Golf Rules: Twenty That Aren’t in the Book!

Jun 13, 2014; Pinehurst, NC, USA; Charl Schwartzel (center) talks to rules official Keith Andrews (left) about his ball in the waste area on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2014 U.S. Open golf tournament at Pinehurst Resort Country Club - #2 Course. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2014; Pinehurst, NC, USA; Charl Schwartzel (center) talks to rules official Keith Andrews (left) about his ball in the waste area on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2014 U.S. Open golf tournament at Pinehurst Resort Country Club - #2 Course. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s probably not the “conditions” so don’t blame them either.

If we play golf, we have endured rounds when nothing went right. At the very least, they’re frustrating – for us and for those we’re playing with.

There’s no reason to place blame or make excuses. Yes, the course may be soft because it rained yesterday. Yes, it’s winter and the grass is dormant and it’s hard to hit off bare dirt. Yes, the rough is excessively thick because of the heat and humidity. Yes, your ball landed in a footprint that the foursome in front of you failed to rake.

On some days, your game in unaffected by these “adverse” conditions and on other days you can’t hit the ball straight no matter how favorable the lie or get out of the sand no matter how perfectly the ball is sitting or properly read a single green. That’s golf. It’s a capricious and humbling game.

Accept your temporary relapse and play on – or go home at the turn – but don’t pollute the round with excuses. Stop blaming your bad round on “conditions.”

Next: Be a Good Golf Citizen