As mentioned in the previous article, one of the principles which inspires the ‘Spirit of the Game’ in Golf is to ‘act with integrity’.
The Rules of Golf manual, in section 1.2a, provides further explanation by giving examples such as: following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of the game.
This principle, which should of course be followed in all sports, is particularly important in Golf due to the constant non-attendance, and in some cases even absence, of a figure appointed to oversee the fair conduct of the competition, namely the referee.
Given that this is the case in the majority of professional competitions, it cannot be expected that every flight during a tournament for amateurs is controlled by a referee. This also applies to general play, i.e. even when we play ‘out of competition’ with friends (and perhaps with a beer at stake).
Therefore, in most cases, the ‘fair’ conduct of the game of Golf, at any level, both in competition and out of competition with friends, is essentially left to the ‘integrity’ of the player himself.
Even though in life and in some sports the values of cunning and dishonesty may seem to be winning today (just think in sports of the footballer who feigns a foul in the penalty area: he should be banned, not just given a yellow card!), from experience I have noticed that there is always an advantage in being honest in Golf, and often in life.
The golfer who is suspended from tournaments for several months by a federal penalty for committing a fraudulent act will remain forever, I repeat forever, branded as dishonest (unless he changes clubs or sports, but rumours will always spread…). He may have paid for his illegal behaviour with his punishment, but he will never be able to recover his reputation. He will remain a ‘thief’ forever.
On the other hand, the player who has given up a victory in a tournament (but also out of competition) by inflicting a penalty on himself (perhaps not even seen by other players) will enjoy the highest reputation forever.
Well, there will certainly be someone who will call him a fool, but that is not a true golfer…
And there is no cup or beer won that is worth more than having an excellent reputation, as a person and as a player.
Without integrity, it is no longer Golf, it is something else.
© Influgolfer
