Question:
I have not seen Jerry Kelly’s misery on the 1st hole today, but I’ve often wondered why pro golfers are so hesitant to use the unplayable lie rule to their advantage. Occasionally I’ll see a golf hit a miserable shot then hit an ever more miserable shot trying to recover from the previous one (trying to hit from under a bush or out of the deep junk). Sometimes it seems like it would be beneficial to just take the one stroke penalty and drop the ball in a better spot or go back and hit it again from the previous spot. But it’s almost like their ego gets in the way and prevents them from invoking the unplayable lie rule. Any thoughts? Neal B. Richmond, VA
Response:
The problem is whether taking the penalty gives you a shot at the green. Unless it is absolutely impossible to put a club on the ball, avoid the penalty if you think you can punch out and make the green on your next shot.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have not seen Jerry Kelly’s misery on the 1st hole today, but I’ve often wondered why pro golfers are so hesitant to use the unplayable lie rule to their advantage. Occasionally I’ll see a golf hit a miserable shot then hit an ever more miserable shot trying to recover from the previous one (trying to hit from under a bush or out of the deep junk). Sometimes it seems like it would be beneficial to just take the one stroke penalty and drop the ball in a better spot or go back and hit it again from the previous spot. But it’s almost like their ego gets in the way and prevents them from invoking the unplayable lie rule. Any thoughts? Neal B. Richmond, VA
Response:
I have not seen Jerry Kelly’s misery on the 1st hole today, but I’ve often wondered why pro golfers are so hesitant to use the unplayable lie rule to their advantage. Occasionally I’ll see a golf hit a miserable shot then hit an ever more miserable shot trying to recover from the previous one (trying to hit from under a bush or out of the deep junk). Sometimes it seems like it would be beneficial to just take the one stroke penalty and drop the ball in a better spot or go back and hit it again from the previous spot. But it’s almost like their ego gets in the way and prevents them from invoking the unplayable lie rule. Any thoughts?
2 reasons: a) they are so damn good that they usually *can* improve their lie by hitting the ball somewhere else, rather than dropping b) sometimes a drop for an unplayable lie is going to result in another lie just about as unplayable.
Response:
I have not seen Jerry Kelly’s misery on the 1st hole today, but I’ve often wondered why pro golfers are so hesitant to use the unplayable lie rule to their advantage. Occasionally I’ll see a golf hit a miserable shot then hit an ever more miserable shot trying to recover from the previous one (trying to hit from under a bush or out of the deep junk). Sometimes it seems like it would be beneficial to just take the one stroke penalty and drop the ball in a better spot or go back and hit it again from the previous spot. But it’s almost like their ego gets in the way and prevents them from invoking the unplayable lie rule. Any thoughts?
I didn’t see it either, but sometimes it’s damn hard to get a good drop from the first lie. He could always go back, I guess, but the pros usually think they’ll be able to move it some. Just my guess. Dave
Response:
@slb9.atl.mindspring.net: I have not seen Jerry Kelly’s misery on the 1st hole today,
Someone asked him how he got an 11 on the first hole, and he said "I drained a 30 foot putt". LOL!