Stymie Measure

[Bill Gayne]

On a 1940 scorecard from the Bethpage Black Course (copy in America's Linksland) it says:

"This card measures six inches when opened (stymie measure)"

I'm guessing that this is some type of measure to get to move the ball. Can anyone explain when/how a stymie measure would be taken and what type of relief was available?

[michael j fay]

As I remember the stymie rule; if your ball was within six inches of another ball you were allowed to move it to six inches. This would give you an opportunity to hop the ball ahead.

I could be wrong.

[JohnV]

The rule was that if your ball was within 6 inches of the ball in front of yours you could have the other ball lifted.

[TEPaul]

Just check out any old scorecard from anywhere (in many cases still today). Sometimes open and sometimes closed all scorecards measured six inches. It was traditional due to the old stymie rule. A completely efficient way to do the measurement with the odd exception of the fact that within the Rules of Golf scorecards have never actually been required in match play golf--as they always have been in stroke play golf.

[Michael Moore]

And what is the six inch scorecard used for today?

Rolling your ball around in a scramble or under "lift clean and place".

Oh stymie, where art thou?

[Jeff_Mingay]

That's an interesting historical fact. One that gives me an idea I might imply when my own golf club is founded.  

Thanks  

[Dan Herrmann]

The stymie was only used in match play.  You could try to put your ball between your opponent's and the hole, and force him to putt around or chip over your ball.  

The marking on the scorecard showed the stymie distance of 6".  

The stymie rule was abolished in 1952.

[Bill Gayne]

To all,

Thanks for the replies. I would think that having an arbitrary rule of six inches was a point of contention in favor of abolishing the stymie rule. I imagine this led to several disputes for balls that were exactly six inches apart and how the measurements were done.

Bill

[Sébastien Dhaussy]

For complete and historical information on the stymie :
http://www.ruleshistory.com/green.html#stymie

and for an article on the stymie from GolfOnline:
http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/features/history/article/0,17742,467835,00.html

Very interesting.

[Sébastien Dhaussy]

Sorry for the last link (GolfOnline)  . You have to copy it in your navigator.