Referee Challenge: Loose Impediments

We know you can remove loose impediments anywhere on the course now, but we need to take care that our ball doesn't move when doing so - if it does we get a one stroke penalty and must replace the ball exactly where it was. If we don't move it back and then play it … Continue reading Referee Challenge: Loose Impediments

Misunderstood Rules 5: Identifying your ball

I once warned a playing partner not to do this when he picked up a ball which wasn't (but might have been) his during a search, only for him to pick up his own ball to identify it 30 seconds later! https://youtu.be/NzfyTgz9-nY The rule changed in 2019 - previously you had to tell your opponent … Continue reading Misunderstood Rules 5: Identifying your ball

Referee Challenge: Putt deflected by leaf blown by the wind

This doesn't happen every day (and its just as well). I have posted this as it has been the source of much debate amongst the Wiltshire Referees recently - many emails being exchanged without a consensus being reached. It may be one to refer to the R&A. This video from YouTube shows the scenario - … Continue reading Referee Challenge: Putt deflected by leaf blown by the wind

Misunderstood Rules 6: Where is the edge of a Penalty Area?

Most golfers believe that stakes define the edge of a penalty area unless there is a line. While lines would always DEFINE the edge of a penalty area stakes normally only INDICATE there is a penalty area (unless the local rules state that stakes DEFINE penalty areas). The default position is that penalty areas are … Continue reading Misunderstood Rules 6: Where is the edge of a Penalty Area?

Misunderstood Rules 7: Finding the ball after 3 minutes have elapsed

This would perhaps be better titled as a frequently ignored rule. I can also report a strange bit of human nature - the search time was reduced from 5 to 3 minutes at the start of 2019 with the aim of speeding up play. When refereeing we will start a stopwatch at the start of … Continue reading Misunderstood Rules 7: Finding the ball after 3 minutes have elapsed

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