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View Full Version : The Sorta 7 Amendments to the USGA Rules Of Golf


mirak
Jan 15, 2006, 04:27 PM
I found these on a website, I think I'll start using these rules !!


1.) Always Improve Your Lie
Golf is challenging enough even from a good lie. There's no reason for golfers to be further penalized by poor course maintenance or the randomness of nature. The first rule of SortaGolf is to be sure to Always Improve Your Lie (http://sortagolf.manilasites.com/stories/storyReader$50) so as to give you the best possible chance to play your best golf.


Golfers instinctively know this and have over the years developed solutions of their own, like "bumping 'em in the fairway". Now, thanks to SortaGolf, this kind of progressive thinking can be expanded to almost every shot you play. With SortaGolf, the last thing you should be asking yourself before addressing the ball is, "Could my lie be improved?"


Proximity to the original location of the ball should not be an impediment to this process. As a result, if it is necessary to move your ball a considerable way in order to accomplish the task, then you should do so. This is especially true if a little extra distance will not only provide you with the optimal lie, but will also have the added benefit of allowing you to more easily avoid an obstacle (a tree, for example) or otherwise provide you with a better approach to your target.

Although, improving one’s lie cannot result in moving your ball closer to the hole or result in taking the ball from the rough to the fairway.

The only areas of the course were this rule does not apply is in sand traps or on the putting surface. There, you must play the ball were it lies.

2.) Double Bogey Is Max



Simply stated, the maximum score allowed on any hole in SortaGolf is a double bogey, period.

Regardless, of the number of balls lost out-of-bounds or in a water hazard. Regardless, of the number of shots taken to get out of the bunker. Regardless, of the number of putts it took to get into the cup. Double bogey is the maximum allowable score to be taken on a hole.

This unprecedented level of Damage Control (http://sortagolf.manilasites.com/stories/storyReader$458) frees the SortaGolfer from the stress and worry of blowing up on a single hole and sacrificing an otherwise stellar round. With SortaGolf the "wheels" need never come off. And, most importantly, the dreaded "Snowman" will never again cometh.

Therefore, backing up to the blue tees and swinging away is highly encouraged.



3.) Inside The Pole Is Good



One of the true pleasures of golf is making a par (or better!) putt. Golfers should always hole out these types of scoring putts, regardless of their distance.


But, is there anything quite as irritating as missing a meaningless short putt for bogey? There's even a disease, called the Yips (http://sortagolf.manilasites.com/yips), for those more mature golfers afflicted with the continual missing of short putts.


Recreational golfers traditionally have treated putts "inside the leather" (i.e. a putt that is less than the distance from the end of the putter head to where the grip starts) as good. However, when one is putting for bogey, the SGA does not believe that this approach adequately meets the needs of today's recreational golfer. Have you ever measured this distance before? It is typically less than 2 feet.

As a result, we at SortaGolf subscribe to the theory that any bogey putt "inside the pole" (i.e. a putt that is less than the length of the flagstick) is good. This innovation virtually eliminates the embarrassment of four putts along with providing the added benefit of speeding up play for everyone on the course.


With SortaGolf, the frustration of missing meaningless short bogey putts, are a thing of the past. Amen!



4.) One In-One Out



There are penalty strokes in SortaGolf, but the administration of them is simple and clear. It's the "one in-one out" principle.

Hit your ball into the water; it's one stroke in and one stroke (penalty) out, dropping no closer to the hole.

Hit your ball out-of-bounds; it's one stroke in and one stroke (penalty) out, dropping close to where the ball went OB. The stroke AND distance penalties of the USGA are an outrage.



Keep in mind though to Always Improve Your Lie (http://sortagolf.manilasites.com/stories/storyReader$50) and that "Double Bogey Is Max".

mirak
Jan 15, 2006, 04:28 PM
5.) Any Found Ball Is Yours



Nothing is more maddening than searching for a ball that you have hit in the rough, the woods or some other hazard and finding 15 balls, none of which are yours.

With SortaGolf this is no longer an issue. Possession is 9/10ths of the law. So if you find a ball, then it is deemed yours, free of charge or penalty. A few tips are in order however…

First, as a matter of courtesy, you should check to be sure the ball does not belong to another member of your group.



Second, if you find multiple balls which are not yours, make sure to choose the one which is in the best position and replace it with the ball which is in the best condition.

Finally, as always, remember to Always Improve Your Lie (http://sortagolf.manilasites.com/stories/storyReader$50).



6.) Equipment, It's All Good



There's been a lot of hoopla from the USGA recently about equipment. What's legal and what's not.

It all seems pretty silly to us at SortaGolf when you realize that despite all the advances in golf equipment, the average score among recreational golfers hasn't improved in over 50 years.

At the SGA, we say, "anything goes" with respect to equipment. If some manufacturer is willing to make it, then it's okay to use it. Drivers with a "spring-like effect", "hot" balls that fly forever, non-conforming club designs, specs that exceed USGA mandates...you name it, they are all legal.



Equally important, there is no limit (ie.14) on the number of clubs one may carry in their bag. Consider it amnesty for all recreational golfers.

We agree with what Arnold Palmer said, "we should focus on people having fun playing golf and using the equipment they enjoy using."



7.) Mulligan To Taste

Mulligans are an undeniable part of the rich heritage of golf despite what the USGA might say. So much so that many golfers have come up with their own alternative "pet" names for a Mulligan (ex. Gozer, Breakfast Ball, etc.)

In SortaGolf, Mulligans are encouraged and seen as a vital part of the golfing experience. They play a role similar to that of salt, providing much-needed 'flavor' while 'preserving' the enjoyment of a round. And like with salt, each golfer has their own 'taste' level. That being said, golfers should be cautious not to ‘over salt’ their game with too many Mulligans so as to ruin the integrity of their round.

Finally, the number, terms of use and tradability of Mulligans are to be negotiated and agreed to among the players prior to teeing off (or after you have exhausted the number of Mulligans previously negotiated).

akrus
Jan 15, 2006, 05:03 PM
Umm, no.

Grass Roots Tour
Jan 15, 2006, 07:41 PM
Umm, no.


Whole heartedly agree.

mirak
Jan 15, 2006, 08:46 PM
Where's your sense of humor? it's obviously a JOKE !!!

Thimble
Jan 15, 2006, 09:18 PM
i dunno... i think the rules are pretty good for beginners - ie. people who can't break 100. the only rules i'd change are 2 and 7. 2 should be triple, not double bogey. a trip won't kill a round if you're a 100+ player. and 7... i think one is enough except for the first T, which is a free mullie...

Golfbum
Jan 16, 2006, 06:30 AM
Where's your sense of humor? it's obviously a JOKE !!!
Knowing those 7 Amendments were a joke I had a good laugh out of them this morning :D

aaagc
Jan 16, 2006, 10:10 AM
Where's your sense of humor? it's obviously a JOKE !!!Oh damn. I've just put them to our committee for discussion at the next meeting.

The Kicker of Elves
Jan 16, 2006, 02:49 PM
4.) One In-One Out



There are penalty strokes in SortaGolf, but the administration of them is simple and clear. It's the "one in-one out" principle.

Hit your ball into the water; it's one stroke in and one stroke (penalty) out, dropping no closer to the hole.

Hit your ball out-of-bounds; it's one stroke in and one stroke (penalty) out, dropping close to where the ball went OB. The stroke AND distance penalties of the USGA are an outrage.

I wouldn't mind this one for OB. It could help shorten rounds and save lives. ;)

Anyone who's been ready to tee off and seen someone come plodding back for a reload knows what I mean...

iyell4
Jan 25, 2006, 10:47 PM
Where's your sense of humor? it's obviously a JOKE !!!
gud 1 mirak! i know so many guys who've earned their cards for the SGA.:)

duffer_devon
Jan 26, 2006, 04:26 PM
This is not a joke. Go to www.sortagolf.com (http://www.sortagolf.com) - and you will see that they are dead serious about changing the way "recreational" golfers play the game.

Although, most weekend golfers do some of these things anyway. For the record, I am not one of them and my Tour plays the RCGA rules of golf.