PGA Golf Officials blow the call big time

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

This reminds me of the "tied" All-Star Game in Milwaukee.

 

Dustin Johnson shoots for par to win the PGA Championship and misses. He heads back to the clubhouse, and PGA officials assess him a bush league 2 stroke penalty for "grounding the club" on an earlier shot in the hole... I hate it when pencil pushers with an agenda pull crap like this.

 

Really really bad year for officials in all sports. As the spectators were chanting... let him play. Let it be settled on the course, not be some bureaucrat.

[TheEndless7]

The penalty, while a brutal call for Dustin Johnson, is actually the correct ruling and officials did warn all of the golfers about grounding and bunkers earlier in the tournament. They even talked about it on TNT on both Thursday and Friday, citing how, essentially, if it looks at all like a bunker, despite being trampled, stood in, or driven over, it's still a bunker. And you can't ground your club in a bunker. ((I have no idea why, but I've golfed for ten years and it was one of the first things I was taught about bunker play, I never really questioned it)).

 

It's a brutal call for Dustin, and probably the sport, but it is the correct call in the case

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

I would have had no problem had they called the penalty immediately. But to go back retroactively and assess a penalty based on TV replays is bush league. Is the PGA going to go back and review every shot of every player within 2 shots of the lead?

 

This is the equivalent to calling a balk with a runner on third and two outs with a 2-1 count in the bottom of the ninth in Game 7 of the World Series.

[AJOHNSON104]

I don't think they reviewed the video to see if he grounded his club. The official approached him at the end of the hole to make sure he knew it was a penalty. Johnson doesn't deny grounding the club. He disputes that it was a bunker. I was watching it live and thought he grounded the club immediately and was thinking it was a violation. I'm sure lots of other people had the same reaction. It sucks for him, but he did it and that's the rule.

I'm not sure really why grounding is such a problem, but I do it to help aim my shot. I know you can't do it in a bunker (I guess it could cause the ball to move on loose soil?) but not entirely sure why not. It must be of some value or golfers would never ground their club, but they always do. So thus, while maybe minimal, he gained an advantage from the maneuver and since it is against the rules, he must be penalized.

[derflotr]

This was just crappy all-around. It was the correct call, but it just comes off as bad form due to the timing. In reality Dustin should've been aware of the local rule and someone - whether his caddy, his playing partner (Watney, though apparently he doesn't read the rules either...), or even the rules official should have made sure he knew he was in a bunker. It was just a matter of several people getting caught up in the moment and forgetting their surroundings. We all wish they would've looked it over but there are no exceptions; you can't ground the club in a bunker. It potentially improves the lie and despite the fact that it clearly wasn't intentional it still happened.

I can guarantee there won't be spectators standing around in bunkers at Whistling Straits in 2015. That's the main problem here. If the gallery hadn't made the trap unrecognizable this is never an issue. Plus it would help if the players *actually* read the rules.

[Baldkin]

This reminds me of the "tied" All-Star Game in Milwaukee.

Anyway, it was the correct call, and even if it sucked, it was posted in the clubhouse, and his caddy, the crowd, a rules official, everyone there, should have told him it was a bunker.

Imagine if he'd had made the par put, thinking he'd won... only to finish 3rd....

 

As for the reason the rule is in place, I believe it's two fold, 1) grounding the club in the bunker would allow you to move the sand out of the way from behind the ball, allowing a much easier shot, secondly, not being able to ground it and get a feel for the specific bunker gives an added penalty for hitting into the hazard.

[logan82]

But to go back retroactively and assess a penalty based on TV replays is bush league.

 

Stuff like that happens in golf. Fans can call in if they see a rule violation.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

I'm not disputing that it was the correct call. However, that is something that should be called immediately. Why didn't a PGA official (who would obviously be on hand on the last hole with the tourney leader) not call that immediately. To wait to call that until AFTER the hole was over was bush league.

 

Overall, it was a stupid rule, and in my opinion a rule that is probably rarely enforced. That was a trivial call that will turn off thousands if not millions of casual fans to golf and it adds another embarrassing chapter to major sporting events held on WI soil. I highly doubt the golfer that won wanted to win the tourney on a technicality (as he did).

[JJHardy7]

Block fans from bunkers...this was somewhat stupid IMO. I know the Kohler course loves all the bunkers...but this was over the top IMO. I know Dustin should've known this, but at the same time the original 'alley' for him to hit his shot was tiny. A lot of people botched this...Johnson, his caddy, CBS, the 'professional' with the group, his partner, etc. They should've let him play. I know it is the rule, but at the same time it didn't change his shot at all. Oh well...I know golf is an old sport and such, but things like this are upsetting.

[derflotr]

So Johnson would've won automatically had he gotten into the playoff? Come on. Kaymer completely earned that win, a fact that will be completely overlooked because of Johnson's miscue. And it's not a stupid rule. If you've ever played golf you'd know why the rule is in place.

[NeedMoreFans]

I wonder how many other times this week other players were in the exact same position and nothing was called. I think the PGA rules official that was walking with the group should have told him it was a penalty the minute he grounded his club.

[Gobias Industries]

I can't believe the fans standing that close on the disputed shot. Since when do fans stand in the bunkers? It was probably the right call, but it seems everyone involved had a huge brain fart.

 

Also, embarrassing applause for Kaymer when he won it. Probably the weakest I've ever heard for a major win.

[jerichoholicninja]

My brother lost an amateur tournament in similar fashion. He hit his shot into the bunker and and grabbed the rake and threw it near where he was so he wouldn't have to get it after his shot. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty for "testing the lie". He finished third, two stroke back. Gotta love golf!

[chrisisoutrunning]

My brother lost an amateur tournament in similar fashion. He hit his shot into the bunker and and grabbed the rake and threw it near where he was so he wouldn't have to get it after his shot. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty for "testing the lie". He finished third, two stroke back. Gotta love golf!

I don't know when this happened, or when this decision was printed in the rules of golf, but your brother was incorrectly penalized (which was my first impression, so I went digging into the rules). As long as your brother didn't actually rake the bunker, he shouldn't have been penalized.

 

13-4/21 Rake Thrown into Bunker Before Strokehttp://www.usga.org/assets/0/1181/1514/5e6357ca-4421-4dab-a626-4a0fc8b9062c.gif

Q. A

player's ball lies in a bunker. He casually throws a rake into the

bunker for use after his stroke. The rake does not move his ball or

improve the lie of the ball. Does the player incur a penalty?

A. No. Placing a rake in a bunker is permissible. In this case, throwing the rake into the bunker was the equivalent of placing it.

If

the rake had moved the ball, the player would incur a penalty of one

stroke for causing his ball to move; and the ball would have to be

replaced — Rule 18-2a.

[valpocrewsader]

I will never cheer for Dustin Johnson as long as he has a career. You could tell from the replays that he realized he screwed up when he grounded his club -- I think you can pinpoint the exact moment his heart sank. His interviews afterwards were weak and tending towards whiny. The one thing you gotta love about golf is the honor-system-like respect for the rules. Guy accidentally makes contact while addressing the ball, he cites himself with the penalty. Johnson sounded like he didn't want to upset the PGA, but didn't want to blame himself.

 

Anyone watching from home knew he was in a trap and wouldn't be able to ground his club. They showed footage later after a thousand more people trampled that area to show it super matted down, but when he was approaching his shot and the crowd was cleared away, there was no doubt to anyone watching that it wasn't somewhere you'd want to ground your club. At least not without asking an official first. He just screwed up a pretty basic rule, probably due to the pressure and the fact that it was a slightly different looking bunker than is typical. But come on, you've been on the course for a week. Embarassing for him and his caddy, but obvious for the rest of us. Thread title change, please.

[homer]

Imagine if he'd made that putt on 18.

[jerichoholicninja]

My brother lost an amateur tournament in similar fashion. He hit his shot into the bunker and and grabbed the rake and threw it near where he was so he wouldn't have to get it after his shot. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty for "testing the lie". He finished third, two stroke back. Gotta love golf!

I don't know when this happened, or when this decision was printed in the rules of golf, but your brother was incorrectly penalized (which was my first impression, so I went digging into the rules). As long as your brother didn't actually rake the bunker, he shouldn't have been penalized.

 

13-4/21 Rake Thrown into Bunker Before Strokehttp://www.usga.org/assets/0/1181/1514/5e6357ca-4421-4dab-a626-4a0fc8b9062c.gif

Q. A

player's ball lies in a bunker. He casually throws a rake into the

bunker for use after his stroke. The rake does not move his ball or

improve the lie of the ball. Does the player incur a penalty?

A. No. Placing a rake in a bunker is permissible. In this case, throwing the rake into the bunker was the equivalent of placing it.

If

the rake had moved the ball, the player would incur a penalty of one

stroke for causing his ball to move; and the ball would have to be

replaced — Rule 18-2a.

It was at least 10 years ago. I'll tell him. I'm sure he will be heart broken. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[DuWayne Steurer]

Golf, more than ANY other sport, has an honor system in place in which most golfers would report a violation that they themselves commited even if nobody saw it. Whether or not one agrees with the rule, it needed to be enforced. Johnson knew it, and I strongly suspect had the official not said anything, Johnson would have narced on himself anyways.

 

And to the claim that this will turn off 'millions of casual viewers'? I strongly doubt that.

[DuWayne Steurer]

From the ESPN.com story.............

The area had been trampled down by spectators and was well
outside where traditional fairway bunkers would reside. But Whistling
Straits is anything but a traditional course. Bunkers dot the property,
hence the rule that was posted in the locker room and handed to every
player prior to the tournament.

It read:

"All areas of the course that were designed and built as sand bunkers
will be played as bunkers (hazards), whether or not they have been
raked. This will mean that many bunkers positioned outside of the ropes,
as well some areas of bunkers inside the ropes, close to the rope line,
will likely include numerous footprints, heel prints and tire tracks
during the play of the Championship. Such irregularities of surface are a
part of the game and no free relief will be available from these
conditions."

[dadofandrew]

I can't take golf (the PGA) seriously because they insist everyone wears pants in 105 degree heat. The sport's popularity has gone down a lot in the past few years, some argue Tiger made it cool for a bit of a false peak, others argue it is because of its "rich man's game" reputation.

 

I do not even know what grounding your club is, but such ticky tack stuff is not going to make the game appeal to regular Joes, to be certain. The fact they get so excited over enforcing such crap is rather headshaking.

 

I remember years ago, some golfer climbed into the woods, and his club hit a piece of grass or stick which touched the ball, and he came out and told everyone and it counted as a stroke. This was called great sportsmanship, but I thought it was just stupid. Lighten up.

[logan82]

Golf isn't exactly cheap. $20 to walk 9 or $45 for 18/w cart last time I played and that doesn't include anything from the drink cart or buying a new box of balls cause you suck at it so bad.(a few years back and those were not even the really nice courses) I think people are finding they need that money for other things lately is my guess. I loved to golf but you don't exactly get a lot of bang for your buck.

 

ticky tack stuff is not going to make the game appeal to regular Joes, to be certain.

 

Anything that you do to change the lie of your ball after you put in play off the tee is a penalty except relief form certain obstacles. The rules, stupid or not, are the rules. If you don't like it, don't play by the rules. I doubt most people would mind as long as you follow some etiquette(not walking across a putting line, talking during somebody's back swing, replace your divots, etc.) unless you are playing for money. Heck, golf played by the rules isn't much fun unless you get pretty good at it.

[Diskono]

I'm not disputing that it was the correct call. However, that is something that should be called immediately. Why didn't a PGA official (who would obviously be on hand on the last hole with the tourney leader) not call that immediately. To wait to call that until AFTER the hole was over was bush league.

 

Overall, it was a stupid rule, and in my opinion a rule that is probably rarely enforced. That was a trivial call that will turn off thousands if not millions of casual fans to golf and it adds another embarrassing chapter to major sporting events held on WI soil. I highly doubt the golfer that won wanted to win the tourney on a technicality (as he did).

They did make the call right away. The official let him know at the end of the hole, likely saying something like, "I'm sorry, we assessed a penalty for grounding your club in the bunker, make sure you mark it on your scorecard." And that may be the normal procedure - I don't know, I've never played in a golf tournament.

 

It's not a stupid rule, for the reasons Baldkin pointed out. If it is rarely enforced, it's because the rule is rarely broken. Every golfer knows that you're not supposed to do that. While Johnson's grounding may not have affected the outcome, another player doing the same thing in a different bunker might have had a big impact on how he took the shot. You can't pick and choose where to enforce the rule, it has to be consistent.

[chuckiehacks]

I can't take golf (the PGA) seriously because they insist everyone wears pants in 105 degree heat.

Yeah, you should stick to baseball.

 

The call was the correct one. I think CBS did a terrible job in their coverage, clearly claiming that this was not a bunker. It was clear that none of CBS' on-course reporters (former golfers!) read the rulesheet posted in the clubhouse, nor did Johnson, who admitted he didn't read them. I can see not reading the course-specific rules if you're out hacking away on a muni course, but in a major? On a course as unique as Whistling Straits? Come on.

[homer]

I can't take golf (the PGA) seriously because they insist everyone wears pants in 105 degree heat.

Yeah, you should stick to baseball.

Ha! Good one.

[FVBrewerFan]

I'm not disputing that it was the correct call. However, that is something that should be called immediately. Why didn't a PGA official (who would obviously be on hand on the last hole with the tourney leader) not call that immediately. To wait to call that until AFTER the hole was over was bush league.

 

Overall, it was a stupid rule, and in my opinion a rule that is probably rarely enforced. That was a trivial call that will turn off thousands if not millions of casual fans to golf and it adds another embarrassing chapter to major sporting events held on WI soil. I highly doubt the golfer that won wanted to win the tourney on a technicality (as he did).

First, that's not how golf works. You don't call a penalty as soon as it happens like a foul in basketball or something. Why? Because you need to wait for the player to finish the round and see his scorecard. Often times a player knows they commited a penalty, and scores it that way themselves. It's awkward for a rules official to jump out and say "you grounded the club." Plus, the rules oficial at the scene may have not even known if an infraction was commited or not. It was Johnson's (and his caddy's) fault. they knew and were reminded that bukers are everywhere on that course, and some don't look like bunkers. When they saw an area of sand like that, simply ask the rules official who was right there. Yea, it sucks for him...but you can't arbitrarily decide when to enforce a rule and when to overlook one.

 

In fact, it could have been worse for Johnson. He could have turned in his card with an incorrect score and thereby would have been eliminated from the tournament. This does happen from time to time.

 

It's not a stupid rule, you can't have players moving the sand around near the ball. They can improve the lie, plus get a feel for how dense the sand is. And it has to be an absolute. You can't expect rules officials to figue out how manygrains of sand were moved to decide if it's a penalty or not. If you're a casual golfer (or viewer) some of the rules of gold seem trivial, but they have a purpose. And as far as being enforced, it is enforced all the time- usually by the golfer himself.

 

Finally, I don't agree at all that it will turn off millions of fans, or that it was an embarrassment. With Tiger not in the mix, this added a lot of drama and that's what casual fans of any sport want to see. Just look at this topic in little old Brewerfan.net. Everyone is talking about it, everyone has an opinion.