Stamping Down Grass: Is This ALLOWED? - Golf Rules Explained

Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @golfrulesquestions
SUBSCRIBE to GOLFRULES QUESTIONS bit.ly/2I8KrVH for all your golf rules
.
Purpose of Rule: Rule 8 covers a central principle of the game: “play the course as you find it”. When the player’s ball comes to rest, they normally have to accept the conditions affecting the stroke and not improve them before playing the ball. However, a player may take certain reasonable actions even if they improve those conditions, and there are limited circumstances where conditions may be restored without penalty after they have been improved or worsened.
.
GOLFRULES QUESTIONS MERCHANDISE
Get yourself a Roo&Coo polo: golfrulesquest...
.
DO YOU HAVE A RULES OF GOLF QUESTION:
Email - [e-mail]
WANT TO TEST YOUR RULES OF GOLF KNOWLEDGE?
Head to: www.golfrulesquestions.com
WANT A QUICK GOLF RULES REFERENCE
Head to Instagram: @golfrules_questions (www.instagram....)
OR JOIN THE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
/ golfrulesquestions
LISTEN TO THE GRQ PODCAST ON APPLE OR SPOTIFY
Click here: anchor.fm/golf...
SUBSCRIBE to GOLFRULES QUESTIONS bit.ly/2I8KrVH for all your golf rules
#GolfRules #GolfRulesQuestions #blakey

[@markmillyard6594]

addition information should be added to your video what is the penalty for breaching

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

general penalty

[@xiaobiz]

Dig the new format. Another excellent vid!

[@steventorrisi5292]

While searching for my ball in similar grass to video another player in my group found it and yelled out 'It's here', then stamped down the grass behind it and pretty much changed it from unplayable to playable. What should I have done?

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

Told him as quick as you can, to stop what he is doing. If you couldn't get there in time, then tell him that for next time not to do what he did.

[@steventorrisi5292]

@GolfRulesQuestions it happened really quick. I was wondering if I should have reconstructed the grass a bit but it wouldn't have fixed it really.

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

@@steventorrisi5292 that player incurs a general penalty if your conditions were improved, but you don't incur any penalties unless you authorised the improvement. Staying quiet and watching someone improve your conditions could be seen as an act of authorisation. In regards to worsening conditions that have been improved, there is nothing in the Rules that makes you do that. You just accept the lie you now have, at the same time, you wouldn't be penalised if you deliberately worsened your lie because of the actions of the other player (you didn't feel right about playing it from its new spot).

[@steventorrisi5292]

@GolfRulesQuestions thanks for that. I have always wanted to know the rules like you do. It is almost a full time job understanding them all that well. Even the pros don't.

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

@@steventorrisi5292 I'm glad they don't, as that means I have a job. If you ever want more help with the Rules, just sing out - my advice would be to start with the definitions section (the most important part of the book).

[@MidwestFarmToys]

Are you allowed to wait until winter time when the grass is dead to play your next shot?

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

No.

[@MidwestFarmToys]

@@GolfRulesQuestions why? Is there a rule? What if there's no one else playing the course and there's no pace of play in effect

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

Unreasonable delay.

[@anthonycoleman1909]

What if you drop a match (accidently) after lighting a cigarette and it fell on the grass and burnt it before your shot?

[@tracesofnut]

What happens if, whilst looking for your ball, you stand on and flatten some long grass accidentally improving your access to the ball, which may or may not contribute to a one stroke win of a social game with substantial first prize. Asking fo a friend.

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

was the flattening of the grass a reasonable action during your search?

[@1HappyGolfer]

I’ve seen this happen so often lately. Even in the pro game on television. Thank you for the new post.

[@petermcgill1315]

Stamping down?? No, no and no. No!!

[@Burns2271]

Or take an unplayable if it's too bad?

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

Absolutely

[@kckong3]

And what's the penalty for improving the lie please?

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

The player would get the general penalty.

[@The_Madd_Golfer]

Just to confirm...would doing this incur the general penalty (2 strokes or loss of hole in Match Play)?

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

Correct

[@awesomeness5464]

What is this in accordance to the USGA rule book?

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

See RULE 8.1a - First • (Bullet Point)

[@awesomeness5464]

@@apaulmcdonough2170 thanks, I appreciate that.

[@r.peterreinhardt1091]

I've watched so many Professionals tamp down. Spike marks on the greens. With the Modern spikes this doesn't happen so much anymore. Comment.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

@@r.peterreinhardt1091 Many Tour Players still use Metal Spikes, some use hybrid Metal/Soft Spikes. Mandatory restrictions against Metal Spikes are set by Club/Course Management, much like "Dress Codes", to play the Course.

[@nydayu7439]

My ball in the fairway was in front of a sand filled divot. Unfortunately the sand was not stamped to ground level. It is legal to level the sand with no penalty?

[@nydayu7439]

The sand was very closed to the back of the ball that I may hit it before the ball.

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

No, it wouldn't be legal to level that sand if it will improve your conditions affecting your stroke.

[@scootdaws25]

Tom Watson accused Gary Player of doing this. They got into it pretty heavily.

[@tucotango]

On the tee box, can I step behind the ball after I teed it up ?

[@GolfRulesQuestions]

Yes