You learn something every day.
While playing yesterday it was a bit blustery to say the least so on most putting greens there were a few leaves. I started to clear my line using my putter as most people do (I imagine ) when my playing partner told me that he thought that it was against the rules?
We looked in the rule book & he was correct you are not allowed to touch/sweep the surface of the putting green with your club even to clear leaves?
Glad I learnt that before the GS Open.
Was I the only one who didn't know this????
Reply : Tue 7th Sep 2010 18:24
Another ridiculous rule that should be consigned to the dustbin.
Reply : Tue 7th Sep 2010 19:10
i thought the back of the hand was/is ok to use
Reply : Tue 7th Sep 2010 20:27
Can't touch the line of your put at anytime with your putter, 2 shot penalty or loss of hole in match play. You can pick lose impediments with your fingers or brush away with the back of your hand.
I think the rules also says you can only repair your own pitchmark if it is on your line, the repair of other pitchmarks is only permited with the approval of playing partners. So in a tight matchplay situation your partner could object and you would have to put over a pitchmark. I could be wrong with this one though any further clarification is welcome.
All these tend to restrict the player improving there line i.e removing lumbs bumps etc. I suppose it goes along with the play it as lies philosiphy.
Reply : Tue 7th Sep 2010 20:58
Wasn't there a pro penalised for exactly the same thing earlier this year when he used his glove to brush away some loose dirt/sand?
Reply : Tue 7th Sep 2010 21:06
I don't know about that Chris but I was informed last week that you can brush the sand from a bunker away with your hand if its on the green but not if the sand is in your line when putting from the fringe. You can only move it from the green. Apparently when the sand is on the fringe having been removed from the bunker it is classed as being part of the hazzard. Another stupid rule as John would say.
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 07:16
"if the ball lies within the boundary of a hazard, like a bunker, the natural object cannot be removed"
even though thats a silly rule
i certainly know that rule know, dont i dave
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 09:09
for 18 years i thought it was ok to just kick the ball if the lie was rubbish....easy mistake
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 11:02
Alan I to like to utilise the leather wedge it's a shame my playing partners don't agree it can be my 14th club and used without counting it a a stroke.Some people are sticklers for the rules though.
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 11:22
i know..it's the same with "gimmies", when i was given a put i don't count it because i hadn't hit the ball, some people get upset so easily don't they?
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 12:05
These are the kind of people that play 3 from the t. I much prefer to go over to the OB or somewhere near where my ball landed in the rough and just throw one down and play it from yhere. Saves all the fuss and time wasting and what difference does the odd shot between friends mean.
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 12:17
indeed, do you fancy a game? we won't have to actually play as i will just make up some scores on an old card....it was a good game but i just edged you by a hole, well played.
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 12:29
Well played I thought I had you there but maybe next time. Obvioulsy we both shot well over our handicap and they will be going up for next week.
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 13:14
Alan,
So that's how you amassed 43 points at the NW qualifier
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 15:08
Pity you haven't learnt not to send millions of posts though, Floody
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 15:50
Don't know what you mean Tim?
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 21:04
john, what can i say, i have never got so many points in one game in my life, still, my handicap was slashed so fairs fair.
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 21:26
I learnt something the other day apperently you can hit a ball of the tee in the rough,dont bother looking for it drop in front of some bushes ,Hit the green two putt and claim a four. Then for the next three holes call 1 less shot than you had. All from a 14 hcp'r.
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 21:33
You gonna name & shame Dave?
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 22:00
He was a guest of a friends friend on a small society .I was not marking his card but when I witnessed what he done with the drop kept an eye on him. I checked all the cards as lowest hcp'r and then quizzed him in front of everyone else . When I said you have put incorrect scores down he asked where? I told him about the drop he did on 15 he said whats wrong with that ! I explained and told him what he should have done and therefore had not scored , I then asked him to tell me what he had hit on the last three holes as stated he had 5,5,4 he then realised he had 6,6,5. He then thanked me for pointing these errors out to him and that it was a pleasure to play with someone that new the rules,as the people he normally plays with don't! a 14hcp'r !! If I hadn't of seen him drop the ball an susequently watched him fro m then on he would have pocketed £50! gawd only knows what shinnanigens he did before I spotted him. I wasn't in the money they were all bandits not true I was pants that day,
Last edit : Wed 8th Sep 2010 22:03
Reply : Wed 8th Sep 2010 23:54
You see a pro shoot 62 the next day 75 get my drift
Reply : Thu 9th Sep 2010 10:31
@ TIM,
Tim I think this may answer your question regarding one of your playing partners pressing a club down on the ground before playing his shot
13-2 - Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play
A player must not improve or allow to be improved:
• the position or lie of his ball,
• the area of his intended stance or swing,
• his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or
• the area in which he is to drop or place a ball,
by any of the following actions:
• pressing a club on the ground,
• moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed (including immovable obstructions and objects defining out of bounds),
Reply : Thu 9th Sep 2010 11:14
so in summary, you can use your club to move crap out of the way
Reply : Thu 9th Sep 2010 11:38
Alan,
I'm afraid not
During the stipulated round, a player must not test the surface of any putting green by rolling a ball or roughening or scraping the surface.
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 16:33
john, so as long as your putter doesn't touch the ground you can move leaves?
i'll bear that in mind, it's bound to happen sooner or later now winter is on it's way
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 16:37
Alan,
Yes if you wish to take the chance. You'd have to be very precise as most leaves this time of year get stuck to the greens.
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 16:46
i learnt something on saturday at the GS Open
you can keep your ball out of the wind by hitting it low and only 20 yards!!!!
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 16:48
Harsh but fare !!
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 17:03
Please sTOP it your cracking me up!!!!
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 17:08
And waynes back is still hurting who's idea to do some Happy Gilmores was it !
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 17:11
Darren A , wasn't it Santo that had three consecutive airshots on the tee then turned around to us and said "Wychwood is the hardest course I've ever played "
Reply : Tue 14th Sep 2010 17:40
3 air shots!?!?!
I bet that takes some teaching