(Rules 9.6 and 16.3; Def.s “Outside Influence”. “Abnormal Course Conditions”, “Temporary Water”, “Known or Virtually Certain”) I. Facts – Ball Theft In a three-ball match-play competition at OEI, opponent DS yanked his opening drive into a landscaped area between the 1st and 9th fairways — an area populated by a few trees, a few large bushes, and pine straw. As his unsuccessful search was drawing to a close, a player from a group playing #9 approached and asked if he…
(Rs 17.3; 15.2; and16.1a(2)); Def., “Out of Bounds”) This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of James Dickey’s award-winning novel “Deliverance” which was set fictionally in North Georgia, just a few hills and streams over from a couple of the golf courses mentioned frequently in this blog. In fact, Foremost was riding down a stream-lined road the other day thinking about “Deliverance” … and, of course, the Rules of Golf. For those who didn’t read the book, or…
The Livingston field breathed a sigh of relief as contestants reviewed the brackets and found that Foremost and his formidable partner, WT, would not be in the competition. Although he is generally not one to point fingers, F would have to lay the blame for this sad and noteworthy development exclusively on WT, who had volunteered to handle the registration. An explanation is in order. WT claimed that he had logged into the registration site precisely at the appointed time,…
(Rs 14,15, 6, 1.3c(4)) Foremost was in a state of deep reflection as he waded into his chicken burrito bowl. How, he wondered, would he ever be able to take advantage of his Chipotle gift card in this evolving, food-delivery world of Covid? Why did he have to confirm he wanted guac every time he used the Uber delivery App? Of course he wanted guac! Suddenly, a notification chimed on his cell phone. It was from Reader LB who had…
Peyton/Tiger v Phil/Brady (Questions Raised About $20MM Purse)! While The Match didn’t quite replace the the Masters this spring, it did break the sports quarantine and provide plenty of action for a golf-starved, television audience. Foremost was delighted to have priority seating on his sofa for this event and was, of course, thrilled to see a Rules issue arise during the Match! The incident that gathered all of the attention was Tom Brady’s request for help in taking relief from…
(1) A Late Arrival Foremost was late for his tee time. He arrived as his group was playing their second shots on the Par 5 Hole #1. Realizing his error, F raced to the tee box and hit his drive without touching his toes, putting on a glove, or taking a single practice swing. His next two shots were hit in similar fashion, and he finished the hole making a snappy 5, net 4. He wishes the rest of the…
(1) Facts — Marking and Lifting Foremost thought he had dunked his wedge shot on the Par 5, 8th hole at BMCC. The ball landed softly and, from F’s vantage point in the fairway, appeared to come to rest only a couple of feet from the pin. F was excited to have a birdie putt, a short one at that! As so often happens, however, by the time F had navigated the stepping stones through the creek and accomplished the…
Foremost well remembers the first post-matrimonial advice he was ever given related to golf. An older gentleman, a close family friend, engaged F at his wedding reception with two suggestions: First, he said, offer to help clean the new china and make sure that in doing so, you drop and break the nicest gift, the finest piece … you will never have to fool with that stuff again. Second, he said, let your bride know that as a devoted husband,…
In recent Covid Tour, Four-Ball action at BMCC, Foremost encountered a couple of situations in which actions by a player may have led to a penalty for his unwitting, unsuspecting, and innocent partner. (1)Facts – A Fish Story A flash flood left player JS with an unusual lie recently as he found a fish interfering with his swing path on the 4th hole at BMCC. “It’s dead”, said RM, who was on his knees with his head tilted, apparently listening…
Foremost suspects many of his Readers in recent days have been pondering when, and if, it is ever possible for a player to play two balls in match play. Hmmm… Certainly, a player in stroke play has the option to finish a hole with two balls if he questions the correct procedure he should follow under the Rules, and he complies with the notice and reporting provisions of R20.1c(3). In match play, however, the two-ball option is not available for…