Question:
In all of the interpretations of the rules of golf that I have read, it is always stated that ‘each and every word of a rule is there for a reason’. Wouldn’t that be the case here with the words ‘another player’?
I agree with you thoroughly Kevin…however, by the same token, it is important to consider the words that are left out! As I have already said, this Decision mentioned an action by ‘another player’, but in the way I read it, it doesn’t actually exclude the action of the player himself. In reasoning the issue there doesn’t appear to be any basis in the rules to differentiate on the source of the ‘obstruction’ in this context. david
Response:
Decision 13-4/18.5 is really only there to distinguish between a natural occurance and the result of an action by another player etc. Although it refers to ‘an action of ANOTHER player….etc’, this wording does NOT exclude an action of the player himself…and the principle applied in Decision 13-4/18 is still relevant. The player is entitled, under Rule 1-4, to the application of this principle. david
In all of the interpretations of the rules of golf that I have read, it is always stated that ‘each and every word of a rule is there for a reason’. Wouldn’t that be the case here with the words ‘another player’? KT
Response:
Hi David, I believe that, in this case, since it was the players own action that caused the divot to land on the ball, the divot must be treated as just a normal loose impediment. Decision 13-4/18 can only be used if the situation came about as a result of an action by another player, caddie or animate outside agency. (see Decision 13-4/18.5)
Nick Decision 13-4/18.5 is really only there to distinguish between a natural occurance and the result of an action by another player etc. Although it refers to ‘an action of ANOTHER player….etc’, this wording does NOT exclude an action of the player himself…and the principle applied in Decision 13-4/18 is still relevant. The player is entitled, under Rule 1-4, to the application of this principle. david
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If he’d been playing by strict rules, he probably wouldn’t have been able to remove this loose impediment from atop his ball before playing his next shot, since doing so would almost certainly have caused the ball to move. But I wasn’t playing "rules cop," so I didn’t say anything when he lifted it. well…he would actually have been allowed to remove it with no penalty. He is entitled to the ‘lie’ and conditions that existed at the time his ball came to rest. The divot presumably landed on his ball after it (the ball) came to rest. The divot arrived by virtue of the action of a player (himself) as distinct from a natural action such as running water or wind etc. Under Rule 1-4 he would be entitled to treat the divot in the same manner as a ‘movable obstruction’….and if the ball moved in the process of removing the divot he would not be penalised provided he replaced the ball to its original position. david
Hi David, I believe that, in this case, since it was the players own action that caused the divot to land on the ball, the divot must be treated as just a normal loose impediment. Decision 13-4/18 can only be used if the situation came about as a result of an action by another player, caddie or animate outside agency. (see Decision 13-4/18.5)
Response:
I take my son to Fort Leslie McNair in Washington DC for a cheap 18 holes (2 X 9). There are two holes that you have to shoot over curbed streets. I once missed a shot that hit the curb just right to make fly backwards. My son was 20 yards behind me thinking he was safe. Wrong! I turn to see him scramble out of the way as ball came sailing right for him. Probably the funniest moment in my golfing life.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Today I saw one of the funniest things I’ve seen in quite a while on the golf course. I was playing with a couple of newbies. Both guys had only picked up the game about six months ago. One of them played really well for such a beginner — holing out from the fairway for an eagle 2 on a par four, then nearly acing a par 3 (hit his tee shot to a foot). Needless to say, he was ecstatic. But his friend struggled most of the round. And at one point, he was hitting a full wedge to the green. He hit fat, and like it was happening in slow motion, the ball… AND HIS DIVOT… both floated on an identical trajectory in perfect sync, as if ball and divot were performing a ballet through the air. The ball floated, then dropped straight to the ground and stopped. The divot, just a few feet behind the ball, floated, then dropped straight to the ground and landed right on top of the ball, completely covering it. Both ball and divot were advanced only about 20 yards on this "full wedge" shot. If he’d been playing by strict rules, he probably wouldn’t have been able to remove this loose impediment from atop his ball before playing his next shot, since doing so would almost certainly have caused the ball to move. But I wasn’t playing "rules cop," so I didn’t say anything when he lifted it. I’ve heard of laying the sod over the ball, but this took it to a whole new level. :-) Randy website: http://wwwgolfer.home.mindspring.com RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm "Advice for Christmas shoppers: Always make the book store your last stop at the mall. Otherwise — as I discovered — one arm will be longer than the other by the time your shopping adventure is finished."
Response:
Today I saw one of the funniest things I’ve seen in quite a while on the golf course. I was playing with a couple of newbies. Both guys had only picked up the game about six months ago. One of them played really well for such a beginner — holing out from the fairway for an eagle 2 on a par four, then nearly acing a par 3 (hit his tee shot to a foot). Needless to say, he was ecstatic. But his friend struggled most of the round. And at one point, he was hitting a full wedge to the green. He hit fat, and like it was happening in slow motion, the ball… AND HIS DIVOT… both floated on an identical trajectory in perfect sync, as if ball and divot were performing a ballet through the air. The ball floated, then dropped straight to the ground and stopped. The divot, just a few feet behind the ball, floated, then dropped straight to the ground and landed right on top of the ball, completely covering it. Both ball and divot were advanced only about 20 yards on this "full wedge" shot. If he’d been playing by strict rules, he probably wouldn’t have been able to remove this loose impediment from atop his ball before playing his next shot, since doing so would almost certainly have caused the ball to move. But I wasn’t playing "rules cop," so I didn’t say anything when he lifted it. I’ve heard of laying the sod over the ball, but this took it to a whole new level. :-) Randy website: http://wwwgolfer.home.mindspring.com RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm "Advice for Christmas shoppers: Always make the book store your last stop at the mall. Otherwise — as I discovered — one arm will be longer than the other by the time your shopping adventure is finished."
Response:
I actually topped a 3 iron so bad that I buried it in the soft turf! I was trying to CRUSH it and ended up nearly crying from laughing so hard when I found the ball. It was in the same exact spot…only about 2 inches deep. Would have never found it unless I stepped on it and felt the lump. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
If he’d been playing by strict rules, he probably wouldn’t have been able to remove this loose impediment from atop his ball before playing his next shot, since doing so would almost certainly have caused the ball to move. But I wasn’t playing "rules cop," so I didn’t say anything when he lifted it.
well…he would actually have been allowed to remove it with no penalty. He is entitled to the ‘lie’ and conditions that existed at the time his ball came to rest. The divot presumably landed on his ball after it (the ball) came to rest. The divot arrived by virtue of the action of a player (himself) as distinct from a natural action such as running water or wind etc. Under Rule 1-4 he would be entitled to treat the divot in the same manner as a ‘movable obstruction’….and if the ball moved in the process of removing the divot he would not be penalised provided he replaced the ball to its original position. david
Response:
now thats does take skill!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I actually topped a 3 iron so bad that I buried it in the soft turf! I was trying to CRUSH it and ended up nearly crying from laughing so hard when I found the ball. It was in the same exact spot…only about 2 inches deep. Would have never found it unless I stepped on it and felt the lump. Steve
Response:
On behalf of Steve’s everywhere, would you consider changing your name for a while? We’d like a little distance until this post dies off the system! <g Steve
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I actually topped a 3 iron so bad that I buried it in the soft turf! I was trying to CRUSH it and ended up nearly crying from laughing so hard when I found the ball. It was in the same exact spot…only about 2 inches deep. Would have never found it unless I stepped on it and felt the lump. Steve
Response:
I actually topped a 3 iron so bad that I buried it in the soft turf! I was trying to CRUSH it and ended up nearly crying from laughing so hard when I found the ball. It was in the same exact spot…only about 2 inches deep. Would have never found it unless I stepped on it and felt the lump. Steve
I saw a player lose 2 yards that way. He topped it and it went forward one foot and then jumped back. I also saw my cousin top one and it jumped straight up about two feet off the ground and settled back into the same lie. Both of these players were single-digit handicaps, too. — –dph. (preferred email: dhayes AT iname DOT com) Before you buy.
Response:
I remember playing with a guy near the start of the season, the ground was rock hard and he topped the ball so well that it bounced up and over his head/shoulder and finished behind him, one of the funniest things I have ever seen on a golf course. Brendan — Handicap: 11 Ouyen Golf Club Page http://members.xoom.com/ouyengc RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/deanb.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I actually topped a 3 iron so bad that I buried it in the soft turf! I was trying to CRUSH it and ended up nearly crying from laughing so hard when I found the ball. It was in the same exact spot…only about 2 inches deep. Would have never found it unless I stepped on it and felt the lump. Steve I saw a player lose 2 yards that way. He topped it and it went forward one foot and then jumped back. I also saw my cousin top one and it jumped straight up about two feet off the ground and settled back into the same lie. Both of these players were single-digit handicaps, too. — –dph. (preferred email: dhayes AT iname DOT com) Before you buy.