The most commonly broken rule in golf by amateurs is actually the first one.
The first in the order of the Rules of Golf, the first in order of importance.
In fact, it is the one listed at point 1.2 of the Rules: Player Conduct. It is the one that, before the revision of the rules as of January 1, 2019, we used to find in Section I – Etiquette; Behavior on the course, and which summarizes the ‘Spirit of the Game’.
It consists of only three principles:
- Acting with integrity;
- Showing consideration for others;
- Taking care of the course.
Let’s start with the third principle, taking care of the course, which consists of practically four simple actions, and then we’ll work backwards:
- Replace divots;
- Repair pitch marks;
- Rake bunkers;
- Avoid unnecessary damage.
This simply means that after causing damage to the course, it must be repaired.
That’s it.
This principle is certainly taught to beginners by instructors, as well as being reported everywhere on the web and in books.
Unlike the Rules of Golf, for which (possibly) a lifetime is not enough to study and learn them all, and for which enthusiasts engage in passionate discussions, there is nothing to study or review here as it is before an exam.
Yet, if we were to count on the course how many divots have not been replaced, how many pitch marks on the putting green have not been repaired, and how many bunkers are not perfectly raked, we are confident that we would count over a hundred and probably even more.
I doubt that during an amateur tournament (of any level), or during a simple day of general play, an equal number of Rules of Golf are broken, such as drops in taking relief, wrong balls played, moved balls, incorrect scorekeeping, etc., rules that require a little more ‘commitment’.
Why?
Taking care of the course also becomes, as it is, a corollary to the other two principles mentioned above, that of consideration for other players (who will otherwise suffer the damage caused and not repaired) and that of acting with integrity (that is, adhering to the rules, and this is indeed a rule) and which I will return to in a future article.
The ‘legislator’ has not provided for sanctions (penalties) for violations of the three aforementioned principles, except in serious cases and where a Code of Conduct is adopted. This does not mean that these violations are tolerated, it simply means that players are expected to observe ‘good manners’.
And without good manners, it’s no longer golf, it’s something else.
© Influgolfer
