What is the one rule you wish could be changed

[LICC]

I’m guessing you haven’t played many U.S. munis ...

[rogolf]

AFAIK, the Rules apply to all golf courses - public, munis, semi-private, private. Some course's Committees may be non-existant, make errors or even be illogical, but that is not the fault of the Rules.

[LICC]

No one here said it was.

[DaveLeeNC]

I think that the counter to that one is that, fundamental to the design on some holes, is the ability to completely clear the PA that fronts the green (as an example).

dave

[sui generis]

I know, Dave, that's the theory, but in practice my experience is that the elimination of yellow stakes wouldn't be the end of the world.

[sui generis]

Well, boys, when I wake up in the morning, assuming I do wake up, I'll be 77. These days I can't hit it out of my shadow and I'm lumbered with a long putter. However, on other days out there with a badge and a radio, I'm scratch. (Though, never a plus like a number of our very talented referee friends here.) The best thing . . . life is good for us in Asheville.

[nsxguy]

Happy Birthday sui,,,,,,, keep fighting the good fight !!!

[Sawgrass]

Sincere wishes for a happy birthday, and many, many more, Sui.

[rogolf]

Happy Birthday sui! And many more! Good golf and best regards! Stay in touch.

[antip]

Tanjoobi Omedetoo Sui! (guess who did a posting in Japan?)

77 is an excellent number, I'm happy to knock those up on my golf course (and most other courses) most days, although increasingly I'm finding I then have to play the rest of the course.

You share a birthday with my older brother.

Make the most of every day.

[antip]

This hits the biggest thematic of my criticism of the 2019 changes. But first for context: I love the 2019 changes, IMO they were long overdue and swept a great deal of complex, inconsistent, incrementally-created rubbish into the fire. So overall, a humungous plus.

But the objective of simplicity could have been given a bigger weight in the re-design and, IMO, would have generated changes that are more valuable and sustainable - an even better generational re-set. We now have a count of 299 'Exceptions' (quote from my 2019 USGA Rules Workshop) and that is an understatement as some of the exceptions are not titled Exceptions. I echo Sui's words above, the more we treat things the same everywhere, the fewer traps we set for players.

[Newby]

How do we get rid of all the 'things' on a course that cause exceptions? How many of these exceptions actually remove a potential penalty as opposed to giving a penalty?

[Mr. Bean]

I doubt you are the person to take part in a rational discussion...

[Mr. Bean]

The Committee always has the choice of declaring such structures as Integral Objects -> no free relief.

EDIT: Antip already said this.

[KevCarter]

Happy Birthday Charlie!!!

[LICC]

Happy Birthday!

[LICC]

Excellent point. It is the nature of any regulatory system- there are generally applicable rules and then exceptions for circumstances that are required for fairness. That is not to say simplification is impossible but you will always have the balance between general applicability and fairness.

[HatsForBats]

19.1 Player May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except Penalty Area

A player is the only person who may decide to TREAT his or her ball as unplayable...

Treat a ball as unplayable does not mean it necessarily is unplayable in the eyes of the player. There is no dishonesty when a player decides to take Unplayable Ball Relief, even when it is playable, unless they are doing so for the purposes of sandbagging or the like. YOU have no say in the matter of what they decide on the 'unplayability' of their ball.

 

[LICC]

Already addressed. Merriam-Webster definition of Treat:  to regard and deal with in a specified manner —usually used with as - treat the matter as confidential

So to use the definition in the rule: A player is the only person who may decide to regard and deal with his or her ball as unplayable ...

The only HONEST way to regard a ball as unplayable is to genuinely believe it is unplayable.

[Sawgrass]

So, so disingenuous! If you want to study dictionary definitions, concentrate on the definition of playable that I posted earlier. You refuse to accept people's attempts to straighten out your thinking, you refuse to call the USGA to get them to straighten you out, yet you go on and on misinforming people. You really should stop this, it's not right.

 

 

playable adjectivecapable of or suitable for being played.

easy or pleasurable to play.

 

[Newby]

But Rule 19 overrides 1.2 so 'honesty' is not relevant.Lex specialis derogat legi generali.

[LICC]

Playable:

Dictionary.com: 1. capable of or suitable for being played. 2. easy or pleasurable to play. I notice you removed the numericals showing that these are two separate definitions. The second definition is not in context to striking a golf ball nor is it consistent with the history of Rule 19.

Collins: ADJECTIVE1. capable of being playeda playable game2. able to be played ona playable pitch

Oxford: 1 ​(of a piece of music or a computer game) easy to play 2 ​(of a sports field) in a good condition and suitable for playing on (note that the ease of play refers to a musical piece or computer game, not the sports field)

Vocabulary.com: capable of or suitable for being played or played onMacmillan: a sports field that is playable is in good enough condition for a game to be played on ita ball that is playable in a game can be hit or kickeda piece of music that is playable can be played without much difficultyAgain, the difficulty parameter applies to music, not sports.

Interestingly the word is not in Merriam-Webster.

[LICC]

You are arguing that dishonesty is permissible even though Rule 1.2 requires honesty in all aspects of play. You are arguing that dishonesty is permissible. Sure ...

[davep043]

Webb Simpson thinks there should be no penalty at all if you accidentally move your ball, anywhere on the golf course. He's won the US Open, the Players, and 3 more. He's also made because his own carelessness cost him a stroke. Players don't have much of a reputation as rules experts.

[sui generis]

Here's the number, again. Call USGA Rules at 908-326-1850. They're in this morning.

I know since I've been working on a R10.b with Daniela already today.

[Newby]

I am simply saying that the player's determination is the only criterion in rule 19

 

But further, the USGA's definition of playable is the only one that matters. A la Humpty Dumpty.

[LICC]

And honesty is a criterion in Rule 1.2

[LICC]

Ok. I may not agree but that is not an ignorant opinion.

[Newby]

And 1.2 is not relevant ie is overridden by 19

Lex specialis derogat legi generali.

[LICC]

Show me the language in Rule 19 that overrides Rule 1.2 Either that or stop playing pretend lawyer.