Page 9 - Blue Collar Rules of Golf

It’s a fact that most players ignore a lot of the rules. They

don’t know what the Official rules are, and their round of golf would

quickly cease to be fun if they had to strictly follow the rules. The

weekend golfer plays by the obvious rules he knows and under-

stands. Most players make their own adjustments to the Official

rules so they can play with their friends and be competitive with each

other. No harm, no foul.

The important thing about rules in any game is that every one knows

what the rules are, and they all agree to play by those rules. Four-

somes that play together regularly developed their own informal set

of rules. Some groups simply say; “we’re playing winter rules,” or

“you can roll them over.” Some just say: “get yourself a good lie.”

Still, an occasional dispute will arise. These informal rules are not

written down, so golfers have to resolve disputes with each other

while they’re playing the match. No one knows just what winter

rules are, or how much to “roll them over,” or how good of a lie they

can get, and when they can get it!

There are a few golfers who insist they play by the Official USGA

Rules. They don’t. The weekend player is in no position to play

strictly by those rules. His playing partners want none of it and the

course management might bar you from playing at their club.

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