Here at Women & Golf we love to meet the women for whom golf is a 9 to 5 affair. We spoke to the R&A's Assistant Rules Director, Shona McRae.
Here at Women & Golf we love to meet the women for whom golf is a 9 to 5 affair. We spoke to the R&A's Assistant Rules Director, Shona McRae.
Tell Us About Your Career Path
After graduating from university, I got an opportunity to do a trainee management position in golf operations at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland and as someone who has always enjoyed the game, I jumped at the chance. From there I then spent 7 years working in Dubai at Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club running all their members’ events and corporate golf days. It was while I was working in Dubai that I got the chance to take The R&A Rules exams and since then I have been involved with refereeing too. I joined the Rules team at The R&A in St Andrews in 2007.
Describe your role at the R&A and a typical week
When I am in the office in St Andrews I am part of the team that administers and reviews the Rules of Golf, including Amateur Status. I also answer questions on the Rules of Golf that come to us from far and wide from golf clubs, golf associations and professional Tours. So, on a daily basis, I am always revising the Rules and it never fails to amaze me that there is always something new to learn about the game. I often receive comments to the effect that the Rules are “overly-complicated”. That may be the case at first glance, but really once you get familiar with the basics and start to understand the Rule book, it becomes clearer and can be very helpful when playing the game. The R&A also assists our worldwide affiliated unions with Rules education and I am involved in planning and delivering Rules seminars worldwide. I also referee at golf tournaments. Last year I refereed at the WGC World Match Play Championship in San Francisco, The Open Championship in St Andrews, the Boys Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, The Solheim Cup in Germany and the WGC HSBC Champions in China. In the past I have also refereed at the US PGA Championship and the World Amateur Team Championships. So no week is ever really the same or typical!
The new rulebook has just been released, what input did you have in the four year process?
I am one of 5 staff members that sit on the Rules of Golf Committee. The Committee consists of 24 members from different national golf associations from around the world and representatives from The R&A, the PGA European Tour and the Ladies European Tour. In particular, I have responsibility for delivering two Rules publications that result from the Committee discussions - Golf Rules Illustrated and the Decisions on the Rules of Amateur Status.
What is the process that determines a change to an existing rule?
It is very much a legislative process. During the four-year review cycle, the proposed Rules changes are considered by the Rules of Golf Committee at their meetings. The Committee meets three times a year and discusses any interesting cases that may have arisen. Suggestions for changes come from Advisory members, affiliated golf federations and unions, the women’s and men’s professional Tours and the public. We then discuss the principles of any proposed change with the Rules of Golf Committee of the United States Golf Association and if both Committees agree, the Rule is then changed at the end of the review cycle. If we do not find agreement, the Rule remains the same. If the Rule book is in legal terms the statute law, then the Decisions on the Rules of Golf book is the case law. It contains over 1,300 Decisions, covering cases that have actually arisen on the golf course - there are no hypothetical cases in the book.
How have advances in technology influenced the Rules of Golf?
The Committee is very mindful of new technology and how it can help the golfer and the Rules have evolved to facilitate this to a degree (e.g. it is now possible to have a Local Rule permitting the use of distance-measuring devices when artificial devices are generally prohibited). However, the purpose of the Rules is to protect the game and to some extent, prevent an over-reliance on technology. Skill has to be the dominant factor in the game and this is always taken into account when considering technological advances.
Do you play golf?
Yes, I play golf at Ladybank Golf Club and St Regulus Ladies Golf Club. My handicap is 6. I like to play the game by the Rules but I hope I am not a Rules bore! I do get asked questions by others when I am playing and I am happy to help and explain if asked. I find in general that the ladies tend to want to get the procedure right and are keen to learn more. Generally, I tend not to tell people what I do for a living when I play golf in case they find it a little un- nerving... well, that is until I am three down in a match!
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