Tour News
USGA Enters Digital Age With New Rules Decisions
According to an announcement made Tuesday on the United States Golf Association’s website, 87 changes were made to the decisions on the rules of golf. Fifty-nine decisions were revised, 24 were withdrawn and three new decisions were entered into the rules of golf. Of this vast number, one in particular will impact golfers around the world, especially the ones who feel compelled to insert themselves into a televised event.
The rules of golf have undergone intense scrutiny since the televised era began. Rather, golfers who disobey or ignore the codified legal system of the sport’s organizing bodies have been taken to task, penalized and disqualified thanks to the intervention of overzealous viewers. From Dustin Johnson’s two-stroke penalty at the 2010 PGA Championship to Tiger Woods’ two 2013 brushes with the laws of golf, enthusiastic guardians of the game have made great effort to uphold the tenets and commandments of the game’s governors. Casual observers question why these supposed professionals are at times unfamiliar with the regulations of their chosen sport, and at others suspected of intentionally transgressing the very statutes that define the parameters of fair play.
Here’s how the decision reads on the USGA site:
New Decision 18/4 provides that, where enhanced technological evidence (e.g. HDTV, digital recording or online visual media, etc.) shows that a ball has left its position and come to rest in another location, the ball will not be deemed to have moved if that movement was not reasonably discernible to the naked eye at the time.
To be fair, golf is an impossible sport to police, especially at the professional level. Unlike any other competition in the world, medal play golf spreads its contestants across miles of competitive grounds, with upwards of 20 groups on course at a given moment. Since golfers do not directly influence the play of their opponents, they often perform basic tasks in complete oblivion…unless they go by the name Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods, the most recognizable athlete in the world for more than 10 years, receives more camera time than any athlete in the game. As a result, his movements are scrutinized to the most minute detail. The two-stroke penalty assessed at the 2013 BMW Championship may have been the straw that broke the camel’s stout back. Nearly invisible to the naked eye, Woods was done in by the report of a viewing denizen, who doubtless DVR’d the moment, played it back at extra slow-motion, at which point the slight oscillation of the ball was revealed in all its egregious deceit.
In my estimation, this decision is long overdue. Ever since Craig Stadler was hosed back in 1987 at the San Diego Open for the infamous “towel incident,” viewers have felt it their duty to police the PGA Tour and other televised events. It was pure and simple cowardice on the part of all tournament officials to not tell those busy-bodies to find a better use of their time, like gardening or jury duty. No other sport allows fans to influence rulings; although golf doesn’t pretend to be an “other sport,” it should have been in these instances. The matter would have been put to rest 25 years prior to new decision 18/4.
No slight meant toward the other 86 decisions revelations. It is certainly important to know that grass between your ball and the soil does not mean the ball is not embedded (and entitled to free relief). Nor is it wrong to have an extra 50 yards to walk, to determine if a provisional may be hit. Actually, that one confuses me, but I’ll get back to it. As far as the using your smart phone to get atmospheric conditions during competition, well, that one is rife for compromise. Once you allow the smart phone out, you have to implicitly trust the golfer to not cheat. Oh, wait, that’s the foundation of the game. Never mind!
Regarding the provisional ball decision, I had always learned that if you suspected you needed to hit a provisional, then you hit it after marking the ball and declaring it a provisional. Heck, if your original ball goes 260 and your provisional goes 110, you can even keep hitting the provisional until you get to where the first ball should lay. If it’s found, all those provisional strokes don’t count.
My question, then, is why does anyone need to walk anywhere, to determine if a provisional is necessary? If you can’t see your ball sitting up and you suspect it might be lost, mark, declare and hit a provisional! If you find the original, play it. If you don’t, high-five your opponent and partners for avoiding the walk of shame back to the tee or previous lie.
While the digital media proviso will doubtless receive the most attention and applause from the pundits and aficionados, the other 86 decisions will have a greater effect on the golfing public.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Ronald Montesano
Nov 23, 2013 at 7:15 am
According to an interview with Mike Davis (http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/2013-11/mike-davis-q-and-a), it seems like this rules decision will hardly affect call-ins. The vigilantes will ride again. Their horses are fed and rested, which is too bad.
Happyday_J
Nov 21, 2013 at 9:55 am
could the 50 yard walk they allow for provisional be for the instance when your ball could possibly be in a hazard. It is my understanding that a provisional ball may not be played when a ball is in a hazard. Once a ball is struck after a ball is in a hazard that ball is in play and a drop may not be made. I may be wrong…. in any case, if thats how the rule for the hazards are, maybe they allow the 50 yard walk to allow the golfer to try and see if his ball may be in a hazard. Just me .02
Ronald Montesano
Nov 21, 2013 at 10:49 am
If the group agrees it’s in the hazard, no provisional. If the group says it’s not in the hazard but cannot see it, you should hit the provisional.
Ryan
Nov 21, 2013 at 9:28 am
Good ! No more armchair experts getting into other peoples business..
Ronald Montesano
Nov 21, 2013 at 10:50 am
I see their kind as much worse than armchair experts. They are people with an ax to grind or a need to matter, masquerading as keepers of the rules flame.
Spengler
Nov 21, 2013 at 8:38 am
Not DQ’d LJ, he was penalized a 2 stroke for grounding in a bunker which arguably cost him the tournament
Ronald Montesano
Nov 21, 2013 at 9:45 am
Thanks, Spengler. As I told Lloyd below, thanks for the catch. Edit made.
Ronald Montesano
Nov 20, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Steve,
As soon as I suspect I might be in trouble, I declare and hit the provisional. After all, it’s a mid-round practice swing at worst (what’s not to like about that) and a 50-yard saver at best. Let me ask you this: in your estimation, is there ever a situation when you can’t hit a provisional, other than a) you see the ball and b) you see it enter a hazard?
J
Nov 20, 2013 at 10:16 pm
27-s1/1.5 is THE DUMBEST thing I’ve ever heard, considering the fact that we are trying to improve pace, not stall it.
J
Nov 20, 2013 at 10:17 pm
27-2a, I mean
sorry for the typo
Steve Connolly
Nov 20, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Ron, I can think of two scenarios where the 50y rule for the provisional would make sense:
1) If there is some disagreement among the group whether or not the ball may be lost or OB.
2) There may be a blind spot from the tee, say on the inside corner of a dogleg. When moving a bit away from the tee, the player may realize that his/her ball may be in trouble.
I think it is a good rule. It still saves time.
JP
Nov 21, 2013 at 8:18 am
Why bother walking 50yds, just hit the provisional if there’s any doubt!
Ronald Montesano
Nov 21, 2013 at 9:45 am
Steve,
As soon as I suspect I might be in trouble, I declare and hit the provisional. After all, it’s a mid-round practice swing at worst (what’s not to like about that) and a 50-yard saver at best. Let me ask you this: in your estimation, is there ever a situation when you can’t hit a provisional, other than a) you see the ball and b) you see it enter a hazard?
Ronald Montesano
Nov 20, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Thanks for the catch, Lloyd. I’ll be on the fix momentarily.
Lloyd Jackson
Nov 20, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Dustin Johnson was disqualified in the 2010 PGS C’ship?
Why have I not read this before now?
Ronald Montesano
Nov 21, 2013 at 9:46 am
Thanks for the catch, Lloyd. I’ll be on the fix momentarily.