EDITORIAL – THE RULES OF GOLF MOSTLY TALK ABOUT HOW AND WHEN TO TOUCH THE GOLF BALL

The entire essence of the game of golf is to hit the golf ball. Therefore, it only makes sense that most of the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf focus on why and how to touch the golf ball, either with the clubhead or with your hand.

The very first rule deals with the principle that you play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. It goes on to say that each hole starts by making a stroke at the ball. Of course, the ball must be handled and placed either on a tee or the ground to start the hole, and the Rules detail this. The Rules also define what constitutes a stroke, the definition of which has remained the same for several decades. And once the ball is on the putting green, the Rules describe how to mark the ball before lifting it and what may be done with the ball.

A frequent, and unfortunate, happening while playing is dealing with a ball that has been hit out of bounds or into a penalty area. There is also ground under repair that must be dealt with. All of this brings up the question of exactly why the Rules speak largely into the how and why of touching the ball. The answer goes back to the first rule, where you play the ball as it lies. Because if you can’t play the ball as it lies, then care must be taken to preserve the integrity of the game by playing the next stroke from the most equitable location and situation.

If you haven’t perused the Rules of Golf recently, they can be found on the USGA’s website at https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-and-clarifications.html#!ruletype=fr§ion=rule&rulenum=1.