The shadow- when the spectators made a shaft of light through. It was at this point he touched the sand where the light was.
But the light is a natural element. He asked the spectators to block the light. He was "building a stance?" or whatever -the same as having an umbrella held while U putt?
Where are the rules people when U need them? I don't think that violation was reported.
Frank Hannigan On CBS's Coverage Of The Dustin Johnson Penalty
From the former USGA Executive Director, Frank Hannigan:
The CBS handling of the Dustin Johnson conviction was disgraceful. All that mattered was that Johnson grounded his club in a bunker. Two shot penalty. Sad. End of story.
It meets the definition of a bunker: "a hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like."
The PGA of America didn't create this silly course. They had to deal with it and the Dye-Kohler brand of creativity. Having bunkers where gallery HAS to walk is stupid but it somehow appeals to the egos of the creators. Anticipating the problem, the PGA of America put the matter at the head of its local rules sheet. Each player got an individual notice, it was plastered in the locker room and surely at the 1st and 10th tees. Trust me, no one can make a living if it depends on Tour players ingesting reading matter. When they don't it is their fault when something bad happens.
But how about CBS not telling us until the misery was long decided that the PGA of America at a TV production meeting put the subject of those troublesome trampled bunkers at the head of the meeting agenda. Jim Nantz should have both recounted that meeting immediately AND read the PGA local rules sheet aloud to the audience which might then have understood that Johnson wasn't being lynched. And how about all that talk about it being a "waste area" a piece on nonsense Pete Dye sold to Deane Beman when the Players Club was concocted. There is no such creature as a "waste area." It's either a bunker or "through the green." (The USGAs Tom Meeks stamped and hollered for years about so called waste areas until the Tour finally saw the light.)
Another sin on CBS was not having a bona fide rules official in the booth to speak for the committee immediately. The USGA has the now familiar bow-tied image of its David Fay in the main TV booth. Had the Johnson sadness happened at a US Open the world would have known about it instantly. Moreover, in the USGA mode of operations Fay might very well have interceded by warning a rules official on the spot by radio that Johnson should be warned he is in a bunker. Nick Faldo hemmed and hawed, not willing to tell Nantz, Feherty and Co. to get on with it. I saw Faldo win six majors. I have no doubt that in the same position Faldo would have sought out an official and asked "What is this thing I am standing in?"
My friend David Feherty might be excused. He has a congenital need to stir up trouble, was embarrassed he never thought it might be a bunker (part of his job), and, overall, thinks the rules should be made on an ad hoc basis depending on the romanticism of the outcome. David needs to be reminded that this is not Dublin in 1916 and there is no need for him to storm the post office, using his opera training, roaring out a revolutionary aria.
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I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
The shadow- when the spectators made a shaft of light through. It was at this point he touched the sand where the light was.
But the light is a natural element. He asked the spectators to block the light. He was "building a stance?" or whatever -the same as having an umbrella held while U putt?
Where are the rules people when U need them? I don't think that violation was reported.
the "complicating" Bear
14-2/2.5 Player Positions Bag for Purpose of Providing Shade for Ball
Q. A player positions his golf bag near the teeing ground for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from the position where he tees his ball. He then makes a stroke. Is he in breach of Rule 14-2?
A. Yes. As the player was not in contact with the golf bag, he accepted protection from the elements in breach of Rule 14-2. This answer differs from that in Decision 14-2/2 as, in that case, the player was in contact with the umbrella.
While a player may not place an object or position a person for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from his ball, he may ask a person (e.g., a spectator) who is already in position not to move, so that a shadow remains over the ball, or to move, so that his shadow is not over the ball.
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I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
14-2/2.5 Player Positions Bag for Purpose of Providing Shade for Ball
Q. A player positions his golf bag near the teeing ground for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from the position where he tees his ball. He then makes a stroke. Is he in breach of Rule 14-2?
A. Yes. As the player was not in contact with the golf bag, he accepted protection from the elements in breach of Rule 14-2. This answer differs from that in Decision 14-2/2 as, in that case, the player was in contact with the umbrella.
While a player may not place an object or position a person for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from his ball, he may ask a person (e.g., a spectator) who is already in position not to move, so that a shadow remains over the ball, or to move, so that his shadow is not over the ball.
Ah-ha, He DID in fact ask the spectators to completely block the sun. That WAS an additional violation.
Ah-ha, He DID in fact ask the spectators to completely block the sun. That WAS an additional violation.
The "vindicated" Bear
Quote:
14-2/2.5 Player Positions Bag for Purpose of Providing Shade for Ball
Q. A player positions his golf bag near the teeing ground for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from the position where he tees his ball. He then makes a stroke. Is he in breach of Rule 14-2?
A. Yes. As the player was not in contact with the golf bag, he accepted protection from the elements in breach of Rule 14-2. This answer differs from that in Decision 14-2/2 as, in that case, the player was in contact with the umbrella.
While a player may not place an object or position a person for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from his ball, he may ask a person (e.g., a spectator) who is already in position not to move, so that a shadow remains over the ball, or to move, so that his shadow is not over the ball.
wow, one of us is a really bad reader...
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I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
HE asked the spectator to block a shaft of light that was on the ground. His positioning of the spectator IS a violation.
Problem with ...???
The "Restating" Bear
My last try:
he may ask a person (e.g., a spectator) who is already in position not to move, so that a shadow remains over the ball, or to move, so that his shadow is not over the ball.
He did NOT bring someone in to position him to suit the situation, he was simply trying to keep the shadows of the crowd in place consistent and still.
The player does not have to deal with moving shadows on top of everything else going on.
Kevin
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I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
He did NOT bring someone in to position him to suit the situation, he was simply trying to keep the shadows of the crowd in place consistent and still.
Kevin
Sir- you must review the tape- He clearly positioned the spectator to make a full shadow.
I will now predict a complete disqualification - likely today.
Its not the officials responsibility to tell the player! if a player is in doubt he then can ask the official. Rules officials do not say oh by the way theres hazards on this hole just to remind you and here's your options its the players responsibility the same when you go to school, play golf, play poker, go to jail everything in life the rules are laid out in simple english and here's the great thing if you dont know you can ask the 100 rules officials on the 18th hole just like Bubba Watson did who didn't know his options.
I've played in over 100 sections events never has the rules official standing or sitting in the cart say hey there's hazards out there so her's the options- never. But when i hit a golf ball in there and i didnt know my options and asked for help they were more than helpful to point them out.
Hybrid Mode
