Rules in Junior Golf....

bjackson · March 23, 2006

Open for everyone, not just the juniors out here!!!

Well, this has happened to me more times than i can count using fingers and toes...When should I call a ruling on a fellow junior golfer??? Now, not that they are breaking big rules, but those that have people going either way. The most common of these is when a kid unknowingly switches out to a different ball. Say a Nike to a Pinnicle (happened today) or a Titleist to a Bridgestone (while back) to name a few. Should I ask for him to be DQ'd?
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Well, after the round I confront his coach about the "one ball" rule, which his coach replies"I know that this is a rule for Pro golf, but this rule doesnt apply in highschool golf (first time i had heard that)" So i reply, "why doesnt it apply", and he says, "because maybe not everyone can afford balls that are the same like the pros." (not the case on this team. every player had nice clubs, and we were playing at their home course, a very nice country club) I dont think that the kids were trying to break the rules knowingly, but then shouldnt i be allowed to pull out a Pro V1x on long tee shots, switch to a ProV1 on my approach(winter rules) then go to a super spinny ball (some other type of ball) on chips?
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Another thing that happened today--So a this kid I'm playing with appears to have gone OB, so he hits a provisional, whch he tops about 40 yards. Continuing to play his provisional, he hits one down by the green--fine. However, he find his original ball in bounds, and his second shot with that ball also goes down by the green--PROBLEM-- both of his golf balls were the same #, type, brand, etc, and didnt have any different markings. So I had him play both and take the higher score. What sould i have done?
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So what is your guys take on this? Any opinions? I do carry a rule book in my bag, and am very curious to alll of your guy's replies.

taylormadefan · March 24, 2006

For your first question, a major rule of golf is that you have to finish a hole out WITH THE SAME BALL. Not just the same brand, but the exact same ball (barring finding a water hazard, OB, etc). Winter rules, or any other rules you have to use the exact same ball. Now after that hole you can switch brands, so in theory you could play Pro V1X for distance on Par 4 and 5's but V1 for par 3's, but that's it. once the ball leaves the tee it's in play and can't be switched out unless it's lost or deemed unplayable (because of major physical damage like a cut) by both you and your opponent. Call them out on this, it's a huge rule and shouldn't be broken.

15-1 General
A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground unless the ball is lost, out of bounds or the player substitutes another ball, whether or not substitution is permitted (see Rule 15-2). If a player plays a wrong ball, see Rule 15-3.

There is a local rule on the PGA tour called "one ball condition" where a player can only use one specific BRAND of ball V1X, V1, One Platinum TW, for the entire round. I doubt this applies to high school tournaments.

The Rules of Golf do not require a player to use the same brand and type of golf ball throughout the stipulated round. A player may use a different ball to start each hole. However, the Committee may adopt as a Condition of a Competition, the "One Ball Condition." When this condition is adopted, players are required to use the same brand and type of golf ball throughout the stipulated round. Please refer to Appendix 1; Part C; 1 (Specification of the Ball).

rednumbers69 · March 24, 2006

i feal they should know the rules but there are some exeptions

ive got 1 if they cheat dq them every time!

diesel234 · March 24, 2006

You have to call all rules infractions to protect the rest of the field. How would you feel if you missed out on something important by one shot and later found out that someone broke a rule and wasn't called on it.

Just my .02 from a golf professional point of view

chrism · March 24, 2006

The one ball rule only applies, as stated previously, if the tournament commitee have put it in place, otherwise then yes you can use a prov1x on one hole and a prov1 on the other hole.

As to the other situation you should have looked up the ruling in your rule book - what is the point in carrying it if you cannot look up a ruling in it?