Archive for the ‘Rules’ Category
Off the Tee, Into the Tree
So I'm sitting here playing some armchair golf by watching the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour in Torrey Pines, CA. Ryan Palmer (no relationship to Arnold Palmer although many people assume he is) hit a ball into a Eucalyptus tree and it lodged in the branches. As Golfer Newbies we are more likely than most to hit our balls off the fairways and into the trees, so I looked up the rules related to golf balls in trees. There are three options related to your ball being in a tree:
- You can climb the tree and play it where it lays, which then does not cost you a stroke, but is an unlikely scenario, although there have been cases on the PGA tour when this has indeed occurred.
- If you can positively identify your ball, you can play the ball two club lengths from the spot on the ground directly under the ball in the tree and take a one stroke penalty.
- If you can't play the ball in the tree and can't positively identify it as yours within five minutes, you have to take a penalty stroke and go back to the place the last stroke was played.
In this case, Ryan could not positively identify his ball, in part because there were several balls in the tree. So, he had to go back to the previous stroke location, which in this case was the tee. This did not do anything for his game today.
An interesting side note: the commentators said that one of these trees was cut down last week following damage from all the storms they had in California and they found 500! balls lodged in it. Amazing.
Golf Cart Rules and Etiquette
While in California a couple of weeks ago I played my first round using a golf cart. It's lucky I was with some experienced players, because I realized I had no clue about what rules apply to golf carts. So, when I came back, I researched the topic. Below is an excerpt of an article I found that clears up most of my confusion.Observe the Rules of the Cart Paths
By Brent Kelley, About.com Guide
Cart Path Only
A "cart-path-only rule" is exactly what it sounds like: Keep your cart on the designated cart path at all times. Don't drive onto the grass.
Over time, golf carts speed up soil compaction, which can lead to less-than-ideal growing conditions for turfgrasses. And that can lead to less-than-ideal fairways for golfers. So even when "cart path only" is not in effect, it's a good idea to keep the cart on the designated path.
But when the rule is in effect, it's a requirement.
When "cart path only" is in effect, drive the cart on the designated path until you are parallel to where your golf ball rests on the course. Stop the cart, get out, pull a couple clubs (so you'll have some options when you reach your ball), and walk out to the ball.
90-Degree Rule In Effect
The "90-degree rule" means that the golf course is allowing carts onto the grass – but only at 90-degree angles from the cart path. In other words, don't drive the golf cart up the middle of the fairway from the tee box to your golf ball. Stay on the cart path until you are parallel to your golf ball, then turn off the cart path and drive straight to the ball.
The "90-degree rule" minimizes the time a golf cart spends rolling over the grass, while still allowing convenience for golfers.
Cart Path Only on Holes X and X
A course may post signs that designate certain holes off-limits to carts, for example, "Cart path only on No. 4 and No. 16 today." In this situation, the course's regular golf cart rules apply (remember, ask when checking in), but on the specified holes you are required to keep the cart on the designed cart path. The reason is usually moisture on the specified holes – they may be too wet for carts – or ground under repair on the specified holes.
No Carts Beyond This Point
This sign is one you might see in a fairway as you close in on the green. Courses don't want golf carts near the putting green; the "no carts beyond this point" sign makes sure golfers get that message. Even if you are allowed to drive the cart on the fairway, be sure to observe these signs. When you see one, stop and return to the designated cart path before proceeding forward again.
This sign may also come in the form of an arrow pointing toward the cart path. The meaning is the same: Don't take the cart beyond this point on the fairway; go back to the cart path.
All About Par
In golf, par is defined as the standard number of strokes a “scratch” (0 handicap golfer) should be able to achieve for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course; “a par-5 hole”; “par for this course is 72.” There are a couple of things you might want to know about par.
- First, notice that the definition is based on a scratch golfer. Most likely, if you are reading a Golf for Newbies site, you are not a scratch golfer. You likely have a handicap score. This handicap is calculated as the as the average score over par for several games. So, for instance, if you on average score 20 points over par, then your handicap is 20. In competitive golf this handicap is set by a governing organization. So, in essence, on a par 29 course with a 20 point handicap your personal “par” would be 49.
- Originally, par was not a fixed number. It would be adjusted for a particular course based on weather, fairway conditions, etc. Now, however, it is a fixed number and is based on the yardage for the hole. A hole’s par includes 2 putts, so a par 3 hole assumes you can get to the green from the tee and then have 2 putts. A par 4 includes the tee shot, a fairway shot, and 2 putts. A par 5 includes the tee shot, two fairway shots, and 2 putts. The yardage ranges these pars are calculated on are shown below.
The current settings for men are:
- Par 3 – Up to 250 yards
- Par 4 – 251 to 470 yards
- Par 5 – 471 yards to 690 yards
- Par 6 – 691 yards or more
The current settings for women are:
- Par 3 – Up to 210 yards
- Par 4 – 211 to 400 yards
- Par 5 – 401 to 575 yards
- Par 6 – 575 yards or more
Playing by the Rules
For most golfers, the rules are a very serious matter. The problem is, there are lots of them, some of them are quite complicated, and some of them seem to make no sense. In addition to the rules, there is the whole matter of golf etiquette. Another whole set of things to learn. For instance, did you know you are not supposed to put your golf shoes on in the parking lot? I don’t know why, and it seems silly to me, but there you have it. Now you know. Not knowing this stuff when you get out on the course makes it clear to everyone that you are a newbie. So, it is worth putting some effort into learning the rules and the etiquette guidelines. I’ve included a link below to a book that might help you understand the rules better. For more information on this topic you can also go to a summary of the rules on my Rules Summary page. And yes, I am shamelessly monetizing this blog. A girl has to make a living.
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