The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-06
REVISED RULES TO
GOVERN THE GOLFERS
Changes Which Players
Must Follow.
Mr.. MACD0NALD'S OPINION
Former Amateur Champion Would
Have Only One Cardinal
Condition.

Rules Of golf with rulings and inter-
pretatfons adopted recently by the Unit
ed States Golf Association. have left the
printers hands
A revision of the old order o. things
was made with view of simplifcation,
but from the fact that no less than
thirty-seven rules nov. confront golfers
as regards match play. sixteen relate 10
medal play, and twelve are devoted to
thTee-ban matches, there does not seem
to have been much boiling down.
Complications which it was hoped the
new rules would eradicate viii arise. as
under The old regime, and it is question
able if the time and labor expended by
the Royal and Ancient Golf Club com
mittee will be repaid by the object it
endeavored to attain.
The golf lawyer. or Shylock, as OF old.
can interpret conditions so that he can
demand his pound of flesh, or, in other
words, the man who plays strictly the
spirit of the game is still at the
mercy of the man who twists rules to
suit his own purpose
One Rule Should Govern.
In drawing Mr. Charles 3. MacdonaId's
attention to this, he was emphatic in
his denunciation of so much legislation
In fact he boldly asserted that the only
rule which should govern the game
should be after a ball has been hit
sro--, III 60. - -E,,.,.T5 - -.-.-11- g.,
where it lies" This would be welcomed
by all who play the game IN the true
spirit. and maybe some day the royal
and ancient people at St Andrews will
make this sweeping change.
As it is now, the cardinal rules which
should be observed by players are:
4 stroke-aparJ from the tee-is any
movement of the ball caused by the
player. or any downward movement of
/ the club made with the intention OF
/ striking the ball
! a player has addressed the ball when
/ he has taken up his position and
grounded his club, or. if il a hazard,
when he has taken up his position pre-
paratory 20 striking the ball
Any vessel. wheeIbarrow. tool. roller.
grass cutte-. box or similar obstruc-
ton may be removed. if a ball be moved
in so doing. it may be replaced with
out penalty. A ball lying On or touch
/ ing such obstruction, or on clothes. nets
OF ground under repair or covered up
or opened for the purpose Of the up
{ keep Of the links, may be lifted and
dropped without penalty, as near as pos
/ sibIe where il lay. but not nearer the
/ hole ball lifted in q hazard, under
such circumstances. shall be dropped in
the hazard.
A bail lying in q golf hole or flag
/ hole. or in a hole made by the green
/ keeper, may be lifted and dropped, with
out penalty, as near as possible TO the
/ place where it lay, but not nearer the
/ hole
] Ruling of the United States Golf As
! ISOLATION.
LAS near as possible" shall mean
within a club length # . ball lie on OF
within a club length of drain cover,
water pipe or hydrant. it may be lifted
and dropped without penalty as near as
/ possible 10 the place where it lay, but
not nearer the hole.
/ Before striking at a ball the player
shall not move, bend OF break anything
| fixed or growing within clubs length
OF the ball" etc
/ A player or caddie shall not press
down nor remove any irregularities Of
surface near a balI'in play.
Overflow of Water Hazard.
II the water in a recognized water
/ hazard overflow its usual boundaries. the
overlooked portion Of the course shall be
/ considered IS part OF the hazard and no,
/ as casual water.
/ player may stand out Of bounds Il
I play ball lying within bounds.
! among The special rules governing
/ stroke competition are:
/ II a competitor play from outside the
limits Of the teeing ground The penalty
shah be disqualification
When a competitors ball IS Within
/ twenty yards OF the hole, the competito.
shall not play until the Tag has beer
/ removed. under penalty Of one stroke
When both balls are on the putting
3 Z
| opponent 5 bail, the penalty shall be one
stroke The ball nearer the hole shah
on request OF the player. be either lifted
/ or hoIed out, al the option of the owner
under penalty OF his disqualification
Through the green competitor may
have any other competitors ball lifted
/ il he find that it interferes with his
stroke
Ruling Of The United States Golf Asso'
+ cistion-PenaIty: For playing before fac
has been removed, one stroke; for not
lifting or holding ball nearer the hole, as
above provided, disqualification. fol-
| striking opponents bail, one stroke.
/ Each competitor may have fore-cad-
die. but may not receive advice from
him.
The TWO SHAMR0CKS