CHANGES TO THE rules of golf announced recently by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club and U.S. Golf Association are a decided step in the direction of common sense.
There are more than 600 pages and 34 main components in the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, so any addition calls to mind Mr. Bumble yelling at hungry young Oliver Twist. More?
With these rules, set to take effect, Jan. 1, less is decidedly more.
The most publicized rule change is one most golfers are already well aware of, it having been announced two years ago, the prohibition of anchored putting.
Rule 14-1b (Anchoring the Club) prohibits anchoring the club either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point” in making a stroke.
The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.
Other rules are less likely to rock the boat.
Players still face disqualification if they sign for a lower score on a hole.
However, the new exception to Rule 6-6d allows a player to avoid disqualification if the score includes a penalty that was discovered only after he signed his card.
Previously, players were disqualified if a violation was reported after the round because their scorecards did not account for the penalty strokes.
Starting in 2016, players would have the penalty added to the hole, along with an additional two-shot penalty for the scorecard error.
The other significant change to the rules involved when a ball at rest moves (Rule 18-2b)
Currently, if a ball moves after it has been addressed, the player is deemed to have caused the movement and is penalized one shot.
An exception was added in 2012 for instances when it’s certain it’s not the players fault, like playing in gusty winds.
Now, the rules no longer say players are guilty unless proved innocent. The penalty will be applied only if the facts show a player caused the ball to move.
Another rule change concerns “artificial devices or equipment” being used during a round.
This ranges from using a weighted donut affixed to a club for practice swings in a round, or using an electronic range finder or smartphone app.
Golf’s always thought itself a game that tests a person’s honor.
After calling a penalty on himself that cost him the 1925 U.S. Open, Bobby Jones is well-known for saying, “You might as well praise a man for not robbing a bank.”
Vets play for free
Active Duty military members and veterans looking to play Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim are in for a treat this Saturday and Sunday.
They will receive a free greens fee with the purchase of cart rental.
To set a tee time, phone the pro shop at 360-683-6344.
Work off that turkey
SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim will hold its annual Post Turkey Day Two-Person Scramble and Better Ball tourney on Friday, Nov. 27.
Play opens with a front nine scramble, with men playing from the green tees and women teeing off from the purple tees.
A minimum of three drives per player must be used.
On the back nine, the format switches to better ball.
Teams must take three gross scores from each partner to arrive at a score.
Barring frost, the event has a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Entry is $60 per team, with a $20 per team honey pot.
Gross and net prizes will be awarded and players will compete for KP and LP honors.
Lunch will follow play, and an optional six-hole horserace scramble ($10) follows the meal.
Carts are available for $15 per seat.
SunLand women
SunLand Golf & Country Club member Nancy Harlan checked in with a report on the The SunLand Women’s Golf Association.
The ladies held their last general meeting of the season, which was held in conjunction with golf and a luncheon.
Officers for 2015 were thanked enthusiastically by Captain Cheryl Coulter and presented with a gift.
In turn, Coulter was presented with a lovely desk clock engraved to honor her year as Captain.
The 2016 officers were announced and given good wishes to help them lead in the year to come. They are as follows: Captain: Cheryl Coulter; Assistant Captain: Eileen Larson; Secretary: Geri O’Claray; Treasurer: Ruth Lowe; Rules Chair: Judy Flanders and Handicap Chair: Mary Kubas-Meyer.
End of year awards were announced and presented with pins and/or certificates:
■ Most Improved golfer: Kitty Merrifield
■ Most Birdies: Effie Bentley, Ruth Lowe, and Dorene Berard tied
■ Eagles: Nan Godfrey, Silver Tees and Bobbie Piety, Red Tees
■ Beak 100: Barbara Slagoske
■ Break 90: Janet Real
■ Hole-in-one: Cheryl Coulter
■ “Atta Girl” Award: Cecil Black.
The group closed their season with a Halloween tournament, joining forces with the SunLand Lady Niners.
“Witches and goblins galore were overseeing the golf course and greeted the golfers appropriately with cackles and screams,” Harlan said.
Cackles and screams, huh? Sounds like anybody watching me hit the ball.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3525, ext. 5152, or pdngolf@gmail.com.
