Opinion & Analysis
(Sort of) Playing by the rules
The USGA handicap system is often misunderstood.
Those of you who play baseball or bowl know exactly how your averages are calculated: The number of hits divided by the number of at-bats; or the total pins divided by the number of games you bowl. It’s simple math.
But here is an essential difference in those averages and your golf handicap: The USGA is not counting your average score; it is calculating, as best the system can, your ability to play a golf course.
This is why the worst rounds are tossed out, and why recent rounds are valued more than older rounds. So if you are capable of shooting an 85 on a 70-rated golf course (remember, rating nor par) you are a 15. This system, according to the USGA, keeps the playing field as level as it can be. But it can be misleading.
Quite often, golfers with a certain handicap play in a competitive stroke play event away from their home course and do not play as well as their handicap indicates. Take a low-handicap player who tries to qualify for the state open or an amateur event. They are, say, a 7-handicap, but they shoot 88 in the qualifier. Bad day? Maybe, but maybe not, because individual stroke play events are quite a different story than the games often played at home.
Bobby Jones offered a great analogy for this: If one were to put a 1-foot wide plank on the ground and asked you to walk across it, you would do so with no thought at all. That’s like golf with your buddies. Now, take the same plank and raise it 10 feet in the air.
Whoa! Better be careful. One step carefully in front of the other; every step counts. What if I fall?
Now that’s tournament golf. Jones went on to say that if the plank was raised to 30 feet, that would be major tournament golf. But his point is clear: There’s a big difference between golf with your buddies and tournaments.
This phenomenon has always fascinated me on several levels. I have explored the reasons in addition to the obvious one, pressure, but I think there are other factors involved. Namely, the rules of golf. If you consider the way most club matches or rounds are played, there is a very loose application of the rules of golf. Here are a few examples:
Gimmes: In stroke play there is no such thing, but in match play a conceded putt cannot be declined or refused. That is why you cannot play your ball “for score” in a four ball (better ball) match. If I have a 10-footer for par and my partner has a 5-footer for birdie on the same line, my opponent will of course concede my putt so I don’t show my partner the line. By the rules of golf, I have to pick that 10-footer up. And in big money matches, I BETTER pick it up. That’s why stroke play and match play are two very different animals that cannot be played concurrently.
Lost ball: There is only one option — stroke and distance. Go back to where you just played your last shot and add a stroke. “I’ll just drop one here to save time” is not in the rules book. This one is tougher on us than the pros, because in everyday golf we do not have the advantage of 10,000 people in the gallery looking for our golf ball.
Out of Bounds: There is only one option: Go back to where you have just hit your last shot and add a stroke. Again, you can’t just “drop one here.”
Wrong ball: In stroke play, you go back and play the correct ball and add two shots. In match play, it means a loss of hole. “Let’s go back, play the right ball but forget about the two strokes” is not applicable.
Although these may be the most commonly violated rules (there are many others such as playing the ball “up,” the leaf rule, playing out of turn, not announcing a provisional, etc.), the important thing to remember is this — many times, golfers do not violate these rules out of ignorance or cheating. They are violating rules to save time.
Recently, I wrote about pace of play and suggested that more match play would speed things up. The reason why? If all golfers played by USGA rules like they are supposed to (local rules notwithstanding), play would be even slower. If a golfer loses a ball in a fourball, the weight of the match would simply shift to his or her playing partner. “Play hard pards, I owe ya one,” is much better than a provisional and 10 minutes of searching for a ball that will never be recovered.
Now, getting back to where I began the story, do not let your home course handicap mislead you when it comes to playing competitively. For those of you who want to go the tournament route, you should learn the rules and play in as many competitive stroke play events as possible. This will give you a good idea of where you stand to par and other good players.
Recently while officiating a junior event, two young boys drove from the first tee dead down the middle of the fairway, maybe 240 or 250 yards out. They were both playing No. 3 Titleist ProV1 balls, and their balls came within a yard of each other. They were shocked (and their parents none too pleased) when I sent them back to the first tee hitting three! Both of their shots were considered lost because they could not identify their golf balls (neither had marked them). I wonder how many times that one would be called in a friendly club match.
Golf is a very difficult game by the book, but that’s why we have local rules. Personally, for the sake of time, I would drop the distance penalty for both out of bounds and lost ball and just take the stroke penalty. There’s no need to hold play up by going back to the tee, and even provisionals slow play with golfers of a certain level.
The game is about enjoyment with your buddies at a respectable pace. Playing some local rules and using a few simple time-saving tricks can help that; but don’t let your final score mislead you or be disappointed if you head out with the big boys.
As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.
Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: We’re talking about practice! My best tips for taking your game to the course
With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game.
Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills.
While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice.
This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times.
Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy.
One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length. Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine.
It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season.
Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds.
Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time. With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game. Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills. While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice. This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times. Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy. One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length.
Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine. It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season. Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds. Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time.
For Korean golfers, we always look forward to the last of the kkot-saem-chu-I for the true start of a new golf season. The term refers to a cold snap, but literally translates as “winter being jealous of the flowers beginning to bloom, thus lashing out one final time before surrendering to spring”.
A rather poetic mouthful packed into a short expression.
Koreans can be like that. Understated, yet oddly expressive at the same time. And nowhere is this more true on the golf course and in our golf bags. In fact, I suspect many Korean golfers look forward to new apparel and accessory drops more than they do actual equipment launches each year.
At this point, Korean golf fashion may exist on its own timeline. (courtesy of @seonbi_golfer)
There is ample evidence to support that suspicion. Korea is the world’s third-largest golf market behind the United States and Japan, yet its appetite for golf apparel exceeds that of both countries combined. Recent estimates suggest that Korea accounts for nearly 40 percent of the global golf apparel market, placing it among the world’s most influential golf fashion markets and punching well above its size.
Simply, we care deeply about how new golf clubs look and feel, but enjoy looking good while swinging them even more.
Golfers in the West may laugh and say that golf is played on a course, not a fashion runway. Perhaps. But what’s the harm in trying to look and feel good, if the added self-confidence can help actual performance? It certainly seems to have worked for Jason Day, who may have unlocked a new stats category: dormant strokes gained. Coincidence?
During the COVID-era, estimates placed the market near $9 billion, an astonishing figure for a single country.
As a proud member of Gen X, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of golf fashion firsthand. The pleated trousers and wing-tipped shoes of Jack Nicklaus, the stylish plus-fours and knickers of Payne Stewart, the baggy black trousers and fitted mock-necks of Tiger Woods, and the thigh-hugging athletic tailoring of Rory McIlroy. Golf fashion, like the golf swing itself, has rarely stood still.
But nowhere have those trends shifted, evolved, and been scrutinized quite as relentlessly as in Korea. Here, golf fashion moves faster than fairway gossip, and consumers dissect brands with a level of discernment that can be both impressive and mildly terrifying. New brands are studied, judged, embraced, or dismissed with startling efficiency.
The result is a consumer base with one of the sharpest eyes for quality and authenticity anywhere in the world. It is difficult to quantify, but easy to recognize. Clean lines without trying too hard. Luxury mixed with utility. Trend awareness balanced by restraint and purpose.
It’s golf fashion shaped by one of the world’s most style-literate cities, something I like to call Seoul Sensibilities, referring to the taste level forged by a uniquely competitive environment.
And increasingly, global brands have noticed.
Many golf brands in Korea have their own flagship shops dedicated to apparel only
Titleist understood this years ago, when its apparel business in Korea took on a life of its own under new ownership and local direction. What had once been a straightforward extension of an iconic equipment giant became something sharper and more premium. By going all in on the serious Tour-player look (I couldn’t even fit into their XL sizes), Titleist struck the right chord with Korean consumers and helped its fledgling apparel business break into the mainstream. Titleist became a household name even for non-golfers who wore its caps, shirts, and windbreakers in daily life. In many ways, it proved that even heritage golf brands could carry real fashion credibility when viewed through a Korean lens.
Several years later, PXG took a page out of Titleist’s playbook and followed suit. Korean consumers helped transform the brand from one known largely for irons and loud commercials into something broader and more stylish. PXG apparel’s growth in Korea was explosive, where it found an early audience and turned the category into something more than mere logo merchandise. It is still hard to walk anywhere in Seoul without seeing its palindrome logo.
Malbon’s meteoric rise in the United States was genuine, but its ascent into a global golf lifestyle brand owes much to Korea, where it was elevated by a market already fluent in modern golf style. Korea did not simply embrace Malbon. It pressure-tested the concept, refined its appeal, and helped push it into the global spotlight.
As such, new brands may arrive from abroad, but more often than not, their sharpest evolution happens here. If a brand can earn credibility in Seoul, it’s deemed to have passed one of the toughest style audits in the game.
That is why the next meaningful chapter may not come from outside, but from a Korean brand moving in the opposite direction, carrying those Seoul Sensibilities outward as K-pop once did.
Play young Stay dope.
From Seoul, With Intent
Khalhon is a label that feels less like a trend-chasing newcomer and more like the product of a market that has already seen everything. Golfers here have long been surrounded by luxury logos, technical fabrics, and tour uniforms disguised as lifestyle wear and vice-versa. In other words, novelty alone rarely lasts here, and the Koreans seems to understand that instinctively.
Its style language leans into clean silhouettes, relaxed but tailored proportions, muted palettes, and premium materials that speak quietly but confidently. There is a modern city aesthetic running through it all, with strong layering pieces, thoughtful textures, and subtle branding that suggests sophistication rather than demanding attention.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
Most importantly, the garments seem designed to blur the line between golfwear and everyday style. Shirts, trousers, knitwear, and outer layers move comfortably between a game of screen golf, a lunch reservation, an airport gate, or an afternoon coffee in Gangnam with friends.
It raises the question of whether this is golfwear that happens to look good off the course, or everyday clothing that performs beautifully on the fairways.
Personally, I have long appreciated Nike Golf for its clean, athletic modernization of golf attire. It also has the useful side effect of making me look like a more serious golfer than I probably am. But off the course, there are times when being instantly identified as the golf guy in a crowd of non-golfers can feel a touch self-conscious.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
That is part of what drew me to Khalhon, which seemed to blend golf and everyday wear naturally. While some of the outfits may be slightly beyond my personal confidence level, the brand also offers tasteful options for older guys like me who still want to express a little personality without regretting the decision later.
These are not simply flashy outfits worn on the course and then banished to the closet until the next tee time. They work surprisingly well off the course too, and I suspect many of the pieces will still look right a couple of years from now, which would certainly be kinder to my wallet than most golf fashion trends tend to be.
And perhaps that broader lifestyle positioning also helps explain why someone like Sean Wotherspoon would find Khalhon creatively interesting in the first place.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
“Korea is not only one of the most fashion-forward golf markets in the world, but one of the most fashion-forward markets globally. Korea is ahead, and I love to watch and try to catch up.” – Sean Wotherspoon, Creative Director at Khalhon
Seoul and Beyond
If Khalhon’s rise says something about where Korean golf fashion is today, its relationship with Sean Wotherspoon says even more about where it is heading.
For readers less familiar with Sean Wotherspoon, his arrival at Khalhon is not some routine celebrity endorsement or influencer collaboration. In design and streetwear circles, Wotherspoon is regarded as one of the more influential creative voices of his generation, particularly when it comes to blending nostalgia, storytelling, and contemporary culture into products that people can connect with.
He first gained widespread attention through his now-famous Nike sneaker collaborations, where his vintage-inspired designs and instinct for color helped turn him into one of the defining artists of the late-2010s sneaker era. His work gradually expanded beyond footwear into apparel, automotive collaborations, collectibles, and broader lifestyle design.
Modern golf style now extends well beyond the fairways, where performance and functionality are largely expected by default. And while plenty of brands already make technically competent golfwear, Khalhon seems more focused on designing clothes people would genuinely want to wear even after the round ends.
And when guys at Wotherspoon’s level show genuine interest in working with a Korean golf brand as its new Creative Director, fashion circles tend to sit up and pay attention. There’s already a huge buzz among the fashion-conscious here about upcoming collabs with iconic sports stars and brands.
“My creative direction for Khalhon is disruptive, colorful, nostalgic, and modern. My goal is to blend these avenues seamlessly within each collection.” – Sean Wotherspoon
In chatting with Sean, what stood out most to me was how genuinely energized he sounded about the project itself. Despite having already worked across and countless other creative spaces, he described golf as a completely fresh category for him, saying that Khalhon “will be an amazing vehicle for my design work.”
At the same time, his enthusiasm seemed tied just as much to Korea itself. He spoke openly about admiring Korea’s fashion culture while repeatedly insisting he is still a terrible golfer.
There was something oddly refreshing about that humility. Rather than sounding like a celebrity parachuting into golf simply because the category suddenly became fashionable, Sean sounded genuinely curious about what Korea might do with the category next.
And perhaps that is what makes Khalhon feel interesting right now. The brand feels less like a trend-chaser and more like the natural result of a market now confident enough to export its own point of view.
For years, global brands came to Korea to sharpen their image against one of the most discerning audiences anywhere. Now, a Korean label appears ready to send those Seoul Sensibilities outward instead.
Which brings us back to kkot-saem-chu-i.
That final cold snap before spring always arrives with a reminder that seasons are changing, whether we notice it immediately or not. Golf fashion feels a little like that right now as well, as the old boundaries between sport, streetwear, luxury, and everyday style continue to soften.
And somewhere in Seoul, a Korean golf label already seems prepared for whatever season comes next. I just hope they have everything in my size.
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inncfromnj
Jul 17, 2013 at 5:08 pm
In competitive stroke or match play events, the rules of golf should be adhered to by the book.
For the $5 Nassau, the group may wish to modify a few of the rules, so as long as all parties agree, to keep pace of play. One such rule is ball out of bounds. If in the friendly round with no money or anything else on the line, play it as a lateral hazard and proceed with a one stroke penalty.
In stroke play there is no rule regarding playing “out of turn”…in match play, there is. Players must play in turn. That is the ball farthest from the hole must be played first.
Other than that, play by the rules. Keep the game moving. Don’t hold up the golf course.
Play read
Brian
Jul 17, 2013 at 1:00 pm
My local club and the organization that runs the state events (CGA), enter your tournament rounds for you, so there’s no escaping the effects tournament golf has on your handicap.
With that said, the negative effects tournament golf can have on your handicap can easily cause a realistic handicap to be confused with sandbagging, especially at less stressful club events like a member guest or member member. It’s a double whammy for those that don’t play tourney golf b/c not only do their handicaps have the potential to be artificially low, but they often aren’t used to playing by all of the rules, most damaging of which I’ve found to be putting the ball out.
is1ander
Jul 15, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Great article! Hits the issue right on the sweet spot as far as the (mostly) honest golfers are concerned.
Shannon
Jul 14, 2013 at 2:42 pm
I’m a rules official, recreational golfer & play in club tournaments. I play by the letter of the law in tournaments but in regular day to day play, I do not follow the OB and Lost ball rules if I haven’t played a provisional. There are times when you just can’t find the ball when it shouldn’t be a problem finding it. The ball has just rolled into the rough but you can’t find it. I wouldn’t have played a provisional because the ball should be easy to find but when I get there and can’t it, I’m not going to slow the course down by walking back to where I hot my previous shot. I will play it like a lateral hazard. I know I’m not playing by the rules but I also haven’t slow the course down. SLOW PLAY is the biggest problem in the game today. Match play would speed the game up by 30 minutes or more but in North America, we don’t play enough match play.
Tom
Jul 15, 2013 at 6:10 am
Great article, and I agree with you, and would do the same IF it’s just a match with the weekend group. We ALWAYS play by the rules too, and the only “gimmee” you’ll get is if it’s leaning over the hole. BUT if that ball is lost for no apparent reason, no one goes back, and will drop one to play it. BUT they’re out of the hole, and the score is put down as the max allowed for their handidcap for posting. Playing the other ball is basically just finishing the hole to stay warmed up I guess. Some at our course thought changing some OB to lateral hazards would speed up play. In many cases it’s done just the opposite. When you think you’re OB, you right away hit a provisional. But if you have a lateral where you cross the line at point A, everyone STILL goes forward to see if they can find their ball, (it may have popped out, hit a tree or you can find it and play it), but then not finding it have to go back to where it crossed and THEN hit their next shot, whereas the provisional would already have been hit and just go over and play it.
And I’ll play one of those guys where everything inside the leather is good, ALL DAY. When he has to putt them, boy is it entertaining.
Dennis Clark
Jul 15, 2013 at 8:55 am
good points; provisionals are hit when its obvious or even iffy, but not when its in an area where the golf ball should have been easy to find…and you’re right slow much is a much more serious problem
inncfromnj
Jul 17, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Agree 100%..It seems that far too many people are obsessed with their “score”…When I first started playing again, almost everyone played match play games such as a Nassau or “Wolf”….Those are match play games.
Rather than grind over a 9 on a par 4, in match play, you go in the pocket and we simply use the Equitable Stroke Control number of strokes and put that on the score card. A typical middle handicap golfer( 12-18) would take no more than a triple bogey. Problem solved.
Sean
Jul 12, 2013 at 6:39 pm
If you don’t play by the rules then you can never know your true handicap. How then will you know if you are improving or not?
ps: I always mark my golf ball. Even if it only ends up being used for one shot. :-0
Rob
Jul 12, 2013 at 4:02 pm
I think the competition factor definitely leads to inflated scores, but it’s not the only reason handicaps are misleading.
What we have to realize in a certain handicap is that the number reflects a score you “could” shoot 25% of the time, or 1 in 4 rounds at most. Because, of your last 20 scores, only the top 50% are included in the calculation, and then those are averaged, giving you a number that correlates with your top 25% scores.
So 75% of the time you shouldn’t expect to play to your handicap in competition or a friendly round.
Dennis Clark
Jul 12, 2013 at 12:51 pm
If you read into this thread, you’ll see that most are referencing the tee shot. But remember that lost and OB have to applied everywhere. Example: Par 5, third shot, 100 yards skulled OB over the green. with S&D, I can play 5, hit it tight and make 6. With two strokes, I’m chipping 6 from somewhere behind the green. Let me recommend a book: “The Principles behind the Rules of Golf” by Richard Tufts-google it. It is WELL worth the read.
G
Jul 13, 2013 at 2:46 am
Bingo.
Once again, the difference between general recreational golf and tournament golf with proper rules.
The problem with most golfers (not the problem with golf – note the difference) is that most golfers are NOT HONEST and their egos get in the way, they do not respect the rules, do not respect etiquette, and just generally don’t care what anybody else says. And I said, MOST. Of course, there are plenty of golfers who do care and maintain decency, keep their egos in check (most of the time) and respect the rules and the reason for why it is golf.
Ryan
Jul 12, 2013 at 10:53 am
In the example where you told the kids to replay:
A) Feels like if you’re going to really come down on these kids hard with the rule it would be easier to just have them check the marks before you start?
B) In this case its usually a pretty obvious “my ball is on the right”, would that still not be enough?
Dennis Clark
Jul 12, 2013 at 11:12 am
There is no intent of being hard or easy; it is simply the rule, very black and white. Even young eyes cant see the ball 250 yards away when they are as close as they were. But that’s why we have junior golf, so the young players can learn what competition is. That includes the rules as well as learning to play.
Steve Barry
Jul 12, 2013 at 11:21 am
No, it has to be definitive I believe. I was caddying for a buddy in a State Am Qualifier one year and from the tee box, he pushed his to the right, over a small hill which we couldn’t see over. Well, over this hill was a small pond. We didn’t see the ball go into the hazard, so we were going to take a drop up right by the water as we were certain it was in there. However, one of the guys playing with us said we had to play it as a lost ball because we couldn’t definitively say the ball was in the water as no one saw it enter the water or see a splash or something that would let you know, 100%, the ball was in the water.
Brian
Jul 17, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Actually, it has to be “known or virtually certain”. Known would imply you saw it go in, i.e. 100% sure, virtually certain would imply you didn’t see it go, i.e. not 100% sure, but you and your playing partners are extremely confident that it went in the hazard. Every situation is different. We have a hole at my home club that tees downhill where you can’t see the landing area. If you crush it, the fairway narrows to about 10-15 yards, sloping to the left, with a pond on the left side of the fairway. When someone crushes one right down the pipe, and we can’t find the ball, we’re virtually certain the ball went in the drink.
Dennis Clark
Jul 17, 2013 at 1:51 pm
correct Brian; Rule 26-1.
inncfromnj
Jul 17, 2013 at 5:42 pm
Incorrect. The rule is “certain or ‘virtually certain”. the ball has crossed the margin of the hazard.
It is shocking to find how many players who play competitive golf, know so little about the rules.
In a stroke play amateur tournament, a competitor in my group hit his tee shot on a par three. The ball cam to rest directly a split rail fence which is marked as OB. I informed his that if any part of the ball lies on or directly below or touches any part of the ground that is OB, the ball is out of bounds.
He had to re tee. Later he asked the tourney director and even he got this one wrong. Oh well.
Dennis Clark
Jul 17, 2013 at 10:40 pm
USGA Rules of Golf:2012-2015
Rule 26-1: 2nd sentence: In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty…
Paragraph two: “If a ball is found in a water hazard or is KNOWN OR VIRTUALLY CERTAIN…
ParHunter
Jul 29, 2013 at 1:07 pm
Sorry but you got that wrong. The ball is only oob when all of it is OOB.
As per the definition of out of bounds, a ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds.
http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/News/2013/January/Course-Marking-1.aspx
evenStephen
Jul 12, 2013 at 10:28 am
Dennis great write up! Really enjoyed it.
Pressure is what separates the players from the guys that puke on themselves. I can say it is true, because I am the guy usually puking on myself.
Tournaments are tournaments and all rules should be followed, but if those same rules are followed during a regular weekend game (OB, No Gimmes, Lost Ball, etc.) maybe there will be less puking, quicker rounds, and more knowledge of the rules. Practice makes perfect.
I believe everything should be putted out regardless of the game you are playing.
Dennis Clark
Jul 12, 2013 at 11:14 am
Agreed, but remember that in match play you do not have the right to “putt out” if you putt is conceded.
dubbledxu
Jul 12, 2013 at 7:15 am
This is one of the best articles I’ve read on the net in a while, well done Dennis.
Dennis Clark
Jul 11, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Question: how many reading this story have ever played their golf ball out of a deep divot?
G
Jul 11, 2013 at 10:41 pm
All the time, on ALL courses, whether private or public it doesn’t matter – you’d be surprised how poorly behaved most expensive, private course members are about fixing divots and ballmarks, it’s shameful, truth be told.
paul
Jul 11, 2013 at 10:48 pm
I did once. Hurt my elbow a bit to. next time im taking a drop a foot behind the pivot. my elbow hurts just thinking about it. safety first, im not playing for money.
chris
Jul 17, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Another good point. I’m not injuring myself playin a round with my buddies. Besides I dint care what anyone says you shouldn’t be penalized for hitting a fairway.
inncfromnj
Jul 17, 2013 at 5:35 pm
All the time. The fun part is the challenge of executing a shot from that type of lie.
igolfman
Jul 11, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Hey guys you can’t be a little bit pregnant. Play by the rules it is not that hard. If you think it is OB or it could be lost hit a provisional. Otherwise, I make most of those three footers I’m not going to count that one I made 3 not 4.
tightmf
Jul 11, 2013 at 6:55 pm
I just add 2 if I lose it or walk up on an unexpected OB ball.
My provisional is always worse anyway.
Danimal
Jul 12, 2013 at 12:01 pm
This seems to be what the rule should really be — OB should be treated the same as a lateral hazard but with a two-stroke penalty instead of one. Lost ball too, except the trick would be to figure out where to drop. Last known location of the ball, one club-length, no closer to the hole?
OB/Lost Ball are terrible rules, in my opinion. Walking back to re-hit should never be required in golf (although it should always be an option).
Dennis Clark
Jul 11, 2013 at 5:24 pm
One thing to remember here: It has always been the policy of the USGA to penalize “like situations alike” so there is no question that OB and lost ball should have same penalty. And the reason I say tournament golf is different is this: If distance penalty was dropped for tour pros, they could use the rules to their advantage in several ways. Example: going for a par 5 in two: If they go for it and hit it OB on their 2nd shot, they’d be playing 4 right up by the green, strategy changes greatly.
Dave
Jul 12, 2013 at 7:43 am
Yes, that is an excellent point. And for all golfers who play by the rules, OB is very punitive (stroke and distance), so it will likely affect their club selection and intended shot off the tee. If you are allowed to just drop, why not go for broke on strategic holes?
Danimal
Jul 12, 2013 at 12:17 pm
This wouldn’t be worth it if the OB penalty was two strokes, however.
Tom
Jul 11, 2013 at 5:20 pm
For the sake of saving time and not going back too re-tee. The option of hitting a provisional comes into play.
Jim
Jul 11, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Nice article. I agree with the lost ball/ out of bounds comments. I have never seen anyone walk back to re-tee after loosing a ball (and hope I never do for time sake). You just drop one near where you ‘lost’ it and keep moving. If you actually walked back to the tee that 4 1/2 hour round would be 6 hours easily because you wouldn’t be the only one doing the same thing. Re-teeing makes sense for tournament play only not for the recreational golfer.
Dennis Clark
Jul 11, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Very true; and remember this: We don’t have half of golfdom looking for our ball when we hit it off line. The gallery saves the tour players time and strokes!
Dominic
Jul 11, 2013 at 5:10 pm
That is why we have adopted a local rule at our course that all unmarked hazards are to be played as red stakes. The only OB stakes are along the edge of the property but this saves time for people that hit in the trees and lose their ball.
Dave
Jul 12, 2013 at 7:36 am
That is why you are supposed to hit a provisional ball if there is a chance your tee ball is lost or OB.
inncfromnj
Jul 17, 2013 at 5:33 pm
Be careful. If a ball is “lost” in a hazard or is known or virtually certain to be lost in a hazard, the player may proceed under rule 27-1 playing a ball nearly as possible to where the original ball was played. Or if in a water hazard determine where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard and drop a ball keeping that point between the point of entry between the hole and the place where the ball is to be dropped with no limit on how far from that point which the ball entered the hazard. Or if in a lateral hazard, no more than two club lengths no nearer the hole.
There is no ‘provisional ball’ contingency for a ball lost in a hazard. Rule 27-1
Mike
Jul 11, 2013 at 4:09 pm
I’m not sure about your handicap calculation… You need slope and rating to calculate handicap.
Dennis Clark
Jul 11, 2013 at 4:15 pm
yes you do; the calculations were used as an “average” or example. The larger point is clear…whatever handicap is, people rarely shoot it in stroke play formats.
Matt M
Jul 11, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Great piece! I agree with this idea of dropping the distance penalty for local play. With rounds lasting 4+ hrs the last thing I want to do on the tee is watch a guy search for 5 minutes then hike back to tee to re hit. A counter point would be if you think there is a chance it’s lost hit a provisional to avoid the wasted time walking back to tee.
Andrew
Jul 11, 2013 at 4:57 pm
Totally agree, If I have any doubt that I may not be able to find my ball I hit a provisional.
Loupus
Jul 11, 2013 at 2:52 pm
If I could change one rule, it would be to take away the distance penalty for OB. Slows play and is unnecessarily penal. Same goes for lost ball. So I guess that makes two rules I’d change.
Dennis Clark
Jul 11, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Agreed; mentioned that in the article. It’s not a good idea in tournament golf, but for club golf and local rules, I think it would speed play.
Stephen Lee
Jul 13, 2013 at 1:21 pm
Couldnt agreed more on the idea of revise some of the rules. some of the penalties are too severe and unnecessary. In my honest opinion, amateurs are doing better with the rules regarding lost ball & Out of bounds.
G
Jul 11, 2013 at 10:38 pm
No way! THAT is how a good player differentiates himself from the bad, right away – by being IN PLAY. It’s a penalty for a reason. In fact, the problem with modern golf courses is that there are NOT ENOUGH OBs on boundaries. And why would you blankly say that OB slows play? How can it? If a player knows the rules properly and plays by it, IF there is any CHANCE that a ball may be OB or not be found, the player is supposed to immediately play a PROVISIONAL from the tee and proceed thus = by the time he gets to the first ball that may have gone out or not found and is indeed discovered that the ball is out – all he has to do is play the provisional = not much time wasted, at all.
The problem with slow play is due to the “Search for the ball” rule – if a bad player hits dozen balls into the bush and spends 5 minutes looking for each ball and never lets the group behind play through – therein lies the problem. The Rules of Golf should clearly state that a player may only look for 3 lost balls within the time allotted of 15 minutes total to search. That should solve a huge chunk of the problem of slow play. The course marshals needs also need to be given more respect and authority by being allowed to move groups forward or ejecting players who just should not be out there at all.
pezman38
Jul 12, 2013 at 8:59 am
If you go 5-10 yards to the right of the fairway in the rough and your ball lands in a gopher hole, or buried in deep rough never to be seen again, I bet you a 50 spot you didn’t play a provisional. You get to the spot and can’t find your ball, in this instance to speed play dropping where you saw it land is better than going back to re-tee IMHO. This is for Rec play of course.
If you see OB and your ball heads there, sure easy to play a provisional there, i get that, talking about not having a gallery watching your ball 200-300 down the fairway and only missing the fairway by a few yards.
Dennis Clark
Jul 12, 2013 at 11:08 am
Please remember that if the golf ball ends up in a gopher hole, you get free relief; it is an “abnormal ground condition” by definition.
Danimal
Jul 12, 2013 at 12:12 pm
But only if you can confirm that it’s in there, right? Otherwise, you’re trucking it back to the tee and making the entire golf course wait for you (if you want to play by the rules [which I do]).
Should be a drop and two-strokes for OB/Lost ball, says I. Let’s petition the USGA/R&A!! (yeah right…)
inncfromnj
Jul 17, 2013 at 5:16 pm
If the ball is not identified, It is a ‘lost ball’..Stoke and distance is the proper play.
ParHunter
Jul 29, 2013 at 12:54 pm
IMHO an OOB or lost ball should be handled in a similar way than a water hazard. E.g. use where the ball entered the OOB or where it is deemed to be lost.
Why is a bad shot that ends up OOB punished more than a bad shot that ends up in a water hazard (e.g. both could be a slice with in one case OOB running along the right side and in the other a water hazard running along the right side)? With OOB and lost ball you get punished effectively two shots (shot and distance) while with a water hazard you get punished one shot which is bad enough IMHO.