Friday, December 30, 2011

Ask Linda #393-When one ball strikes another


Dear Linda,

Two weeks ago, our foursome had an unusual thing happen and none of us knew quite what to do.  In the fairway, I took my second stroke and my ball hit someone else’s ball that was in the fairway, resulting in the other person’s ball landing in the rough and mine in the fairway.  Do I get penalized and do we just leave the balls where they landed or does the other person move hers back where it was?

Sincerely,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

There is no penalty to anyone. The player whose ball struck the other player’s ball will play her own ball as it lies. The player whose ball was moved must replace it [Rule 18-5].

I’m sure you will agree that if would be unfair for a player to have to hit from the rough when her original shot landed in the fairway

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Ask Linda #392-Misconduct?

Linda,

I'd be most grateful if you could answer this question, which has caused a minor rift in our Saturday golfing group.

We often play a friendly competitive match on Saturdays, drawing cards for opponents. Last week an unusual situation arose which had us looking in the rulebook but with no answer to be found!

Both Player A and Player B's balls are on the green, Player B arrives on the green first and discovering Player A's ball on his putting line, marks Player A's ball and tosses it to the side of the green.

Player A arrives at the green, not knowing his ball has been moved, marks and then plays his ball from the incorrect location. Player B then claims Player A has played from a wrong position and claimed the hole.

Regards,
Lou

Dear Lou,

There is no penalty to Player A, whose ball was moved by Player B. The bad news for Player B is that he will either lose the hole or be disqualified from the match.

Here is how it all plays out under the Rules:

When Player B lifts Player A’s ball on the green, without Player A’s knowledge and permission, Player B incurs a one-stroke penalty for moving Player A’s ball. This is a match play rule [Rule 18-3b].

Player B is required to inform his opponent when he incurs a penalty, and he must do so before his opponent plays his next stroke. Since Player B did not inform Player A that he incurred a penalty for lifting Player A’s ball, Player B loses the hole for giving wrong information [Rule 9-2b(i)].

However, there is a much more serious matter to consider here – the question of why Player B did not tell Player A that his ball was not in the correct place, allowed him to putt that ball, and then claimed the hole for himself. This matter needs to be brought before the Committee. The Committee must determine why Player B acted as he did. If it is determined that the motive was malicious (i.e., that Player B was trying to trick Player A into losing the hole), then Player B should be disqualified under Rule 33-7 for a serious breach of etiquette. On the other hand, if it is determined that Player B’s indiscretion was accidental (perhaps he wasn’t paying attention, or he simply forgot), then the ruling would be that he lost the hole.

I sincerely hope that this was a “senior moment” rather than a planned misdeed on the part of Player B. Good sportsmanship is an essential ingredient in a game that is usually played without the supervision of officials.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.





Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Ask Linda #391-Hit provisional, find original


Dear Linda,

I wasn’t sure if I would find my tee shot, so I hit a provisional ball. When I got to the area I thought my ball was, I searched for three minutes and did not find the ball. I then hit the provisional. Right after, I walked forward about ten steps and found my original ball. Was I allowed to hit the original?

Thanks,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

No. You are permitted to play a provisional ball until you reach the area where you will begin searching for your original ball. You reached that area, began your search, and did not find your original. As soon as you hit the provisional again from that area, it becomes your ball in play [Rule 27-2b]. Your original is now “lost” [Definition of Lost Ball].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Ask Linda #390-Practice on course


Linda,
We play a 9-hole competition every Tuesday, alternating between the front nine and back nine. My question is can I play the front nine before the competition, which is on the back nine that day, or is that considered practicing on the course?
Many thanks
Lou

Dear Lou,

You may practice on the nine holes that are not part of the competition course.

In stroke play, you are not permitted to practice on the competition course before your round on the day of the competition [Rule 7-1b]. If the competition is on the front nine, then the back nine would not be considered the competition course.

The rule is different for match play. You are always permitted to practice on the competition course before a round in a match play event.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ask Linda #388b-Music, music, music

Dear readers,

I am surprised by the animated responses I have received in reaction to the issue of listening to music while playing golf. I will not comment on the somewhat whimsical nature of this rule–I feel it is my place to explain the rules, not question their logic. However, I enjoyed the letters printed below, and thought I would share them with you.

Happy holidays to everyone! May you all enjoy this fascinating and challenging game in 2012 and for many years to come.

Linda


Dear Linda,

Happy Holidays!

I would like to ask the many persons who oppose the use of iPods and music listening as a relaxing/concentration/enjoyment tool the following question:

DO we need to come up with a rule that would forbid drinking a beer if the reason is to relax, focus and thus aid you in making a stroke and if it is for your added enjoyment of the game then it is okay…???????
I know Rule 14 refers to electronic/artificial devices but shouldn’t “artificial” include beer, Xanax before/during a round… The reason and effect are the same.

There is so much rude behavior on the course like not raking bunkers, cussing, riding on carts so close to greens, smoking cigarettes and tobacco and leaving the butts or remains on the green, and we worry about such a small little tiny gadget.......

There is a New Decision on this topic. As I understand it, if you have the right answer, (“just because I like it!”  …ridiculous) you will be allowed to listen to music but not while making a stroke or for an extended period of time. Please comment and forward to other readers…

Lulu in Puerto Rico


Hi Linda,

Congratulations once again on your answers–  Fantastic.

As for rules - for and against - I have always worked on the assumption that if it is not in the rules book, then it is legal!

Nowhere in the rules does it say that it is illegal to listen to music.
People can say (or imagine) whatever, can and will interpret the rules many different ways, but are these people splitting straws because they are not happy within themselves or just being bloody-minded and vindictive?

As for it being dangerous, my goodness!!!  What game is not dangerous? Even playing cards can be dangerous. If you cheat, someone might shoot you. Being hit by a bullet would hurt a lot more than a golf ball.

Nit-picking people should take a look at themselves and perhaps take up another profession (or hobby) and become comedians and forget about
the dangers of listening to music wherever they may be.

I just love taking the mickey out of people like this.

This time of the year is a time of Joy, Happiness and Goodwill, so have a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and I send you all the best for the New Year from the sunny south.

Our traditional Xmas in New Zealand is swimming, fishing, sailing and indulging in outdoor activities and playing a round of golf wearing our lightest summer clothes.

Kindest regards from New Zealand,
Lou

Ask Linda #389-Ball moved by gravity

Dear Linda,
Can you help with the following query? While putting out in a medal round I placed the ball on the green and lifted the marker, but due to the slope on the green the ball moved forward towards the hole.  Should I have putted from where the ball ended up or replaced the ball to where we thought the original marker was and then putt out? 

Thanks
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Gravity has the same status as wind. Neither is an outside agency. Accordingly, if a ball replaced on the putting green and at rest subsequently moves because of gravity or wind, the ball must be played from its new position [Decision 18-1/12].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.


Monday, December 19, 2011

Ask Linda #388a-Listening to music

I don't think you are right there, Linda. To wear a headset to listen to music during a round is not only a breach of Etiquette and dangerous but also a breach of 14-3. Such music "might assist him in making a stroke or in his play."
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

I will agree that it would be rude (and possibly dangerous) to listen to music if you are golfing with friends. I can’t imagine why you would want to do so if you had company, and I have yet to see anyone doing so.

Any breach of 14-3 would depend on the individual’s reason for listening. For example, if the purpose were to calm his nerves, that would be a clear breach of the Rules because it would assist him in his play. However, there is no breach if he is playing alone and the purpose of the music is to add to his enjoyment of the day. 

Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved. 

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Ask Linda #387a-May you re-tee?

Hi Linda

Re your sentence in Ask Linda #387: "you may not re-tee if the ball was knocked off the tee", possibly I misunderstand you.
Based on Decision18-2a/2 the player may re-tee, however with 1 penalty stroke – do you agree?
Regards –Lulu

Dear Lulu,

When I answered the reader’s question in #387, I thought she was asking whether she could simply re-tee the ball and start the hole over if her swing knocked the ball off the tee. The answer to that question is “no.”

If your swing knocks the ball off the tee, yes, you may re-tee the ball. However, if you make the decision to re-tee, you are playing your next shot under stroke and distance (albeit a very short distance). Your second tee shot is your third shot on the hole.

Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Ask Linda #388-Sound-deadening headset


Dear Linda,
  
Is it allowed to wear a headset to avoid "noise" from cars, helicopters, greenkeepers, other players...

Kind regards,
Lou from Belgium

Dear Lou,

No. A sound-deadening headset would be ruled an unconventional device that would assist you in your play. This is a violation of Rule 14-3, and it carries a two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play).

You are, however, permitted to wear a headset to listen to music.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Ask Linda #387-Touching ball with club


Hi Linda,
A friend asked about the rulings on touching the ball with the club on the fairway. Does it count a penalty if the ball doesn't move off the spot? Also is there a 2-stroke penalty for touching the ball in the tee box? I need to know if you address the ball and accidentally knock the ball off the tee and also if you swing and nip the ball and it falls off the tee.

I thought I knew these two rules but a friend says her other associate says something different.
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

A ball on the fairway is in play. If a player accidentally touches her ball in play with her club when she addresses it, and the ball does not move off the spot, then there is no penalty [Rule 18-2a(i)]. If the ball is moved, there is a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced.

A ball on the teeing ground is not in play until the player has made a stroke at it. Accordingly, when a player addresses the ball on the tee and accidentally knocks it off, there is no penalty and she may re-tee the ball. The same is true if she takes a practice swing that accidentally hits the ball, even if the ball is moved a considerable distance.

A player has made a stroke at the ball when she takes a swing with the intention of hitting it. If that stroke misses the ball entirely (a “whiff”), or if it just nips the ball and knocks it off the tee, it is a stroke and the ball is played where it lies (you may not re-tee if the ball was knocked off the tee). There is no penalty, but the swing counts as the player’s first stroke.

Linda  
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Ask Linda #386-Drop wrong ball


Dear Linda

Yesterday at golf I took relief from a staked tree. I inserted a tee peg at the point where I obtained relief and another at one club's length. I then dropped a ball between the two tee pegs. Before I played my shot I noticed when I was picking up the tee pegs that my original ball was still against the tree. What I had done was drop another ball from my pocket. I called my marker's attention to my error. I then picked up the substituted ball and dropped my original ball and proceeded to play it.

My question is:
1. By dropping another ball, did that ball become the ball in play?
2. Did I incur a penalty even though I corrected my error?

Another senior moment.

Kind regards
Lou from Perth, Australia

Dear Lou,

Fortunately for you, senior Lou, this is a correctable error. When you drop a wrong ball, you may lift it and drop the correct ball, provided you have not played the wrong ball. There is no penalty for correcting your error [Rule 20-6]. The same would hold true if you dropped the correct ball in a wrong place.

Linda  
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Ask Linda #385-Drop on green


Hi Linda,
I know that you have addressed this before, but I have a situation in which one of my best friends will not concede that I made my drop correctly. Here’s what happened. It was a 185 yard par 3 with a lateral water hazard (marked with red stakes) behind the green. It was not actually water, but a brushy area that fell off into a canyon. The green has an approximately 3 foot collar (first cut of rough) around it. I hit my ball from the tee, and it hit on the green. The ball rolled off the back of the green and into the hazard. I found my ball in a bush, but it was not playable. I opted to drop 2 club-lengths from the point where the ball entered the hazard, but not closer to the hole. Because the collar was only 3 foot wide, my drop was onto the green. I then putted out. I was using Rule 26-1c. My friend is convinced that I violated the rules, and that you can never drop onto a green. He has quoted me Rule 20-2ciii, and tells me the ball cannot be dropped onto the green EVER. He cites the second part of the sentence that states “and comes to rest on the green” as his justification. Was I legal in dropping on the green?
Lou

Dear Lou,

I understand that this is a difficult ruling to understand, but your drop onto the green was completely legal.

When you choose to take relief for a ball in a lateral water hazard under Rule 26-1c, the only restrictions are that you must drop it (1) within two club-lengths and (2) no closer to the hole. If the area meeting those two requirements turns out to be on the green, then you are a lucky fellow.

The same holds true for an unplayable ball. If your ball were unplayable in the roots of a tree near a putting green, and the nearest relief within two club-lengths and no closer to the hole were on the green, you would be permitted to drop on the green.

Neither the water hazard rule nor the unplayable ball rule prohibits you from dropping on the putting green. On the other hand, when you are taking free relief from an immovable obstruction, an abnormal ground condition, or a wrong putting green, the rules [24-2b, 25-1, 25-3] state clearly that if your ball lies through the green, then you are not permitted to drop in a hazard or on a putting green. This is where Rule 20-2c (iii) comes into play. It states that a ball must be re-dropped if it rolls onto a putting green, and refers only to balls that are not permitted to be dropped on a green.

When your two club-length relief from a lateral water hazard or an unplayable condition is on the green, you are dropping a ball on the green. You have not dropped a ball off the green that rolls onto the green. Therefore, you are not governed by Rule 20-2c (iii).

It is important to remember that when you are proceeding under a particular rule, it is that rule that governs your actions. There are specific rules for taking relief from water hazards [Rule 26] and unplayable balls [Rule 28], and you must observe the relief procedures described in those rules when your ball is in the water or unplayable.

It is perfectly understandable that golfers find these different rulings difficult to understand. I hope my answer has helped to clarify these rules for you and your friend.

Linda  
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Ask Linda #384-Accidentally lifting marker


Dear Linda 

Situation at golf today - player on last green marked ball, then measured distance from hole for nearest the pin - then measured another player's ball - discovered his marker in hand. Should he have replaced his ball as near as possible to the original position taking a one-stroke penalty?  He actually disqualified himself.

Thanks,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

When a ball marker is marking the position of a ball, it has the same status as a ball. Lifting the marker, therefore, is equivalent to lifting your ball in play. The penalty is one stroke, and the player must replace the ball or the marker [Rule 18-2a].

Imposing a disqualification penalty on yourself for an infraction that only requires a one-stroke penalty is a poignant illustration of why it is so important to know the rules.

Linda  
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Ask Linda #383-Ball at rest


Linda,

Many thanks for my inclusion on your Mailing List. It is very much appreciated.

And now… Can you please inform me “When is a Ball at Rest”?

I note there is mention of a Ball at Rest for 10 seconds in Rule 16-2, but this relates to a specific incident.  Decision 16-2/0.5 mentions 5 seconds, but again, this relates to a specific incident.

I cannot find any mention of “a Ball is at Rest when …” in the Rules or Decisions Book. Is there any?

There are many occasions, on all parts of the Course, when it is important to know if a ball is at rest.

Is a ball at rest when it remains in the same position for a certain given period of time and, if so, what is that time period and where can I find it mentioned in the Rules or Decisions Book?

I look forward to your views.

Kind regards,
Lou

Dear Lou,

A ball is “at rest” when it has come to a stop. Except for the unique situation of a ball overhanging the hole (where you are entitled to wait ten seconds to see if it will drop into the hole), there is no rule that specifies how long the ball must be motionless before it is deemed to be “at rest.” I cannot imagine the need for such a rule.

The rules regarding a ball at rest have to do with moving it. There are rulings for when a ball at rest is moved by a player, his opponent, his fellow competitor, his caddy, equipment, during or not during search, the wind, water, etc.

After you hit a ball, you can assume that by the time you reach it the ball is at rest. Any subsequent movement of the ball can be attributed to the action of a player or of nature.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.


Friday, December 2, 2011

Ask Linda #382-Relief from tree stump


Linda, first I need to say thank you for your blog. You have been very helpful.

In a stroke play competition my ball ended up against a tree stump. A fairly large tree was removed and the stump that is left in the ground protrudes about three inches above the ground. Is there free relief from this situation?
If the tree were still there, the answer is obvious that there is no free relief.
As the stump is the result of an attempt to remove the tree, is this now considered an obstruction?
I do not think free relief is allowed, but I am interested in your understanding of the rules. My fellow competitors suggested that I could gain relief so I played two balls. I scored bogey with each ball so it was never brought up to the rules committee.
What would the correct ruling have been?

Thanks,
Lou

Dear Lou,

A stump is simply a very short tree – no free relief [Decision 25/8].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Ask Linda #381-Double hit


Linda, 

I was in a stroke play round with my uncle. He was about 10 feet off the green. When he chipped the ball he hit the ground behind the ball, which caused the ball to move before the club actually made contact. Is that considered a double hit, since the ball moved from striking the ground then the club hitting the ball?

Thanks,
Lou

Dear Lou,

Yes. Your uncle must count his stroke and add a penalty stroke. When his club contacted the ground, he put the ball in motion. The club subsequently hit the ball. This constitutes a double hit under Rule 14-4 [Decision 14-4/3].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Ask Linda #380-Multiple provisionals


Hi Linda,

What happens when you hit multiple provisional balls in the following scenario:

1) Original stroke (possibly lost)
2) Provisional ball  (iffy)
3) Provisional ball  (iffy again)
4) Provisional ball  (topped near to the ladies tee box and playable)

The original ball and first two provisionals were much further ahead of the 3rd provisional near ladies tee box. 

In the interest of time, the 3rd provisional ball is played again from near the Ladies tee box (my 7th stroke).  After playing the shot, however, my original ball is found.  Can I then play my original ball (without penalty) even though I have already hit the 3rd provisional ball again before looking for the original ball?

Lou

Dear Lou,

The sole purpose of hitting a provisional ball is to save time. That is why the rule (27-2) is in the book. Your procedure was correct. You hit the provisional that traveled a shorter distance than the original and the two prior provisionals, and then found the original before hitting the provisional from the place where the original was likely to be. Once the original was found (presumably within the five-minute period allotted for search), you must abandon the provisional and proceed with the original. You have incurred no penalty strokes.

Since you hit several provisionals, I would like to go over the scoring if you had not found your original ball. If you don’t find the original, and you do find the first provisional, then you lie three with the first provisional, and your next shot will be your fourth.

If you don’t find the original or the first provisional, and you do find the second provisional, then you lie five with the second provisional and your next shot will be your sixth.

If the only ball that can be found is the third provisional, that ball lies seven where it settled near the women’s tee, and your second strike of that ball is your eighth shot on the hole.

Don’t ever be embarrassed to hit several provisional balls. Even if you have to hit three or more, it still takes less time than a trek back to the tee when your original turns out to be lost.

Linda   
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Ask Linda #379-Lifting another player’s ball


Dear Linda,

I play in a group of about a dozen friends every Saturday and sometimes on Wednesday evenings. There is some betting, and one of the times is a formal league. Some of the players mark other players’ balls on the green to expedite the pace of play, if a player has a difficult time on a certain hole or is raking a bunker and is lagging behind a bit.  I do not like other players marking my ball or otherwise touching it while it is in play, and I believe that it is a bad practice since each player is responsible for his own ball. They will even mark others' golf balls during outings or tournaments.

Please let me know the proper etiquette and rules that we should follow for this matter.

Thank you.
Lou

Dear Lou,

There is no penalty in stroke play if a fellow competitor marks and lifts your ball without your authority [Decision 20-1/4. This Decision cites Rule 18-4, which states that there is no penalty in stroke play for moving a fellow competitor’s ball.]

In match play, if your opponent lifts your ball without your authority, your opponent incurs a one-stroke penalty for moving your ball [Decision 20-1/2, Rule 18-3b].

No one should be lifting another player’s ball without that player’s permission. If you do not want other competitors to lift your ball, tell them. It would be poor etiquette indeed to lift another player’s ball when he has expressly told you not to do so.

Personally, I have no objection to other players marking my ball when the purpose is to speed up play. However, I would never dream of lifting another player’s ball without first securing their permission.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Ask Linda #378-Ball in drainpipe


Linda, my ball was hit just off the fairway by about a foot into a short-cut rough. I watched the ball roll and then disappear into what appeared to be low ground. It was my second shot on a par 5. When I walked over to my ball I discovered the low ground was an unmarked drain hole that ran off into a stream just left of the rough about 6-7 feet. Would that be considered a lost ball, would I take a drop or go back and re-hit? Would there be a penalty for rolling into an unmarked hazard?

Thanks for your help.
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

I am not certain, from your narrative, whether the drainpipe is through the green or in the water hazard. If it is through the green, then your ball is lost in an immovable obstruction. You will drop a ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole [Rule 24-3b(i)]. There is no penalty.

If the drainpipe is in the water hazard, then there is no free relief. You must proceed under any of the relief options in Rule 26-1 for a ball in a water hazard and add one penalty stroke to your score [Decision 24-3b/1].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.




Monday, November 21, 2011

Ask Linda #377-Challenging a competitor’s score

Dear Linda ,

My son played in a recent tournament and there was a very awkward situation created.

My son played 6 over par and the other competitor played 8 over par. They both played in different four ball groups. Now the player who was coming in second complained to the referee that he believes that the marker and the player have not written correct scores and that they should be counter-checked .

Request please advise:

                  Can the player raise such an objection and complain?
                  Is the referee liable to hear his complaint and take action?
                  If the marker and player report that the scores entered are correct, does the referee counter-check this claim by consulting the caddies and other members of the group?
                  What should be the duty of the referee and how should he resolve such an issue?
Thanks ,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

This is a difficult question to answer, as I do not know why the other player challenged your son's score. Here is a general answer.

In a stroke play competition, anyone who witnesses an incorrect procedure may report it to the Committee. For example, if someone observes a player move a ball and not replace it, and the player does not add two strokes to his score for the hole, then he should report his observation to the Committee, preferably before the player has signed his scorecard. The Committee will then talk to the player and anyone else who might have observed the infraction, and then make a ruling.

In your son’s tournament, if the other player observed an infraction that your son did not include in his score, he was within his rights to report it to the Committee. If he observed your son recording a 4 on a hole where he knew your son had scored 6, such a claim should also be reviewed by the Committee. The Committee will then interview as many observers as necessary to rule on the complaint.

However, if the other player is challenging your son’s score for no particular reason other than he doesn’t believe he could have scored so low, then a simple check with your son and his marker should be sufficient to verify the score. If evidence came to light, after the card was signed and turned in, that your son had signed for a score lower than he actually shot, he would be disqualified.

It is not unreasonable to ask that the scores be reviewed, but unless the player making the request has a specific reason for doing so, and another person can back his claim, then your son’s score should stand.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.


Friday, November 18, 2011

Ask Linda #376-Counting strokes, ball OB

Dear Linda,

My husband and I have two different understandings on how to score an out-of-bounds ball.

If you hit your ball off the tee out of bounds and you put down another ball and hit it into
the fairway - when you get to the ball and hit again what is your count so far???

Thanks,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Count all your strokes plus the one-stroke penalty for hitting out of bounds.

The first tee shot is stroke #1. The penalty for going out of bounds is one stroke [Rule 27-1b]. 1+1=2. The second tee shot (the one that lands happily on the fairway) is stroke #3. The stroke you make in the fairway will be stroke #4.

The best part of your question, for me, is knowing that you understand that whenever a ball goes out of bounds, your next stroke must be taken where you hit your previous stroke.

So who was right?

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Ask Linda #375-Ball hits ball

Linda, here is an unusual (to say the least) situation which I wonder if you can rule on. Yesterday, a golfer in our group hit her ball (which was in the middle of the fairway) which immediately struck another ball about 20 metres in front of her. The hit ball ricocheted at high speed into the rough –rough a bit dense– and after a good few minutes it looked like we weren't going to find it. Conversation then was wonder what the rule is here – e.g., is the player allowed to drop a ball on the spot where it was when struck by the other ball? We eventually spotted the ball (much further on than we'd actually realized), so the question is hypothetical, but we're still interested in what the rule would have been if we hadn't found the ball.

Thanks
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

When a ball at rest is moved by another ball in motion, the moved ball must be replaced [Rule 18-5]. If the ball cannot be found, place another ball on the spot. Any other ruling would be unfair to the player whose ball was moved.

The player who hit the ball that moved the other ball must play her ball as it lies [Rule 19-5a].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Ask Linda #374–Balls touching in bunker

Dear Linda,

Recently I played a shot into a bunker where my ball came to rest touching my partner's ball. Subsequently I marked my ball a club length away with a tee in the sand and allowed my partner to clear her ball out of the bunker first. Before replacing my ball and playing my shot, I racked the sand to flatten the surface. I placed my ball back on its original spot (not dropping it from shoulder height) and then hit my shot.

I wonder whether in doing so I have improved my lie, as the sand was wet and hard until I raked it, which helped to loosen the sand and gave me an easier shot to handle. Did I breach any rules and would there be an appropriate way to resolve such a scenario?

Please kindly advice.

Regards,
Lou

Dear Lou,

When you lift a ball out of a bunker because it interferes with another golfer’s play, and his shot subsequently alters your lie, you are required to re-create that lie as well as you can and place the ball in that lie [Rule 20-3b (iii)].

It would appear from your narrative that you improved your lie. The penalty for doing so is two strokes (loss of hole in match play).

When it is clear that another player’s shot is going to alter the lie of a ball you were asked to lift, you should make careful note of your lie and request that a fellow competitor or opponent observe your procedure. In your situation, you should have filled in the hole made by your partner’s stroke, tamped it down to restore the hard surface, and placed your ball on the spot where it originally lay.

If the two balls had not been in a bunker, then you would place your ball in a similar lie within a club-length and no closer to the hole.

Logic should dictate that the Rules of Golf would not permit you to improve the lie of a ball that you were required to lift and replace. You should also know that this is a situation where you are not permitted to clean the ball. Lift and hold it carefully between two fingers and do not drop it into your pocket.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.



Saturday, November 12, 2011

Ask Linda #373a-Rule 6-3a amended for 2012


Dear readers,

I plan to review the 2012 changes to the Rules in January, when they will take effect. However, since the issue of starting late will be one of those changes, perhaps it is best that I mention this one now.

Starting in January, players will no longer be disqualified for arriving late at the first tee. The penalty will be two strokes (loss of the first hole in match play) if they arrive within five minutes of their starting time. Players will still be disqualified if they arrive later than the five-minute grace period.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Ask Linda #373-Late arrival


Hi Linda,
Is there a penalty if someone shows up late for her tee time in a tournament?
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

There certainly is, Lulu. Players who do not arrive at the first tee at their assigned time are disqualified [Rule 6-3].

The Committee may soften that blow by stating, in the conditions of the competition, that players who arrive within five minutes of their assigned time will be permitted to compete. In match play, the penalty under this condition is loss of the first hole. In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes [Rule 6-3, Note].

Please note that all players in the group must be on time. Consider three players assigned a 9:00 a.m. start time. Two arrive at 9 and tee off. The third arrives at 9:02, just in time to tee off after the first two players. That third player is disqualified. If the 5-minute condition were in effect, then that third player would start her round with a two-stroke or loss-of-hole penalty.

The Committee is allowed to waive the disqualification penalty in exceptional circumstances. If a player would have arrived on time if she didn’t have to stop at the scene of an accident to provide medical assistance or make a statement to the police, that would qualify as “exceptional.” However, such misfortunes as getting lost, getting stuck in traffic, being held up by an accident, or your car breaking down are not acceptable excuses [Decision 6-3a/1.5].

Always allow plenty of time to get to your tournament. If you arrive too early, you can always practice, socialize, or just relax. If you arrive late, you will lose your opportunity to compete.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Ask Linda #372-GUR near bunker


Hi Linda–

At our usual Wednesday competition, at the 3rd tee par 5, my partner hit his approach shot and landed in a bunker. To hit his shot, he would have one leg standing in a GUR just outside the bunker.

A dispute arose:

(1) Is he entitled to any relief?  His  BALL is NOT in the GUR but in the hazard although one of his legs or even both his legs are standing in a GUR.

(2) If he is entitled to relief, how is that to be taken? He said he is entitled to relief by dropping the ball IN THE BUNKER not nearer the hole so that he does not stand in the GUR.

(3) Can he hit the ball in the bunker as the ball lies, still with his feet in the GUR?

We could not find any ruling in the Decisions for Golf Rules. Please help.

Thank you
Lou

Dear Lou,

A player is entitled to free relief if ground under repair interferes with his stance or the area of his intended swing [Rule 25-1a]. Since the player in your scenario had to place one foot in GUR in order to take his stance, he was entitled to relief. However, his relief was somewhat restricted, because his ball was in a bunker.

The player has three choices:

1. Play the ball as it lies. There is no requirement that you take relief from GUR, unless the Local Rules specify that players are not permitted to enter GUR. An example of such prohibition would be if the area designated as GUR were newly planted grass.

2. Drop the ball in the bunker within one club-length of the nearest point of relief [Rule 25-1b (ii) a].

3. Drop a ball behind the bunker under penalty of one stroke anywhere on the line-of-sight to the hole [Rule 25-1b (ii) b].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.



Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Ask Linda #370b-Response to #370


Dear Linda
If you don't mind I would like to respectfully disagree with your opinion regarding older gents playing from different tees in competition with younger players.
Firstly, in England the older gents' handicaps are calculated from returns in competition played from the same tees as other full members.
Secondly there is a plethora of (often midweek daytime) competitions for older (retired) players.
Thirdly, in my experience older gents, by virtue of more golfing and life experience, have a stronger psychological game and better (more pragmatic) course management - such skills often prove in practice to be more valuable than the wide shoulders and muscled forearms of the 'hooray Henrys' trying to 'rip the cover off the ball.'
Fourthly, as a gent approaching old age, I would be embarrassed by special considerations.
Fifthly, in the English club game, persons actively pressing for special measures would generally be regarded with little sympathy as 'pot hunters.'
I have recently been approached by a senior member in my club to be his 4-ball partner next season - I have enthusiastically accepted his offer due to the fact that although he struggles to reach many greens in regulation, he consistently plays straight and therefore, after his handicap deduction, is always 'there or thereabouts.' This will enable me, using him as a foil, to play a more adventurous game. I confidently predict that this will make us a difficult pair to beat.
Kind regards
Lou

Dear Lou,

I am impressed by your attitude, your analysis, and your character. It would be difficult to argue against such statements.

In defense of my opinion, allow me to describe my experience as a director of men’s tournaments that are open to players from different clubs in the southern half of New Jersey. When I started in this position, the organization was losing many competitors from the over 70 age bracket. All the men were competing from the same tees, and many of the older gentlemen dropped out because they felt they were no longer able to compete successfully against players who could outdrive them by 50 to 100 yards. The mismatch of distance was too discouraging.

Rather than lose our elder statesmen, I lobbied to allow them the option to play from the senior tees. At the same time, they would be restricted to net competition only, as gross competition from different tees is inherently unfair. The result of this policy change was that many of these gentlemen returned to competition, and brought along a number of friends. I have a great deal of respect for these wily old veterans, and I am happy to see them return to the fold. These seniors (over age 70) have the option to play from the standard or senior tees – the longer hitters generally opt for the standard tees; the players who have lost considerable distance with age generally opt for the senior tees. I trust that the handicap system evens the competition, as it was intended to do. I also trust that players honestly choose their competition tees. Much of golf relies on trust and honesty. 

In my little corner of the world, handicaps are calculated differently from the way they are in England. Players record scores from just about every round they play, and the differential that goes into calculating the handicap takes into account both the USGA Course Rating®, which is “the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer under normal course and weather conditions,” and the Slope Rating®, which represents the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer [USGA Handicap System, Section 2: Definitions]. Players are, therefore, often recording scores played from different sets of tees from different –or even from the same– golf courses. Also, there is not a “plethora” of competitions for seniors, except perhaps at their own individual clubs.

I love your attitude, Lou. Perhaps I am too soft-hearted, but I would rather see the oldsters competing from shorter tees than not at all.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Ask Linda #370a-Response to #370

Linda:

I have some serious issues with your reply to this question regarding hole handicaps in match play events when players are playing from different tees. Your answers seem to imply that hole handicaps are based on the relative difficulty of the holes, (presumably in relation to par?), for a given set of tees.  For example, you write: "In order to help make your competition fair, the Committee will need to rank the handicap holes from the senior tees in their order of difficulty." As you know, of course, this is NOT the USGA criteria that is used to establish hole handicaps. The number one handicap hole is the hole where a higher handicap player most needs a stroke to secure a halve with a lower handicap player in match play, and so forth for the number two handicap hole, etc.  It is NOT necessarily the most "difficult" hole. So I simply don't agree with the idea that one person, or even the event Committee, can simply arbitrarily re-rank holes, for a different set of tees, while at the same time preserving a fair competition. What do you do if two persons are playing a match from the Golds and the Committee has re-ranked the holes based on criteria that is not in accordance with the USGA Handicap Manual? It seems to me that this is much like a few people gathering at the bar after a round and establishing  course hole handicaps based on their own personal opinions. 

It is a lot more complicated than you seem to make it, and I'm not sure how one can make it otherwise.  I have thought about this matter a bit, and I don't have an answer to the "fairness" issue when a competition is match play and there are players playing from different tees.  My current view is that there may simply be some inherent "unfairness", but which may well balance out when opponents are  competing from different tees. In any case, I'm not buying into your "solution."

I enjoy your posts very much, and think that you almost always give very complete, clear, and accurate answers to your readers' questions, but I do have problems with your solution to this particular issue. I'm looking forward to your response; maybe I'm just not following what you are proposing. 

Best Regards, 
Lou

Dear Lou,

As a woman who often plays matches against men, I am particularly aware of the difficulty of playing a fair match when a course has neglected to rank the handicap holes from different sets of tees. My home course, for example, has only one set of rankings. On the #2 handicap hole, the forward tees are over 100 yards shorter than the standard men’s tees. The hole is a challenging par 5 for men, and a manageable par 5 for women. By observing the handicap allocation, I will win the hole with a net birdie a majority of the time. If the order of handicap holes were properly assigned to the forward tees, following USGA-recommended guidelines, the hole in question would have a higher number for women playing from the forward tees, and I would instead receive a stroke on a hole where it is more difficult for me to break even with a male opponent.

The point I was trying to make in my column is that the order of handicap holes is not necessarily the same when golfers are playing from different sets of tees. Committees should be cognizant of this, and take the time to rank the holes for each set of tees. If a tournament is being played at a course where there are no separate rankings, it is my opinion that the Committee has a responsibility to correct this problem. It clearly has permission to do so from the USGA [USGA Handicap System, 9-3a, third paragraph].

I will readily admit that I erred in stating that the handicap holes are assigned in order of difficulty. As you correctly point out, the procedure is a bit more complicated. This was a shortcut I used to avoid launching into a detailed explanation of how to rank holes. I was trying to address the reader’s question of how to compete fairly from different tees when the handicap holes are not ranked differently. My concern was to point out that in many cases they should be ranked differently, and to remind Committees everywhere of this responsibility.

I often receive questions where I have to choose between a brief answer that gets right to the heart of the matter, or a more complicated discussion that addresses all aspects of the question but runs the risk of losing the reader’s interest. In opting for brevity here, I misspoke about a secondary matter. Thank you for the reminder to be more precise in my language when I gloss over side issues.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.







Monday, November 7, 2011

Ask Linda #371-Second repair of ball mark


Hi Linda,

Rule 16-1c says that the player may repair a ball mark, and thus results in the exception to the rule that the line of putt cannot be touched.  What constitutes "repair?" Can a player use his putter to press down an area on the line of the putt which is slightly raised from previous ball mark repair?  For example, Player A repairs a ball mark on the green, but did not press down smoothly on that ball mark.  Player B comes later where that ball mark is on his line of putt.  Can Player B press down that area without actually using some sort of tool to "repair" the mark?

Thanks,
Lou

Dear Lou,

A player is permitted to repair a ball mark that has been previously repaired. He does not need to use a special tool. The only stipulation is that the mark be clearly identifiable as a ball mark [Decision 16-1c/1].

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Ask Linda #370-Match play from different tees


Linda–

There is a season long Match Play event with the local men’s club. The bracket is a random draw and gets about 24 of the club members.

It’s played with 100% handicaps and usually the matches are pretty good. We have players of all skill levels participate from the 20+ to single digit players. It's a fun event that let's you play other guys than your regular foursome.

So this year there is a "senior" entrant and there has been some discussion about how his matches should be played. He's 70+ and plays the GOLD forward tees regularly and carries a 24 handicap.  In other events he has done very well and often wins.

He wants to play the forward tees for the match play event.  Should this be allowed?  I understand the handicaps will be adjusted, but isn't it against the spirit of the event? 

If he insists on playing the forward tees, would it be acceptable to play the GOLD alongside him? 

My biggest gripe is that he is playing a different course. On some holes there is a significant advantage to the point that the handicap holes should actually be different.  Isn't there also a mental aspect of match play that you lose when you and your opponent aren't playing from the same tees?

Thanks,
Lou

Dear Lou,

The Committee is permitted to set as a Condition of the Competition that all play will be from the standard men’s tees. It may also decide to permit men over a certain age to move up to the senior tees. There are additional adjustments that the Committee can make to ensure the fairest match play or stroke competition in this situation.

You are running a handicap event. Handicapping systems are designed to ensure fair competition among players of different skill levels. I am in favor of allowing men over the age of 70 to play from the senior tees in competitions. However, the competition cannot be fair if there is a significant yardage or difficulty difference on one or several holes and the handicap number assigned does not reflect those differences.

In order to help make your competition fair, the Committee will need to rank the handicap holes from the senior tees in their order of difficulty. Seniors are, indeed, playing a “different” course, and the ranking of the holes must reflect that difference.

I directed a golf tournament at Cape May National in southern New Jersey several years ago. The fourth hole is a challenging Par 5 that is 521 yards and is ranked the #1 handicap hole for men. The same hole, played from the senior tees, is only 348 yards and eliminates a long carry over a water hazard. Because of obvious differences in difficulty on this particular hole and several others, the course scorecard should have shown a separate handicap hole ranking for senior men, but it does not. Therefore, when I set up the course for the tournament, I re-ranked the holes from the senior tees. This is recommended for your course if you have holes that become significantly easier when men move up to the senior tees.

My personal feeling is that the 70-year old gentleman should be permitted to play from the senior tees. Competitions from different sets of tees can be fair. If the course has been rated correctly, the handicap holes properly designated for the different tees, and the handicaps calculated to reflect the course and slope ratings for each set of tees, then players should feel comfortable competing against opponents using the senior tees.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.



Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Ask Linda #369–Extra clubs in bunker

Dear Linda,

I have read your previous columns, which said you could take your whole bag into the bunker if you wanted. I have a question:  I took two clubs into the bunker, as I was not sure how high I would have to hit the ball to get it out. I dropped one club in the sand after I got into the bunker and used my second club to get out. I did not touch the sand with my club in my hand; I just dropped it. Was I wrong? And, where should you put your bag if you take it into the bunker?? 
Thanks,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

You may place the extra club, or the whole bag, in the sand. There is nothing wrong with dropping your club in the bunker, but there is no reason to do so, since you are permitted to place it.

Placing an object in the sand does not constitute testing the condition of the hazard, unless you do something silly like push the sand around or jam it into the sand [Decision 13-4/0.5].

You might want to read Decision 13-4/0.5, which gives examples of what would constitute testing the condition of the hazard, and what would not.

Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Ask Linda #368–Stepping behind ball on green

Dear Linda,

I play golf with a lady who does the following on the green:

After replacing her ball on the green and removing her ball marker, she places her right foot directly behind the ball, being very careful not to touch or move the ball.  She then places her foot on the ground behind the ball, moving her weight from her heel to her toe. She then takes her normal putting stance and strikes her putt.

Is this procedure of placing one’s foot behind the ball and stepping down allowed on the green? I questioned this and was told by our golf pro that he could not find anything that would disallow this. I feel it is a breach of Rule 13-2.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this issue.

Thank you,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

The question that must be answered is whether anything was pressed down that would improve the player’s area of intended swing. If so, then the player has breached Rule 13-2 and will incur a two-stroke (loss of hole) penalty. If not, there is no penalty.

This player’s routine is unnecessarily reckless, in that she is risking a significant penalty. I would recommend that she change it. You can help this player out by explaining the risk she is taking. If she is reluctant to change, then check the green behind her ball for irregularities in the surface before she places her foot there. If she presses anything down, inform her that she has incurred a penalty. There is no stronger motivation to change a bad golf habit than to lose two strokes or a hole (match play).

Linda


Thank you, Linda. I appreciate your explanation. I have one more question. If she uses her footprint or maybe spike mark from her shoe to line up her putts, is that allowed? When I questioned her on this practice, she stated she does it to help line up her putts.

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

This is an entirely different matter, Lulu. A player is not permitted to place a mark anywhere on the green to indicate a line for putting. This is a breach of Rule 8-2b. The penalty is two strokes (loss of hole in match play).

Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.






Friday, October 28, 2011

Ask Linda #367–Repairing green


Dear Linda,

I would appreciate your comments with regard to repair of spike marks on the putting green.

I understand spike marks on the putting green are made by spikes (be it metallic or plastic) of the golfers' shoes, when they walk across the putting green. As per rule 16-1, the player is not allowed to repair spike marks.

I am not sure whether the 'spike' mark made by a ball marker with a short pin at the centre, after such ball marker is lifted from the putting green, has the same status of a spike mark made by a golf shoe. In other words, may the player concerned press down the 'spike' mark made by his ball marker, after having it lifted from the putting green? When it happens, such a 'spike' mark would be between the ball and the putter surface, which may affect how the ball would roll on the putting green.

Thank you and best regards,
Lou

Dear Lou,

A spike mark is a tuft of grass raised by the spike on the bottom of the shoe of a golfer who is careless about the way he walks on the putting green. A mark caused by the lifting of a ball-marker might cause similar damage. Both will be treated the same under the Rules.

If a player has raised a tuft of grass on his line prior to putting, whether with his spikes or in the process of lifting his ball-marker, he is not permitted to tamp it down. Any such repair should be done after he holes out as a consideration to following groups.

Players are only permitted to repair old hole plugs and ball marks. If a player repairs any other damage that might assist him in his play of the hole, he will incur a two-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play [Rule 16-1c].

Players who worsen their own line of putt are not permitted to fix the damage. If a player worsens another’s line of putt, that player is, of course, allowed to make repairs.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.



Thursday, October 27, 2011

Ask Linda #365a–Addendum to #365


Calculating your Course Handicap

The information in this column is in effect only for those players who use the USGA Handicap System.

I have received several e-mails reminding me that there is a formula to calculate your Course Handicap:
Multiply your Handicap Index by the Slope Rating, and divide that number by 113. Round any result that is .5 or higher upward.

Here are two examples:

• Jim’s Handicap Index is 14.9. He is playing the Blue tees at Ramblewood Country Club. The Blue tees have a Slope Rating of 133. 14.9 multiplied by133=1,981.7, divided by 113=17.5. Jim’s Course Handicap from the Blue tees is 18.

• Bernie’s Handicap Index is 18.1. He is playing the White tees at Ramblewood Country Club. The White tees have a Slope Rating of 128. 18.1 multiplied by 128=2,316.8, divided by 113=20.5. Bernie’s Course Handicap from the White tees is 21.

Note that if Jim decides to play from the White tees, his Course Handicap will change. If you do the math, you will find that Jim will have a Course Handicap of 17 from the White tees.

When you are calculating your Course Handicap, you must calculate it from the set of tees you decide to play. Different tees at the same course have different ratings. That is because the Slope Rating becomes more difficult as the length of the course increases.

While we are on the topic of handicaps, there is something else you need to know. Let’s see what happens if Jim and Bernie decide to play a match at full handicap. If they both play from the White tees, where Bernie has a Course Handicap of 21 and Jim has a17, Jim will have to give Bernie 4 strokes. Bernie will get his strokes on the handicap holes listed as #1, 2, 3, and 4.

If Jim plays from the Blue tees and Bernie plays from the White, they will have to do a second calculation based on the different Course Rating for each set of tees. Jim’s Course Handicap from the Blue tees is 18, and Bernie’s from the White tees is 21. The Course Rating from the Blue tees is 72.7, and from the White tees is 71.2. The Course Rating from the White tees is 1.5 shots easier than from the Blue tees (72.7–71.2=1.5). Round the 1.5 up to 2. Jim will only have to give Bernie 1 stroke in their match when he plays from the Blues and Bernie plays from the Whites. (Subtract the 2-stroke difference in the Course Rating from the 3-stroke difference in their respective Course Handicaps.)

The reason for the different Course Ratings for each set of tees is that the longer length from the Blue tees makes that course harder to play than from the White tees. Jim’s total yardage from the Blue tees is 6,883; Bernie’s total yardage from the White tees is 6,498. The difference in yardage from the two sets of tees is 385. Bernie is playing an easier course, so he is not entitled to as many handicap strokes from Jim as he would get if they were playing from the same set of tees.

This is the benefit of the handicap system. Even though two players may not be equally skilled, they can set up a fair match using the difference in their Course Handicaps if they play from the same set of tees. If they do not play from the same tees, they can have a fair match if they subtract the difference in the Course Rating from the difference in their Course Handicaps. This enables women, men, and senior men of differing abilities playing from different tees to compete fairly against one another.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Ask Linda #366–Removing sand from green


Hi Linda,
If putting from off the green are you able to clear sand that is on the green from the greenside bunker?
Kind regards,
Lou

Dear Lou,

Yes, Lou. You may remove sand from the putting green when your ball does not lie on the green. Sand on the putting green (but not elsewhere) is a loose impediment [Definition of Loose Impediments]. Players are permitted to remove loose impediments without penalty anywhere, except when both the ball and the loose impediment are lying in the same hazard [Rule 23-1].

Be aware that when your ball is not on the green, if your ball moves as a result of moving a loose impediment you will be penalized one stroke and you must replace your ball [Rule 18-2a]. There is no penalty if you accidentally move your ball in the process of removing a loose impediment if your ball is on the green.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Ask Linda #365–Finding your Course Handicap

Hi Linda,
Can I ask you a question regarding handicaps? Sometimes I play on a par 66 course. Some people say you play to your full handicap; others say it must be reduced by 3. Can you help????
Lulu 

Dear Lulu,

The par designation at a course does not determine your Course Handicap®. Your Course Handicap is determined by your Handicap Index® and the Slope Rating® from that particular set of tees.

Every player who keeps an official handicap has a Handicap Index. This is the number that includes a decimal (e.g., 18.2). It is used to determine your Course Handicap when you play different courses.

Let's use the example of a player with an 18.2 index on a very easy course with a Slope Rating of 102. The Course Handicap Table (every golf course should have one) shows this player to have a Course Handicap of 16. If this player next plays a course with a very difficult Slope Rating of 135, her Course Handicap will now be 22.

You can calculate your Course Handicap online. Go to:

Players are often confused by the two handicap terms. Again, your Handicap Index is a number with a decimal (e.g., 18.2) that will convert to a Course Handicap (a whole number, e.g. 22) that will vary depending on the slope rating of each course that you play. Your Course Handicap at a course that has a low Slope Rating will be lower than your Course Handicap at a course that has a higher Slope Rating.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Ask Linda #364-Relief from obstruction near OB fence


Linda, we have a flower bed that is bordered with metal edging on three sides and the out-of-bounds fence on the other side. Would you get a free drop from the metal edging if the OB fence would have interfered with your swing?
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

No. When you are trying to resolve this type of situation, you must ask yourself: If the obstruction the metal edging) weren’t there, would you be able to swing? If the answer is “no,” as it is in your question, then you may not take relief from the obstruction. The real culprit is the fence, and there is no free relief from an OB fence.

Linda 
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.