By Senior Rules Officials, Pete Scholz and Terry McEvilly
Observed on the first Monday of September, Labor Day is a national holiday set aside to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. According to the Department of Labor, records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a "general holiday for the laboring classes" to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." We think that this is the perfect place to honor hard working Oregonians. Oregon was the first State to pass a law recognizing Labor Day in 1887. Seven years later, in 1894, it became a national holiday. Enjoy the day, have a picnic and play golf. When you are standing on the first tee, remember those who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur that lies before you.
September is also National Courtesy Month. Need we say more? Of course! We always have something to say about courtesy on the course, and this month is no exception. Test your knowledge of player conduct with the following questions.
Questions: True / False
1) If a player moves a tee-marker because he or she feels it is aimed in the wrong direction, there is a penalty of two strokes unless the tee-marker is replaced before making a stroke.
2) A player may be disqualified for repeatedly using vulgar or offensive language.
3) In anger after a poor shot, a player hits a tree with their club and bends the club. The player may continue the round, but must not use the damaged club.
4) A Committee in charge of a competition may set a standard for player behavior in a Code of Conduct adopted as a Local Rule. The Code may include one-stroke penalties, the general penalty of two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play, and disqualification from the competition.
5) As of 2019, there is no penalty for being late to the first tee, provided you are within 5 minutes of your scheduled start time.
6) As a player walks down the first fairway, he or she hits a few range balls back toward the range to clean up the course. The player has made practice strokes during play of the hole and gets the general penalty.
7) Players are responsible for applying the Rules to themselves and expected to apply all penalties for any breach of the Rules.
8) Unless the Committee has established a Pace of Play policy, there is no penalty for delaying play.
9) The Committee may disqualify a player for not fixing ball-marks on the putting green.
10) September 21st is World Gratitude Day, and while this is only one day to celebrate it, we are grateful each and every day for all our devoted readers of this article.
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Answers:
1) False. Rules 1.2a and 6.2b(4). The Rules do not provide a penalty structure for this action. However, the Committee in charge of the competition may disqualify a player if it considers the action to be a serious misconduct contrary to the spirit of the game.
2) True. Rule 1.2 and Clarification 1.2a/1. Repeatedly using offensive language is so contrary to the spirit of the game that the Committee in charge of the competition or course may disqualify a player for serious misconduct.
3) False. Rule 4.1a(2) and Clarification 1.2a/1. This action is unlikely to be considered serious misconduct and therefore, the player may continue the round. However, it is completely up to the Committee and if they consider the action to be a serious misconduct contrary to the spirit of the game, the player may be disqualified. If the player is allowed to continue the round, he or she may continue to use the club in its damaged state. And because the damage resulted from abuse of the club, the player may not repair the damage.
4) True. Rule 1.2b. Golf is a game of consideration of others, acting with integrity, and taking good care of the course. While every club should have a Code of Conduct Local Rule that includes a penalty structure similar to the one described in question 2, we hope that the Committee is never forced to use it.
5) False. Rule 5.3a. Even on September 5th, which is Be Late for Something Day, you will receive the general penalty of two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play unless exceptional circumstances prevented you from starting on time. In which case, there is no penalty. Be courteous to other players by being on time.
6) False. Rule 5.5a. Hitting a ball back to the practice range or to another player, when done solely as a courtesy, is not a breach of the Rules.
7) True. Rule 1.3b(1). Being honest and acting with integrity is consistent with the spirit of the game. Incurring penalties is part of playing golf that every player must accept. This may even include disqualification when the breach warrants it.
8) False. Rules 1.2a and 5.6. A Pace of Play policy is recommended to encourage and enforce prompt play. However, if no Pace of Play policy is in effect, a player may still receive one penalty stroke in both match play and stroke play for the first breach. A second breach earns the player the general penalty and a third will get the player disqualified. Be courteous to other golfers by playing at a prompt pace and allowing faster groups to play through.
9) True. Rule 1.2a. While this is unlikely to earn the player this harsh of penalty, the Committee does have this option if it finds that the player has committed serious misconduct. One of the easiest ways to show courtesy to other golfers is by taking good care of the course by repairing ball-marks, replacing divots, smoothing bunkers and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.
10) Thank You! We appreciate you!