Questions posted by our ROs

[Kilroy]

We now have 5 certified rules officials here who are all active posters. They are BC Mist, gbower, Lob Wedge, AAA and myself.

This really is an awesome opportunity to bring the rules of the game discussions to a new level here. It seems that we should lay out a few proceedures to follow... No I won't call them rules yet I'd like to get your feedback before we decide what to do going forward. Here's what I am thinking...

IMO There are 2 types of rules questions,

Ruling Wanted
Those we want an ruling for, usually to settle a situation that came up on the course or discuss a ruling we saw on TV that we don't understand.

Test
Those we know the answer to but it's an interesting question and we want to educate others and engage in discussion.

If a member here asks a rules question it would be safe to assume it's a Ruling Wanted question. Of course members are encouraged to post test questions too, but they should be specified as "Test" or some such.

If one of our RO's asks a question I think it would be just as safe to assume it a test question unless otherwise specified.

Ruling Wanted
a) We ALL do the best we can to offer an answer ASAP.
OR
b) The ROs hang back and correct any incorrect answers by members.
OR
c) The ROs give hints when people post incorrect answers to help get people on track.

Test
a) The ROs bow out until the correct answer is given, then they could engage in the discussion.
OR
b) The ROs give hints when people post incorrect answers to help get people on track.
IDEA
Users who answer the rules questions frequently could consider hanging back when they find the question obvious or simple to let others have a kick at the can.

Your thoughts?

[gbower]

I think something like you've suggested is good Dan. I know we don't know all the rulings and I'm really enjoying a lot of the discussions. While studying for the level 3 seminar things keep popping up that make for some good discussion and it helps me to learn also. I know when doing the online quizzes I miss many from not reading the question correctly. Most of the questions that I have posted have been in your test catagory trying to get some people thinking and learning. We started a couple of years ago doing this at our men's night and encouraged the members to bring up situations that had happened and we got lots of discussion and got us to dig deeper into the decisions book at times. We also stressed the rules heavily with the junior program.

[Kilroy]

So which of the options would you like to see adopted?

[jvincent]

I think the "Test" or "RW" classification is a good idea.

People could just put the classifier in the post title.

[gbower]

I agree on putting in the title Test or Ruling Wanted

[BC MIST]

I like your suggestion of RULING WANTED or TEST and I would prefer to hang back and offer hints after others have had a go at the ruling.

The more forum members we can get trying the questions or offering a ruling, the better.

[Indio]

I understand what you are trying to do but if someone posts for a ruling it is because he might need the ruling now... not after a few hours of 'well yes, but did you think about rule.....'

[Kilroy]

So is the priority giving a ruling or educating?

I suppose if you want a ruling now we could have a third class
Urgent - $ On The Line!

[jvincent]

I can see Bob now typing away furiously on his Crackberry trying to get a ruling.

[Kilroy]

We have a crack team ready to dig it up for him!

[Indio]

I can see Bob now typing away furiously on his Crackberry trying to get a ruling.

You betcha Just as soon as the forum is available in a format available for a crackberry

[LobWedge]

I like your suggestion of RULING WANTED or TEST and I would prefer to hang back and offer hints after others have had a go at the ruling.

The more forum members we can get trying the questions or offering a ruling, the better.

Same here.

[Started2k3]

Why not have two sub-categories under "Rules" - that way the poster can post appropriately.

I like "Ruling Wanted" (I like "a"), but I would change "test" to something like "Rule Discussion" (I like "b).

Also you might want to provide a "sticky" thread that could direct people either RCGA rules website, the R&A rules and decisions one (my preference), USGA rules or all.

Finally, did Gary provide any feedback when he was posting regularly?

Charles

[NoBack]

Dan

Why not create two forum groups under the two headings in Rules.
People can post in either in forum group.

Now, as for my choices

Ruling Wanted
a) We ALL do the best we can to offer an answer ASAP.

and in the test forum I would say

a) The ROs bow out until the correct answer is given, then they could engage in the discussion.
AND not OR
b) The ROs give hints when people post incorrect answers to help get people on track.

[AAA]

I would suggest that unless otherwise specified that a question is assumed to require a correct answer asap. It is likely to be from someone who is not aregular poster
If it is simply a hypo posed by a regular poster then it should be identified as such, either in the heading or the first line of the text.
Personally I don't like tests. It reminds me of school.

[Kilroy]

Lets break it up into sub sections...

1. Ruling Wanted
   Get aruling ASAP
   We ALL do the best we can to offer a ruling ASAP.
2. Hypothetical Rulings
   Challenge the group with an interesting situation
   The ROs give hints when people post incorrect answers to help get people on track.
   Once the correct answer is given, then they could engage in the discussion.
3. Discussion
   No rulings needed
   Free discussion of the rules

Is that going to cover it?

[gbower]

That looks pretty good Dan.

See you at the show later

[NoBack]

yep for me

[Started2k3]

Nice

[Indio]

Excellent!

[BC MIST]

Personally I don't like tests. It reminds me of school.

I didn't like tests either. I had to mark them.

[Skiddlydidly]

I like the new setup!

I've been learning alot from reading these rules discussions.

[Kilroy]

Great to hear!