Fair or Unfair

[BC MIST]

Based on the all the discussion from the other thread, let's discover what the 'silent majority' think about the issue.

[dreaded_snowman]

Having read the other thread, here's my opinion:
1. The rules of golf are, in general, good and fair for everyone
2. In that specific case (as noted by others), the key issue is that an obstruction was placed unreasonably close to the fairway. This, IMO, is the cause of all the fuss.
3. Based on the rules, and the obstruction placement, I think that placing the ball on the fairway was completely fair. It was within the rules, and that is the definition of fair. If the other competitor had landed there, he would have done the same thing.

Final observation: making light, short comments in forums is a touchy thing, because tone is lost and people can easily mistake you for an extremist.

[rezadue]

Rules are rules and they apply to everyone. And as long as they apply to everyone equally, they are fair.
Having said that, getting a free drop from the rough to fairway based on the existance of an obstruction would bring in an element of luck into the equation. And for that I would prefer to see the rule changed so that ball must be dropped in the same cut of grass.

[sillywilly]

can a ball be dropped from the rough onto the green?? if not, why??? would the same reason not apply to the rough/fairway discussion?

[LobWedge]

can a ball be dropped from the rough onto the green?? if not, why??? would the same reason not apply to the rough/fairway discussion?

The putting greens have separate rules altogether. If a ball that is to be dropped on any area through the green comes to rest on a putting green, it must be re-dropped. There's always 4 separate and distinct areas within the boundaries of a golf course, and each one has its own set of rules; Teeing Ground, Putting Green, Hazards, and Through the Green (everywhere else).

[BC MIST]

The putting greens have separate rules altogether. If a ball that is to be dropped on any area through the green comes to rest on a putting green, it must be re-dropped. There's always 4 separate and distinct areas within the boundaries of a golf course, and each one has its own set of rules; Teeing Ground, Putting Green, Hazards, and Through the Green (everywhere else).

Interestingly, in the case of casual water on a putting green, the ball may be PLACED through the green, if need be, to get relief.

[fundonny]

I think that the question that first brought up in the other thread evolved into "is it right or wrong?" Everyone plays by the same rule, so yes it's fair.

[fundonny]

Having said that, I'll vote if a new poll shows up that provides a true picture. This one should obviously result in 100% for fair, as I'm sure BC knows.

[jonf]

Yes, using the word 'logical' would likely provide a much more accurate result.

[BC MIST]

The 59:41 result this far is not surprising as I actually predicted that it would be closer to 50:50. The thinking being that it is my guess that the majority of golfers and the majority here, are more recreational players, than tournament players.

I would predict that if OVGA/Golf Quebec tournament players were surveyed, that the results would approach 100% in favour of "fair."

[fundonny]

I'm surprised myself, but I think that just shows that more folks thought the question more along the lines of right/wrong, logical/illogical, as Jon and I have been stating.

[Kiwi battler]

My ball's on the path , nearest point of relief is in a blackberries ......Im stuck taking an unplayable , or playing off the path ....fair ?

Good with the bad

[sillywilly]

I'm surprised myself, but I think that just shows that more folks thought the question more along the lines of right/wrong, logical/illogical, as Jon and I have been stating.

agreed

[PapaPat]

Ken Chapman’s Rules of the Green is generally regarded as the definitive work on the history of the Rules of Golf. In it, he points out that one of the major challenges of the 1951 world rules rationalization committee meetings, was the philosophical difference between the Europeans (mainly Scots), and the North Americans (mainly Americans). The American’s lobbied for fairness whereas the European’s felt that the game should be a microcosm of life full of unanticipated challenges and serendipity. It is my understanding that Nicklaus has lobbied for his whole career for relief from divots. The R&A will have none of it.

[sharkshooter]

My ball's on the path , nearest point of relief is in a blackberries ......Im stuck taking an unplayable , or playing off the path ....fair ?

Good with the bad

Everyone knows you should leave your blackberry in the car when you golf.

[Golfbum]

Everyone knows you should leave your blackberry in the car when you golf.

If you don't leave it in the car at least put the damn thing on VIBRATE!