Local Rules : PGA Tournament Play

[Albatross]

While watching the Buick Invitational last week I noticed that Fred Couple's ball had become embedded in its own pitch mark as determined by a PGA Rules Official. The ball was clearly not " in the closely mown fairway " but rather in the rough collar around a sand trap. Fred was allowed to re-drop as near as possible to the embedded position. Was there a "through-the-green" plugged ball rule in effect ?

[Gary Hill]

The pros are given what is called a "hard card".

This contains Local Rules that will be in effect for the duration of the year.

They are also given supplemental weekly Local Rules sheets for course special Local Rules.

A Local Rule permitting free relief for a ball embedded "through the green" is included on the "hard card" of the:

PGA Tour
European Tour
Champions Tour
LPGA
Nationwide Tour
CPGA Tour
Ottawa Zone Professional Tour


So, if everybody is getting relief from an embedded ball through the green, why don't they just incorporate the Local Rule into the Rules of Golf?

[jvincent]

So, if everybody is getting relief from an embedded ball through the green, why don't they just incorporate the Local Rule into the Rules of Golf?

Because then they wouldn't be "special".

On a somewhat related note, I'd love to see them find their own golf balls without the aid of marshalls, spotters, and spectators.

I've seen some tour balls hit further off line, and found because of the above, than I've ever hit one in my life, which is no small feat.