A Matter of “Culture”

A Matter of “Culture”

Men’s Games The Men’s games are in full swing in the mountains and Foremost has to say he is impressed to date with the overwhelming adherence and devotion by all to the Rules of Golf. Certainly, “the gimmee” remains a constant and undefined variable, however, and Foremost has to admit that even he (thank you) has been the welcome recipient of perhaps-questionable gimmee concessions from time to time (“I guarantee you nobody else is putting that”, or, “it isn’t gonna…

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F Rulings — On a Slippery Slope

F Rulings — On a Slippery Slope

The players were relieved when spry, young golfer RGC leapt to his feet after a scary looking slide on his backside down a muddy GUR slope off the 5th hole at BMCC. Much of the slope from the green to the sixth hole fairway was under repair from damages done by sledders over the winter snows. “No More Sledding” is now the Rule, by club edict, although RCG apparently hadn’t paid attention to this new rule as his swift and…

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Saving the Planet

Saving the Planet

I. Facts “A Case for Virtue and Morality” A rather benign rules day changed suddenly and dramatically on the Par 5 6th hole of HCC with misfortunes off the tee by Player BB. His drive was eventually found just short of the pond at the base of the hill nestled snuggly in a bed of daffodil stems. F was anxious to see him play his next shot. Instead, fellow player JH offered BB immediate free relief. “Take a drop”, he…

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Construction Issues

Construction Issues

It’s crunch time for golf course superintendents everywhere as they work frantically to get their course ready for spring! Such is certainly the case at BMCC, where clubhouse construction activities, coupled with course maintenance activities, often have golfers dodging workers and equipment seemingly at every turn. Although this work is well-managed and scheduled, and workers appear well-trained in avoiding actions which might interfere with play, the paths of work, workers, and golfers occasionally intersect. I. Facts Foremost and his group…

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Tee Tantrums

Tee Tantrums

“ I would not have used this tee if it was a sanctioned event.” HC I. Facts Of course, all play is “sanctioned “ when Foremost is around, which is probably why he was asked to review the possibility of a serious equipment violation at BMCC by a heretofore well-respected golfer. Opponents called a foul on Reader HC who showed up and played with what his opponents suspected might be a non-conforming tee. Specifically, they questioned the directional arrow on…

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No Handshakes! (Rs 13.2 and 20.2).

No Handshakes! (Rs 13.2 and 20.2).

  Foremost doesn’t remember if customary handshakes followed the completion of play on the 18th green. “We might have a problem”, opponent JS had noted, almost before the last putt stopped rattling in the hole. A polite Rules discussion ensued and continued as the players walked off the green and around the construction fencing to the bag room. Facts F (who admittedly had been on the receiving end of several strokes in the match) was One-Up heading into the…

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Mud Balls (R8.1; Def’s: Loose Impediments, Conditions Affecting the Stroke, Lie)

Mud Balls (R8.1; Def’s: Loose Impediments, Conditions Affecting the Stroke, Lie)

The difference between golf and government: “In government, you can always improve your lie.” * Facts A passionate rules discussion was underway as Foremost entered the room. Three tables of younger golfers, just returned from a team competition, were paying close attention … all with a tight hold on their wallets pending the resolution of the dispute. A penalty had been called on Player BV, a penalty which evidently would weigh on the direction and size of the final purse….

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“Sparks Fly”

“Sparks Fly”

    (Rules 18.2; 9.4; 7.3; 14.5; 3.2; 11; 16.1; 1.3; Def. “Lost”; Int.18.2)  Foremost borrows a title from the Taylor Swift song catalogue to summarize one of his recent golf outings. The opponent, a good friend who shall remain nameless (although he has connections at the very highest level) made a loud point of criticizing F’s boring insistence on the ROG, a criticism which, in retrospect, might have been justified in this case (F usually reserves…

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Foremost To Offer A Cooking Class!

Foremost To Offer A Cooking Class!

( Rs 15.1a; 10.2b(2); 1.3b; Def.  “Line of Play”)  Foremost’s golf season ended somewhat prematurely! As the summer drew to a close, he was hosting family and awaiting a late morning tee time. He decided to do something productive and cook a few eggs, maybe an omelet or two for his guests. F is a great cook! In short time, however, the skillet flared as F sprayed it with Pam, and F’s feet apparently slipped and never hit the ground…

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Knock, Knock, Knock on Wood

Knock, Knock, Knock on Wood

I. Facts Under threatening skies at HCC, Reader RoRo pulled an el-foldo leaving a threesome of stalwart golfers on the first tee poised for battle. The problem faced was how to handicap a match with Reader KBP carrying a 4 handicap and playing from the #1 tees and TDa and Foremost carrying 15 handicaps and electing to play from the #3 tees, a distance difference of a full sand wedge on many of the holes. Foremost suggested that KBP should…

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