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can I get a ruling on that?
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 If you’re a helpful, chummy, encouraging type, it’s a good bet that you break the Rules of Golf all the time. Likewise if you enjoy needling your playing companions. Ditto if you don’t mind asking for a little help now and then. You just can’t help yourself: “Sure, you can get home from here. You’re crushing it today. Pull the 3 and hit that thing like it just keyed your car.” “Get home in two? Are you crazy? I don’t think you’ve got the distance for a decent lay-up.” “Whaddaya think? Hit the driver straight through the clubhouse bar, or bend it around the starter’s shack?” These three players have just broken Rule 8-1 wide open. It’s the seldom invoked but all too real “advice” statute: “During a stipulated round, a player must not: a) give advice to anyone in the competition playing on the course other than his partner, or b) ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or either of their caddies.” Advice? Big deal. So what? What happens, I get a dirty look from the marshal? Big deal, indeed. Asking for advice will cost you (count ‘em) two strokes. So will giving advice. How about if we just pretend it didn’t happen? Disqualification. This little edict can come as a rude surprise to inexperienced golfers who are eager to learn every time they step on the course. Asking for advice costs me a stroke? How am I supposed to improve? And I also get penalized for giving advice? What am I supposed to say? “Buzz off”? Well, no. If you’re learning, or playing with someone who is, this is a good rule to waive in the name of a good education, camaraderie and helpful experience. Advise yourself silly. However, if you’re playing for blood, Rule 8-1 is serious business. What constitutes advice? According to the Rules, advice is “any counsel or suggestion which could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club, or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules, distance, or matters of public information, such as the position of hazards, or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice.” “Matters of public information” is the key. “Are there really enormous crocodiles in that lake?” is a perfectly legitimate question because it’s something anyone who is idiotic enough can find out for himself. However, “You’re gonna want to hit at least a 6 to get over the crocs” will knock you back two strokes in a hurry. If you’re gathering information with your five senses, it’s OK to share it. But if it’s a hunch, a judgment call, a guess, a bit of crystal-balling—even a spasm of gamesmanship or deception—no dice. |
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