Linda, Rule 4 and Appendix II state the limitation of use
for the striking face. A club has only one striking face. One exception, the
putter, which has two striking faces, with limitations – the second striking face
is opposite the striking face and must be similar.
I watch golfers, Pros and
Amateurs, playing shots that do not comply to this Rule. A non-compliance to
this rule is disqualification. In reference to Pros not complying to this rule,
there is a lot of money including Fedex points being made when
this Rule is being ignored. To mention any names is not my intention. All I
want is that this Rule to come into force. It has been ignored for a long time.
When mentioned at club level the replies are: "Forget it, everybody does it."
Regards
Lou from Scotland
Dear Lou,
When Appendix II, 4d states that the clubhead must have only
one striking face (the putter may have two), it is referring to the design of
the club, not to how you may use it.
Rule 14-1 states that the ball must be fairly struck at with
the head of the club. It does not limit the player to using the striking face;
it only requires the player to use the clubhead.
Decision 14-1/1 clarifies that a player may play a stroke
with any part of the clubhead. A
right-handed player may play a left-handed stroke with the back of the clubhead of
a right-handed club (the non-striking side).
Any player who turns his club around to hit a back-handed
shot is in compliance with the Rules.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
