace no penalty
3. Embedded ball – Free relief anywhere through the course
4. Measuring a drop – Use longest club (except putter)
5. Dropping – Drop from knee height rather than shoulder
6. Taking stance on wrong green is not permitted
7. Ball unintentionally hits player or equipment – no penalty
8. Double hit – no penalty, now only counts as the 1 stroke
9. Touching sand in bunker incidentally is permitted
10. Loose impediments can be removed anywhere including hazards
11. Dropping a ball out of bunker – 2 penalty strokes
12. Water hazards – now called “Penalty Areas:
13. Touching ground in penalty area –no penalty
14. Ball moves on green after being marked – replace without penalty
15. Ball accidentally moved on putting green –replace without penalty
16. All damage to green can now be repaired
17. Positioning a club for alignment is not permitted
18. Caddie assisting with alignment is now not permitted
19. Putting with flag stick in hole is now permitted
20. Ball wedged against flag stick and side of hole is deemed as holed
Thursday, January 3, 2019
12/30/18 - The Crossings at Carlsbad
I played in the club championship at The Crossings at Carlsbad, and we had a bit of a rules snafu on our first hole (#11). Three of us hit balls that could have been in the hazard. I checked the scorecard, and it said that there was a drop zone on #11. I've played that course a bunch of times, and I've never noticed a drop zone on #11. But since the scorecard listed it, none of us played a provisional.
When we got to the fairway, we couldn't find the drop zone. Two of us had gone through the fairway, and then into the hazard, so dropping within two club lengths of the hazard is an option. The scorecard says "Drop areas are available." That tells me that they are not mandatory.
The third ball in the hazard didn't reach the fairway. About that time, a marshal came by, and took on the role of rules official. He said that the third player had to go back to the tee. His third shot also didn't clear the hazard, so by the time he hit the fairway, he was laying five.
I think he got screwed by the official. Since the scorecard clearly indicated that there was a drop zone available, I would have been fine with him playing his third shot from the beginning of the fairway, since we couldn't find any marked drop zone. But that's not how it unfolded.
On a different hole (#16), the drop zone was the forward tee, but in that case, it was clearly indicated by the signs.
Also, they allowed us to use the GPS on the carts. I don't think those are legal for tournament play. In addition to distance, you can use it to calculate your next shot, ie if I hit a 3 wood 200 yards off the tee, then the GPS tells me that I'll have 135 to the green. I don't believe that is legal for tournament play.
When we got to the fairway, we couldn't find the drop zone. Two of us had gone through the fairway, and then into the hazard, so dropping within two club lengths of the hazard is an option. The scorecard says "Drop areas are available." That tells me that they are not mandatory.
The third ball in the hazard didn't reach the fairway. About that time, a marshal came by, and took on the role of rules official. He said that the third player had to go back to the tee. His third shot also didn't clear the hazard, so by the time he hit the fairway, he was laying five.
I think he got screwed by the official. Since the scorecard clearly indicated that there was a drop zone available, I would have been fine with him playing his third shot from the beginning of the fairway, since we couldn't find any marked drop zone. But that's not how it unfolded.
On a different hole (#16), the drop zone was the forward tee, but in that case, it was clearly indicated by the signs.
Also, they allowed us to use the GPS on the carts. I don't think those are legal for tournament play. In addition to distance, you can use it to calculate your next shot, ie if I hit a 3 wood 200 yards off the tee, then the GPS tells me that I'll have 135 to the green. I don't believe that is legal for tournament play.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
12/27/18 - Morro Bay Golf Course
I thought that the simplest rule in golf was Rule 4-4 (Maximum of Fourteen clubs). This round made me wonder if the Rule 11 (definition of Teeing Ground) isn't even simpler. The definition is:
and I'm right...
Per rule 11-4b, if you tee off from outside the teeing ground, it's a two stroke penalty. AND, you have to correct the mistake (ie tee off again, hitting your fourth shot). If you don't correct it before teeing off on the next hole, or it's DQ.
I don't play match play very often (ever?), but the penalties are always interesting. Most penalties are loss of hole. In this case, if you tee off from outside the teeing area, then your opponent may choose to cancel the stroke and make you replay it. If he or she doesn't think the next one will be as good as the shot you just played.
Playing out of turn in match play is the same penalty - your opponent can cancel the stroke (if it was good) and make you replay it. If it was a bad shot (or if your opponent is feeling particularly generous), then the opponent can allow you to continue with no penalty.
The "teeing ground" is the starting place for the hole to be played. It is a rectangular area two club-lengths in depth, the front and the sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee-markers.One of the guys I was playing with kept teeing his ball in front of the markers. It was a casual round, so I didn't say anything, but I did want to look up the penalty. I think it's a trip to Dairy Queen...
and I'm right...
Per rule 11-4b, if you tee off from outside the teeing ground, it's a two stroke penalty. AND, you have to correct the mistake (ie tee off again, hitting your fourth shot). If you don't correct it before teeing off on the next hole, or it's DQ.
I don't play match play very often (ever?), but the penalties are always interesting. Most penalties are loss of hole. In this case, if you tee off from outside the teeing area, then your opponent may choose to cancel the stroke and make you replay it. If he or she doesn't think the next one will be as good as the shot you just played.
Playing out of turn in match play is the same penalty - your opponent can cancel the stroke (if it was good) and make you replay it. If it was a bad shot (or if your opponent is feeling particularly generous), then the opponent can allow you to continue with no penalty.
Monday, November 19, 2018
11/12/18 - SCGA Rules Workshop
Zoikes! There are a lot of rule changes!
Some of the big ones:
You can putt with the flagstick in.
You can ground your club in a bunker.
You can remove loose impediments in a bunker.
No penalty for accidentally moving your ball while searching for it.
More details to follow, more info here:
http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/major-changes.html
Some of the big ones:
You can putt with the flagstick in.
You can ground your club in a bunker.
You can remove loose impediments in a bunker.
No penalty for accidentally moving your ball while searching for it.
More details to follow, more info here:
http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/major-changes.html
Saturday, November 3, 2018
11/3/2018 - Rancho Bernardo Inn (Club Championship)
We had our Club Championship today. I was not in contention on the first tee, and was less so with each successive hole.
The greens are pretty speedy at RBI compared to what I'm used to.
On #1, I putted off the green from the back of the green with my third stroke. The ball was nestled down, but since I was just off the green, so I chose to use my putter again for my fourth stroke. The ball popped into the air and my putter hit the ball a second time, and it went into the hole. Per Rule 14-4, that's a one-stroke penalty. But I wasn't sure if I had to replay it or anything. Nope. I scored a 5 on the hole.
Our club offers a prize in each tourney for low putts. Our rules for that are fair, and probably pretty standard:
Double-contact is not a penalty starting in 2019.
The greens are pretty speedy at RBI compared to what I'm used to.
On #1, I putted off the green from the back of the green with my third stroke. The ball was nestled down, but since I was just off the green, so I chose to use my putter again for my fourth stroke. The ball popped into the air and my putter hit the ball a second time, and it went into the hole. Per Rule 14-4, that's a one-stroke penalty. But I wasn't sure if I had to replay it or anything. Nope. I scored a 5 on the hole.
Our club offers a prize in each tourney for low putts. Our rules for that are fair, and probably pretty standard:
- Putts are counted from your first putt on the green. So if your putt rolls off the green, then your next shot still counts as a putt (even if you don't use a putter).
- It does not count as a putt if you use your putter from off the green (if you have not yet been on that green).
Double-contact is not a penalty starting in 2019.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
10/28/18 - Balboa 9
I almost got my first hole-in-one today, but it wouldn't have counted. My tee shot on #8 hit the top of a tree and dropped about a foot from the foot golf hole.
So what's the rule if it had happened? I'm pretty sure that the foot golf hole would play as an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2). Free relief within one club-length, no closer to the hole.
So what's the rule if it had happened? I'm pretty sure that the foot golf hole would play as an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2). Free relief within one club-length, no closer to the hole.
10/20/18 - St. Marks Executive
On a short par 3, I hit my gap wedge, and ended up with a major league embedded ball. The ball was 3/4 below the surface of the green. It was beyond repair. I tried to repair it, but what I ended up with was level grass around where the ball mark was, but there was still a cavern underneath. I couldn't find any rule to cover that.
But....
I placed the ball on top of the highly damaged spot and went to read the putt. While I was reading the putt, the ball moved (due to gravity) a couple of inches. In this situation, Decision 20-4/1 is pretty clear. If the ball moves due to gravity, then the ball must be played from the new position.
So I'm pretty sure that I played within the rules. As far as I can tell, if the ball didn't move, then I would have had to putt it while it was precariously balanced on top of the semi-repaired ball mark.
The embedded ball rule is changing in 2019. Rather than just a closely mown area, you can get relief from a ball embedded in the rough starting in 2019. Our club has played that as a local rule for the last couple of years (not in a hazard, though).
But....
I placed the ball on top of the highly damaged spot and went to read the putt. While I was reading the putt, the ball moved (due to gravity) a couple of inches. In this situation, Decision 20-4/1 is pretty clear. If the ball moves due to gravity, then the ball must be played from the new position.
So I'm pretty sure that I played within the rules. As far as I can tell, if the ball didn't move, then I would have had to putt it while it was precariously balanced on top of the semi-repaired ball mark.
The embedded ball rule is changing in 2019. Rather than just a closely mown area, you can get relief from a ball embedded in the rough starting in 2019. Our club has played that as a local rule for the last couple of years (not in a hazard, though).
Saturday, September 15, 2018
9/15/18 - Admiral Baker North
I know that if your ball hits a ball on the green, but you're hitting from off the green, then you play your ball as it lies, and the other player puts his ball back where it was. If both balls are on the green, then it's a two stroke penalty on the player that hit the putt (Rule 19-5a). (Don't do this).
But what happens if both balls are off the green?
As far as I can tell, this is covered by 18-5 for the player whose ball is hit (put it back), and 19-5 for the player whose ball did the hitting (play as it lies).
It kinda bugs me on the PGA Tour when players leave their ball on the green as a potential backstop when another player is chipping. It's kinda cheating, isn't it? They only seem to do it when playing with a buddy. I don't think we will see that happen in the Ryder Cup next weekend.
But what happens if both balls are off the green?
As far as I can tell, this is covered by 18-5 for the player whose ball is hit (put it back), and 19-5 for the player whose ball did the hitting (play as it lies).
It kinda bugs me on the PGA Tour when players leave their ball on the green as a potential backstop when another player is chipping. It's kinda cheating, isn't it? They only seem to do it when playing with a buddy. I don't think we will see that happen in the Ryder Cup next weekend.
Monday, September 10, 2018
9/9/18 - The Crossings at Carlsbad
The Crossings just aerated their greens, so they had great rates for the weekend. I booked a 6:27am tee time. It's barely light at 6:27am this time of year. And it can be really foggy. Amazingly, I only lost one ball, and that was after the fog had burned off.
So what does this have to do with the rules? After I played, I wasn't sure if I should post my score, given the conditions of the greens. Everyone else in the foursome indicated that it was 2-putt max. That sounds a lot like a breakfast ball, a mulligan, or a gimme - common, but not within the rules of golf (ie cheating).
So I consulted with our handicap chair. He pointed me at the list below:
Those are the only reasons not to post a score (USGA Handicap Manual, Section 5-1e). And since aeration isn't on the list, then I have to post the score. I have to. It's not optional. Even with all of those 3-putts....
It makes sense because weather impacts the course conditions, what time of day you play has an impact, and you still post regardless of those, so why wouldn't you post on aerated greens?
I was surprised to learn that you can't post a round that you played solo. I did not know that. I will stop posting those scores.
Another interesting thing that I did not know is Section 5-1d. If you are DQ'ed from a tournament, you still need to post an adjusted gross score (what you would have scored, with all appropriate penalties, etc).
This is all enumerated in great detail here:
http://www.usga.org/handicapping/handicap-manual.html#!rule-14379
So you should be posting pretty much all of your rounds. Even the good ones that lower your handicap... ;)
*I'm curious about what a non-conforming tee is. I'll have to look into that one....
Thanks to our Handicap Chair, Noel for providing most of this information.
So what does this have to do with the rules? After I played, I wasn't sure if I should post my score, given the conditions of the greens. Everyone else in the foursome indicated that it was 2-putt max. That sounds a lot like a breakfast ball, a mulligan, or a gimme - common, but not within the rules of golf (ie cheating).
So I consulted with our handicap chair. He pointed me at the list below:
(i) When fewer than seven holes are played;
(ii) When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the Authorized Golf Association is in effect;
(iii) When, as a condition of the competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than 14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs;
(iv) When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course Rating or Slope Rating;
(v) When a player uses non-conforming clubs, non-conforming balls, or non-conforming tees*; or when a player incurs a second breach of Rule 14-3.
(vi) When a player plays alone;
(vii) When a player ignores one or more Rules of Golf and fails to post an adjusted hole score as required under Section 4-1 and 4-2, or fails to record the appropriate penalty for a breach of rule. For example, if a player anchored the club while making a stroke during a round and did not record a penalty for doing so (See Rule 14-1b), the score would not have been played under the Rules of Golf and therefore would not be acceptable for handicap purposes.
Those are the only reasons not to post a score (USGA Handicap Manual, Section 5-1e). And since aeration isn't on the list, then I have to post the score. I have to. It's not optional. Even with all of those 3-putts....
It makes sense because weather impacts the course conditions, what time of day you play has an impact, and you still post regardless of those, so why wouldn't you post on aerated greens?
I was surprised to learn that you can't post a round that you played solo. I did not know that. I will stop posting those scores.
Another interesting thing that I did not know is Section 5-1d. If you are DQ'ed from a tournament, you still need to post an adjusted gross score (what you would have scored, with all appropriate penalties, etc).
This is all enumerated in great detail here:
http://www.usga.org/handicapping/handicap-manual.html#!rule-14379
So you should be posting pretty much all of your rounds. Even the good ones that lower your handicap... ;)
*I'm curious about what a non-conforming tee is. I'll have to look into that one....
Thanks to our Handicap Chair, Noel for providing most of this information.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
9/1/2018 - Castle Creek
It's been a while since I last posted. It's not that I haven't been playing, I just haven't encountered any interesting rules questions. Or if I have, I didn't remember them when the round was over.
Today, I hit a bad chip that went over the green and came to rest about a foot from a maintenance shed. I had no stance, no swing, and I was pretty sure that I should get relief....
I was right. Unless it's out of bounds, the maintenance shed is an immovable obstruction. So I get relief based on Rule 24-2 - Immovable Obstruction.
This rule only applies to stance and swing. If the ball had ended up 20 yards over the maintenance shed, with the shed directly between me and the green, then I get no relief. I have to either go over, around, or through.
As with most free relief, it's a free drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.
Today, I hit a bad chip that went over the green and came to rest about a foot from a maintenance shed. I had no stance, no swing, and I was pretty sure that I should get relief....
I was right. Unless it's out of bounds, the maintenance shed is an immovable obstruction. So I get relief based on Rule 24-2 - Immovable Obstruction.
This rule only applies to stance and swing. If the ball had ended up 20 yards over the maintenance shed, with the shed directly between me and the green, then I get no relief. I have to either go over, around, or through.
As with most free relief, it's a free drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
6/23/18 - Carmel Mountain Ranch
Carmel Mountain Ranch is closing next month, which is sad. Maybe that explains why when we got to the 14th tee, there were no blue tee markers. What to do? Rule 11-4 says that it's a two stroke penalty to play from outside the teeing ground. Decision 11-4 says that the correct procedure is to discontinue play until the committee resolves the problem. No one was behind us, but holding up play for that sort of thing would not be looked upon kindly in Southern California.
Decision 11-4 also indicates that if the players play from their best estimate of where the teeing ground should be (based on the other tee markers), then there is no penalty, if no advantage is gained. That seems reasonable.
My first thought would be to play from the embedded USGA / SCGA markers, but CMR doesn't have those.
Decision 11-4 also indicates that if the players play from their best estimate of where the teeing ground should be (based on the other tee markers), then there is no penalty, if no advantage is gained. That seems reasonable.
My first thought would be to play from the embedded USGA / SCGA markers, but CMR doesn't have those.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
6/20/18 - Mission Trails
We were playing the blue tees, and I hit the worst tee shot you can imagine on the second hole. It came to rest up against the forward tee marker. I was pretty sure that it was a movable obstruction, so that's how I played it. If Tiger's boulder in Phoenix was a movable obstruction, then this fist-sized rock surely was, right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadPSF3H2Wo&feature=youtu.be
Turns out that I was right. This is covered by Rule 11-2, and Decision 11-2/1. The tee markers are fixed prior to the first stroke, and movable obstructions thereafter.
In our club, the penalty for not clearing the front tee markers with your drive is ridicule, and playing the remainder of the hole with a pink ball (if available), or playing the remainder of the round with a pink tee (if available). You've probably heard of worse.
Rule 11 also covers teeing off from the wrong tees. It's a two-stroke penalty. So my best round at Torrey Pines North is an 87, not an 85. Actually, I didn't correct it, so it's a DQ! :|
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadPSF3H2Wo&feature=youtu.be
Turns out that I was right. This is covered by Rule 11-2, and Decision 11-2/1. The tee markers are fixed prior to the first stroke, and movable obstructions thereafter.
In our club, the penalty for not clearing the front tee markers with your drive is ridicule, and playing the remainder of the hole with a pink ball (if available), or playing the remainder of the round with a pink tee (if available). You've probably heard of worse.
Rule 11 also covers teeing off from the wrong tees. It's a two-stroke penalty. So my best round at Torrey Pines North is an 87, not an 85. Actually, I didn't correct it, so it's a DQ! :|
Saturday, June 9, 2018
6/9/18 - Arrowood
I referenced Decision 16/5.5 on the course today, as I had done exactly that:
17-4 - Ball Resting Against Flagstick
Basically if your hole-in-one has not fallen below the level of the cup, then it's not hole-in-one yet. Be very careful when removing the flagstick. If the ball comes out, then you have to place it on the lip.
16-2/0.5 is really interesting:
Of course all of this could change the first of next year....
16/5.5 Player Holes Short Putt and Allegedly Removes Ball from Hole Before It Is at RestThere are a number of interesting rules / decisions for scenarios like this:
Q.A player strikes a short putt into the hole and removes the ball from the hole. His opponent or a fellow-competitor claims he heard the ball bouncing in the bottom of the hole-liner at the time the player was removing the ball from the hole, and therefore the ball cannot be considered holed in view of the Definition of "Holed" which states: "A ball is holed when it is at rest within the circumference of the hole ...". What is the ruling?
A.The ball is holed. The words "at rest" are in the Definition of "Holed" to make it clear that if a ball falls below the lip and thereafter bounces out, it is not holed.
17-4 - Ball Resting Against Flagstick
Basically if your hole-in-one has not fallen below the level of the cup, then it's not hole-in-one yet. Be very careful when removing the flagstick. If the ball comes out, then you have to place it on the lip.
16-2/0.5 is really interesting:
16-2/0.5 Ball Overhanging Hole Is Lifted, Cleaned and Replaced; Ball Then Falls into Hole
Q.After an approach shot, a player's ball is overhanging the hole. The player walks up to the hole without unreasonable delay and notices that there is mud on the ball. The player marks the position of the ball and lifts it. He then cleans the ball and replaces it. The ball remains on the lip of the hole for about five seconds and then, as the player is preparing to tap it into the hole, the ball falls into the hole. What is the ruling?
A.Under Rule 16-2, if a ball falls into the hole after it is deemed to be at rest, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke and he shall add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole. In this case, when the player marked the position of the ball it must have been at rest. The ball must be considered to have been at rest when it was replaced; otherwise, it would have to be replaced again (Rule 20-3d).
Accordingly, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke and must add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole.
Of course all of this could change the first of next year....
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
5/28/2018 - Sea 'n Air
Due to the collapse of the driving range fence onto the first fairway, hole #1 at Sea 'n Air has been shortened from a 500 yard par 5 (from the blue tees) to a 240 yard par 4. So how do you post a score?
Section 5-2g of the USGA handicap manual covers this:
http://www.usga.org/handicapping/handicap-manual.html#!rule-14379
According to the table, 260 yards equates to -1.4 on the course rating, and -3 for the slope. For men, from the blue tees, this is:
Rating = 70.6 - 1.4 = 69.2
Slope = 126 - 3 = 123
So if the course is playing 260 yards shorter than the rating, then you post manually, using these revised numbers.
Section 5-2g of the USGA handicap manual covers this:
http://www.usga.org/handicapping/handicap-manual.html#!rule-14379
According to the table, 260 yards equates to -1.4 on the course rating, and -3 for the slope. For men, from the blue tees, this is:
Rating = 70.6 - 1.4 = 69.2
Slope = 126 - 3 = 123
So if the course is playing 260 yards shorter than the rating, then you post manually, using these revised numbers.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
5/5/2018 - St. Mark's
We had a couple of unusual rulings to make in our foursome at St.
Mark's last weekend. The first was casual water on the green, which
doesn't happen in San Diego very much, especially in May.
Rule 25-1 indicates that an abnormal ground condition exists if the ball is on the putting green, and casual water is in your putting line. If you are off the green (even in the fringe), then you would only get relief if the abnormal ground condition interfered with your stance or swing, not the line to the flag. But on the green, you are entitled to relief if the casual water is in the line of the putt. Relief is to the nearest point of relief, not closer to the hole, which may be off of the putting green. Off of the green, you would drop the ball, but on the green, you would place it.
The second was a boundary fence interfering with the swing of a player. Normally, a fence interfering with your swing would be an immovable obstruction. In this scenario, free relief is available if the fence interferes with your stance or swing, but not if it is just in your line of play (see 3/17/18 - Riverwalk). In the case it's a boundary fence, and so the fence itself is out of bounds, and cannot be moved. This is noted on the scorecard. So you can either play the ball as it lies, or take an unplayable lie and a one-stroke penalty.
Rule 25-1 indicates that an abnormal ground condition exists if the ball is on the putting green, and casual water is in your putting line. If you are off the green (even in the fringe), then you would only get relief if the abnormal ground condition interfered with your stance or swing, not the line to the flag. But on the green, you are entitled to relief if the casual water is in the line of the putt. Relief is to the nearest point of relief, not closer to the hole, which may be off of the putting green. Off of the green, you would drop the ball, but on the green, you would place it.
The second was a boundary fence interfering with the swing of a player. Normally, a fence interfering with your swing would be an immovable obstruction. In this scenario, free relief is available if the fence interferes with your stance or swing, but not if it is just in your line of play (see 3/17/18 - Riverwalk). In the case it's a boundary fence, and so the fence itself is out of bounds, and cannot be moved. This is noted on the scorecard. So you can either play the ball as it lies, or take an unplayable lie and a one-stroke penalty.
Sunday, April 1, 2018
4/1/2018 - Woods Valley
My drive on #2 hit a power line (and was never seen again). I know it's a common local rule when a power line is nearby, so I checked the scorecard:
I was wondering what the ruling would be without the local rule, and I was curious about the reference to Rule 20-5. The second part is easy, but I had to look it up. Rule 20-5 is all of the various rules for dropping the ball (or in this case, re-teeing it).
As far as I can tell, without that local rule, you would have to play the ball where it lays. In my case, I couldn't find it, so I would have had to re-tee, hitting my third shot.
Other than a pair of 8's on the two toughest holes, it was a pretty good round (87 - it's good for me!)
If a ball strikes the power lines during play on the 2nd and 8th holes, the stroke is cancelled, and the player must replay his shot without penalty (Rule 20-5). (emphasis mine)This is based on a USGA local rule when power lines can interfere with a well-played shot. The USGA doesn't want you to have the option of playing the ball where it lays. You must re-play the shot (Decision 33-8/13).
I was wondering what the ruling would be without the local rule, and I was curious about the reference to Rule 20-5. The second part is easy, but I had to look it up. Rule 20-5 is all of the various rules for dropping the ball (or in this case, re-teeing it).
As far as I can tell, without that local rule, you would have to play the ball where it lays. In my case, I couldn't find it, so I would have had to re-tee, hitting my third shot.
Other than a pair of 8's on the two toughest holes, it was a pretty good round (87 - it's good for me!)
Sunday, March 18, 2018
3/17/2018 - Riverwalk
Our monthly tournament for March was at Riverwalk. It was raining when we teed off, so we (the board) had decided to adopt a local rule for lift, clean, and place. It stopped raining shortly after we started, so I don't believe anyone in our group used this local rule. I'm not sure about other foursomes.
On the first hole of the Mission 9, one player ended up near a hazard, and behind a low wooden fence. He asked if he could get relief, and we collectively decided that since the fence didn't impact his stance or his swing, that he was not entitled to relief. I was pretty sure that was the right decision, but I wanted to look it up.
The fence is considered an immovable obstruction. Rule 24-2 covers this scenario. On the green, an immovable obstruction on the line of play would entitle the player to relief. But if the ball is not on the putting green, then an immovable obstruction in your line of play does not qualify you for relief. You shouldn't have hit it over there. Sorry, Jeff, but I'm glad we got the rule right.
On the first hole of the Mission 9, one player ended up near a hazard, and behind a low wooden fence. He asked if he could get relief, and we collectively decided that since the fence didn't impact his stance or his swing, that he was not entitled to relief. I was pretty sure that was the right decision, but I wanted to look it up.
The fence is considered an immovable obstruction. Rule 24-2 covers this scenario. On the green, an immovable obstruction on the line of play would entitle the player to relief. But if the ball is not on the putting green, then an immovable obstruction in your line of play does not qualify you for relief. You shouldn't have hit it over there. Sorry, Jeff, but I'm glad we got the rule right.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
2/18/2018 - Balboa
Is bird crap a loose impediment?
Yes. The definition of loose impediments includes:
Yes. The definition of loose impediments includes:
- stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like,
- dung, and
- worms, insects and the like and the casts made by them, provided they are not:
- fixed or growing,
- solidly embedded, or,
- adhering to the ball
Monday, January 29, 2018
1/28/2018 - Farmers Insurance Open
I attended The Farmers Insurance Open yesterday, and I almost saw a spectator step on a ball in play. It didn't happen, but it could have. So what's the ruling?
The best I could figure, that would be a ball at rest moved by an outside agency (Rule 18-1). But it gets interesting from there. According to Rule 18-1, the ball must be replaced. I don't think you could get the ball to hover above the hole created by stepping on it, but Rule 18-1, Note 2 refers to rule 20-3b in the scenario that the original lie has been altered. Rule 20-3b says that you must place the ball in the nearest lie most similar to the original lie that is not more than one club-length from the original lie, and not closer to the hole.
My first thought was that you should drop the ball in accordance with Rule 25-2 (Embedded Ball), but I think placing the ball is more correct in this scenario.
The best I could figure, that would be a ball at rest moved by an outside agency (Rule 18-1). But it gets interesting from there. According to Rule 18-1, the ball must be replaced. I don't think you could get the ball to hover above the hole created by stepping on it, but Rule 18-1, Note 2 refers to rule 20-3b in the scenario that the original lie has been altered. Rule 20-3b says that you must place the ball in the nearest lie most similar to the original lie that is not more than one club-length from the original lie, and not closer to the hole.
My first thought was that you should drop the ball in accordance with Rule 25-2 (Embedded Ball), but I think placing the ball is more correct in this scenario.
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