Westwood calls for checks on golf clubs

There was an interesting thing, but not the first time. European number one Lee Westwood has called for compulsory checks to be introduced following the changes to the rules regarding grooves on golf clubs.

The new requirements came into force for professionals for the first time in Abu Dhabi last week, and outlaw “boxed” grooves in favour of a more “v” shape in an attempt to reduce the amount of spin.

As a matter of fact, The changes played a part in Westwood missing the cut on his first appearance of the season after being left in the dark over the legality of a new set of irons with testing only optional.

After missing the cut in Abu Dhabi, Westwood has since had the new discount golf clubs tested. And after they were found to be legal the world number four used them for the first time competitively during today’s first round at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

He carded a four under par 68 to sit just a shot adrift of leaders Oliver Wilson and Bradley Dredge.

Westwood believes once the decision was made to change the rules officials should have pre-empted any confusion by enforcing a time limit for players to have their clubs checked after the start of the new season to ensure a level playing field. He said, “I just don’t see the point in bringing that rule in, why leave it up to the individual?”

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Standards for declaring a ball unplayable

You may ever faced this situation many times that  following your first putt on the green, your ball rolled into a green-side bunker. Could you declare the ball ‘unplayable,’ and then went back to the last spot where you last hit it to re-play the shot? The answer is ”Yes”!

It’s counterintuitive, because declaring a ball unplayable when, in fact, the ball is eminently playable seems counter to the basic golf principle of “play it as it lies.”

In the scenario described above, the golfer would remove the ball with your golf equipment from the bunker, assess himself a 1-stroke penalty, place the ball at the spot of the original putt and try again. You never, ever see pros doing something like this because pros are unwilling to take the penalty. A golfer who is terrified of sand might, however, think that 1-stroke penalty is worth it to get out of the sand.

Fact is, a golfer can declare any ball unplayable, at any time, for any reason, and anywhere on the course other than in a water hazard. The penalty is one stroke with three options for how to proceed.

In the rulebook, it’s Rule 28, Ball Unplayable, and it’s as straightforward as can be:

“The player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.”

After taking a 1-stroke penalty, the three options for proceeding are to return to the spot of the previous stroke and play again; or drop within a length of two golf clubs, not nearer the hole; or drop behind the spot, going back as far as you want, keeping the original spot between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped.

If you declare a ball in a bunker unplayable and use the second or third option (taking a drop), you must drop in the bunker. For a little more explanation, read Rule 28. It’s every bit as clear as it sounds, even if that doesn’t sound quite right.

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Golf rules are important to your game

Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards, so is golf. Following are some of the basic golf rules and regulations to get you started towards having a fun time on the course.

• Never interfere with the golf ball’s movement while it is in play. You must always play the ball as it lies. The only exception to this rule is if you are taking a stroke penalty to move the ball from an unplayable lie.

• If you are hitting from the putting surface, and you strike the flagstick while it is in the hole, you will be penalized a stroke.

• If you think you have lost your ball or hit it out of bounds, play a provisional ball from the same place.

• On the tee box, you must tee up your ball between the two tee markers. You may play the ball up to two club lengths behind the tee markers, but never in front of them.

• If you are near the flagstick while another player is putting, it is your duty to tend the hole, or pull the flagstick from the hole before the player putts or before their ball reaches the hole.

• On the putting green, whichever player is farthest from the hole has the option of putting first.

• When playing out of a sand bunker, the face of your cheap golf clubs must not make contact with the ground until you are taking your stroke.

• You cannot press down on the ground to improve the line of your putt, but you may remove loose impediments from your putting line.

• Remain quiet and keep still when other players are hitting, putting, or in the midst of their shot routine.

• Many golf courses will have their own local rules or regulations in effect. Check with the club house before setting out on your round to see if there are any local rules you will need to abide by.

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