Opinion & Analysis
Points’ DQ rekindles debate about severity of the rules of golf
In what seems to be an accelerating rash of notable player dismissals from PGA Tour events, D.A. Points was disqualified from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for practicing with a training aid during the course of play. The infraction was clear — Points, who won the event in 2011, can be clearly seen on the TV replay taking practice swings with a green foam ball in his right armpit—and the penalty was absolute: immediate disqualification from the event according to Rule 14-3.
14-3. Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment And Unusual Use Of Equipment
“…Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round the player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment (see Appendix IV for detailed specifications and interpretations), or use any equipment in an unusual manner:
a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play; or
c. That might assist him in gripping the club, except that:
(i) gloves may be worn provided that they are plain gloves;
(ii) resin, powder and drying or moisturizing agents may be used; and
(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around the grip.
Exceptions:
1. A player is not in breach of this Rule if (a) the equipment or device is designed for or has the effect of alleviating a medical condition, (b) the player has a legitimate medical reason to use the equipment or device, and (c) theCommittee is satisfied that its use does not give the player any undue advantage over other players.
2. A player is not in breach of this Rule if he uses equipment in a traditionally accepted manner.”
To Points’ credit, he accepted full responsibility for the gaffe. He will also honor his partnership in this year’s event with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. So he is teeing it up in Saturday’s round, even though his chance at any piece of the tournament purse is now zero.
Points won the 2011 AT&T National Pro-Am and he and partner Bill Murray captured the team title. Murray is away this year and Points is not going to make it to Sunday in 2014.
Unlike some other high-profile Rules situations of the past year (e.g., Tiger Woods’ ruling at the 2013 Masters), that the penalty ultimately given out was in accordance with the Rules is in absolutely no doubt. Instead, debate has resurfaced about whether the penalty associated with this rule is more stringent than necessary.
On Morning Drive Saturday morning, hosts Charlie Rymer, Gary Williams, Damon Hack and Holly Sonders took up the issue. Rymer, the only one in the foursome who has ever been on Tour, found himself the lone supporter of a relaxed penalty in this case, likening Points’ punishment to a case of jaywalking receiving the death penalty. It is hyperbole, sure, but Rymer’s case is worth consideration due to his uncommon (in golf) experience and perspective. He played for a number of years for a great deal of money and now has a unique opportunity to reflect back on it with an analytic journalistic eye.
Damon Hack, a former writer for Sports Illustrated and The New York Times, shook his head, calling Rymer’s defense “a slippery slope” and found agreement and support from co-host Gary Williams, who had a brief stint as a golf teaching pro before embarking on a radio career that led him to his current post.
Rymer continued, “There’s too much at stake to send players home over minor Rules infractions,” to which Williams retorted that professional golfers ought to know what can and cannot get them penalized in or disqualified from a given tournament.
The Rules of Golf are notoriously long and complicated. Part of this is unavoidable — the “field of play” in golf is so large and variable one day to the next that an enormous number of possible situations need to be considered and covered. When large professional purses are at stake, it is certainly incumbent on players to navigate the course within the Rules, but the recent spate of notable transgressions raises a legitimate concern about their complexity.
Those who fancy themselves custodians of golf are on a stated mission to try to increase participation in the game. All facets, then, should be up for investigation, even the Rules. No one aims to neuter the essential challenge or traditional nature of the game, but it is understandable that there may sometimes appear a disconnect between the game played for millions of dollars and the one played for a $1 Nassau elsewhere every day. How many players are unwittingly breaking a relatively esoteric Rule right now? Some are probably doing it in competition, with no cameras around.
Completely overhauling the Rules of Golf is certainly not necessary at this time. But accepting them as immutable does not exactly mesh with the increasingly popular notion that golf needs to become more innovative in order to appeal to more players and retain relevance as a great pastime for the masses. If former players like Rymer are calling for a bit of reform, it is important to listen to their concerns rather than dismiss them out of hand.
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.
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Photos from the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
Charles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
Details on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
GolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
Photos from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
Photos from the ShopRite LPGA
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
Dennis Clark
Feb 12, 2014 at 10:09 pm
The players should have their caddies attend rules seminars, perhaps get certified. the top guys can afford tihis easily.
James at Putter Lounge
Feb 12, 2014 at 2:17 pm
This is one that he should have known and he needs to know the consequence. The rules of golf need to be overarching on a topic, it is the players responsibility to know what is within the scope of the rule. It’s not realistic to have exceptions as many violations of the rules can have a valid reason why you did something wrong. Know the rules, it’s that simple. Otherwise, we have a rule book that would be over 1000 pages long.
PA PLAYA
Feb 12, 2014 at 1:37 pm
It is amazing that myself and everyone I play with on a regular basis at the club level knows and understands this rule, yet a touring professional who plays the sport for his livelihood does not. I’m guessing it was nothing more than a brainfart…
Sure, the USGA could rewrite and reword the rules for simplification, but that only helps those who take the time to study and learn them. It won’t fix carelessness and an incredible lack of attention to detail.
LY
Feb 12, 2014 at 1:25 pm
I would want my professional caddie to know some of the rules just to make sure that I would not do something stupid in the heat of the moment.
ray
Feb 12, 2014 at 12:30 pm
If D.A. used a towel under his armpit for practice during the touranament round, would it count as a violation??
Robeli
Feb 10, 2014 at 10:13 am
The PGA should start acting more like the ‘P’ in their name and not like old Tom Morris would have done. They are quick to say players should govern themselves when it comes to the rules (in the spirit of golf), but quickly like to be policemen, judge and executor. PGA has a ton of money and can do better job by assigning PGA official walking with every group.
Or, if they do want to act like old Tom Morris, next time Mr. PGA rules official, if a player violates a rule and the player do nothing, just ‘report’ the issue and let the player decide by himself what he is going to do. That will quickly sort out the ‘cheaters’ and ‘rules slackers’ you will see how quickly some players will be isolated from the rest. The players will then become more knowledgeable of the rules and will enforce more rule callings on themselves. Believe me, it works. I follow it with my weekend buddies and you quickly determine the list of golfers you like to play with and those you avoid at all cost. If I see a rule violation within my group, I just inform them in a nice manner of what happened and let the player make the decision.
Fred
Feb 15, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Obviously, D.A. should have known about such a common sense rule – I mean, a training aide on the course? But, that said, if he had had any question as to whether it was legal to do so or not, there should have been a “rules” official there on the spot that D.A. could have referred to. The officials are paid to know the rules; the caddies are not – even though many of the veterans do. That’s why they officials are there – to enforce the rules and make certain the pros adhere to them. If the guy making millions is depending on the caddie making 10% to know the rules, then he’d better up the caddy’s percentage to 20%. Either that, or start putting the bags on the shoulders of the officials. Bottom line: yes, we need officials to accompany every group.
RG
Feb 9, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Hello! Earth to Everybody! It’ 2014 not 1914! Why are professional golfers still in charge of keeping their on scores? It’s not like they’re out on the course by themselves, at least 30 million people are watching can’t some of them keep score and just let the guys play golf? Why is it also that millions is paid in prize money but nothing is paid for rules officials? Every group should have a rules official hat caries a video camera and we wouldn’t have these problems. It’s archaic, idiotic and Ludacris to continue this way. Every spectator at the event has a video camera in their pocket why don’t the officials? Why aren’t they using those tools to show the players what they did?Why are they repeatedly retroactive instead of proactive?
THE USGA PREFERS PUNISHENT TO PREVENTION!!
Fred
Feb 15, 2014 at 4:58 pm
If a spectator at a professional event is spotted with a camera, iPhone or even, yes, a video camera, they’re asked to put them away. Asked a second time, and marshals may actually take them away.
corey
Feb 9, 2014 at 9:36 pm
am i the only one that sees a big difference from dropping a ball a yard out of place and someone using a training aid. yes in the grand scheme both are rule violations. but professional golfers rely on their practice during a tournament to make money. you practice so things become routine. for a pro, one thing might not be clicking just right during a round but if he had his training aid then he could fix it. but you don’t have your training aid, you finish the round then go work on it afterwards on the range. IMO dropping 1 yard away from 100 yards out is not as severe is a pro practicing his swing on the course with the help of a training aid so he can be better on every shot after
corey
Feb 9, 2014 at 9:37 pm
sorry for all the grammar mistakes, typed fast while on the toilet
RanchoBob
Feb 10, 2014 at 6:56 pm
But Tiger freely admitted that he dropped out of place on purpose to assist his play of the shot. It wasn’t, “I accidentally dropped too far back.”
Yes, most of us can’t see a difference between 101 yards and 100, but “these guys are good.”
They both unknowingly broke the rules and got penalized, though Tiger got a hall pass.
Martin Chuck
Feb 9, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Sorry, Professionals SHOULD know better. Stupid rule, but it pertains to everyone and everyone playing at any kind of high level should know what to do. Same as DJ’s F’up at the PGA a few years ago. They couldn’t have been more clear about the “1000 bunkers” and to treat all as such. Anyway, sad to see him DQ’d.
Scott
Feb 9, 2014 at 9:29 am
It is essentially the same as how Rickie was tucking his shirt into his armpit for feedback. The rules are too vague to be taken so strictly.
David Sefton
Feb 9, 2014 at 4:30 am
Using an artificial device has an impact on the rest of the round. Correcting a swing fault using an artificial device deserves disqualification.
Todd Dugan
Feb 9, 2014 at 9:11 am
Points was NOT disqualified for using an aid. He was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. That’s a BIG difference. This rule should be changed to allow for a retroactive adjustment to the score, so long as the player was not aware of the breach at the time. I think the USGA will do the right thing on this one at the next rules summit.
The bigger issue here is not that the rules of golf are too complicated, but rather, that almost nobody who plays this game has made any real effort to learn the rules. These are the same people who complain that the rules are to complicated.
Also, Points CAN still earn prize money for the team portion of the tournament.
mick
Feb 9, 2014 at 9:35 am
This is incorrect. Any violation of 14-3 results in automatic disqualification. Penalty strokes would not have applied in this situation.
Still a dumb rule.
tim
Feb 9, 2014 at 9:28 pm
You clearly did not read the article
dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
Wisconsin Terrapin
Feb 12, 2014 at 12:16 pm
This is the 2nd DQ for a training aid. DJ and the LPGA DQ both occurred while dealing with an excessive waits at a t-box. Standing around for 10 minutes or more waiting to play, I could lose my good presence of mind and inadvertently pull out something I always stretch with.
“While we’re young” and a 4 hour round would solve these infractions – or allow warm-up tools if left on a t-box for more than 5-8 minutes. One of these is the right answer.
paul
Feb 9, 2014 at 12:08 am
When playing with friends we just put two extra strokes on the score card for just about everything. And everything seems to work out fine. O.B. Lost to a hazard, doesn’t matter, two strokes. We don’t carry a rule book. If there is a rule that we know, we use it. But if we don’t know, two more strokes. Next shot. Speeds things up as well.
OM
Feb 9, 2014 at 2:27 am
But with millions of dollars not at stake, what you do with your friends at the bar afterwards wouldn’t have to be considered PROFESSIONAL so nobody cares what you do in this case.
Robeli
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Yea, Tiger violates a rule which states if you violates it your are DQ’d, but does not not because he is Tiger, but DA violates one and gets DQ’d. Nice double standards.
OM
Feb 9, 2014 at 2:27 am
Exactly.
Happyday_J
Feb 9, 2014 at 10:39 am
COMPLETELY different scenario, its getting pretty ridiculous people taking shots at tiger over this master’s ruling, and Im not even a die hard Tiger fan. People need to gain an understanding of the rules before taking shots. The rules of golf are governed by the rules, and enforced by the committee (at tournaments). It says in the rule book that any decision by the committee is absolute.
What happened with tiger is that the committee reviewed the tape of tigers drop at the masters prior to signing his scorecard. This was done so he would not be disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard by not having the 2 stroke penalty. The committee ruled that he did not do anything wrong and thus no 2 shot penalty, tiger than signed his scorecard, that is a ruling the committee made it was what stood. After the interview tiger did, the COMMITTEE realized that they were the one who made the mistake, tiger did break the rule, which they had deemed was okay. Had the committee realized it prior to signing the card, it would of been a 2 shot penalty added, and no issues. But because the committee goofed it up, and had to reimplement a 2 shot penalty, why should tiger be penalized for signing an incorrect scorecard, thus disqualified, when the committee said is was okay originally? So the committee gave a ruling of a 2 shot penalty as the infraction required, but no disqualification for signing an incorrect scorecard.
Completely two different situations and I really wish people would let this whole tiger thing go, as someone who has taken and passed the rules of golf module, ppl should look things up and understand it before throwing accusations around. This isnt a shot at you, so dont take it personally, this an explanation to all those of similar mindset, so I apologize if this seem like a pot shot at you, as it wasnt but this has got to go.
Robeli
Feb 9, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Different scenario, yes, but same principle. I bet you, if this was Tiger and not DA, Tiger would have been ‘slapped’ with only 2 strokes and not DG’d and carried on playing the weekend.
Happyday_J
Feb 9, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Nope…. because the rules infraction that tiger broke was a 2 shot penalty. DAs infraction is automatic disqualification. Two different rules with two different punishments. They would not of changed the punishments for two different players, come on. I know there are people that are sick and tired of the treatment that tiger gets, but remember, its from the media, not the people within the tour.
RanchoBob
Feb 10, 2014 at 7:02 pm
The thing about the Tiger drop that won’t go away is that the committee decided that his drop was within range of error and decided not to approach him about it. That suggests that in the committee’s mind it was not a deliberate effort to not drop in the same spot.
After the round and after signing his scorecard, Tiger freely admitted that he did it on purpose and subsequently got slapped with a two stroke penalty.
Should the committee have gone and asked him, “Hey, did you deliberately not drop as close as possible to the spot of the previous shot?” Yeah, maybe they should have.
But it’s not like it’s a difficult or ambiguous rule. There are plenty of places where the rules are somewhat esoteric and subject to interpretation and that’s what the Decisions book is for. But “as near as possible” is pretty definitive and hard to screw up unless you like to play fast and loose with the rules.
Happyday_J
Feb 11, 2014 at 10:20 am
And I completely agree with you, the committee decided that the drop was okay. So they made the mistake and were forced to back peddle and make it right. Did tiger break the rule, no doubt, did he knowingly, clearly not based on his interview afterwards, he mistaken the point the ball last crossed the hazard.
He went under the option of taking the point where the ball crossed the hazard going back as far as he’d like keeping the flag stick in line, but because the ball hit the flag stick and bounced back the point of entry was on the left side of the green. He proceeded under how it would of been had the ball gone in the hazard on the line he was hitting on, not factoring in the ball hitting the flagstick and going in on a different line, and in the heat of the moment, a mistake we all could of made.
Happyday_J
Feb 11, 2014 at 10:23 am
So with the committee clearing him, and then realizing they made a mistake upon hearing what he said in his interview, they needed to back peddle to make it right. Well had they just implemented the rule, tiger would of been disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard, which would of been ludicrous, b.c the committee had originally told him he was okay.
So the manner in which they did it, 2 stroke penalty, no disqualification was the right call, and people need to stop throwing stones at tiger (and this is coming from a non die hard tiger fan), because it was the committee that made the major error and needed to make it right.
Robeli
Feb 11, 2014 at 6:19 pm
You are correct on your analysis, but as Faldo and Chamblee said that next morning, taking all this info into consideration and as the rules said ‘in the spirit of golf’, Tiger should have been a man and realized the committee screw it up for him and in essence, he (Tiger), should have dq’d himself as the rule states. That is the bottom line. Tiger showed he has no integrity and trust.
Happyday_J
Feb 11, 2014 at 9:12 pm
I disagree with what faldo and chamblee said, and I will quote what nicklaus said as I feel he said it best:
“People say, `Should Tiger have withdrawn himself?’ I don’t think so at all,” Nicklaus said. “If Tiger did that, he’d be putting himself in a position of saying, `I’m above the rules.’ You accept the ruling whether it’s good or bad for you.”
Read more: http://www.golf.com/ap-news/nicklaus-ruling-correct-woods-augusta#ixzz2t4NCDu50
Had he of done that, people would of made the claim, the he undermined the committee and is above the rules. Its just like a speeding ticket, you get your ticket accept your punishment and move on. The ruling bodies issued his penalty and hes to accept it, that if anything shows more integrity as he took all that on the nose and moved on, amongst the noise such as your point, where as withdrawing and leaving would of been the easy way out.
The Tufted Puffin
Feb 12, 2014 at 11:37 am
I do not see a double standard. DA broke a rule that mandates immediate and automatic DQ. Tiger made a bad drop which called for a 2 stroke penalty, not an automatic DQ. The Rules Committee reviewed the drop and stupidly determined it was ok without first gathering the facts by both reviewing the video AND taking to the player. The Committee screwed up which saved Tiger. He got the 2 stroke penalty but the Committee couldn’t DQ him for their mistake.
roger
Feb 8, 2014 at 6:45 pm
I think a 2 stroke penalty for 1st violation in a round DQ for 2nd would be a better penalty. What I wonder is putting a towel or head cover under his arm, would this be “use any equipment in an unusual manner”.
Rich
Feb 8, 2014 at 6:37 pm
The rules of golf do not need overhalling or examination. None of the rules infractions referred to in this article or notable others from 2013 were “complex” in nature. Golf Pro’s need to learn the rules. It’s as simple as that. Don’t want to learn the rules, don’t complain when you get disqualified or penalised, or don’t play golf.
Chuck
Feb 8, 2014 at 5:08 pm
So my understanding is that a violation of Rule 14-3 is two strokes. Not disqualification.
The reason that D.A. Points was disqualified was that he had signed an incorrect card, as a result of his not knowing/not being informed promptly of the rules violation involving the device.
So, no, people; this was not an unreasonably drastic penalty by the book. It should have been a 2-stroke penalty. It’s too bad that there wasn’t a quicker and easier way for a knowledgeable golf observer to get word to the tournament officials earlier, before Points signed an incorrect card.
And it is a rule that Points should have known; I know it.
One lesson is simply to leave all of the swing-improvement and teaching gizmos out of the bag when you are on the course playing a tournament round.
Had Points left the sponge-ball back in his locker, and instead used his hat or a glove tucked under his right arm to do what he did, he’d have been okay.
gr8slice
Feb 8, 2014 at 5:17 pm
Chuck, PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 14-3:
Disqualification.
Chuck
Feb 8, 2014 at 6:13 pm
I was looking at the 14-2 penalty right above Rule 14-3 in my Decsions book by mistake.
My bad; I thank you for the correction.
I was hunting for an applicable Decision on what Points could legally have done. Decision 14-3/6.5 seems to be the one. Points could have used a golf ball tucked under his arm pit. Or, I think, any item of apparel. I suspect a towel could be used but I am not sure.
gr8slice
Feb 8, 2014 at 6:50 pm
14-3/10 applies better than 14-3/6.5 but reallly 14-3 is the rule and applies by itself without a decison needed. He could have used ball, towel, headcover, club any piece of normal golf equipment and wouldn’t have had any issues.
Cef
Feb 8, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Wow, how could such a knowledgeable guy like you err such a simple golf rule? Maybe you misinterpreted the rule book, or maybe you didn’t have the benefit of the Decisions book? Oh, wait…maybe the rules are not so simple after all.
Barry
Feb 8, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Chuck,
You’re a misinformed blow-hard.
Jason Sobal
Feb 8, 2014 at 4:47 pm
So we should change the rules? Wouldn’t that lead to more confusion and slow the game down even more. Every time a tour player calls an official over the game slows down more and more. I can never understand why a professional golfer with a caddy needs a rules official to figure out a drop off a cart path.
If the problem of slow play were addressed D.A. probably would not have had the time to break the rule. I’m guessing he was bored after playing a 5+ hour round and had a brief mental lapse.
I did not realize there was an accelerating rash of notable player dismissals. I have noticed an accelerating rash of media/journalists covering the game. Why do I care what Damon Hack and Gary Williams think? The Golf Channel has evolved into a channel with more analysts than actual stories.
gr8slice
Feb 8, 2014 at 4:52 pm
They do it mainly because they don’t want some idiot calling in questioning them about the drop. The slow play on tour is a huge issue and the only way for them to correct it, is to start giving out shots and continue to give out shots. And everyone is a rules officail now a days lol.
gr8slice
Feb 8, 2014 at 4:37 pm
The penalty DA got was absurd, he could have used his towel, headcover, ball and no big deal but a green nerf ball and he’s gone. That is overkill, if anything 1 or 2 shots is enough for that ruling. Hence why the rules need to be revamped. There are many things you can do with equipment on hand but not with training aids that do the exact same thing. Alignment sticks vs club for alignment looks, but use the sticks and you’re gone. And most have them in their bag on the course. Just dumb!!!
The rules of golf have 28 rules of golf, 4 for other forms of play and 2 for administration for a total of 34 rules with 90 sub sections for a total of 124 basic rules with a few more variations. Now throw in 1253 or so decisions you have a total of 1377 plus variations. And they say the rules are simple. The rules of golf need to be overhauled to make the game fun and simple for people to play. Very few sports have the same set of rules for all levels of play. The rules need to be changed for the masses and for tournament golf whether it is a different set for the USGA and R & A vs the PGA and the PGA Tour is something each group needs to decide and make.
For the masses get rid of stroke and distance rules, the one club or two club drop, let them ground their club in a bunker etc. things to make it simple and easy for all to play and grow the game, It’s just time for a change, make a different set of rules for all levels of play. Thoughts?
Ryan Bolin
Feb 8, 2014 at 4:23 pm
There should be two rules that matter when considering disqualification. 1. Play it as it lies, and (2) Count every stroke. This is just silly.
Birdman
Feb 8, 2014 at 3:53 pm
Amazing, most of the comments on here show a fundamental lack of knowledge of the game of golf. Why is getting more idiots playing golf good for the game?
JHM
Feb 8, 2014 at 6:35 pm
because without them you non idiots would have to pay $500 green fees to cover the cost f runnig a course.
Ken
Feb 9, 2014 at 8:11 am
It’s not so much that people are as ignorant as you think, it’s that this game and its rules have been tweaked for hundreds of years. Some rules just seem over the top harsh. Years ago center shafted putters were illegal because Walter Travis was putting lights out…not now! Several players have mentioned the unfairness of having to play a shot out of a divot. That seems unfair to tournament leaders on a Sunday afternoon when those same divots weren’t around earlier. Criticize everyone else, but rules have changed … More will change.
D Louis
Feb 8, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Another nail in the coffin of golf
Ken
Feb 8, 2014 at 3:07 pm
This seems more like a one stroke penalty than total DQ! A couple of years ago, Fuzzy showed a journalist how to hit a shot between holes … Penalized. This stuff seems like minutia. The USGA and the R & A are tougher than OJ’s jury.
Randy R
Feb 8, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Golf is the only sport I know that rulings are changed after the fact. Many, many times you see incorrect calls or bad calls and the outcome isn’t changed.
Steve Gregg
Feb 8, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Great article, but less obvious effort to impress your audience with your grammar would be in your best interest. Not to mention making for a far easier read. Analytic journalistic? Spate of notable transgressions? An esoteric rule? First rule of journalism: Create a favorable atmosphere for your readers! Who you trying to impress? Your writing is more of a rules infraction than what was committed by Mr. Points!!
Daniel Bailey
Feb 8, 2014 at 2:31 pm
And…. this is why Golf is on the decline! The rules of golf MUST be simplified, and less become less complex. The fact he was DQ’d for what he did is simply ridiculous. The PGA should ashamed of themselves.
Mizzy
Feb 8, 2014 at 5:18 pm
This would not rank in the top 5 reasons golf is on the decline. Calling someone on this infraction during a Sunday game with friends would be completely excessive.
However, calling a professional on this during a match with a multi-million dollar purse, is completely justified. Imagine if a police officer forgot to Mirandize his suspect? There would be a mistrial and the culprit would walk regardless of innocence or guilt.
Act like a professional and know the rules. If the penalty for the infraction changes, then so be it, but a player not knowing the rules at the highest level is negligence.
Cef
Feb 8, 2014 at 7:42 pm
We all want to play the game of golf by the rules. If you feel it excessive amongst friends but not with professionals, do you then favor bifurcation? Excessive applies to all, including my enemies ;-).
Ponjo
Feb 11, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Worst rule in golf is having to take a penalty drop from a bunker that is totally flooded.
ski_co
Feb 12, 2014 at 11:18 am
As a professional if you do not know the rules you can ask for a rules official at any time. Rules may seem dumb now but most likely when the rule was created it clarified something that was being abused.
Bruce
Feb 12, 2014 at 11:57 am
Well said. If I possessed the skills to play for $1 million + every week, you can bet BOTH my caddy and I would also KNOW the rules of the game. The players have the responsibility to know the game AND they have a caddy for an assistant. If they cannot learn the rules, then select a caddy who does know.
Bill
Feb 24, 2014 at 6:21 pm
The DQ for what Points did seem excessive to me. A two stroke penalty if the infraction is caught at the time seems appropriate. If it’s not, then move on and correct him post round. I hate that fans can call in and the infraction can be applied later. This isn’t about Points or Tiger…Tigers infraction seems far more serious, an attempt to circumvent the rules intentionally. Knowing the rules is important. Having officials available to consult is important. But the infraction needs to be brought to the officials attention by the players opponent or the official watching that group, not Joe Sixpack in his recliner.