Hello Linda,
This question is different. Can course
designers/superintendents go too far and break some kind of rule?
I play a course that has a few hilly greens – VERY hilly
greens. If the ball is anywhere above the hole, there is no way physics will
allow the ball to stop unless the center of the hole gets in the way. You could
strike it with a feather and it wouldn’t stop. Then, it rolls and rolls off the
green and down a hill and the next shot (after a five-foot putt) is a 100-yard
uphill wedge.
Even worse, you can have an uphill putt – the ball will
stop, and then start to roll backwards, and backwards and off the green until
you have that 100-yard uphill wedge.
When does an impossible green go beyond fair play and the
rules of course construction and pin placement?? Are there such rules??
Thank you,
Lou from Orrville, Ohio
Dear Lou,
There is no rule in the Rules of Golf that governs hole
location, but there is a recommendation in The
USGA Handicap System manual that should be adhered to by course
superintendents. Section 15-3 (iii) states as follows:
An area two to three feet in
radius around the hole should be as nearly level as possible and of uniform
grade. In no case should holes be located in tricky places or on sharp slopes
where a ball can gather speed. A player above the hole should be able to stop
the ball at the hole.
The use of the word “should” indicates a strong
recommendation, not a requirement. However, holes that are poorly located
reward luck rather than skill, and take the fun out of the game, which can be a
disincentive for repeat business. If your efforts to convince the
superintendent to follow the recommendations of the USGA fail, a casual mention
to the owner that you and your friends did not enjoy the course and will not
return because of the impossible hole locations might be an effective wake-up
call.
Here is a link to an FAQ from the USGA regarding hole
location that I believe you will find helpful: https://www.usga.org/RulesFAQ/rules_answer.asp?FAQidx=143&Rule=16
And here is a link to a lengthy, detailed article about how
to choose hole locations, written by a golf course designer:
Linda
Copyright © 2017 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
