Rules of Golf for Club Managers Don Cook, PGA PGA Education Faculty PGA of America

Description and Purpose Understand the basic history of the rules of golf Become familiar with the USGA Rules of Golf book Practice locating applicable rules Enhance your ability to better communicate with Rules, Tournament, and Greens Committees

The Rules of Golf and You How do the Rules of Golf affect your performance as a Manager? –To better understand the game of golf –To better understand tournament operations –To better communicate with your golf staff, course maintenance staff, related committees and customers about the Rules of Golf Other considerations?

The Dilemma Confronting the Management Team Few golfers have actually read or understand the USGA Rules of Golf Many golfers have little knowledge of golf etiquette and pace of play Most golfers think very little of the Rule book –Where it came from –How it was developed and designed –Who protects and perfects it

Introduction to the Rules of Golf The Rules of Golf set this game apart from all other games –One of the only games played in nature –No referees –Honor, ethics, and etiquette –Integrity The Rules of Golf are the game Play the ball as it lies and the course as you find it

History of the Rules of Golf Rule 1: The game of golf consists of playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into a hole by strokes or successive strokes in accordance with the rules. –With golf being such a simple game, it was played for 3 centuries without rules (Match Play) –How were disputes settled? Something had to be done to standardize the game, especially when they began “Stroke Play” events

History of the Rules of Golf Fighting and mediation would not do … Etiquette and Integrity had to put into the game Players had to be knowledgeable of the rules that addresses fairness, wholesome spirit, good sportsmanship, personal conduct, and course care

History of the Rules of Golf For three centuries golf was played without rules Today we have over 50 definitions, 34 rules, and three appendices The game revolves around the concept of fair play, courtesy, and proper conduct The rules depend upon self-enforcement The rules of golf allow everyone to participate in the game on a fair and equitable level

History of the Rules of Golf 1450 – The first course (6 Holes) 1744 – First Rules of Golf (13 Rules) * 1754 – The Society of St. Andrews was formed for the purpose of playing competitions (Became the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in 1834) 1893 – The R and A published the “Regulations for the Game of Golf” and agreed to be the governing body for all competitions 1893 – In America, rules were published for the John Reid Championship 1894 – The USGA was formed

History of the Rules of Golf 1951 – The USGA and the R and A came together as the governing bodies for golf How are the Rules of Golf changed?

Rules Change Process

History of the Rules of Golf Today we have over 50 Definitions, 34 Rules, 3 Appendices (Local Rules, Club Design, and the Ball) The game still revolves around the concept of fair play, courtesy, and proper conduct The Rules still depend on self- enforcement (Protect the field)

Evolution of the Rules of Golf The Rules of Golf have evolved to meet the needs of the changing demands of the equipment and the courses The Ball The Club The Course Feathery Club heads Longer Gutta-percha Shafts Better Turf Haskell Grooves Wound Rubber 2 Piece Multi-layered

Utilizing the Rule Book How do you use the rule book effectively? Understanding how the rule book is organized * USGA Rule Book Table of Contents –The Game (1 -3) –Clubs and Ball (4-5) –Player’s Responsibility (6-9) –Order of Play (10) –Teeing Ground (11) –Playing the Ball (12-15) –The Putting Green (16-17) –Ball Moved, Deflected or Stopped (18-19) –Relief Situations and Procedures (20- 28) –Other Forms of Play (29-32) –Administration (33-34) –Appendix I, II, and III (Local Rules, Club Design, Ball) –Index

Rule Book Divided into 3 Sections Section I of the Rule Book –Etiquette and Behavior on the Course –Spirit of the Game –Safety –Consideration of Other Players –Pace of Play –Priority on the Course –Care of the Course

Rule Book Sections Section II Definitions –Over 50 Definitions Section III –The Rules Understand the use of these words may (optional) should (recommendation) must (instruction and a penalty if not carried out) deemed (judged to be so) a ball … the ball flag stick, bunker, teeing ground though the green

How to Use the Rule Book When using the Rule book, gather the facts: –Form of play? (Stroke or Match Play) –What happened? (Lost Ball, Ball in Hazard, etc) –Who was involved? (The Player or other) –Where did the incident take place? (Thru the Green, Tee, etc) –Key terms? (Casual Water, Abnormal Ground Conditions, etc) The Rules are cross referenced form the Table of Contents, to the Definitions, to the Index Use the Table of Contents and/or the Index to locate the applicable rule or definition, the penalty if there is one, and how the player should proceed

Locate the Applicable Rule Scenario: In a stroke play event, a player’s ball is lost in casual water. –Form of play? –What happened? –Where did the incident happen? –Who was involved? –What are the key terms? –Find the Rule, Penalty, and Procedure

Using the Table of Contents Table of Contents –Relief Situations and Procedures Ball Lost – Rule 27, page 80 –As you read Rule 27, note the Exception #1 directing you to Rule 25-1c … or go to … Abnormal Ground Conditions (Casual Water) – Rule 25, page 74

Using the Index Index: Page 156 Abnormal Ground Conditions –Interference, Rule 25-1a, page 74 –Relief, Rule 25-1b, page 74 Index: page 169 –Lost Ball, Abnormal Ground Conditions, or Casual Water –Rule 25-1c, page 76

Rules Quiz 1.On the 4 th tee of a stroke play tournament, Player “A” notices that Player “B” has 16 clubs in his bag. What is: –the rule or definition? –the penalty? (if there is one) –the procedure?

Rules Quiz Debrief Maximum of 14 clubs / 4-4a –2 strokes for each hole which a the breach occurred … maximum penalty per round is 4 strokes

Rules Quiz 2. While playing the 6 th hole of a match play event, Player “A” strikes Player “B’s” ball from a green side bunker. What is: –the rule or definition? –the penalty? (if there is one) –the procedure?

Rules Quiz Debrief Wrong ball in a bunker / 15-3a –Loss of hole

Rules Quiz 3. On the 15 th hole Player “A” hit a disappointing drive and immediately teed up and hit a second drive without announcing his intention. What is: –the rule or definition? –the penalty? (if there is one) –the procedure?

Rules Quiz Debrief Provisional ball / 27-2a –Original ball is deemed to be lost. The second ball becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance

Rules Quiz 4. On the 17 th hole Player “A” hits a shot next to an out-of-bounds stake and removes the stake interfering with his swing. Before striking the ball Player “B” informs Player “A” that he cannot remove the out-of-bounds stake and Player “A” replaces the stake and makes his stroke. What is: –the rule or definition? –the penalty? (if there is one) –the procedure?

Rules Quiz Debrief Fixed out of bounds stake moved, improving lie, area of intended stance or swing, or line of play / 13-2 –2 stroke penalty and play the ball as it lies Hazard stake moved? (red or yellow)

Other Common Rules Other common rules: –Unplayable lie (Rule 28) –Ground under repair (Definition) –Lost ball (Rule 27) –Water hazard (Rule 26) –Cart path relief (Rule 24) –Out of bounds (Rule 27)

Other Necessary Items Work closely with the Rules Committee Make sure the course is correctly marked Create a local rules sheet –Predetermine how ties will be settled –Educate your players on needed items prior to playing an event Check your equipment Identify your golf ball Score card and pencil Rule book –Is this event Stroke Play or Match Play? –Are handicaps involved?

Design Educational Clinics Design and implement Rules and Etiquette clinics Write articles to inform all parties of the importance of the Rules of Golf Members and / or Customers –Rule of the Week –Newsletter –Newspaper –Prepare a video –Utilize the resources of the USGA Greens Superintendent –Correctly marking the course –Prepare the course for competition

Summary of Today’s Objectives “Rules of Golf For Club Managers” –Objectives: To understand some basic history of the Rules of Golf To become familiar with the rule book To better communicate with staff and committees

Rules of Golf for Club Managers Don Cook, PGA PGA Education Faculty PGA of America