(Model Local Rules 8E-1, 8E-5, R18.3a, R14.6a) Facts Playing the 11th hole at OEI is like knocking the ball off the top of a skyscraper. The first calculation the player has to make is how much distance to take off the shot due to the dramatic elevation change. Regular players at OEI suggest discounting 30 yards when playing this hole from a teeing distance of 175-180 yards. Reader JH measured the distance perfectly. He failed to compensate for a cross…

Read More Read More

A Solemn Farewell The family was leaving. Foremost shed a few tears with the grandkids as they said good-bye. He then rushed to lock the gate behind them as they pulled out of the driveway. But what a fun week of hiking, swimming, and fellowship it had been …. the week had even included a little golf! F was delighted to play the gracious host, at least when such duties did not conflict with the Rules of Golf: (1) Ball…

Read More Read More

I’m afraid there is such a rich thesaurus now of things that I’ve said that have been one way or another, through what alchemy I do not know, somehow misconstrued, that it would really take me too long to engage in a full global itinerary of apology to all concerned* The Setting It was late. Foremost had just received an urgent and important call from Reader EC in the Hamptons. Apparently, over a table of Lobster Tacos at an exclusive…

Read More Read More

Facts Player BO sighed as his drive hooked into the bushes left of the 17th fairway at HCC. “Is that a Penalty Area?”, he asked. “Nope”, said Player PB. “The PA doesn’t start until the hole descends into the gully.” “Ok, said BO. “I’m going to hit a provisional.” He then hit his provisional in the same spot in the same cluster of bushes. “Darn!”, he exclaimed. “Maybe we can find one of them”. The players arrived at the bushes…

Read More Read More

The world breathed a sigh of relief when he announced that he would not retaliate. The response would not have been “proportional”, he explained later, and the evidence had not fully supported the conclusion that the opposition had even been at fault. Nevertheless, Foremost issued a stern warning to all opponents that he would remain ever-vigilant. Facts The Par-5 6th hole at OEI presents a daunting challenge off the tee box. The striking feature of the shot is the elevation…

Read More Read More

Facts Foremost played a blind uphill second shot into the Par 5 17th Hole at HCC from a lie right of the cart path on a slope descending into a creek-side Penalty Area. He was riding in the golf cart with opponent TD in a tight match with two holes to play. They approached the balls in the fairway, as all players had hit their second shots. Upon arriving at the first ball in the fairway, TD quickly grabbed an…

Read More Read More

She looked at Foremost …. a simple question in her eyes. They traded stares for what seemed like an eternity. An awkward silence ensued. Issue Would Foremost mark his damn ball? Facts F’s ball was in the fringe on the 9th hole of HCC, six inches off the putting green. DD was 4 feet off the putting green with a putter in her hand. F’s ball was directly in her putting line. Ruling A gentleman always, F would have loved…

Read More Read More

Facts An old-timer at the HCC in the mountains of N.C. advised Foremost that they had once considered naming the holes of the course. He said the names suggested for the 11th and 12th holes were Boomerang and Echo as approach shots falling short of the elevated putting greens might just come back to the player who executed the shot. F, perhaps a little intimidated, chose this opportunity to put these naming suggestions to the test. He bladed his short-iron…

Read More Read More

The chip shot from 20 yards failed to check. As the ball raced past the hole, it struck the ball of a fellow player and came to rest by the hole for a tap-in par. “That’s collusion!”, shouted Reader and opponent NZ, articulating the problem many players have with a practice more commonly referenced as “backstopping.” He pointed out that no one would ever leave a ball unmarked where it might assist an unpopular player….a Patrick Reed … or the…

Read More Read More

The University of the South* Sewanee, Tennessee Foremost was excited to play the recently renovated Sewanee Course which had received rave reviews. “Do you have any Local Rules?”, asked Foremost, making his usual inquiry at a new course. “Yep, cheat like hell” said the attendant, not missing a beat. Reader Rev CS, a Sewanee Divinity School alum, unwittingly took this advice to heart. Facts “It’s okay if I step down the grass by my ball, isn’t it?”, he asked as…

Read More Read More