Referee Challenge – Too many clubs in a four-ball match

I'm sure we all remember Ian Woosnam carrying too many clubs on the first hole in the 2001 Open at Lytham. The 2 stroke penalty and mental trauma arguably cost him his best chance of winning the open - he ended up 4 shots back and tied for 3rd. When interviewed in 2012 he said … Continue reading Referee Challenge – Too many clubs in a four-ball match

Misunderstood Rules 8: Playing a Provisional

So many players use a phrase like "I'll hit another", "I'm going to re-load", or "I'll try again" which do not "Clearly Indicate" the intention that the stroke to be made will be a provisional ball. https://videopress.com/v/Ninyad9X?preloadContent=metadata If you intend to play a provisional ball, you must clearly indicate your intention before you play the … Continue reading Misunderstood Rules 8: Playing a Provisional

Misunderstood Rules 9: Unplayable Lie

When you take lateral (sideways) relief from an unplayable lie you measure your 2 club lengths from the edge of the unplayable area don't you? https://videopress.com/v/ck5Ylk7h?preloadContent=metadata Sorry - the 2 club lengths is from the position of the ball. If you are in the middle of a big bush you might need to take 2 … Continue reading Misunderstood Rules 9: Unplayable Lie

Misunderstood Rules 10: Placing under winter rules when you should drop

When winter rules / preferred lies are in place more than a few golfers feel they can place rather than drop when taking relief on the fairway. https://videopress.com/v/AS3LDm2z?preloadContent=metadata You may feel that the drop then place procedure as in the video doesn't make much difference to just placing in the first place. However when the … Continue reading Misunderstood Rules 10: Placing under winter rules when you should drop

Saving Strokes 5: Consider all your options & keep a clear head

I'm sure you remember Jordan Spieth on the 13th at Birkdale in the 2017 Open. Way off line and in a bush he had possibly just lost his chance of winning. However with David Bonsall, Chair of the R&A Rules Committee as the referee for his match he was in very good hands to be … Continue reading Saving Strokes 5: Consider all your options & keep a clear head

Saving Strokes 4: When you have a choice on which condition to take relief from

This is a bit involved so quite a long video. In summary, if your stance and / or area of intended swing is interfered with by more than one condition from which you could get free relief you may choose which condition you take relief from first. This decision can lead to very different places … Continue reading Saving Strokes 4: When you have a choice on which condition to take relief from

Saving Strokes 3: Abnormal Strokes

Most of the time you may not take up an unusual stance or attempt an abnormal stroke in order to get free relief from, for example, an Abnormal Course Conditions (e.g. temporary water, GUR, an immovable obstruction, or an animal hole) or a Dangerous Animal Condition. However, there are situations where an abnormal stroke is … Continue reading Saving Strokes 3: Abnormal Strokes

Saving Strokes 2: Use your Relief Area

https://videopress.com/v/QBb30ejN?preloadContent=metadata You've been in trouble and your taking a drop - back-on-the-line or stroke and distance. You used to have to drop on the line, or as close as possible to the point from where you had previously played. Now you have a Relief Area within 1 club length of these Reference Points (& of … Continue reading Saving Strokes 2: Use your Relief Area

Saving Strokes 1: Read the Local Rules

Do you know the Local Rules at your own course? When did you last read them? Did you know they will have changed in 2019? When playing a another course do you read the Local Rules? This is one of the first things a Rules Official will do before play starts. Understanding them is essential … Continue reading Saving Strokes 1: Read the Local Rules

Stones and Rakes in Bunkers

Matt has been running a Rules Quiz for his club during the lock down and he tells me that 60% of respondents didn't know how to deal with stone in bunkers - possibly a hangover from the 2019 rewrite. https://videopress.com/v/Agh5V5ke?preloadContent=metadata How to deal with Loose Impediments in Bunkers Stones and other unattached natural objects are … Continue reading Stones and Rakes in Bunkers