A New Kind of "Sandbagger."

[natgolfer]

At our club, we had been playing under a one club length, preferred lie rule, particularly because some areas in the "rough" would render make a reasonable stroke impossible, and as a consequence, most of our handicaps may be artificially low. However, if we all move the ball, then no-one gains an advantage in club tournaments.

Conditions have improved so the rule has since been modified to a 12" preferred lie only.

Now, should a golfer have always played the ball as it lies and not moved it, his scores would be significantly higher than a golfer of comparable ability who chose to move the ball according to the local rule in place. Consequently, his handicap would be higher, too, thereby giving him a significant advantage in matches, where he chooses to move the ball.

The golfer who decided to play the ball down cannot be faulted for playing the game without touching the ball, but, if he admits he is doing this to keep his handicap up, would the committee be justified in lowering this golfers handicap for match play purposes?

[Gary Hill]

Originally posted by natgolfer
some areas in the "rough" would render making a reasonable stroke impossible

Am I to assume that you are playing preferred lies through the green?

The Committee does not have the authority to make such a Local Rule and such a Local Rule could jeopardize their RCGA club certification.

Taking relief under a Local Rule for "temporary conditions" such as mud, extreme wetness, poor conditions, etc. is OPTIONAL.

Sample: A ball lying on a closely mown area through the green MAY, without penalty, be moved or MAY be lifted, cleaned and placed within twelve inches of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard or on a putting green. A player MAY move or place his ball once and after the ball has been so moved or placed, it is in play.

Therefore, the Committee would have no justification to lower a handicap solely because a player played the ball as it lies.

Specifically to your question:

The Committee may adjust or withdraw a Handicap factor if a player purposely manipulates their score to influence their Handicap Factor.

Playing a more difficult lie is not necessarily "willfully and deliberately taking extra strokes to manipulate a score".

Is the player actually testing he recovery technics from a bad lie knowing that this may inadvertently increase his handicap or is he actually whacking away at an impossible lie for the sole purpose of adding to his total score?

Because of his admission, the Committee at your club would be justified in interviewing the player and others to determine the facts, but a final decision on the matter would be theirs alone.