Those pesty Rules again

[John Kavanaugh]

Chris,

How long do you think it would take for Jeff Overton to become as versed in the rules as an official?  Even if is only two eight hour days do you think that is time better spent than working on his short game, mind game or fitness. Do you agree with Pete that players of Jeff's caliber should be seen at rules seminars.

[Chris Cupit]

I guess I would leave that up to Jeff but I am not even sure one has to go to a class (two or three days schools offered by USGA-PGA) to learn the Rules on a "Rules Official" level.  

Knowing many PGA pros as I do, I would suggest that instead of one of their numerous hunting or fishing trips a 2-3 day rules seminar pertaining to their industry and profession may not be all bad  

If that is too much to ask then getting a Rules and Decisions book and simply reading it would be more than most do.  Again, knowing many professionals this would mean putting down the Sports Illustrated, Field & Stream or Mad Magazine and substituting the Decisions book but it would be a start  

[Pete_Pittock]

Chris,

How long do you think it would take for Jeff Overton to become as versed in the rules as an official?  Even if is only two eight hour days do you think that is time better spent than working on his short game, mind game or fitness. Do you agree with Pete that players of Jeff's caliber should be seen at rules seminars.

John,
Being the only "Pete" on this thread, I never said that players should be at rules school. You inferred that.

 I agree that players and their caddies should generally know the rules (which is different than 'players and their caddies should know the rules'). Some PGA instructors have said that extensive rules knowledge might detract from the concentration needed in a tournament golf. That's why I mentioned the caddy vs the player.

    On embedded balls I'm up on through the green, closely mown, drop as near as possible, sandy area, but given the situation where Tiger was I probably would have gotten the penalty, too. Since I grew up in a "dirt" terroir, rather than a "sand" terroir, I approach embedded ball from the first side. Now I know that if I am playing in a desert situation, I need to approach out of the sand.

[John Kavanaugh]

Pete,

My apologies. I should have said Ed.

[Ed Brzezowski]

I still think a two day rules school is not a bad idea every so often. Come on it's their job.
How many guys on this  site have to attend State required education?  Take some responsibility and learn the rules .
At least the player can argue from a knowledgeable position and not rely on contradiction.

[Bruce Katona]

Ed: I am one who is required to attend annual continuing ed to keep a professional license. With my other license, we can obtain the required continuing ed credits via other means, so i do the on-line webinars.....easier, faster & much less expensive.

PS: If not required by the State Boards to renew my licenses bi-annually I would never take a class on my own.

PPS: My annual seminar in next Sunday-Tuesday.....I'm so looking forward to it.........LOL.

Bruce

[John Kavanaugh]

In the real world it does you no good to know the rules intimately if your playing partners do not.  You will be outvoted every time and calling the pro shop is like calling the Algerian Special Forces.

[Bryan Lewis]

In the real world it does you no good to know the rules intimately if your playing partners do not.  You will be outvoted every time and calling the pro shop is like calling the Algerian Special Forces.

Someone much wiser than me once said that golf is the only sport where you can get a reputation for poor sportsmanship for having a good knowledge of the Rules.  Oh how true!

Bryan