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Two weeks ago after Ben Crane completed his round at the Shriners Open in Las Vegas, he had himself disqualified after his club had accidentally touched a rock while he was out looking for his ball that he hit out of play. While this is probably one of those rules that can be filed under the “absurd” list, Ben did the right thing since golf is played on an honor system.
Crane went on record, saying:
I drove my ball into the hazard [at the par-4 18th hole in the first round, according to the PGA TOUR’s media department on Twitter] and when I went to look for it I accidentally touched a rock with my club. I abandoned the ball so I didn’t think that there was a problem but just to make sure I checked with the rules staff after the round. They said that even though I abandoned it, it was a penalty so I DQ’d myself. Ultimately, it had no bearing on my score or how I played the hole.
The game of golf is played with etiquette and there are more things going on besides keeping your own score. Replacing divots, fixing ball marks, honor off the tee, not walking in someone’s line on the greens, or remaining silent when a player is about to strike a ball all fall under this category. With these things, golf can be kept on a fair and level playing field amongst the players.
While there is an official rulebook for things you can and cannot do, there is also an unwritten rule that golfers own up to and admit to their own mishaps during their rounds. Most PGA officials tag along with each group when they are in tournament play, but they do not say “Hey you did this wrong, that’s a one stroke penalty.” They are there for the golfers to consult with and ensure that they are playing within the rules, especially if they come across an unplayable lie or other various issues throughout the round and they are unsure of the rules that may apply.
This game is not like any other sport where teams follow the direction of an appointed official throughout a game. Players cannot challenge a shot via video review and while there are swing coaches, they are not allowed to be with the golfer on the course during tournament play, just his caddy. Many people say that this is what makes golf such an amazing sport, only because you call the penalty on yourself or other golfers.
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Crane was one of the first of many who demonstrated how to play the game the right way, as golfers in previous years have owned up to their mistakes and disqualified themselves for rules violations. Some have mentioned that while they were not a hundred percent sure whether or not a rule was violated, it was better to be safe than sorry. That is where a conscience eats at them, because most golfers will tell you that if they do not keep themselves in check, they would feel guilty in the long run.
Those who watch or play golf are aware of this unwritten rule and the etiquette involved in a round of golf whether it is a competitive tournament or a leisurely round with friends. Even if you have never seen or played a round of golf to know what is going on, the rule of thumb in this sport is to be honest and use common sense. While winning or playing can be fun, it is always nice to know that honoring the game just like Ben Crane did is what golf is about.
