Fairway divot rule

[terrell75]

It’s a long way to the bottom of a divot if you wanna rock and roll

[sdandrea]

It’s a long way to the bottom of a divot if you wanna rock and roll

 

Fat-bottomed divots make the rockin' world go round

[Roadking2003]

Anybody know when "golf" became a verb ? :)

 

In my book it never has and never will.

Obviously you have never read the minutes of the meetings of the Town Council of St. Andrews

RK is a Renaissance man. Change comes slowly. :)

 

Maybe so. I also don't watch college kids footballing on Saturday or basketballing in the winter or tennis players tennising on the courts.

[Roadking2003]

Anyone wonder why after all the rule changes and things they went through. Why did they skip addressing the silliness of this rule. I get golf is like luck of the draw but it's a difficulty not in the golf course design. Just always wondered why that couldn't be free drop. I hate when you see a tournament determined by one player piping down the middle And losing because they land in a divot.

Can you cite a credible example of when and where that happened? Many players, particularly those in a tournament's lead, have the requisite skill to play a successful shot from that lie. They don't need help from the Rules.

 

Payne Stewart, US Open at Olympic club, 1998. Lost to Lee Janzen.

[Colin L]

Anybody know when "golf" became a verb ? :)

 

In my book it never has and never will.

Obviously you have never read the minutes of the meetings of the Town Council of St. Andrews

RK is a Renaissance man. Change comes slowly. :)

 

Maybe so. I also don't watch college kids footballing on Saturday or basketballing in the winter or tennis players tennising on the courts.

 

But you might see someone hunting, shooting or fishing. Or batting and bowling in a cricket match.

Trying to apply a rule to one word because of the way other words are formed just doesn't work in English.

[Newby]

Anybody know when "golf" became a verb ? :)

 

In my book it never has and never will.

Obviously you have never read the minutes of the meetings of the Town Council of St. Andrews

RK is a Renaissance man. Change comes slowly. :)

 

Maybe so. I also don't watch college kids footballing on Saturday or basketballing in the winter or tennis players tennising on the courts.

Golf includes words used as a noun or verb.

Hole, club, score, mark ...

[Vindog]

When it becomes gerund I really start to lose my patients, man.

[nsxguy]

When it becomes gerund I really start to lose my patients, man.

 

Then you shouldn't have become a doctor. :D

[Newby]

When it becomes gerund I really start to lose my patients, man.

I thought you typed 'ground' - that's another one !

[QEight]

 

In my book it never has and never will.

Obviously you have never read the minutes of the meetings of the Town Council of St. Andrews

RK is a Renaissance man. Change comes slowly. :)

 

Maybe so. I also don't watch college kids footballing on Saturday or basketballing in the winter or tennis players tennising on the courts.

 

But you might see someone hunting, shooting or fishing. Or batting and bowling in a cricket match.

Trying to apply a rule to one word because of the way other words are formed just doesn't work in English.

 

Or trolling.

[Colin L]

 

Oh, dear . . . here we go again......... :swoon:

 

That was the understandable post #2 reaction to an OP about playing from a divot. We're now on Page 5 of comments. :)

 

[bluefishercat]

Sometimes you are just lucky or unlucky, just need to play so the odds are better that you will be lucky.

[Baitkiller]

l'll never forget watching Chi Chi hit ball after ball out of the same divot with a 3 wood. Every shot was clean and landed within yards of the previous shot. The hole kept getting deeper and he kept hitting it pure. It may have been that moment I realized that I would never be truly good at golf. However, when faced with a poor lie I tell myself the shot is possible because I've seen it done. Therefore I can do it. Any other mindset forecasts doom.

[Shilgy]

l'll never forget watching Chi Chi hit ball after ball out of the same divot with a 3 wood. Every shot was clean and landed within yards of the previous shot. The hole kept getting deeper and he kept hitting it pure. It may have been that moment I realized that I would never be truly good at golf. However, when faced with a poor lie I tell myself the shot is possible because I've seen it done. Therefore I can do it. Any other mindset forecasts doom.

When I first moved to Phoenix 25 years ago the club I belonged to was owned by Ping. They had a fellow that did exhibitions for them by the name of Wedgy Winchester. He had won the long drive a time or two in the 80's.

We were on the range one day and he's is doing this sqeeky voiced Moe Norman impression striping one range ball after another with a one iron out of the most ungodly lies he could find. He rolled one ball after another into deep crater divots, divot holes (?)-just holes (?) Lol, and just kept striping shot after shot with that one iron.

 

So yeah, it shouldn't be a problem for us to play from the occasional divot.

 

Builds character!

[SNIPERBBB]

It's 2018. Character has been disallowed... haven't you seen the news?

[Mikey5e]

At a shotgun tournament, our foursome coincidentally started on the #1 handicapped hole. It was a bugger of a hole requiring a good drive and a high risk reward second shot over a pond then a large trap and to an elevated green. Out of our foursome I was the only one that hit it into the Fairway off the tee as I smoked one right down the middle. I get up to my ball to find it in one of the deepest divots you would encounter on a golf course. It was resting up against the leading edge of the divot deep enough where only half of the ball was above ground. To advance the ball it was like hitting into a wall of turf. Assessing the situation, I had 210 approach shot, over a large pond, then a greenside bunker, then to a slender 25 foot elevated green. There isn't a golfer in the world with enough balls to go for the green in this situation. I took out an 7 iron and advanced it up to the neck of the approach, maybe 100 yards up, and felt really successful to complete that shot without hitting it into the hazard. When it was all said and done I ended up with a double bogey on the opening hole because some jackass didn't fill in their divot in the fairway. I don't care what anybody says, an unrepaired divot in the fairway is a man-made hazard, imo, and relief should be allowed. I know all of the self-proclaimed golf purists will say otherwise, but you are wrong. Get off of your high horses!

[Roadking2003]

l'll never forget watching Chi Chi hit ball after ball out of the same divot with a 3 wood. Every shot was clean and landed within yards of the previous shot. The hole kept getting deeper and he kept hitting it pure. It may have been that moment I realized that I would never be truly good at golf. However, when faced with a poor lie I tell myself the shot is possible because I've seen it done. Therefore I can do it. Any other mindset forecasts doom.

 

I've seen Phil hit unbelievable shots off a cart path..... just sayin.

[Roadking2003]

At a shotgun tournament, our foursome coincidentally started on the #1 handicapped hole. It was a bugger of a hole requiring a good drive and a high risk reward second shot over a pond then a large trap and to an elevated green. Out of our foursome I was the only one that hit it into the Fairway off the tee as I smoked one right down the middle. I get up to my ball to find it in one of the deepest divots you would encounter on a golf course. It was resting up against the leading edge of the divot deep enough where only half of the ball was above ground. To advance the ball it was like hitting into a wall of turf. Assessing the situation, I had 210 approach shot, over a large pond, then a greenside bunker, then to a slender 25 foot elevated green. There isn't a golfer in the world with enough balls to go for the green in this situation. I took out an 7 iron and advanced it up to the neck of the approach, maybe 100 yards up, and felt really successful to complete that shot without hitting it into the hazard. When it was all said and done I ended up with a double bogey on the opening hole because some jackass didn't fill in their divot in the fairway. I don't care what anybody says, an unrepaired divot in the fairway is a man-made hazard, imo, and relief should be allowed. I know all of the self-proclaimed golf purists will say otherwise, but you are wrong. Get off of your high horses!

 

I was in a tournament a few years back. The first hole is a downhill par 4 with a creek in front of the green. My opponent hit a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. When we got to our balls, his was in a deep divot (or divot hole). He tried to hit the shot, but it was almost impossible with the downhill lie and creek. Double bogey to start the tournament.

 

That's when I decided it was quite unfair Yes, it's rare, but when it happens it can be worse than hitting off a cart path.

[rogolf]

Everybody has their hard luck stories - about their bad decisions, bad shots and bad holes; all have various and sundry causes. Everyone faces adversity of some type at some time or another during a round of golf - deal with it the best you can.

Regarding divots (or divot holes), the ruling bodies have made it clear that there is no free relief available.

[Shilgy]

At a shotgun tournament, our foursome coincidentally started on the #1 handicapped hole. It was a bugger of a hole requiring a good drive and a high risk reward second shot over a pond then a large trap and to an elevated green. Out of our foursome I was the only one that hit it into the Fairway off the tee as I smoked one right down the middle. I get up to my ball to find it in one of the deepest divots you would encounter on a golf course. It was resting up against the leading edge of the divot deep enough where only half of the ball was above ground. To advance the ball it was like hitting into a wall of turf. Assessing the situation, I had 210 approach shot, over a large pond, then a greenside bunker, then to a slender 25 foot elevated green. There isn't a golfer in the world with enough balls to go for the green in this situation. I took out an 7 iron and advanced it up to the neck of the approach, maybe 100 yards up, and felt really successful to complete that shot without hitting it into the hazard. When it was all said and done I ended up with a double bogey on the opening hole because some jackass didn't fill in their divot in the fairway. I don't care what anybody says, an unrepaired divot in the fairway is a man-made hazard, imo, and relief should be allowed. I know all of the self-proclaimed golf purists will say otherwise, but you are wrong. Get off of your high horses!

Sounds like a tough break!

 

Question though. Since you made a four from about 110 yards... Why do you think you would have made three from 210? Your, evidently, very poor third shot from 110(based on 210 advanced 100), cost you as many strokes or more than did the divot.

[hybrid25]

Everybody has their hard luck stories - about their bad decisions, bad shots and bad holes; all have various and sundry causes. Everyone faces adversity of some type at some time or another during a round of golf - deal with it the best you can.

I think that's what everybody does under the circumstances. Just the same, some people think the rules should be changed and make examples of why it should be changed.

[Newby]

Everybody has their hard luck stories - about their bad decisions, bad shots and bad holes; all have various and sundry causes. Everyone faces adversity of some type at some time or another during a round of golf - deal with it the best you can.

Regarding divots (or divot holes), the ruling bodies have made it clear that there is no free relief available.

And of course we all remember our bad luck etc and conveniently forget our good luck etc. But we remember our opponent's lucky deflection onto the middle of the green and forget his shank into the pond.

 

Similar to bad news headlines attracting more readers than good news stories.

[hybrid25]

Everybody has their hard luck stories - about their bad decisions, bad shots and bad holes; all have various and sundry causes. Everyone faces adversity of some type at some time or another during a round of golf - deal with it the best you can.

Regarding divots (or divot holes), the ruling bodies have made it clear that there is no free relief available.

And of course we all remember our bad luck etc and conveniently forget our good luck etc. But we remember our opponent's lucky deflection onto the middle of the green and forget his shank into the pond.

 

Similar to bad news headlines attracting more readers than good news stories.

So we shouldn't take relief from man-made hazards either? Standing water? Etc?

[Vindog]

At a shotgun tournament, our foursome coincidentally started on the #1 handicapped hole. It was a bugger of a hole requiring a good drive and a high risk reward second shot over a pond then a large trap and to an elevated green. Out of our foursome I was the only one that hit it into the Fairway off the tee as I smoked one right down the middle. I get up to my ball to find it in one of the deepest divots you would encounter on a golf course. It was resting up against the leading edge of the divot deep enough where only half of the ball was above ground. To advance the ball it was like hitting into a wall of turf. Assessing the situation, I had 210 approach shot, over a large pond, then a greenside bunker, then to a slender 25 foot elevated green. There isn't a golfer in the world with enough balls to go for the green in this situation. I took out an 7 iron and advanced it up to the neck of the approach, maybe 100 yards up, and felt really successful to complete that shot without hitting it into the hazard. When it was all said and done I ended up with a double bogey on the opening hole because some jackass didn't fill in their divot in the fairway. I don't care what anybody says, an unrepaired divot in the fairway is a man-made hazard, imo, and relief should be allowed. I know all of the self-proclaimed golf purists will say otherwise, but you are wrong. Get off of your high horses!

 

Story is misleading.

[rogolf]

Everybody has their hard luck stories - about their bad decisions, bad shots and bad holes; all have various and sundry causes. Everyone faces adversity of some type at some time or another during a round of golf - deal with it the best you can.

Regarding divots (or divot holes), the ruling bodies have made it clear that there is no free relief available.

And of course we all remember our bad luck etc and conveniently forget our good luck etc. But we remember our opponent's lucky deflection onto the middle of the green and forget his shank into the pond.

 

Similar to bad news headlines attracting more readers than good news stories.

So we shouldn't take relief from man-made hazards either? Standing water? Etc?

You don't need to take relief from them, but the Rules say that you "may".

[SNIPERBBB]

Most ponds/lakes are man-made so if you want to take that line , there would really be some fun!

[sui generis]

Most ponds/lakes are man-made so if you want to take that line , there would really be some fun!

 

Right you are. Most golf courses are man-made . . . you know, bulldozers and scrapers and all that.

 

Cry baby's argument is so weak. ;)

[nsxguy]

Everybody has their hard luck stories - about their bad decisions, bad shots and bad holes; all have various and sundry causes. Everyone faces adversity of some type at some time or another during a round of golf - deal with it the best you can.

Regarding divots (or divot holes), the ruling bodies have made it clear that there is no free relief available.

And of course we all remember our bad luck etc and conveniently forget our good luck etc. But we remember our opponent's lucky deflection onto the middle of the green and forget his shank into the pond.

 

:good:

 

 

[Mikey5e]

At a shotgun tournament, our foursome coincidentally started on the #1 handicapped hole. It was a bugger of a hole requiring a good drive and a high risk reward second shot over a pond then a large trap and to an elevated green. Out of our foursome I was the only one that hit it into the Fairway off the tee as I smoked one right down the middle. I get up to my ball to find it in one of the deepest divots you would encounter on a golf course. It was resting up against the leading edge of the divot deep enough where only half of the ball was above ground. To advance the ball it was like hitting into a wall of turf. Assessing the situation, I had 210 approach shot, over a large pond, then a greenside bunker, then to a slender 25 foot elevated green. There isn't a golfer in the world with enough balls to go for the green in this situation. I took out an 7 iron and advanced it up to the neck of the approach, maybe 100 yards up, and felt really successful to complete that shot without hitting it into the hazard. When it was all said and done I ended up with a double bogey on the opening hole because some jackass didn't fill in their divot in the fairway. I don't care what anybody says, an unrepaired divot in the fairway is a man-made hazard, imo, and relief should be allowed. I know all of the self-proclaimed golf purists will say otherwise, but you are wrong. Get off of your high horses!

Sounds like a tough break!

 

Question though. Since you made a four from about 110 yards... Why do you think you would have made three from 210? Your, evidently, very poor third shot from 110(based on 210 advanced 100), cost you as many strokes or more than did the divot.

because the third shot was from 4 in of heavy rough. Even though it was in the rough, the second shot was still a decent shot under the circumstances. If I could go back to the second shot from 210 yards out on a fair lie I'd be putting for birdie.

[2bGood]

At a shotgun tournament, our foursome coincidentally started on the #1 handicapped hole. It was a bugger of a hole requiring a good drive and a high risk reward second shot over a pond then a large trap and to an elevated green. Out of our foursome I was the only one that hit it into the Fairway off the tee as I smoked one right down the middle. I get up to my ball to find it in one of the deepest divots you would encounter on a golf course. It was resting up against the leading edge of the divot deep enough where only half of the ball was above ground. To advance the ball it was like hitting into a wall of turf. Assessing the situation, I had 210 approach shot, over a large pond, then a greenside bunker, then to a slender 25 foot elevated green. There isn't a golfer in the world with enough balls to go for the green in this situation. I took out an 7 iron and advanced it up to the neck of the approach, maybe 100 yards up, and felt really successful to complete that shot without hitting it into the hazard. When it was all said and done I ended up with a double bogey on the opening hole because some jackass didn't fill in their divot in the fairway. I don't care what anybody says, an unrepaired divot in the fairway is a man-made hazard, imo, and relief should be allowed. I know all of the self-proclaimed golf purists will say otherwise, but you are wrong. Get off of your high horses!

 

Roy McAvoy would go for it.