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At a PGA Tour event, I saw a pro who was too close to a tarp-covered fence for the ball to come forward, so he threw it backwards. I thought he had a legitimate, if risky, play to make a shot forward from the fence. Could he have thrown another ball against the fence to get an idea of how a ricochet might work? —Mike Rogers, via email
Mike, you’ve come up with a question that we don’t think the powers that be have thought about yet. Nevertheless, since said powers have indeed considered the idea of dropping a ball to see how it would roll, we conclude that it is a good thing that this professional did not act on your idea.
Subject: test dropping. Clarification 14.4/2 considers the action to be contrary to the spirit of the game, such that disqualification of the player is justified under Rule 1.2a for serious misconduct. If the pro had made this test throw, he would likely have been subject to the same scrutiny and possibly removed from the competition.
For more test-related guidance from our guru, read on…
At a recent tournament, the driving range was next to the first tee. During his warm-up, a player who had not seen the course before hit balls from the range onto the first fairway to see if he could clear a pond hazard on his opening drive. Clearing the pond leaves a flip wedge; Playing short or sideways requires a longer approach. Since he has acquired course knowledge, will he be punished for playing the course on the day of the tournament? —Andy Brown, via email
It feels like he needs to be punished – that this needs to be treated differently than the guy who accidentally cuts one from the track onto the track.
And yet, perhaps unsatisfactorily, it is not.
Rule 5.2 indeed prohibits practicing on the course prior to the day’s round. However, despite where his practice shots land, this player makes them from the designated practice area and not from the range, in violation of Rule 5.2.
Even though he may have gained insight, it is not an infringement. That said, if there are golfers on the course while he is doing this, it is dangerous and worth making a sharp remark to the player – or seeking out the responsible committee and asking them to speak to him.
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