Our club has a major event for low handicap amateurs
starting tomorrow. One member who is caddying for a young golfer offered
to take him out for a look at the course before his round begins, as he hasn't
played here before.
Someone suggested that if he were to see the pin placements
before beginning his round, he could be disqualified. I don't know what
rule, if any, would require this.
I have only recently discovered your website and am enjoying
your rules.
Lulu from Rye, Victoria, Australia
Dear Lulu,
There is no penalty for reviewing the golf course visually
prior to playing.
However, there is a disqualification
penalty for practicing on the course or testing the surface of
any putting green on the course on the day of the competition [Rule 7-1b].
This is a stroke play Rule. In match play, a player is
permitted to practice on the course before his round.
All of this being said, the Committee is permitted to prohibit practice on the course on the
day of a match play competition or permit practice on the course on the
day of a stroke play competition.
Players must pay careful attention to the Conditions of the Competition that
they receive from the Committee prior to any competition.
Young golfers (and their parents) should be encouraged to
read the Rules of Golf and carry a copy in their golf bags. How disappointing
it would be to be disqualified for a violation that could easily be avoided by
checking the Rules.
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
