RULES QUESTIONS

[Lou_Duran]

1.  A golfer hits a second shot to a par 4 from a position where he can't see the green.  Both he and his caddy believe that the ball was well struck and headed toward the general direction of the green.  After a 5 minute search around the green without finding the ball, the golfer goes back to the spot where he originally hit his second shot and plays what he thinks is now his fourth onto the green.  Upon arriving at the green, the caddy goes to tend the flag and finds the original ball in the hole.  The golfer two-putts with his second ball.  What is his score?

2.  A golfer not having a very good day and just trying to get out of the way of his playing partners chips his third shot to a par 4.  He takes the flag out, props his wedge just above his groin (with the head on the green) and strokes the 5' into the hole with his putter.  He reports to the scorekeeper that he made a four, but one of his playing partners calls a penalty on him for using his wedge to aid the stroke.  What is his score?

[Kevin_Reilly]

14-3/9  Player Putts with One Hand and Steadies Himself with Club Held in Other Hand  

Q. A player, while putting with one hand, uses another club to lean on and steady himself. In the circumstances, is the club the player leans on an artificial device, contrary to Rule 14-3?
A. Yes.

[Kevin_Reilly]

Not sure the above gives an answer to #2...but it is one decision that is in the neighborhood.  Intent seems to be different, if that is relevant.

[Kevin_Reilly]

There have been illegal shoes, recently in fact.  If I had time I would google it to see what they did.  I think John Huston wore them, IIRC.

[Bill Gayne]

I posed a similar question as to #2 several months back except the difference being the player walks up to his ball with putter in hand and the ball is at rest an inch from the hole. The player pulls the flag stick and holds it with one hand and taps in the putt with the other. The consensus at that time was that if the flagstick was touching the ground than a rules infraction occurred. If the flag stick was not touching the ground then there was no rules infraction.

I would think similar logic would apply and if the wedge was touching the ground then there is a rules infraction.

[Kevin_Reilly]

1990 - John Huston wears a shoe – endorsed by him - manufactured by a Tampa-area company, built up more on the side that the other. The shoe is ruled “non-conforming” and Huston must change footwear.

[Michael Moore]

He takes the flag out, props his wedge just above his groin (with the head on the green) and strokes the 5' into the hole with his putter.

Putting with the head of your groin on the green is surely a penalty.

Terribly sorry, I just could not resist.

[A_Clay_Man]

The key to #2 is the word "prop". In no way is that an aid, neither is the golf bag on the shoulders.

Hoenstly, I'd rule 35 the guy who called either.

[Lou_Duran]

The intent is just convenience and speed of play.  Even if allowed by the rules, I would never stroke a missable (6" or >) when it counted with either a bag on my shoulder or a wedge propped up against my groin.

Back, knee, elbow, and shoulder braces which may in fact cause the player not to overswing appear to be legal.  How about a bailing hook harnessed from the head with the tip snuggled to the scrotum?  I guess that intent is the key, and who is to question one's reasoning?    

[John_Cullum]

Q. 1- In stroke play the player scores a 6. see the definition of lost ball. In match play? Did the player win the hole after his opponents failed to make a 2?

Q.2-no penalty unless the player used or attempted to use the club to assist him.

[John_Cullum]

Just shows waht happens when you answer these things off the top of your head. In match play, see Dec. 2-4/11. At least I was going in the right direction there.

[Mike Nuzzo]

without taking the bag off your shoulder, (which, BTW, I've done a million times and I suspect a lot of us have!) have you violated the rules?
 

I thought that leaving your bag on your shoulder while walking on the green was poor etiquette...
even worse than leaving your hat on whilst shaking hands on the 18th.

[Kevin_Reilly]

Just shows waht happens when you answer these things off the top of your head. In match play, see Dec. 2-4/11. At least I was going in the right direction there.

Doesn't that say the same thing as stroke play?  A won the hole when his ball went into the hole.  Unless he doesn't claim the hole before B tees off on the next tee (because B had been (incorrectly) given the hole with the concession).

[Jeff Fortson]

Shivas,

If you think that having your golf bag on your back helps your putting stroke then you truly are snakebit with the flatstick!  


Jeff F.