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Rules Take Center Stage

Ed Mate, CGA Executive Director - Aug. 30th, 2010


Between Dustin Johnson’s “bunker” and Julie Inkster’s “doughnut” fans of the professional tours have been privy to more information on the Rules of Golf than is discussed at a 4-day USGA/PGA Rules Seminar (yes, such a thing actually does exist).

Let’s start with Dustin Johnson. In case you’ve been on a 15-day Intergalactic golf trip to Jupiter and Saturn, Dustin Jensen received a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker on the 72nd hole of the PGA Championship that concluded on August 15th. The PGA of America made it abundantly clear to the players (through their Notice to Competitors) that any of these “sandy areas” outside of the ropes were to be treated as bunkers. Unfortunately for Johnson, he didn’t bother to familiarize himself with this document.

Julie Inkster’s Rules lesson came at the LPGA Safeway Classic the following week when she inadvertently violated Rule 14-3 for using a weighted doughnut to warm up during her round after a lengthy delay on the 10th hole. Decision 14-3/10 expressly covers this situation and Inkster was disqualified for a breach of Rule 14-3. Inkster’s misstep was observed by a knowledgeable fan watching on television. The fan sent an email to the LPGA tour that landed in the “in-box” of LPGA Director of Tournament Competitions Sue Witters who had the unenviable task of informing the Hall of Famer that she would not be playing the weekend despite her 8-under par total for the first two rounds.

Moral of the story—know the Rules! Every competition is governed by the following: The Rules of Golf, the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, any local rules in effect for the course being played, and, if the committee is doing a thorough job, a Notice to Competitors that covers any other rules-related matters for further clarification. Dustin Johnson admits that he did not read “the sheet.” This is why we (tournament officials) put the Notice to Competitors on the “flip side” of the hole location sheet. We do this intentionally so no golfer can say, “I never got that.” And if they do make that claim we simply reply, did you get a hole location sheet? While it was unfortunate to see such a mistake effect the outcome of the championship, the responsibility in the game of golf rests with the player. Both of these situations are a wonderful reminder to all of us who love the game and respect its traditions that in golf, you own your mistakes. When you hit it out of bounds you can’t blame the coach for sending in the wrong play. When you misjudge the speed of a green or the effect of the wind you can’t blame a teammate. And, when you don’t know the Rules you can’t blame “the committee.”

Golf is the only sport where the golfer serves as his or her own referee and that is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. I am sure it is a responsibility that Johnson and Inkster will view differently for the rest of their playing careers. Perhaps they may even take a vacation from the tour to attend a 4-day USGA/PGA Rules Seminar—it might just be the best $300 they ever spend.
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