The Rules of Golf Are Complicated! Thankfully, we have the teacher. our Rules Guy knows the book inside out. Have a question? He has all the answers.
I know that it is illegal to use the slope feature on a rangefinder in tournament play, but that players can agree to waive the rule for casual play. My question: If the slope feature is used, can the score be posted for handicap purposes? – Thomas A. Franko, via email
The Rules Guy, as you can imagine, isn’t big on randomness. We sometimes get away with a pocket square on the occasional Friday, but that’s about it.
Regarding your question specifically: This situation appears in a Clarification to the Handicap Rules: Clarification 2.1b/2 recommends that a point made while using a DMD (Distance Measuring Device, not to be confused with its distant relative WMD) to measure changes in slope is not acceptable for handicap purposes.
For more instructions on posting results from our tutor, read on…
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Rules Guy: How should you record your score if you finish the last few holes yourself?
Rules Guy
I generally play from a set with one tip up from the back. If there is a particular hole with an impressive tee box from the tops, can I go back and play from there just for that hole? Also, if it’s a match and my opponent agrees to do the same, is that ok? And would my round still be legitimate for handicap purposes? – Andy Wiegert, St. Louis, MO
Instead of tipping your driver, Andy, just bring a camera.
Rule 6.1b requires you to play from within the teeing area; which set of peak markers is for your roof area is specified by the Committee. You as a player have no right to cancel the Committee willfully or otherwise.
In a stroke play, you will receive two penalty strokes for playing from outside the teeing area and must correct the error before starting another hole or be disqualified.
In a match, you and your opponent technically won’t be penalized if you agree to play in the wrong practice area as long as you didn’t know you weren’t allowed to make that change by agreement. (Now that you’ve read that sentence, that’s no longer possible; agree to disregard a rule, and you’re both disqualified under Rule 1.3b.)
As for posting a result, if a course rating and slope rating does not exist for a particular combination of groups being played (ie Black/Blue, Blue/White, etc. — something more courses are doing), a provisional course rating and slope rating will need to be approved and released by the Golf Association acceptable to Alli.
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