+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 15 of 15
Thread: Grounding the Putter
-
09-14-2006 11:53 AM #1
- Join Date
- Aug 2004
- Posts
- 44
Grounding the Putter
I've heard of this happenning while watching some PGA events, however each time this occurs, it seems they talk about everything BUT the details of this rule. Can someone explain this rule?
-
09-14-2006 11:57 AM #2
There's no rule against grounding your putter.
The issue is that if the ball moves after addressing the ball, there is a penalty. See the definition of addressing the ball from the rules below.
Addressing the Ball
A player has “addressed the ball’’ when he has taken his stance and has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.
-
09-14-2006 12:06 PM #3
- Join Date
- Aug 2004
- Posts
- 44
Ah-ha! Thanks for the clarification.
-
09-15-2006 12:49 PM #4
If I addressed my balls, do you think people would mail them back to me when they find them in the bushes?
-
09-15-2006 01:02 PM #5Originally Posted by sharkshooter
That may very well be the Punniest joke of the week
-
09-15-2006 04:21 PM #6
I believe the player doesn't ground his putter if it's for simple tap-in and on other player's line...
-
09-16-2006 10:46 PM #7
If you are watching tour events and there are very high winds many of the players will not ground their putter just in case the ball is moved by the wind. A case of knowing the rule and the possible penalty and using it to your advantage.
-
09-17-2006 04:26 AM #8
- Join Date
- Jul 2005
- Location
- Liverpool
- Posts
- 1,340
Originally Posted by Tanglegrip
-
09-27-2006 09:21 AM #9
Who want to ground there putter, if you do ground it to the side, like jasper he comes inches to hitting his ball while practice putting.
-
09-27-2006 11:28 AM #10
- Join Date
- Feb 2004
- Posts
- 4,163
Originally Posted by jvincent
-
09-27-2006 03:13 PM #11
When you ground your club is important. You cannot ground your club in a hazard, but you can use it to regain your balance, or search for a ball.
If you don't want to be called for causing your ball to move, then you want to be seen to be following the letter and intent of the rule. If it's difficult to distinguish between when you have taken your stance and when you have grounded your club while you have taken your stance, then you're setting yourself up for a dispute. The rule does not state that you must be in a certain position at a point in time, so if you are grounding your club at any point during the time that you are taking your stance, I would say that is incontravertible proof you have addressed the ball.
For instance, if you ground your club behind the ball, then begin to take your stance while you lift the club, then I would argue that you have addressed the ball. I would say that it's equal to addressing the ball, then stepping back, in the mistaken belief that you can 'un-address' the ball and 're-address' the ball.
If you ground your club at any point in your routine to address the ball, then I would argue that you have addressed the ball. On the other hand, I would argue that you have not addressed the ball if your grounding the club is separate and distinct from your routine to address the ball.[color=blue]s[/color][color=red]p[/color][color=blue]i[/color][color=red]d[/color][color=blue]e[/color][color=red]y[/color]
[color=seagreen]"Got more dirt than ball. Here we go again."
Alan Shepard, Apollo 14 Commander, Amateur-Golfer, preparing to take another swing during his famous moon walk in 1971.
[/color]
-
09-27-2006 03:49 PM #12Originally Posted by BC MIST
There was a long debate as to whether she had actually "addressed" the ball or not since part of her routine included grounding the club. In that particular case they looked at some tape of her routine and if I remember correctly determined that she had not "addressed" the ball since her pre-shot routine was not complete and the grounding of the club was not part of addressing the ball.
Of course there are also people who never ground the club when addressing the ball, so the obvious question is how do you apply the rule to them?
-
09-27-2006 05:27 PM #13Originally Posted by jvincent
With golf being a game of honour, the question is ultimately left with the player. IMO, "addressing" the ball is the short time just prior to executing the stroke where all of your preparation, or "pre-shot" processes have ended.
Jim Furyk's putting routine is a good example. There's that moment where he grounds the putter behind the ball, and then a split second later he backs off and takes a last look at the line. Has he "addressed" the ball in that instant. No. But, if he causes the ball to move as a result of that action, because his ball is in play, he has broken Rule 18-2 and incurs a one stroke penalty.When applying the Rules, you follow them line by line. You don't read between them.
-
09-27-2006 05:38 PM #14Originally Posted by LobWedge
A player has “addressed the ball’’ when he has taken his stance AND has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.
Oh yes it does !!!
-
09-27-2006 09:19 PM #15Originally Posted by Gary Hill
Oh no it don't.
When applying the Rules, you follow them line by line. You don't read between them.
Thread Information
Users Browsing this Thread
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Similar Threads
-
Grounding club
By tyorke1 in forum Rules Of GolfReplies: 9Last Post: 07-12-2011, 06:01 PM -
LH CALLAWAY RAZR X # 3 HYBRID & NIKE MC-5i METHOD CORE PUTTER Tigers current putter
By beef in forum Left Hand ClubsReplies: 2Last Post: 04-26-2011, 06:34 PM -
Grounding club in a bunker.
By Darin_CS in forum Rules Of GolfReplies: 14Last Post: 06-26-2006, 01:04 PM -
Quality Titleist Irons, Scotty Cameron Putter, Mizuno Putter
By btasse in forum Right Hand SetsReplies: 13Last Post: 06-03-2006, 06:19 AM -
Question about grounding club in hazard
By Andru in forum Rules Of GolfReplies: 2Last Post: 05-17-2004, 09:24 PM