Golf set to emerge from the shadows with a new set of guidelines

06 May 2020: The suspension of sport has been hotly debated around the world since the Coronavirus contagion sent athletes indoors. The German football body announced earlier that the Bundesliga will make an effort to return to action during the second half of this month. While the world watches these developments with scepticism, golf appears to be among the few sports that could truly emerge, albeit with a set of reconsidered rules.

The emergence of new or moderated rules isn’t new to golf. In the times of the second world war, several clubs in England resorted to moderated rules to enable the continued use of their facilities, even though not for professional golf. It remains to be seen if the major tours look at the possibility of playing events without any ranking points till travel restrictions are uniform around the world. It could be one way of enabling the indulgence without creating an uneven situation for golfers that are unable or unwilling to travel at this time.

Meanwhile, the R&A has issued a set of guidelines in March to enable golfers pursue the sport without full adherence to the Rules of Golf.

Scoring in Stroke Play (Rule 3.3b)
“In view of concerns around handling and exchanging scorecards (which may be in paper or electronic form as already provided in the Rules), on a temporary basis, Committees may choose to allow methods of scoring in stroke play that do not strictly comply with Rule 3.3b, or do not comply with the normal methods used under Rule 3.3b.

For example:
Players may enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it).
It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place.
It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the Committee provided the Committee can accept the scores in another way.”

Those guidelines open a window to an alternative mechanism of scoring, perhaps even digital allowing for a substantive shift in one of the most valued traditions in golf, built on self discipline, honesty and trust. The moderated guidelines also offer freedom to either completely do away with flagsticks or issue a local directive to leave it in place without removing it from the cup.

On the hole itself, perhaps the most integral aspect of the game, the R&A suggested that the clubs could work with their respective national associations to reconstruct the definition of “holed” to enable the continuation of play without the need to touch the cup.

On the issue of raking the sand in bunkers too, the R&A weighed in with reason.

Bunkers
“If rakes have been removed from the course, or if the Committee has requested that rakes not be used, it is recognised that bunkers may not be smoothed as well as when there are rakes on the course. But it is recommended that no modification is made to the Rules of Golf in such circumstances, and that players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club.

If, as a result of there being no rakes, the Committee decides to introduce a Local Rule relating to bunkers, the Committee should consult its handicapping authority for guidance on whether scores submitted under such Local Rule are acceptable for handicapping purposes.”

With the PGA TOUR aspiring to restart the season in June, it remains to be seen how all players eligible to play can participate and in case they do, under what regime of moderated rules.