[Pete_Pittock]

NoCal's John van der Borght has a new blog called 'free drop' where he discusses interesting rules situations. Blog link
http://freedrop.wordpress.com/    Today's entry is about Aaron Baddeley's stance next to a bunker yesterday at the Phoenix Open. He also discloses what the USGA will prep the slope by the 14th green at Torrey Pines.

[TEPaul]

This is definitely a "favorites save" and constant check-in for me.

[MargaretC]

Pete:

Thanks so much for pointing-out this site.  Definitely a keeper and I am going to mention it to several people that I know.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Great blog John...thanks for posting the link Pete.  I've bookmarked it and will be checking in regularly for updates.

[Craig Van Egmond]

John,

         Was www.rulesgeek.com already taken?  

[JohnV]

Thanks everyone. I hope you find it interesting.

If you see anything odd on TV or otherwise regarding the rules feel free to drop me a note.

Criag,  I'd prefer www.rulesnerd.com  

[David Stamm]

This is definitely a "favorites save" and constant check-in for me.

Most definitely. It's on my list now.

[Rich Goodale]

John V

I was involved in a rules brouhaha today, and I would like your opinion (I tried posting it on your blog but it wouldn't let me).  The basic facts are:

1.  In a 4-ball better ball match Player A teed off on the first after announcing the manufacturer, number and distinctive markings on the ball.  He kept another, differently marked ball in his pocket.

2.   On the 7th hole Player A hit a drive down the middle of the fairway over a small rise.  On arriving at “his” ball he noticed that he had inadvertently teed off with the "spare" ball in his pocket, and confirmed this from the markings and the fact that the distinctively marked ball used on holes 1-6 was now in his pocket.  Opponent B objected, claiming that Player A was required to announce any change of ball on the tee.  Player A disagreed.

3.   On the 14th hole, essentially the same thing happened, and Opponent B told Player A he could not complete the hole.  Player A disagreed, completed the hole and offered to resolve the dispute in the clubhouse, as there was no Committee to be consulted.

Who was right and why?  I think I know the answer, but I’d like your opinion, or anyone elses (even Tom Paul).

Cheers

Rich

[JohnV]

As long as the "One Ball" local rule was not in effect, the player can play any conforming golf.  He can switch it to another ball between the play of any hole.  He has no obligation to inform anyone of the fact that he has switched the ball.  He does need to be able to identify it if the occasion should arise and it appears obvious that Player A could do so in this case.

The simple solution to this is to ask Player B to please show the location of the rule which supports his contention.

[MargaretC]

If it doesn't matter, why bother to make an "announcement" in the first place?  

[JohnV]

Margaret,

The reasons are:

1) To ensure that nobody else is playing the same ball/number with the same markings.
2) So that the other people know what to look for during a search
3) To ensure that nobody disputes that the ball that has been found is yours

Similarly it is a good idea to announce the difference between the original ball and a provisional before you hit the provisional.  That way if they end up in the same area you can be sure that nobody accuses you of finding the second and claiming it as the first.  For example, when I play a provisional I'll say something like, "This is a provisional.  The first one was a Titleist 3 and this is a Titleist 4."

There is no requirement in the rules that you do any of this, but it does help avoid the appearance of evil.

I usually have two balls with me and alternate them on a frequent basis during the round.  I don't tell anyone when I switch at the tee as I do it accidentally from time to time.  I do make sure that when I lift my ball I get the correct one back down, usually by either keeping it in my hand or putting it in a different pocket (when allowed to clean it.)

[James Bennett]

"I usually have two balls with me and alternate them on a frequent basis during the round.  I don't tell anyone when I switch at the tee as I do it accidentally from time to time.  I do make sure that when I lift my ball I get the correct one back down, usually by either keeping it in my hand or putting it in a different pocket (when allowed to clean it.) "

Language is priceless.   Self-examination at its best.  

[MargaretC]

John:

Thanks for clarifying...  I play as you have described (except I keep my alternate in my bag so I only play it as a provisional), but actually thought it was a rule rather than a courtesty.

Thanks, I'll be reading your blog regularly.

Meg

[TEPaul]

Rich:

In both cases (#1 and #2) player B was wrong.

A player does not need to announce to his opponents that he is switching balls on the tee.

The only thing that matters with the "One Ball Condition" is that players comply with the condition during that stipulated round.

The "One Ball" Condition reads;

"During a "stipulated round", the balls a player plays must be of the same brand and type as detailed by the single entry on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls."

By the way, that does not mean only the manufacturer name must be the same. You must play with the same "type" in a manufacturer's line as those "types" are listed on the Conforming Ball List.

[James Bennett]

Rich (and Tom)

nearly 30 years ago, I was playing against a guy.  Some of us used the big ball, some the small ball, and some of us would switch.  It was at that intervening time.  I had two Dunlop 65's with me (only one in my pocket!) - one big and one small.  The small ball was used into the wind and on the longer holes, the large ball at other times.  Same brand and same number.

My opponent thought I had 'cheated' (he didn't use as strong language) by not informing him when I changed from one legal ball to another.  He didn't get very far.  I used to love having the honour, and taking a longish club into the wind on a par 3 with a smooth swing (and soft hands), then watching my opponent (who had to see what club I played) airmail the green.

James B

[Rich Goodale]

Many thanks, John, Tom snd James

I was 99.999% sure I was right but just need to be reassured.

Cheers

Rich

[John Mayhugh]

NoCal's John van der Borght has a new blog called 'free drop' where he discusses interesting rules situations. Blog link
http://freedrop.wordpress.com/    Today's entry is about Aaron Baddeley's stance next to a bunker yesterday at the Phoenix Open. He also discloses what the USGA will prep the slope by the 14th green at Torrey Pines.

Thanks for posting this Pete.  Now I really won't be able to get any work done.

[Richard Boult]

interesting, I just posted information about this blog about 2 weeks ago at www.artfulgolfer.com . I have it included as one of my feeds in my Google Reader list too.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

John thank you for this gift of your time. You are the king of the rules guys. cheers

[Jay Flemma]

Excellent John, congrats and it should be a great asset!  Thanks!

[Andrew Mitchell]

Well done John, I'm sure this will become an excellent resource to enhance my knowledge of the rules

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