What do the principles say about itemizing your yardages in your golf equipment?
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The Guidelines of Golf are difficult! Fortunately, we’ve obtained the guru. Our Guidelines Man is aware of the e-book entrance to again. Bought a query? He’s obtained all of the solutions.
Throughout a lesson, the teacher stated I ought to add a chunk of tape to my irons with the typical distance I hit that exact membership. I now additionally use tape under the grip of my putter to align my fingers. Are both of those tape jobs authorized? —John Fogarty, Troy, NY
Guidelines Man was all set to make a witty Credence Clearwater Revival reference when he seen that you’re Fogarty with an “a” and never an “e” — we’re unlucky, son! (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
You need to scotch the tape, in any other case you’re masking the Guidelines, which say that such exterior attachments are verboten. Make a stroke with any of those altered golf equipment and you’re instantly disqualified below Rule 4.1a.
Think about as an alternative for reference a chunk of paper in your pocket together with your membership distances, which might be solely authorized and, you realize, simply studying how one can put your fingers on the membership correctly … you bought this!
For extra guidelines steering from our guru, learn on …
I’ve all the time drawn a line on my ball to assist with placing. If a shot smears that line, is it thought of a broken ball that I can change it instantly or should I wait till I’ve completed the outlet? —Don Kent, Anthem, Ariz.
Don, your popularity would even be smeared in the event you tried to get away with substitute a ball as a result of such smudging, which below Rule 4.2 doesn’t provide the proper to take action.
I’ve an outdated TaylorMade Spider putter however didn’t just like the white line on the black clubhead, so I caught a chunk of white tape on the top and drew a pink line with a Sharpie. Is that this authorized? —Vince Zachetti, by way of electronic mail
A confession, Vince: Over the previous half-century, Guidelines Man’s father, Tinker Man, has butchered untold variety of putters in his basement workshop, a.okay.a. “The Lair,” together with sawing off the toe of a Scotty Cameron. Blowtorches to the hosel, Wite-Out dabbed on the topline, chair glides caught to the only real, ball bearings shoved down the grip and into the shaft: We have now seen flatsticks endure all method of doubtful cosmetic surgery by the years.
By no means as soon as did Tinker Man ask if he was violating the Guidelines, and in filial deference, nor was this data imposed upon him. Now it may be informed: Tape affixed to the putter is a nonconforming exterior attachment and renders the membership nonconforming. Underneath Rule 4.1a, when you make a stroke with stated membership, you’re disqualified.
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