Golf’s Most Cruel Rule Has Now Been Relaxed to a Fair Penalty

Golf is a sport that follows a strict set of rules. Although players are bound to play by them, they are not necessarily fond of every rule of the sport. Even Tiger Woods, the G. O. A. T. of golf, had to pay fines sometimes for disobeying them. 

Remitting a fine for violating rules is not considered a big problem in golf. In fact, there are some rules that can let one player be disqualified from an event, even if he or she is leading the field with a massive lead. 

However, thanks to the USGA and R&A officials, who recently released the modified set of golf rules, the players now can’t be bothered by getting disqualified if they forget to sign the scorecard. 

The modified rule of forgetting to sign the scorecard is much better than the old one

According to the new Model Local Rule L-1, the officials have reduced the penalty if players forget to sign their scorecard. Instead of disqualification, they would get two strokes added to the last hole of the round. 

“There has been a lot of interest in this area from the professional game,” Craig Winter, USGA senior director of Rules of Golf and Amateur Status, said about this particular modification. “And this is a local rule we expect them to adopt,” he added. 

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The penalty given to the players may have decreased to a certain level. However, the officials expect them to record their correct scores on the card. If a player signs a higher score than what he actually shot, it will become his new score without further discussion. On the contrary, if the player signs for a lower score, that will let him get disqualified. 

Notably, the modified version of the rules will be applicable only after the end of 2022. Until then, players will have to follow the old ones. 

Why did the European Tour officials impose a fine on Tiger Woods? 

Tiger Woods might be the greatest golfer of all time. However, an incident that took place in the final round of the 2011 Dubai Desert Classic proved that even he is not immune to violating the rules of golf. 

The former world no. 1 was found spitting on the green after he missed a par putt on No. 12. The incident got caught on camera, and the European Tour officials fined him for the same. The incident even led him to issue an apology. 

Forgetting to sign a card is not going to be considered a big offense in golf anymore. Do you agree with the modification? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

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