Dear Linda,
I just played in a tournament where there was a threat of a big rainstorm coming in the afternoon. My group was informed when we had just finished the third or fourth hole that the tournament would be shortened to a 9-hole tournament. I’ve never heard of anything like that happening! Is that permissible? My friends and I were very disappointed that only nine holes counted. We played all 18 holes anyway, and the weather never got really bad.
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
The definition of a “stipulated round” tells us that the number of holes to be played is 18, unless the Committee authorizes a smaller number. However, if you will be playing less than the customary 18, you must be informed of that decision prior to the start of your round. It should be printed on your rules sheet, or communicated to each player by a tournament official.
I played in a USGA qualifier this year where one of the holes on the course was closed. The competitors were informed, prior to the round, that the stipulated round for the tournament would be 17 holes. (That certainly made everyone’s score look better, although we all, of course, had to record a score for the skipped hole when we posted the score into our handicap record.)
Once you have begun play, the Committee cannot reduce the number of holes. Here is the exact wording, from Decision 33-1/2: “The Committee does not have the authority to reduce the number of holes of a stipulated round once play has commenced in that round.” Unless the weather poses a danger (e.g., lightning), or the course becomes unplayable (e.g., lakes are forming on the greens), play must continue.
It is not unusual to play golf in the rain (although I will agree that it is not the most pleasant of experiences), and the threat of rain does not constitute a reason to cancel a tournament. Indeed, Rule 6–8 reminds players that “bad weather is not of itself a good reason for discontinuing play.”
In a stroke play tournament, the Committee may cancel the tournament if the course becomes unplayable. In such a case, all scores for the round are canceled. Hopefully, in such a case your tournament would be rescheduled.
From your question, it sounds like the course never became unplayable, the weather did not constitute a danger, and the competitors were not informed that the stipulated round had been reduced to nine holes prior to commencing play. The Committee was therefore not within its rights to shorten the tournament after it had begun, and the tournament should have continued until such time as the course became unplayable. This is an unusual and surprising action for a Committee to take, as it does not conform to USGA rules.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ask Linda #87-follow-up question to #86
Linda - Wouldn't she have marked all her balls in the same unique way if she was going to mark her balls? So now what?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
If a player is using balls with the same number, she should mark each one differently; if the balls have different numbers, she may mark them in the same manner. When I buy a new box of balls, I always rearrange them so that each box has three different numbers. That way I can mark each ball with my customary signature.
It’s not a bad idea to keep a couple of balls in your bag marked with a big “P” for “provisional.”
Something I probably should have mentioned in Ask Linda #86 is that when you hit a provisional, you should always announce what ball you are hitting, and how it can be distinguished from the original ball. And if you are playing in a group where a player is about to hit a provisional, if she neglects to announce her ball, don’t be shy about asking her to describe her provisional ball.
Finding two balls in the same area with no way to distinguish one from another is an avoidable predicament. An ounce of prevention (describing your provisional which you have marked differently from your original) is worth a pound of cure (hitting your fourth shot when it could have been your second).
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
If a player is using balls with the same number, she should mark each one differently; if the balls have different numbers, she may mark them in the same manner. When I buy a new box of balls, I always rearrange them so that each box has three different numbers. That way I can mark each ball with my customary signature.
It’s not a bad idea to keep a couple of balls in your bag marked with a big “P” for “provisional.”
Something I probably should have mentioned in Ask Linda #86 is that when you hit a provisional, you should always announce what ball you are hitting, and how it can be distinguished from the original ball. And if you are playing in a group where a player is about to hit a provisional, if she neglects to announce her ball, don’t be shy about asking her to describe her provisional ball.
Finding two balls in the same area with no way to distinguish one from another is an avoidable predicament. An ounce of prevention (describing your provisional which you have marked differently from your original) is worth a pound of cure (hitting your fourth shot when it could have been your second).
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Ask Linda #86-two same balls, can’t ID yours
Dear Linda,
My opponent in match play hit a ball off the tee and thought it might be lost, so she hit a provisional. She did not announce what ball she was using for her provisional, and I assumed that her second ball would be different from the first (different number or brand). When we reached the area where she hit both balls, she found one and claimed it was her first ball. We found another ball identical to that one a little deeper in the woods. I thought the deeper ball was her first ball; she claimed the other ball was her first ball. Both balls were identical – same brand and same number. How do you resolve this?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
The situation you describe involves a player who hit an unmarked ball into an area where it might be lost, and then hit an identical ball for her provisional (same brand, same number). Yikes!
Sure enough, Murphy’s Law comes into play (“anything that can go wrong, will”), and she hits both balls into the same area. She claims the ball in the better position to be her original ball; you claim the ball deeper in trouble to be her original ball.
There is no need to pull out the boxing gloves to settle this dispute; it is directly addressed in a very interesting Decision that you might want to read in its entirety sometime [Decision 27/11: Provisional Ball Not Distinguishable from Original Ball].
Technically, since the player cannot identify her ball, both balls are “lost.” However, this is a case where it would be unfair to require the player to return to the tee to hit another ball (that would be her fifth stroke) when it is clear that one of the two balls must be hers.
The ruling is that the player may choose to play either of the two balls. The ball she selects to play must be assumed to be her provisional ball. What this means for her score is that her next stroke will be her fourth shot on this hole (count 1 stroke for the tee shot, 1 stroke for the lost ball penalty, 1 stroke for the provisional which has now become her official ball in play).
Have you seen the TV commercial that shows the golf pros marking their balls in unique, personal ways? I believe the catch phrase is: “How do you mark your Titleist?” The ad is trying to sell a particular brand, but it is also a subtle reminder to all golfers to mark their golf balls.
I cannot emphasize enough that players need to put a unique identifying mark on their balls. I will never understand the resistance I often get (sometimes from highly skilled players) to this simple, easy-to-do task. Why would anyone want to run the risk of incurring a penalty because his ball is not personally identifiable? You have an opportunity to avoid a penalty by tapping your innermost artist and designing your own personal logo. Why skip the fun? Why put yourself in jeopardy?
There are enough penalties in golf that are unavoidable. Invest in an indelible pen and save yourself from this heartbreaking pitfall.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
My opponent in match play hit a ball off the tee and thought it might be lost, so she hit a provisional. She did not announce what ball she was using for her provisional, and I assumed that her second ball would be different from the first (different number or brand). When we reached the area where she hit both balls, she found one and claimed it was her first ball. We found another ball identical to that one a little deeper in the woods. I thought the deeper ball was her first ball; she claimed the other ball was her first ball. Both balls were identical – same brand and same number. How do you resolve this?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
The situation you describe involves a player who hit an unmarked ball into an area where it might be lost, and then hit an identical ball for her provisional (same brand, same number). Yikes!
Sure enough, Murphy’s Law comes into play (“anything that can go wrong, will”), and she hits both balls into the same area. She claims the ball in the better position to be her original ball; you claim the ball deeper in trouble to be her original ball.
There is no need to pull out the boxing gloves to settle this dispute; it is directly addressed in a very interesting Decision that you might want to read in its entirety sometime [Decision 27/11: Provisional Ball Not Distinguishable from Original Ball].
Technically, since the player cannot identify her ball, both balls are “lost.” However, this is a case where it would be unfair to require the player to return to the tee to hit another ball (that would be her fifth stroke) when it is clear that one of the two balls must be hers.
The ruling is that the player may choose to play either of the two balls. The ball she selects to play must be assumed to be her provisional ball. What this means for her score is that her next stroke will be her fourth shot on this hole (count 1 stroke for the tee shot, 1 stroke for the lost ball penalty, 1 stroke for the provisional which has now become her official ball in play).
Have you seen the TV commercial that shows the golf pros marking their balls in unique, personal ways? I believe the catch phrase is: “How do you mark your Titleist?” The ad is trying to sell a particular brand, but it is also a subtle reminder to all golfers to mark their golf balls.
I cannot emphasize enough that players need to put a unique identifying mark on their balls. I will never understand the resistance I often get (sometimes from highly skilled players) to this simple, easy-to-do task. Why would anyone want to run the risk of incurring a penalty because his ball is not personally identifiable? You have an opportunity to avoid a penalty by tapping your innermost artist and designing your own personal logo. Why skip the fun? Why put yourself in jeopardy?
There are enough penalties in golf that are unavoidable. Invest in an indelible pen and save yourself from this heartbreaking pitfall.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Ask Linda #85-Driving cart past ball
Linda,
Recently after a Club Championship Match an Opponent said a Player broke a rule on the 17th hole. Even though he did not "call it on him" the Opponent said the Player took his cart past his ball in order to look at the flagstick. I have searched the rules and I have even searched old rules because I believe I heard of this back in the old days. I would appreciate your help in this matter.
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
There is no rule that prohibits you from going past your ball –whether driving your cart or walking– to see what lies ahead. However, there are a couple of etiquette issues that come into play here.
Section I in the rule book (Etiquette; Behavior on the Course) admonishes players to “always show consideration for other players” and “not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.” A player who goes forward to check out what lies ahead should be very conscious of not disturbing the group ahead. Ride or walk off to the side, and remain still and quiet while any player is in his pre-shot routine. If the players ahead are not aware of your scouting mission, you deserve special kudos.
A second etiquette issue to consider is Pace of Play. If a player is in the habit of reconnoitering every hole, then I suspect he might be slowing the pace of play of his group, a serious no-no on the golf course.
Many of you may not be aware that you are permitted to use binoculars on the golf course. If the binoculars have no range-finding capabilities, they are perfectly legal [Decision 14-3/3].
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Recently after a Club Championship Match an Opponent said a Player broke a rule on the 17th hole. Even though he did not "call it on him" the Opponent said the Player took his cart past his ball in order to look at the flagstick. I have searched the rules and I have even searched old rules because I believe I heard of this back in the old days. I would appreciate your help in this matter.
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
There is no rule that prohibits you from going past your ball –whether driving your cart or walking– to see what lies ahead. However, there are a couple of etiquette issues that come into play here.
Section I in the rule book (Etiquette; Behavior on the Course) admonishes players to “always show consideration for other players” and “not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.” A player who goes forward to check out what lies ahead should be very conscious of not disturbing the group ahead. Ride or walk off to the side, and remain still and quiet while any player is in his pre-shot routine. If the players ahead are not aware of your scouting mission, you deserve special kudos.
A second etiquette issue to consider is Pace of Play. If a player is in the habit of reconnoitering every hole, then I suspect he might be slowing the pace of play of his group, a serious no-no on the golf course.
Many of you may not be aware that you are permitted to use binoculars on the golf course. If the binoculars have no range-finding capabilities, they are perfectly legal [Decision 14-3/3].
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Ask Linda #84-ball on rake rolls into bunker
Dear Linda,
My ball was on a rake outside a bunker. The bunker was a greenside bunker, and my ball was on a small strip of grass between the green and the bunker that was so severely sloped that I knew as soon as I removed the rake and dropped the ball it would roll into the hazard. I marked the ball, removed the rake, and dropped the ball. Sure enough, the ball rolled into the bunker. I dropped it again and the same thing happened. I had no luck placing the ball, either. No one knew what to do, so I played it out of the bunker. I found a Committee member after the round and explained what happened. She told me I did the right thing, but I’m not so sure. What’s your take on this?
Lulu
My ball was on a rake outside a bunker. The bunker was a greenside bunker, and my ball was on a small strip of grass between the green and the bunker that was so severely sloped that I knew as soon as I removed the rake and dropped the ball it would roll into the hazard. I marked the ball, removed the rake, and dropped the ball. Sure enough, the ball rolled into the bunker. I dropped it again and the same thing happened. I had no luck placing the ball, either. No one knew what to do, so I played it out of the bunker. I found a Committee member after the round and explained what happened. She told me I did the right thing, but I’m not so sure. What’s your take on this?
Lulu
This a complicated question, and we need to look at both the obstruction rule and the dropping rule to find the answer.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Ask Linda #83-putt hits ball on green
Linda, my question is:
Form of play: four-ball match play
• player and partner's ball (unmarked) on the green...
• player putts and hits partner's ball at rest on the green (not equipment for it has not been lifted, it is partner's ball in play)
• when you hit opponent's ball on the green, no penalty and opponent's ball is replaced and the other one is played as it lies...
Would player's partner be penalized under Rule18-2a for having his ball in play and at rest on the green moved after a stroke by his partner?
Curious Lulu in Puerto Rico
Dear Lulu,
In match play, there is no penalty to anyone for putting a ball from on the green that strikes another ball on the green. That holds true whether the ball that is struck belongs to your opponent or your partner. The ball that was in motion is played as it lies (Rule 19-5a); the ball that was moved must be replaced (Rule 18-5).
There may be some strategy involved in match play in not marking and lifting your ball on the green. If your ball lies on the far side of the hole, for example, and could serve as a backstop for your partner, it might be in your team’s best interest to leave the ball where it is. However, if your opponents notice that your ball might assist your partner, they may request that you lift the ball (Rule 22-1). If they make such a request, you must comply.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Form of play: four-ball match play
• player and partner's ball (unmarked) on the green...
• player putts and hits partner's ball at rest on the green (not equipment for it has not been lifted, it is partner's ball in play)
• when you hit opponent's ball on the green, no penalty and opponent's ball is replaced and the other one is played as it lies...
Would player's partner be penalized under Rule18-2a for having his ball in play and at rest on the green moved after a stroke by his partner?
Curious Lulu in Puerto Rico
Dear Lulu,
In match play, there is no penalty to anyone for putting a ball from on the green that strikes another ball on the green. That holds true whether the ball that is struck belongs to your opponent or your partner. The ball that was in motion is played as it lies (Rule 19-5a); the ball that was moved must be replaced (Rule 18-5).
There may be some strategy involved in match play in not marking and lifting your ball on the green. If your ball lies on the far side of the hole, for example, and could serve as a backstop for your partner, it might be in your team’s best interest to leave the ball where it is. However, if your opponents notice that your ball might assist your partner, they may request that you lift the ball (Rule 22-1). If they make such a request, you must comply.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ask Linda #82-practice putt moves ball
Dear Linda,
I took a practice putt near my ball and accidentally hit it. I put it back, counted a penalty stroke, and then putted the ball. Did I do the right thing?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
I am so proud of you! Your procedure was absolutely correct.
In order for a swing to count as a stroke, you must intend to hit the ball [Definition of Stroke]. A practice swing, therefore, is not a stroke. What happens when you move the ball with a practice swing or putt comes under Rule 18-2 (Ball at Rest Moved by Player). This rule tells you that when you move a ball in play you incur a penalty of one stroke and must replace the ball.
The ruling is different if your practice swing on the tee box accidentally moves your ball. When you tee your ball up, it is not yet “in play.” A ball is officially “in play” as soon as you make a stroke at it on the teeing ground. (Note that a swing and a miss counts as a stroke, since you intended to hit the ball.) So, if you tee your ball up, step aside and take a practice swing that accidentally moves your ball, just hum along with me and pick the ball up, re-tee the ball, and start all over again.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
I took a practice putt near my ball and accidentally hit it. I put it back, counted a penalty stroke, and then putted the ball. Did I do the right thing?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
I am so proud of you! Your procedure was absolutely correct.
In order for a swing to count as a stroke, you must intend to hit the ball [Definition of Stroke]. A practice swing, therefore, is not a stroke. What happens when you move the ball with a practice swing or putt comes under Rule 18-2 (Ball at Rest Moved by Player). This rule tells you that when you move a ball in play you incur a penalty of one stroke and must replace the ball.
The ruling is different if your practice swing on the tee box accidentally moves your ball. When you tee your ball up, it is not yet “in play.” A ball is officially “in play” as soon as you make a stroke at it on the teeing ground. (Note that a swing and a miss counts as a stroke, since you intended to hit the ball.) So, if you tee your ball up, step aside and take a practice swing that accidentally moves your ball, just hum along with me and pick the ball up, re-tee the ball, and start all over again.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
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