Golf Rules: The top 5 issues the USGA still needs to fix

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 14: (L-R) Brooks Koepka of the United States and Henrik Stenson of Sweden "go back to school with HSBC to get to grip with the new rules for 2019" during a launch event ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 14, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

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Dustin Johnson Golf Rules 2010 PGA Championship

KOHLER, WI – AUGUST 15: Dustin Johnson prepares to play his second shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the 92nd PGA Championship on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits on August 15, 2010 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

It will last forever in the story of Dustin Johnson. Who can forget his penalty at the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits? On the 72nd hole, he was in a position to join a playoff. His drive went to the right, landing in an area of the course fans had been trampling all week. It was sandy, it was grassy, and it was clearly not a bunker with a defined lip.

Amazingly, Johnson hit a sterling recovery shot and finished the hole to make the playoff. Or so he thought.

It was later declared that he ground his club in the “bunker” in question. The penalty knocked him out of the playoff. Heartbreak and anger ensued.

The debate still rages, but I always come down on the “not a bunker” side of the argument. Why?

Because people were standing in it. On no other course, in any other tournament, are spectators allowed to stand in bunkers. Indeed, that’s because bunkers are adjacent to the first cut of rough and squarely in play.

So how is this patch of sand 20 yards beyond the rough considered a bunker?

The rule should change to any sandy area is automatically declared a bunker. This includes large waste areas on desert courses.

Is that too harsh? Well, you hit it there, suffer the consequences. Hit it between the stakes next time.

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