These Golf Rules Need to Change

No Relief for a Perfect Tee Shot Stuck in a Fairway Divot
Mandatory Knee-Height Drop Procedure
Penalty Drop Required When Ball Lands in a Flooded Bunker

Golf is a gentleman's sport. Except for tournaments where tour professionals compete, there are no referees. Golfers are expected to play honestly and abide by the rules.

However, there are situations that feel unfair. Because the game is played in nature, unexpected circumstances can arise. There are certain golf rules that I strongly believe should be changed.

The fairway divot hole is a prime example. It is one of the most unfair rules in golf. Imagine hitting a beautiful tee shot right down the middle of the fairway. With impressive distance, you expect a great chance at birdie. But upon reaching your ball, you are filled with despair-it has landed in a divot hole 5 centimeters deep. According to the rules, you must play the ball as it lies.

It is fair to provide relief without penalty when the tee shot lands in a fairway divot. Provided by Golf Monthly

It is difficult to maintain your composure. After a poor second shot, you fail to reach the green. The hole ends with a bogey-on in three, two putts. Finding your ball in a divot is deeply frustrating. If you lack confidence in your precision, you might even consider taking a penalty to drop outside the divot. This is an extremely unfair situation. A divot is an abnormal ground condition, and in such cases, relief without penalty should be allowed.

The dropping procedure is also inconvenient. The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) revised the rules in 2021, requiring that the ball be dropped from knee height. This is certainly more lenient than the previous rule, which required dropping from shoulder height. However, it is questionable why every ball must be dropped from knee height. An incorrect drop can lead to additional risks. Players should be allowed to place the ball more freely, and the rules should be further simplified. This would naturally speed up the pace of play.

I am also dissatisfied with the rules regarding flooded bunkers. They are simply too unfair. Suppose your second shot lands in a greenside bunker. When you arrive, you find that heavy rain has filled the bunker with water, and your ball is completely submerged. This is something that can happen during play. According to the rules, you must attempt your shot from the flooded area. While you can try, retrieving a submerged ball is not easy.

You are allowed to drop within the bunker, taking a one-stroke penalty and dropping in a spot without water. Alternatively, you can take a two-stroke penalty and play from outside the bunker. The rules should be amended so that a ball landing in a flooded bunker can be dropped outside the bunker without penalty. Since the ball did not enter a penalty area, it is unfair to impose an additional penalty.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.