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.