Would You Like To Become A Rules Official?

The Rules of Golf. Whether you consider them a subject of fascination, or a source of annoyance, the reality is that we all need to know them.

With the Rules seeming to hit the headlines on a weekly basis as of late, be it Lexi Thompson’s controversial penalty at the ANA Inspiration, or the revolutionary changes that will be taking place in 2019, there’s never been a better time to sharpen up your knowledge.

Have you ever found yourself in an unusual situation and been clueless as to how to proceed? You're not the only one.

For most of us, a basic understanding is enough to get through, but for those wishing to officiate at tournaments, aspiring to make a profession out of knowing the Rulebook inside-out, or simply wishing to expand their knowledge, a trip back to school is highly recommended.

The R&A offer three tiers of Rules education, varying from that designed for amateur enthusiasts, up to courses tailored to meet the demands of experienced officials.

How well do you know the Rules? (Answers below)

A) In match play, a player putts her ball and it strikes the flagstick which her opponent has left lying on the putting green. What is the penalty? 

B) In match play, a player mistakes her opponent’s ball for her own, only realising her error two shots later when the players have reached the green. What is the ruling? 

C) A ball hit by a player in the following group just misses the group in front. Without thinking, one of the players angrily hits the ball back towards the group. Should the latter be penalised for playing the wrong ball?

The first thing to know is that getting a handle on the Rules is as complex as it sounds. The infamous mistakes made by USGA officials over the course of the past twelve months are testament to the fact that even those with an in-depth knowledge of the Rulebook can sometimes get buried beneath its complexities.

The rules programme has three layers:

Level 1 Introductory Rules School

Level 2 Rules School

Level 3 Tournament Administrators and Referees School

The basic level is a great way to build a solid foundation for your Rules knowledge. The course is extremely hands on, with participants heading out onto the course with experienced instructors for a practical demonstration. It’s worth noting however that the exams that conclude each Rules School are fairly gruelling, so it’s worth making sure your hearts in it before you sign up.

Nonetheless once passed, participants are awarded with a qualification that will not only allow them to move through the three stages of their Rules education, but also enables them to officiate at events.

The Level 1 Introductory Rules School largely draws those who officiate at a club level, who have little formal Rules qualifications but are involved in running competitions or answering Rules questions at their club. 

The second tier is for those who already have a sound grasp of the Rules, and primarily appeals to county officials, particularly those involved in administration or refereeing at county tournaments.

Level 3 is restricted to those who have passed the first two stages and is invitation only.

To find a course close to you visit: www.randa.org  

For those who wish to expand their knowledge at an amateur level, the R&A also runs an online academy, which can be accessed for free, with the option of taking the R&A Level 1 Exam on completion of the course. Visit: http://rulesacademy.randa.org/ 

Rules Answers

A. The player’s ball must not strike the flagstick when it has been removed, therefore the player would lose the hole in match play. (Rule 17-3)

B. If the player and opponent exchange balls during play of a hole, the first to make a stroke at a wrong ball loses the hole. (Rule 15-3a)

C. No, neither would it be considered a practice shot, however in equity the player should be penalised two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play. (Decision 1-4/4)

Image Credit- R&A

Explore The Magnificent Region Of Emilia Romagna. Read More