Dear Linda:
Recently our club held a stroke play competition over two
days. The first day was only 9 holes and the second day's round was 18 holes.
On the morning of the first day some members started to play the FRONT nine
until they were told they must not as it breaks Rule 7-1b (practice on the
competition course).
They stopped playing, but were told that as the stroke play
competition in the afternoon was only nine holes, and was to be on the BACK
nine, they would not be disqualified as they had only played the front nine,
and could play in the afternoon competition.
My questions are:
A. Is the Definition of the "Course" that must not
be practiced on under Rule 7-1b the whole course, back and front nines as it
would be for an 18-hole stroke play tournament? If the competition is only
going to be on one of the nines, is the other nine, which is not to be used in
the competition, not the "Course" and is practice allowed there?
B. Should our members have been DQ’d and not allowed to play
any of the rounds of the tournament?
I appreciate your help.
Lou from Dublin, California
Dear Lou,
Rule 7-1b prohibits players from practicing on the
competition course before a round of a stroke-play competition. Both the front
and back nines are part of the competition course, even though all holes will
not be used the first day. The members who practiced on the front nine should
have been disqualified from the tournament.
In this unusual situation, where players may be confused
because the front nine is not included in the first day’s competition, the
Committee might want to include in the Conditions of the Competition that
players are not permitted to practice on the front nine prior to playing the back
nine. This “ounce of prevention” would help players avoid a disqualification –
always a worthy goal. Alternately, the Committee might want to include in the Conditions of the Competition that
players are permitted to practice on the front nine prior to the competition on
the back nine. This option is made available to Committees in the Note at the
end of Rule 7-1.
Linda
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