I fully understand and appreciate the fact that golf is a game of integrity and honesty. I value this fact and I personally uphold this idea at all times. I am sorry that you may perceive that I am attempting to wiggle my way out of some penalty strokes, but this is not the case. I am merely trying to fully understand and learn from my mistake, so I do not repeat it in the future. During all my years of playing for fun and in tournaments, I had never enountered such a rule, and thus I found it to be quite strange. Some golf pros who I consulted in regards to this rule were unsure, and some even believed that I was not at fault!! I thank you all for your input, and I promise I will never hit balls against the fence again .