Testing the surface of the green

[Longshot]

There are two issues; I thought you were talking about brushing things away from the line of putt with the putter - which I think 16-1d might preclude.

It doesn't. As long as you're not pressing down to "test the surface" you're ok.

[Tin Pot]

It doesn't. As long as you're not pressing down to "test the surface" you're ok.

Yes, I think you're right I'm just clarifying for the discussion with Ross - it appears from the related Decisions that the key is the whether it " was for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green".  Hard to say I suppose, but that's the phrase used in all the Decisions.

[Foxholer]

I'm fairly sure I've seen Monty pat down a repaired pitch mark with a putter so it must be allowed.

Poor choice of player? >:(

Certainly if it was Darren Clarke!

Actually, the hole world (except maybe you?) does it that way. How do you repair them?

 

Ross

[Tin Pot]

Poor choice of player? >:(

Certainly if it was Darren Clarke!

Actually, the hole world (except maybe you?) does it that way. How do you repair them?

 

Ross

Well it seems the whole world (at least 75%) don't mark their ball when taking a penalty drop or taking relief or using preferred lies.

It seems the whole world asks what club you took before they take their tee shot.

In fact, the whole world is pretty much a bad guide for what the rules of golf are.

Look - if you think my questions are inane, and sometimes they are, you don't have to respond.  I like to be clear, and if a doubt enters my mind I like to be clear before the next round.  My interest in the rules is to make sure I'm playing within them, and yes that includes calling other players infringements - but that's another thread, and one we've had many times.

I think it's important, the R&A think it's important, and I'm happy to learn.

[golf_bhoy]

Wait until you get someone's name wrong, or reply to a post that started while you had no PC access ...

[Foxholer]

Well it seems the whole world (at least 75%) don't mark their ball when taking a penalty drop or taking relief or using preferred lies.

It seems the whole world asks what club you took before they take their tee shot.

You are probably correct (and you spelt 'whole' better than me!). I believe I'm in the minority by complying to the rules for all the above.

Remember, that you can always play a 2nd ball and get a ruling later - I've done that a couple of times.

Also, in team events, asking your partner what club they took is not against the rules. And it's not against the rules to check out an opponent's (or fellow competitor's) bag to see what's missing!

Not trying to put you down TP. Apologies if it seems that way (just repeating (ad nauseum?) the p*ss-take about your organisation skills!).

There are actually regular Rules seminars organised by R&A/SGU. these are the best way to get proper interpretation of many of these rules as (as you have found out) many are general/vague and picking the one that is applicable to a particular scenario can be difficult! The face-to-face approach is also a better method than this to address 'variations', btws and 'did you knows'. 

Keep reading them though. Osmosis works!

Ross 

PS GB: As per Clarification thread!     But check Lowho's Post!

[golf_bhoy]

Advocating censorship again?  You really don't understand the forum concept, do you?

[Tin Pot]

There are actually regular Rules seminars organised by R&A/SGU. these are the best way to get proper interpretation of many of these rules as (as you have found out) many are general/vague and picking the one that is applicable to a particular scenario can be difficult! The face-to-face approach is also a better method than this to address 'variations', btws and 'did you knows'. 

Keep reading them though. Osmosis works!

Ross 

PS GB: As per Clarification thread!     But check Lowho's Post!

I was talking with Ben (quite a whil ago now) when he offered to pass me some of his PGA study materials, 'cos there's no doubt I'm interested in golf a bit more than turning up and playing.  I spoke to another Pro who said he'd taken some sort of Rules test to allow him to adjudicate on Tour, but that's probably closed to amateurs.

As you mention, it's not just about penalising other players, it's about a fair and decent game, and quite often the rules can help you more than ignorance.  It's taken ages even for the rules on how to drop the ball to sink in to a point where I'm confident, they're not simple, and their are still many unintuitive breaches lurking about.

For one I'm glad the rules on advice on clubs and distances have been simplified so that they make sense, I was tired of the stoney wall of silence as people tried to figure out whether answering was a rules breach or not.

One competitor even though it was okay because she was female - that's a novel attempt at a get out clause if ever I heard one, and one Germaine Greer herself would object.

[Foxholer]

Advocating censorship again?  You really don't understand the forum concept, do you?

Only 'restraint'.

Banter I can take, but I find this personal stuff offensive. Please desist.

Take it out on a golf ball! Fancy a game? Old St Annes beckons and is about half way!

Ross

[golf_bhoy]

 ::laugh: