Rules are rules...

[LobWedge]

Just wondering...

Also. Are there any rules you would like to see changed and why?

[powerlefty]

Two come to mind...

Lost ball - stroke and distance is quite punitive. I think it should be played as a lateral hazard. Why should hitting your ball into the forest be more punitive than hitting it into a lake? Besides a lot of resort courses already play a local rule that anything off the mowed areas is a lateral hazard.

Divots in the fairway should be Ground Under Repair - why penalize an excellent tee shot that lands in a divot?

[The Shtick]

If you don't follow the rules, why would they be there in the first place???

[spidey]

I voted 'Most of the time', as in:

I always follow what I think are the rules, but some of the time I find out that what I thought was true was not. So honestly, I cannot say I always follow the rules, since I don't yet have an encyclopedic knowledge of the rules, as Gary does.

On the other hand, I don't know if I'm ever likely to study the rules hard enough to know them like Gary. I'd rather study my game.... or the bottom of my beer mug ;-)

[Curious George]

Here's why Schtick: to have fun. If all players are playing the same rules, it shouldn't matter.

[The Shtick]

So you're saying that you don't have fun when you play by the rules??

[Curious George]

Yes, generally (for golf only) because I find some of the rules silly considering the courses I play on. Some do not mark ground under repair sometimes (when it clearly is). I think playing out of another player's divot pointless. And if I'm in the fairway, I refuse to play off of anything other than grass. It should be the reward for hitting the fairway.

When I play Eagle Creek, I never have to implement my modifications (because the course is immaculate), but if I play Vieux Moulins, then...

Keep in mind, I never compete, I have always golfed purely to measure how much my swing is improving. One day, I will compete, and I'll follow the rules to the letter.

When I compete, I never cheat, and I've always called fouls on myself (baseball, basketball, pool, etc.)

[Gary Hill]

If you would like to make a case for changing a Rule, fine.

If you are simply posting your excuses for cheating, please take it to the General forum.

[Curious George]

No, actually, I wasn't making a case for "cheating" or changing a rule, I was answering a direct question.

If you're making a case for being rude, score 10 for you.

[Gary Hill]

My post was directed at both of you.

If the question or the answer don't directly relate to the Rules of Golf, then the post doesn't belong here.

[Curious George]

I agree 100%. I didn't start the post, however.