Hi Linda,
I have written to you previously and had to apologise to
playing partner. Not seriously, I just like to own up to my mistakes. I love
your emails and seeing I am now playing on a resort course where rules are
pretty slack if even known, I have really fallen behind on the rules. When in a
ladies regular competition in Sydney, we had rulings explained to us every time
we played and there were never any misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
Now Linda, yesterday I was playing at our club in Australia
on the Gold Coast. My girlfriend and I were playing with two men, both fairly
new players and high markers. I guess I should have not commented, but I
pointed out to one of the guys that he was in a GUR bunker and he needed to
drop outside of bunker. I was quite sure I was right, but on the next hole he
had pulled out his rulebook and told me he was entitled to do so and that there
was a requirement from local rules which would alternatively say that it was
compulsory to drop outside the bunker and only then would he have needed to
drop outside.
Was I wrong (AGAIN)? I did apologise to him on the next hole,
saying if that is what the rule states I am sorry. However I did come home and
read my rulebook which is 2004-2007 printing and really couldn’t get to grips
with the ruling.
Could you please help me here, either to mind my own
business or at the least, know my rules……. LOL
Thanks heaps and have a great Xmas.
Cheers,
Lulu from Australia
Dear Lulu,
Relief from ground under repair (GUR) is optional. If you look at Rule 25-1b,
you will see that it states “a player may
take relief…” The language in the rulebook is very particular. If a Rule says
“may,” relief is optional; if a Rule says “must,” relief is mandatory.
There is a Local Rule that allows a Committee to prohibit
play from ground under repair. Sometimes you will get a notice to that effect
in the clubhouse; sometimes there will be a sign at the GUR stating that play
is prohibited. When relief is required, a player is penalized two strokes (or
loss of hole in match play) if she plays from the protected GUR.
There have been quite a few rule changes since 2004. I would
like to see you purchase an up-to-date rulebook (or two: one for your golf bag
and one to keep handy in the house). The USGA offered free rulebooks this year
for the asking. Even if the R&A is not as generous, the cost of a new book
is minimal and an important investment for any golfer who wishes to play by the
Rules (meaning all golfers, I would like to think).
Linda
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