Stymie rule

pinhigh27 · July 13, 2010

Ruining early golf?

Just watching some old clips, and it was about Bobby Jones winning the British Am in XXXX year? He basically won because of the stymie, when his opponent had to try to slice a putt from 7 feet. What a joke, I'm not saying they weren't great golfers, the opposite actually to have to adjust to that silly rule, but it had to affect some outcomes, right? Anyone think it was good for golf? I don't think I do, but just curious as to what everyone had to say. I'm sure Mat will have something interesting to say.(hopefully)

Spumoni · July 13, 2010

[quote name='pinhigh27' date='13 July 2010 - 06:40 PM' timestamp='1279068044' post='2574214']
Just watching some old clips, and it was about Bobby Jones winning the British Am in XXXX year? He basically won because of the stymie, when his opponent had to try to slice a putt from 7 feet. What a joke, I'm not saying they weren't great golfers, the opposite actually to have to adjust to that silly rule, but it had to affect some outcomes, right? Anyone think it was good for golf? I don't think I do, but just curious as to what everyone had to say. I'm sure Mat will have something interesting to say.(hopefully)
[/quote]

Not sure if it was good or bad but it is interesting to play with them. Over the winter we occasionally play "Stymie's". The strategy is always good for a few laughs in the group.

stage1350 · July 14, 2010

I'm waiting to hear the "things were always better in the good 'old days" group and the "you youngin's don't know how easy it is with the modern ball" group chime in and bring this rule back. God knows they did such a great job with the groove rule... :rolleyes:

pinhigh27 · July 14, 2010

I don't like the rule at all, and I can't imagine being forced to dunk a flop shot from 3 feet, just to save par or whatever. Just seems really silly to me.

teejaywhy · July 18, 2010

[quote name='pinhigh27' date='13 July 2010 - 05:40 PM' timestamp='1279068044' post='2574214']
Just watching some old clips, and it was about Bobby Jones winning the British Am in XXXX year? He basically won because of the stymie, when his opponent had to try to slice a putt from 7 feet. What a joke, I'm not saying they weren't great golfers, the opposite actually to have to adjust to that silly rule, but it had to affect some outcomes, right? Anyone think it was good for golf? I don't think I do, but just curious as to what everyone had to say. I'm sure Mat will have something interesting to say.(hopefully)
[/quote]

Why was it a joke?

Why was it silly?

It was the rule at the time.

Did it affect outcomes? Sure. Was it good for golf? Why not? It was the rule at the time. The game of golf used to be based on the principal of play it as it lies. Now the modern game allows so many exceptions that permit the golfer to put his hands on the ball that sure, it seems very anachronistic that you once were not allowed to touch your ball.