It's been quite awhile since I've told you people what to do. With the upcoming season right around the corner, here are some answers to questions I've been asked lately:
How far back are you allowed to tee up your ball?
Two club lengths, according to the USGA. I don't think anyone has ever teed up further back than this... but there you go.
My ball went into a hazard. Where can I drop?
You have a couple of options under the "new" 2019 rules of golf:
1) Within two club lengths of where the ball went into a hazard or unplayable area.
2) Draw an imaginary line between where the ball entered the hazard and the pin. Go back as far as you like on that line. Drop within two club lengths of the spot you pick on that line.
Keep in mind Option 2 is basically impossible with hazards, woods, bushes on the side. You're probably only going to be able to use Option 2 when you hit it into a lake/stream in the middle of a hole.
Remind people about losing a ball near OB. I saw some sketchy shit last season.
OK... sure.
If your ball goes OB, you take a penalty and must re-hit from the previous spot. Usually this means hitting 3 off the teebox, although it does come in play on your approach or lay-ups sometimes. This is why we stress you should hit a provisional if your ball goes anywhere near OB.
Let's say you don't hit a provisional (shame on you!). You get up to where your ball should be — near OB — and you can't find it. Guess what? We now have to assume it went OB. So either drive back to where you last hit, and hit again (with penalty), or drop within two club-lengths of your best guess where it went OB and take a TWO STROKE penalty (one for the penalty stroke and one for the hypothetical distance to get to where you're now dropping).
Almost always, driving back is the best choice. Hit a provisional when in doubt, so you don't have to waste time.
Sure, there can be a situation where your ball went into some thick bushes with OB twenty yards further to the side. If you your playing partners agree you are in those bushes and not OB, then take a drop for one stroke (instead of two). Just make sure they agree with you first.
My ball is plugged and not in a hazard. Can I remove it?
Yes. You can always remove a plugged ball when it's not in a hazard. Also, whenever you legally get to pick up your ball, you are allowed to clean it. But after removing (and cleaning) an embedded ball, you're supposed to drop it within one club-length from that spot, no closer to the hole.
Remove, clean, drop nearby.
Remember: Our local Club rules allow for you to lift, clean, and place the ball in any fairway.
When is Dave going to pay Adam $252?
Not sure about this one. Dave definitely owes him $2. By all accounts he also lost a $250 flop-bet. I'd like to see that get resolved but I'm staying out of it.
Who are all the randos on the Week 1 sheet? Are they related in any way to Gorecki?
Not Gorecki related. John and Danny have some guys who are interested in the Club. Our By-Laws only allow for 3 more Memberships, and that won't be changing any time soon. Once we get to 24 Members our doors are closed, mainly due to the manual nature of running the Club. I shudder at the thought of regularly booking 6 tee times — weeks in advance — and then just hoping you people show up and have accurate RSVP designations.
Also, the goal has always been to have people who want to join, but can't because of some bullshit rule we put in place in 9+ years ago. That's when you know you've "made it."
I highly recommend everyone go out of their way to introduce themselves to any guests.
