From: dking@raul.nas.nasa.gov (Dan King)
Subject: Re: Practicing during a round?
Organization: Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Facility NASA
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 92 23:04:47 GMT
Reply-To: dking@raul.nas.nasa.gov (Dan King)


rb>In article <1992Apr15.194353.20212@osf.org> ron@osf.org (Ron Birnbaum) writes:
iw>In article <1220021@hpopd.pwd.hp.com>, ian@hpopd.pwd.hp.com (Ian Watson) writes:

iw>Wrong.  Your Dad was hard done by.  The worst he was guilty of was bad
iw>etiquette, for practising while his challenger had not finished the hole.
iw>Maybe that's why the other guy got shirty, but all the same he was still
iw>invoking a non-existent rule.  Once your Dad made the putt, the hole is over
iw>for him.  The rules allow you to take a practice stroke on the hole just played
iw>(or any hole already played ??).

rb> I don't think a player is allowed to practice any shot once he's finished
rb> with a hole. I know practice putting is allowed, but certainly regular
rb> full shots are not. How about chipping? In any case, the player may indeed have
rb> to wait for all members of his group to finish before being allowed to practice
rb> anything. Anybody have a rule book handy?

Guess what I have handy?

Looks like we may need more details.

From the USGA 1991 Rules of Golf:

Rule 7. PRACTICE

7-1 Before or between Rounds

a. MATCH PLAY
On a day of a match play competition, a player may practice on the
competition course before a round.
b. STROKE PLAY
On any day of a stroke play competition or play-off, a competitor shall
not practice on the competition course or test the surface of any
putting green on the course before a round or a play-off.  When two or
more rounds of a stroke competition are to be played over consecutive
days, practise between those rounds on any competition course
remaining to be played is prohibited.

Exception:  Practice putting or chipping on or near the first teeing
ground before starting a round or play-off is permitted.

Penalty For Breach of Rule 7-1b: Disqualification

Note: The committee may in the conditions of a competition (Rule 33-1)
prohibit practice on the competition course on any day of a match play
competition or permit practice on the competition course or part of the
course (Rules 33-2c) on any day or between rounds of stroke
competition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

If the conditions were just right for the original poster's dad, it
would appear this could possibly justify his disqualification.
If the poster's dad was playing stroke play, at the end of his round
if it was possible that he was going to be going to a play-off.  If this
is the case, then he was practicing between the round and the play-off
on the competition course and deserved the penalty.
I would guess the way to apply this rule is if without penalty, the
poster's dad was going to be in a play-off without any penalty, then
he should be disqualified.  If he wins the tournament out-right, then
no penalty and no disqualification.
If the poster's dad was playing match play, there is no specified
penalty for this practice stroke.  However, the tournament Committee
could have specific penaltys.

It would seem in stroke play, the poster's dad could have taken the
same practice putt on any other green after he had already holed out,
but on the 18th green after his round is completed, there could have
been the possibility of a playoff.  Just to be safe, it would be best
not to practice on the competition course once your round is completed.

Just for kicks, since I'm typing and I have the rules in front of me,
here is the rule for practicing during the round.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7-2 DURING ROUND
A player shall not play a practice stroke either during the play of a hole
or between the play of two holes except that, between the play of two
holes, the player may practice putting or chipping on or near the
putting green of the hole last played, any practice putting green or the
teeing ground of the next hole to be played in the round, provided such
practice stroke is not played from a hazard and does not unduly delay
play  (Rule 6-7).

Exception: When play has been suspended by the Committee, a player may,
prior to resumption of play, practice (a) as provided in this Rule,
(b) anywhere other than on the competition course and (c) as
otherwise permitted by the Committee.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 7-2:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two Strokes.
In the event of a breach between the play of two holes, the penalty
applies to the next hole.

Note 1:A practice swing is not a practice stroke and may be taken at
any place, provided the player does not breach the Rules.

Note 2:The Committee may prohibit practice on or near the putting
green of a hole last played.

>-Ron Birnbaum

Dan King




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