What golf rule would you change?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Tiger was asked that question in Golf Digest this month. His answer: Not being able to re-place your ball on the fairway if it lands in a sand filled divot.

Here’s mine: Not being able to repair spike marks on the green. I never understood that, since you can remove or repair almost all other “unnatural” feature on the green.

What rule would you change if you could?

2

This is a matter of opinion rather than fact, so I’ll move this thread to IMHO.

bibliophage
moderator GQ

3

Several:

  1. allow naked chick caddies.
  2. everyone’s encouraged to heckle before shots, and huge airhorn is blown during the backswing.
  3. player can use club on other players, cost one penalty stroke
  4. announcers must shout at tops of their lungs
  5. have cheerleading groups of women who do that Arab warbling thing.
  6. players can opt to kick instead of hit the ball with a club, and they are not allowed to stop forward motion for more than 2 seconds. Just walk up to the ball and hit it, dammit.
4

Which Gulf Ruler would I change???

5

For this, I would start watching golf.

6

The designated hitter rule.

7

I think the loose impediments rule needs another look. Remember how Tiger had some spectactors move that giant boulder out of his path that was somehow a loose impediment?

I also think the spring-like face rules should be relaxed, at least on the amateur level (maybe everywhere except the Tour and USGA championships). I don’t think anyone has ever given up golf on the grounds that it’s too easy.

8

I’d have to go with the stroke and distance rule for hitting a ball OB. You hit your ball into a hazard off the tee and you get up to three choices to hit your 3rd shot (adding the penalty stroke), yet if you hit your shot OB, your laying three and still on the tee box.

9

You’re not allowed to use grass.

10

Two words: contact sport.

11

Players may, at ther option, replace their nine-iron with a shotgun. Shooting opponent’s ball out of midair automatically wins you the hole in match play.

12

I would recommend a general easing of rules for recreational players and not-immaculately maintained courses.
Such as the afore mentioned improve your lie in the fairway.
Or maybe being able to give yourself a re-rake in traps. Encouragement of ready golf with the possible exception of on the greens.
Maybe a way to decrease interminable searches for lost balls and debates over where to drop. Maybe if the player is willing to declare the ball lost and take a stroke, he can take a stroke and drop it just off the fairway near where he thinks the ball went.
Encourage drops with a stroke on the other side of water hazards.

These suggestions are made in the spirit of speeding up play and increasing enjoyment for the average golfer who - face it - really isn’t very good. What percentage of golfers do you believe ever break 100? I’ll bet it is no more than 30%.

As the player’s ability improves, as he plays better-maintained courses, and/or in certain competitions, more or all of the official rules will apply.

13

Bryan: I is wit ya on dis one! I actually suggested this in an impromptu challenge in Wasilla, Alaska, last year. I even had all the implements needed to carry out the suggestion. The challenger politely declined… I had trouble finding folks to form a foursome with…

14

SilentGoldfish: Ya beat me to it.

How about both players use the same ball? Whichever one sinks it first gets the credit.

15

Man bras would be required for those that really need them. Phil, I’m talking to you. :wink:

16

Dinsdale is on to something. His description is basically how I play, of course, I don’t play for money, nor do I really compare myself to others, score-wise. Thankfully, the people I normally play with don’t hassle me about it and even encourage easy play, “just drop it in the fairway, why make it harder for yourself?”

All these heavy and restrictive rules really make the game so tough that you can’t enjoy it (when you’re not so good at it). When you get good, playing strict is fine because most of the time you have clear shots, and you only get penalized when you really screw it up.

The only official rule I’d change would have to do with equipment. I think that rules need to be stricter on equipment, especially for pros. Courses are built assuming certain lengths, why have to change them (the hardest thing to change) to accomodate longer hitting equipment? BTW, the same goes for tennis, the darned equipment has made the men’s game a total bore, I used to like seeing the ball go back and forth more than 3 times.

17

-Everyone uses the same make/brand of balls.

-Put a SIZE restriction of some clubs. How long before someone just attaches a 747 to the driver shaft and hits with that?

-Restrict material types used in clubs/shafts/etc

-less time to hit the ball

18

There are some bizaare, inconsistent rules:

Decision 18/2 Ball Oscillates During Address
*Q. In addressing the ball, a player accidentally causes the ball to oscillate, but it returns to its original position. Has the ball “moved”?

A. No.*

Rule 18-2, b. Ball Moving After Address

*If a player’s ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player shall be deemed to have moved the ball and shall incur a penalty stroke. The player shall replace the ball unless the movement of the ball occurs after he has begun his swing and he does not discontinue his swing. *

This means that you can place your wedge behind the ball and jiggle it… no penalty as long as it returns to the original position; however if you are on the green and address the ball by placing your putter behind it (not even touching) and then a gust of wind moves the ball… one stroke penalty!