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| | | Forum Newbie
 
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Last Login: 14/08/2008 11:45:16
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| Up until 2004 the rule for unplayable ball stated that " a player could declare the ball unplayable
After the big revision to the rules that occurred in 2004 the rule now states that the player can deem the ball unplayable.
The earlier version could be interpreted that the player must audibly declare the ball unplayable and the later version could be interpreted that that was no longer the case.
I can find no decision or clarification of the change in terminology. It seems the wording was just changed without explanation.
So if a player picks up his ball and drops (according to unplayable ball rule 29) but without announcing his intention should he be penalised (in accordance with rule 18)?
I.e if he doesn't announce his intention how can his fellow competitors or his opponent know which rule he was applying and that he dropped correctly]?
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| | | Forum Member
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Last Login: Today @ 16:49:58
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| Hi CM,
This is an interesting question.
I don't know why the RBs changed the wording but I can give you my thoughts for what they're worth.
Rule 28 used to start 'The player MAY declare his ball unplayable ...'
Even though the word 'declare' implies announce - the the word MAY means he didn't have to, if he didn't want to. So even prior to 2004 the player could proceed under R28 without saying anything.
Two things occur to me why the Rules might not consider it necessary to announce out loud your intentions under R28.
First - a player is hardly likely to declare an unplayable from a good lie. But if a players ball is in so much trouble he might need to consider R28 - his FCs or his Opponent will know it.
Second - even if you are on opposite sides of the fairway, the actions of measuring two club lengths, followed by standing to attention and dropping a ball from shoulder hieght with arm outstretched horizontally, are hard to misinterpret.
My belief is that if a player is proceeding legitimately under R28, it is obvious, - if he is behaving suspiciously then the Rules can deal with that, depending on what he is doing.
I would be interested to hear what the Forum organisers have to say.
Cheers,
SH.
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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 14/08/2008 11:45:16
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| Hi SH
You wrote
"Even though the word 'declare' implies announce - the the word MAY means he didn't have to, if he didn't want to"
My interpretation of the word May is that this means the player has the option of an unplayable ball not that he has the option of saying something or not. I.e he may declare it unplayable or he may continue as normal.
The problem with not saying anything is that there are other rules which allow you to pick up and drop. Casual water, or relief from a road or path for example. There is nothing which require you to measure two club lengths as far as I know( the only requirement is that you drop at a point within two club lengths and not nearer the hole). So a player on the other side of the fairway could pick up and drop and you would not be sure what rule was being applied. (is it a free drop or a penalty drop)
There are a few clarification to this rule in the decisions book and in the R&A quiz - many(if not all) of which still talk about declaring the ball unplayable
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| | | Forum Member
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Last Login: Today @ 16:49:58
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| Hi CM,
You obviously know the Rules very well, and you are familiar with the Decisions book, not too many golfers even know that book exists. So forgive me for telling you what you already know.
There is nothing in the Rules that say you have to make an announcement before you proceed under a Rule that is relief under penalty (ie. unplayable or a water hazard) - OR a Rule that allows free relief (say casual water or an obstruction).
As far as I know the only Rule that states you MUST announce out loud your intention, is R27-2, putting a provisional ball into play.
The point I was trying to make (badly) is that you never had to announce out loud your intentions under R28. Even if 'declare' had meant announce, the word 'may' makes everything that follows optional.
So in that sense the word 'declare' was always nearer to 'decide' than it was to 'say out loud', I think the word 'deem' just brings it into line with what it really meant.
On your point about cheating.
In competitive play what usually happens if your FC or Opponent is in a situation that requires a drop you will probably be close enough to see it, and he will nearly always tell you what he is about to do anyway.
OR if you are away on the other side of the fairway you will see him make the drop and when you get back together he will tell you honestly what has happened, or you will ask him.
But if for example, a player does pretend to be taking relief from casual water because his ball is unplayable - you might diplomatically ask a question or make a comment just to let them know you are suspicious. Or if you are suspicious, and you are brave enough, you could even say 'show me'.
Then, if you do catch them committing a serious breach, as you know it's a DQ.
Unfortunately if someone is determined to cheat, they will have plenty of opportunity to do it.
But in my experience, the thing about cheats, is the word soon gets around and everyone watches them like a hawk.
All the best,
SH |
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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 14/08/2008 11:45:16
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| Hi Shaw,
I totally agree with your interpretation that the rules don't require you to say anything and that is probably how it has always been.
That is probably why they changed the wording ( a pity they haven't clarified it though)
I personally think it would be simpler to require players to declare(out loud) their intentions to avoid any doubt. I wasn't referring to cheating though - some people might just follow the wrong procedure by mistake and drop in the wrong place.
Cheers |
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