The rules of Golf are quite complicated, let’s admit it. For some, they are even one of the reasons that discourage approaching this sport, while for others they contribute to generating its charm. The “regulatory framework” resulting from the modernization that took place in 2019, precisely to make them simpler to understand and apply, unfortunately remains quite complex.
In fact, without going into too much detail and just for indicative purposes:
- The Rules of Golf before 2019 consisted of, in addition to the “Etiquette” section and definitions, 34 rules (with more paragraphs and exceptions), four appendices, and hundreds of decisions;
- The current Rules of Golf consist of, in addition to the definitions, 24 rules (also with more paragraphs and exceptions) and numerous references both to the “Procedures for the Committee,” which include 9 sections (which in turn are divided into other subsections) and to the “Type of Local Rules” (eighth section of the aforementioned Procedures), which amount to more than seventy. In addition, of course, to all the “clarifications” that have followed, and which, with the update of April 7, 2021, correspond to about thirty additional interventions.
Frankly, even with the advent of this “simplification,” it is difficult to expect that anyone who wants to play golf can have a good knowledge of the rules.
It should also be noted that, to expand the “framework,” one can also add: the Technical Regulations, the World Handicap System Manual (formerly the EGA System before 2019), and especially, in this period of pandemic, the F.I.G. Protocol to counter and reduce the risks of Covid-19 contagion.
However, to play golf, it is necessary to:
- acquire a certain level of knowledge of the rules to be able to practice it correctly, especially during competitions;
- scrupulously observe the “behavioral” norms, out of respect for others.
As for the first point, assuming that we are talking about amateur golf and not professional, to determine the extent of the knowledge level required, a distinction could be made between:
- General play
- Club competition
- Agonistic-level competition.
For General Play, we refer to “recreational” play, among friends, the one, to be precise, with the “beer” at stake. Not to be confused with what has recently become, unfortunately, despite bearing the same name (just to generate further confusion, I guess!), what used to be the Extra Day Score[1]. In this case, knowledge of some basic rules and, within them, their application in the simplest formulation is sufficient. For example: field played as it is, ball played as it is (and here you never go wrong!), lost ball, out of bounds and unplayable, impediments, obstructions, and related drops.
For recreational play, therefore, one could adopt what was recently provided in Italy by the F.I.G. (Italian Golf Federation) with Circular No. 15 of April 21, 2021, according to which, for neophytes, it is no longer necessary to pass the Golf rules test at the end of the relevant course organized by the Club, although attendance remains mandatory.
For the club competition, as it is a competition, even if it were only the so-called ‘Strawberry Cup’, the minimum level of knowledge of the rules should necessarily increase: in addition to an in-depth study of the aforementioned rules, others should be known, such as: identifying the ball, lifting and marking it, advice, wrong ball, playing from the wrong place, penalty areas, and other forms of play. If there is any doubt, it is sufficient to call the referee to obtain a ruling or play two balls (Reg. 20.1c(3)), nothing else is necessary.
Therefore, for these competitions, the above-mentioned F.I.G. provision would appear to be less justifiable, which, to further facilitate the access of beginners, allows for the obtaining of a Handicap Index of 54 and the possibility of playing in competitions without passing the rules test[2]. Whether the test is a deterrent for new players who want to play competitions is debatable (the problems of approaching golf are others and it is a topic we will return to), it is even less plausible to rely on the regularity of a competition played by players who do not know the rules well.
Finally, for amateur competitive events, i.e., competitions from the ‘national’ level and above, one should obviously have an excellent knowledge of all the rules, and therefore, for the reasons stated above, the need to take the test appears indispensable.
We must always remember that golf competitions differ from other sports competitions in that they lack constant referee supervision. Therefore, to ensure the fairness of the game, we rely on the player’s knowledge of the rules.
This is the reason, in the opinion of the author, for the need to pass the rules exam in golf to play any type of competition, which would not be necessary for other sports.
In conclusion, assuming that the triple distinction regarding the necessary level of knowledge of the rules depending on the situation indicated in the first point is correct and justifiable, to play golf, one must absolutely respect, above all, the second point, which is considered the ‘common denominator’ of golf, essential and non-negotiable at any level and which does not require any particular study.
What do you imagine that is?
The ‘Spirit of the Game’, of course.
Otherwise, it’s not golf, it’s something else.
[1] The same ‘Synthetic Guide, Handicap Rules, World Handicap System’, ed. 2020 F.I.G., version 1.2, defines General Play as the game of “when an organized competition is not being played and players are playing either a casual round or an unofficial competition (not organized by a club or authorized body).”
[2] See Synthetic Guide, Handicap Rules, World Handicap System’, ed. F.I.G. 2020, version 1.5, section E.
©Influgolfer
