Bunker rules during Covid

[Mr. Bean]

Brexit #3..?

[Newby]

The Republic of Ireland is in CONGU in a combined Golfing Union of Ireland including Northern Ireland. The Republic is remaining in the EU

Incidentally, have any of the EGA countries produced a WHS manual yet? If so are the 'rules' all the same (except for the language of course)?

 

[Newby]

[Mr. Bean]

'Incidentally, have any of the EGA countries produced a WHS manual yet? If so are the 'rules' all the same (except for the language of course)?'

To my knowledge most if not all of them have. And no, they are not the same.

Why?

[Newby]

"Why?"

I was just looking a the Australian version and realised there are more differences than I thought.

[TerpFangolfer]

played in my 1st tourney on Sat - US AmTour event - we played preferred lies in bunkers

[davep043]

Penalty Areas too? After all, there are no areas formally classified as "hazards" under the current Rules. Or do you just mean a ball in a difficult position should be moved to a "nicer" position, because golf is really too difficult?

[Mcgeeno]

The 4 courses in my town are all doing preferred lies 6" in the bunkers. Its nice they are all consistent at least.

 

 

 

 

[Bushwood Country Club]

We were playing "lift, smooth, and replace" - however, we have returned rakes to bunkers are are playing "normal" golf now.

[rogolf]

Some new guidance from USGA and R&A:

[Sawgrass]

To Rogolf, I just checked the USGA’s website, and I’m unable to find the particular version of the information you supplied above. Is it possibly R&A only? Or maybe not up yet? Or am I blind?

[rogolf]

see here. The header sentence says USGA and R&Ahttps://www.randa.org/en/theranda/initiatives/golf-during-covid-19

[Sawgrass]

Thanks, Rogolf.

[sui generis]

Shortly after the USGA issued their covid guidance, my club posted these two Temporary Local Rules. (Past experience here has shown that "short and sweet" gets the best results.)LIFT, CLEAN AND PLACE IN BUNKERS - Players may play "lift, clean and place” within one club-length, not nearer the hole in all bunkers.FLAGSTICKS ARE TO BE LEFT IN AT ALL TIMES - A ball which strikes the flagstick at slow speed and is deflected but which would normally be expected to be holed will be counted as holed.

Notice on the flagstick one there's no mention of agreement from other players. There'll be no putting the genie back into the bottle for quite sometime, I'm afraid.

[puttingmatt]

I agree, does not get simpler than this, Our course superintendent, sends guys out to periodically rake bunkers throughout the day, so bunkers are in play, and in decent shape.

[Newby]

"A ball which strikes the flagstick at slow speed and is deflected but which would normally be expected to be holed will be counted as holed."

 

From the document Rogolf refers to:The R&A and USGA have moved to clarify whether a competition being run using temporary measures to help minimise exposing players to COVID-19 is being “played under the Rules of Golf”.

 Hole and Definition of Holed

A method of inserting the hole liner may be used that means that all of the ball does not fall below the surface of the putting green and can be easily retrieved by handling the ball only.

But if any of the following provisions are used, play in such circumstances is not in accordance with the Rules of Golf:

Treating a ball as holed or holed with the next stroke if it is within a certain distance of the hole.Having the hole liner sitting above the surface of the green and treating a ball as holed if it strikes the liner.Treating a ball as holed when it has bounced out of the hole for any reason (for example, when it has bounced off the flagstick, a tray attached to the flagstick or the hole liner).

[Mr. Bean]

From the same document:

'Note: A Committee should consult its handicapping authority for guidance on whether scores are acceptable for handicapping purposes.'

It seems that a club may publish any kinds of crappy Local Rules but the scores will not be acceptable for handicapping purposes if those LRs do not meet the criteria of Ruling Bodies. Considering a ball holed when it is not holed is simply childish IMHO.

[sui generis]

I noticed that backtrack . . . as I said, the genie is already out of the bottle. ?

[4x4GGG]

My actual point has always been against bunker rakes. If your ball lands in the fairway in a divot you have to play it, so I never understood why bunkers need to be manicured for people. It's a hazard and should be left as such. A foot swipe when you're done.

[klebs01]

I agree that bunkers should stop being manicured. However, if I’m in a tournament playing lcp in the bunkers I’m going to use it to be on equal standing. It would be great if bunkers were more penal and the labor to maintain them was redirected.

[Mr. Bean]

' If your ball lands in the fairway in a divot you have to play it, so I never understood why bunkers need to be manicured for people.'

It is not every round that my ball lands in a bunker but it is quite often. On the other hand I cannot remember the last time my ball was in a divot hole on the fairway.

I prefer bunkers being raked as it is tough enough to hit a decent shot even from a raked bunker.

[longevi]

huh, that's interesting. I haven't been to my club yet.. Dunno what they've done there. I mean I have some ideas.. all members are checked on temperature at the entrance, each is obliged to wear gloves and a mask, and maximum of 3 people at one play. That is weird, but regarding the situation, acceptable and even understandable. As for me, I've already ordered myself KN95 masks , a whole pack so I'm ready for the new season.