Dear Linda,
Decision 14-3/6.5 states that it is allowed holding a ball
in your hand against a grip for practice swings or practice strokes. My
question is whether it is allowed to install a “doughnut” to one of your clubs
before making a practice swing, make a practice swing, and subsequently remove
it from the club before making a stroke with it. (Of course making sure slow
play is being prevented).
Lou from the Netherlands
Dear Lou,
A weighted doughnut is an artificial device that might
assist a player in making a subsequent stroke. A player who swings a club with
a weighted doughnut attaching during his round will be disqualified under Rule
14-3 [Decision 14-3/10]. Juli Inkster was disqualified from an LPGA tournament
in 2010 for using such a device during a lull in play.
Please be aware that the penalty will change in 2016. The first time a player breaches the Rule he will incur a two-stroke penalty. The penalty for a subsequent breach is disqualification.
Please be aware that the penalty will change in 2016. The first time a player breaches the Rule he will incur a two-stroke penalty. The penalty for a subsequent breach is disqualification.
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
