If you've never done this or it's been a while, I highly recommend it.

Went on a trip and my game is not in good shape. Was playing some awesome courses and had a hell of a good time hitting off of great lies all week.

Most of my golf life was obsessed with hitting a certain number - first breaking 90 and then breaking 80. So I would always play according to the rules because I really cared about my score.

I haven't practiced or played much leading up to this trip so I just decided to not keep a true score. As someone who doesn't do this often I must say it is delightful.

Also it made me excited to get some practice time in before my next big trip.

As long as you don't break a personal best, or take anyone's money, fine. If you are just out for fun and not on your game, nothing wrong with kicking your ball out from behind a tree. Just don't be the guy that brags about how good he did when he was doing this.

And I guarantee you still broke several rules

I remember this thread.

MookieBlaylock said:

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And I guarantee you still broke several rules

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I remember when I first had to explain stroke and distance to a friend. He was very sad.

I'm sure even the most conscientious of us breaks some rules from time to time on accident. It's pretty complex.

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As long as you don't break a personal best, or take anyone's money, fine. If you are just out for fun and not on your game, nothing wrong with kicking your ball out from behind a tree. Just don't be the guy that brags about how good he did when he was doing this.

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Yes. I recently played with a guy that took at least 5 mulligans. Since we were only a twosome we had a lot of time to chat and by the end of the round I thought he was a good guy just playing for fun. We decided to get a post round beer and he pulls out his score card and proudly states he shot an 83. I'm pretty sure he didn't shoot 83 even without counting the mulligans.

Played in a two man a few weeks ago and a 5 and a 6 turned in 10 and 13. Then both shot a couple over. They lapped the field and won a few grand but lost any credibility. Never play in a tournament that has a Calcutta and doesn't check handicaps

Son plays on a tournament circuit and though I have never witnessed blantant cheating with improving lies, etc almost every single round you will find a kid that either does not know how to keep score or somehow "forgets" a stroke or two. I am not kidding. So many scores in junior golf are bull *****

Back to the OP's topic. When we go on our guys golf trip we play "vacation" golf. We tee it up from the whites, lift clean and place a club length. But still play by the rules other than that. It's fun getting to hit wedges into all the par 4's etc. completely understand.

My lowest round was a 69 doing this but I never claim it when people ask or I always put the asterisk by it. My best round was a 74 tipped out on a 76 rated 7100 yard course. But that was a grind.

I don't care what people do when playing for fun. I've had friends take "brovisionals" and drop next to me when they can't find their ball. This is all for fun and no tournament scores or money on the line. Personally I always play it as it lies. I just chip out from behind a tree instead of using a foot and count the shot. I just like to know where I really stand.

I've got no qualms about lift, clean, and place in winter when the course is dormant and has spent all winter getting hacked up and rolled over in carts. My home course typically puts the rule in place for winter tournaments anyway.

what are thoughts on the "leaf rule" during the winter.

I know it landed over here, but cannot find it.

TXAGGIES said:

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what are thoughts on the "leaf rule" during the winter.

I know it landed over here, but cannot find it.

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The "leaf rule" is an authorized local rule that can be instituted by The Committee.

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F-14 Accumulations of Loose Impediments

Purpose. At certain times of the year, piles of loose impediments such as leaves, seeds or acorns may make it difficult for a player to find or play his or her ball. A Committee can choose to treat such piles of loose impediments in the general area or in a bunker as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

This Local Rule may not be used for penalty areas as relief is not available for abnormal course conditions in penalty areas.

The Local Rule should be limited to the hole(s) where problems are created by such loose impediments and should be withdrawn as soon as conditions allow.


Model Local Rule F-14

"During play of the [specify hole number], any ground with temporary accumulations of [identify types of loose impediments ] in the general area or in a bunker is treated as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

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Rule 16.1 allows for free relief from GUR even if the ball is lost in the GUR area (as long as it is virtually certain that's where the ball is). So if this rule local rule was in place, if you know you hit it into the leaf covered area you get a free drop even if you can't find it.


What I DON'T know is who is allowed to be considered THE COMMITTEE?

Theoretically this should be the people running the golf course, but most of the places I play aren't really fulfilling that role.

So is it allowed for you and your buddies to form a "committee" before your round and institute local rules for your specific competition? I'm not sure. Googled a few things but didn't see anything that specified.

DannyDuberstein said:

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I've got no qualms about lift, clean, and place in winter when the course is dormant and has spent all winter getting hacked up and rolled over in carts. My home course typically puts the rule in place for winter tournaments anyway.

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Ours does too. If I can only play 9 with my group, or if I am just planning a fun day of drinking on the course, I just won't keep score because I'm not turning anything in to GHIN.

Or maybe I should get drunk and turn in every scorecard from the time the MGA tourney season ands and the new ones begin. Get that HCI jacked up to win some cash!

Muy said:

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DannyDuberstein said:

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I've got no qualms about lift, clean, and place in winter when the course is dormant and has spent all winter getting hacked up and rolled over in carts. My home course typically puts the rule in place for winter tournaments anyway.

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Ours does too. If I can only play 9 with my group, or if I am just planning a fun day of drinking on the course, I just won't keep score because I'm not turning anything in to GHIN.

Or maybe I should get drunk and turn in every scorecard from the time the MGA tourney season ands and the new ones begin. Get that HCI jacked up to win some cash!

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I know a lot of guys that don't, but I insert every winter round score that I have. I'd rather document everything than only the good weather rounds.

I like keeping a true score but my fun rounds are on the weekend when I'm not playing for money and those we get 1 mulligan per round.