The Rules of Golf are Out of Control
As the Rule Book is provided to all (affiliated) golfers as the primary reference to help them regulate their game, it is Rog’s view that this Book should not only be concise but as clear, comprehensive and unequivocal as is humanly possible, and be easily applied.
While there are other references, such as the Decisions Book, for committees to consult when dealing with ‘tricky’ issues and to be used in regulating ‘important’ competitions, they are of no relevance or significance what-so-ever to the average punters’ Thursday par comp.
It is the Rules of Golf book which golfers are encouraged to carry in their bags and to refer to as and when required, and it is the Rules of Golf book which should be the major point of reference.
The Rules of Golf were first codified as‘Articles and Laws in Playing at Golf’ by the Company of Gentlemen Golfers in Leith in 1774. This group became The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
A facsimile and transcript of this document is available at http://digital.nls.uk/golf-in-scotland/rules/articles-laws.html
This code for regulating the game comprised 13 rules and approximately 430 words.
In 1968 the 21st Edition of The Rules of Golf issued under that authority of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews was published. The R&A Rules Committee took the initiative to respond to the ‘increased need for a single code for the game of golf’ when it was formed in 1897. The R&A’s authority was established by virtue of the number of countries which affiliated with it over the years.
Rog’s little backroom helper estimates that ‘Definitions’and ‘The Rules of Play’ in the 1968 book comprised 18000 words.
The Rule Book for 2012 requires roughly 26000 words to cover the Definitions and 34 Rules. In total this book contains 52000 words.
But this is not the end of the matter, nor is it the major indicator of the extent of the problem.
The Decisions on the Rules of Golf book, also issued by the R&A, is ‘intended to clarify matters that may not be entirely clear from the Rules of Golf.’ The 2010-2011 edition of this book comprised around 168000 words. I repeat: 168000 words.
And many of these decisions are, as Rog has intimated before, directly from the annals of fairyland.
By definition, any entry into the book of decisions can be regarded as representing a failure to have framed a Rule clearly or in such language as can readily be understood. 168000 words represents a monumental failure on the part of those ‘authorised’ with management of the rules of the game.
But let’s cut The Castle some slack. We all know that there are things which happen on a golf course which no-one could have foreseen and there is a constant need for clarification and amplification of the Rules. However 168000 words is patently ridiculous!
A game which has barely changed in its nature, and at one time took 430 words to regulate, now requires a knowledge and understanding of a tome of 168000 words.
There is little wonder that those who do not play the game view it as arcane and treat it with derision, and those who do play—and Rog says from some knowledge and experience—approach the game based upon what they ‘think’ the Rules are (or what the loudest shouter says they are) and pay little regard to the Rules Book or its contents.
It is time for the slate to be cleaned and for The Castle to begin work on a book of rules which are sensible, rational, equitable and manageable by golfers who wish to play the game ‘properly’, but for enjoyment. This would cover 99.5% of people who play the game on a regular basis.
Failing that, someone else may need to take-up the chalice and begin a movement towards golf as a game for everyone.
A simple rules book sounds like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI often have experienced players telling me what the rules are but because the rule book is so complicated I do not know if they are right.