Stewart Cink/Stupid Golf Rules/interpretations/people who interpret the Rules of Golf
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By:
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Jim
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Mood:
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like playing 36 holes
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Date:
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03/31/2008 08:02:00
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Music:
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None
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I have to admit that I didn't have a chance to keep up with
professional golf this past weekend so this is the first I had heard of
this stupid, stupid rules interpretation.
This is a clip from Dave Austad, of Austad'sGolf in his weekly newsletter which I think is a great recap of what's going on in the golf world.
I don't normally "reprint" full articles in a blog but in this case Austad's doesn't have the articles posted on their site. So, with full acknowledgment and absolutely no previously obtained permission...Check it out... _________________ ***************_________________ Out of
Cink
The most bizarre story of the
week came from the third round of the Zurich Classic involving Stewart Cink.
During his 15th hole, Cink hit his shot onto the edge of a fairway bunker. He
stepped into the bunker and then stepped out to play his shot. His shot then
landed 180 yards away in a greenside bunker. Before playing that next shot,
Cink’s caddie raked the fairway bunker in which Cink had stepped. This raking
was in violation of a rule regarding testing the surface of a hazard, and
because Cink didn’t initially penalize himself, he was disqualified for signing
an incorrect scorecard. Had Cink played the original shot from the fairway
bunker, there would have been no penalty; but, because of the intricacy of the
rules, he was in violation. Golf is a game of integrity and rules are a part of
the game, but this situation ranks right up there with the most pointless and
stupid rules ever (also see Craig Stadler’s towel situation). How could Cink
possibly have gained an unfair advantage from stepping into the fairway bunker?
The USGA needs to take a serious look at piddly little interpretations of the
rules like this. If tour pros can’t remember all of these goofy rules, how is
your average Joe supposed to? _________________ ***************_________________ So, what do you think? Let me hear your opinion.
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