Im curious??

Im new to this forum so I spent some time reading some previous posts and found a post that was interesting. Some guy here was quoting the USGA handbook and blasting someone else about following it to the letter. I think it had something to do with advice on the course. I guess my question is do alot of you play the USGA handbook to the letter? If I end up with a lie near a tree root or a rock or something I could damage my club or my bones I move it as little as possible so that neither occur. Now I know theoretically it's a violation but most of us are just weekend golfers. I count every shot and don't even roll the ball in the fairway but seems kind of stupid to risk injury or damage. I mean realistically you can't even tell your playing partners what club your using. Just curious as to how you all get through the round.

Who cares what you do in a social round, if it makes it more fun for you to move your ball into a position that helps you go for it but i wouldent, id take my punishment chip it back out to the fairway and play from there, surely your not going to damage your club or break a bone by taking a 9 iron and playing a chip and run??

Im not sayin take the ball and put it in a convenient location but if a rock or root is in the swing path you'd slam your equipment into a rock? Interesting.

If my Titleist was among roots and rocks I would either take an unplayable lie or chip it out, taking a full swing would more than likely injur you and your equipment.

If my Titleist was among roots and rocks I would either take an unplayable lie or chip it out, taking a full swing would more than likely injur you and your equipment.

you can remove a rock out of your way without penalty, just like moving a stick. now a root you cannot. but if you are playing for fun and dont want to count that as a stroke then why even keep score?

Your basically a cheat haha.

Only joking.

take it easy! we're talking about breaking a bone and scratching up our beloved irons!

Well ... if you want to count the score, and play to a registered handicap, take the unplayable penalty or chip it sideways.

That's the way the game is played.

Social games are what they are, but if you want a credible handicap, play by the letter of the rules (it's more fun too).

I agree "play it where it lies"

hi
its your judgement as what you want to do, take the risk of hurting yourself or take a drop where its safe and take a penalty, taking a drop would not hurt you and wont damage your irons, that why its in the rules.
golf is ment to be fun and if taking a drop is so painful then like all things taking the risk and acept the results.
bill

I wonder what percentage of golfers play using "Mulligans" or Winter "wipe and replace" rules even in the dead of Summer?

Many golfers are social players only and seem to "agree" on the rule variations amongst themselves.

I think if you want to play in tourneys or have a handicap, you need to count them all. Take a stroke for the unplayable lie. If it's not for a "serious score" like a tourney or a bet, then what does it matter if you count it? And if it is a serious score... play by the rules.

Like the American who asked his Scottish caddie at St. Andrews, "What do the Scots call a "Mullagan"?

"Lying 3".

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In a social game, I would protect my equipment. There is no reason to damage an iron do to a rock when you are playing for fun or even a smale amount of money. Now some of the guys I play with are more serious and demand everything is played as it lies, while others do not care as much. So for me it depends more on the attitude of those I play with.

Bob

If it was a social game I'd use my leather wedge. In a comp. round I'd play by the rules.

And therein lies the difference. I have this arguement all the time with my brother in law (who scores better than I, FWIW).

I argue that if you're going to keep score, you need to play 'tournament golf'. The rules are laid out plainly, along with the penalties for breaching them. To the point of properly marking your ball on the green, even.

If it's just social golf, then who cares what you do?