Sometimes the PGA Can Be So Ticky-Tac

[gocubs2118]

So where do you draw the line. Say it was a wet two inch diameter leaf. Could have a huge impact. You'd just be creating a bigger grey area without the rule. The proper play was to hold the club above the grass and not risk it.

I don't think there should be any rule like that, hazard or not. If you can move leaves or whatever around the ball without the ball moving, then the players should be able to.

We're also talking about a course that you're allowed to ground your clubs in the sand, take practice swings and move pebbles. The whole rule just seems silly and unnecessary to me.

[VeloClone]

I don't think there should be any rule like that, hazard or not. If you can move leaves or whatever around the ball without the ball moving, then the players should be able to.

We're also talking about a course that you're allowed to ground your clubs in the sand, take practice swings and move pebbles. The whole rule just seems silly and unnecessary to me.

Then why no pull out the weedwhacker and take care of that deep rough in front of and behind the ball so it doesn't reduce club head and ball velocity? There is a reason for the rule. You are to play the course as your ball finds it, not remake the course to your desires.

[gocubs2118]

Then why no pull out the weedwhacker and take care of that deep rough in front of and behind the ball so it doesn't reduce club head and ball velocity? There is a reason for the rule. You are to play the course as your ball finds it, not remake the course to your desires.

That's not what I meant. Of course you can't pull grass out of the ground but if there is a loose leaf right behind your ball, you should be able to do it. Players can do it in the fairway, they can do it in the rough.

There is a reason why PGA Tour players hate the rule and why they want it changed.

[ManBearClone]

I don't think there should be any rule like that, hazard or not. If you can move leaves or whatever around the ball without the ball moving, then the players should be able to.

We're also talking about a course that you're allowed to ground your clubs in the sand, take practice swings and move pebbles. The whole rule just seems silly and unnecessary to me.

So you can move a rock thats in front of the ball. What if it's imbedded an eighth of an inch... quarter inch... inch. More judgement calls. Easier to say you can't improve your lie in any way. If you don't like it call it an unplayable lie and move the ball out of the hazard take your penalty and play on or take a chance and try to advance the ball knowing the consequences.

[jbhtexas]

I don't understand the Brian Davis incident. Was that jreally ust a loose "twig" he hit, or was that part of a reed that had rooted down into sand? The way it was bouncing, it sure looks like it was fixed on one end.

If it is rooted down, doesn't that make it fixed, and thus not a loose impediment?

[Tailg8er]

No doubt. Furyk is a class act.

Eh, I'd say he's more of a scrappy player.

Vijay Singh, on the other hand, definitely a class act.



:jimlad:

[westlbcyclone]

Eh, I'd say he's more of a scrappy player.

Vijay Singh, on the other hand, definitely a class act.

+1 for the "The League" reference.

Back on topic, as most have stated here already, it was a loose impediment in the hazard. It was brought up that you can move leaves etc. from the fairway, and you can. The key is that he was in the hazard, that's where the whole thing changes. The reason that was a penalty, and no penalties for grounding your club in a "sandy area" at this tournament, is that the first one is a hazard and the second is not.

It is a local rule at that club that there are no bunkers (hazards), just sandy areas (not hazards). The PGA decided to go with the local rule, thus players could ground clubs in what would normally be considered a hazard. Rules of the game, gotta love 'em.