I don't like being a rules hardo on the golf course, especially in matches for a couple of bucks. But some people just leave you no choice.
These little "should we enforce this, or should we not?" conundrums have given me plenty of material for my Stupid Golf Problems columns over the past year or so. There are endless situations where it's far easier as a group to just let things slide, or simply adjust the rules to the entire group's preference. Considering none of us are earning invitations into the Masters any time soon, it's perfectly acceptable to play everything laterally or to not make anybody risk a wrist break if their ball is on a tree root. Yeah, man, take it off that and give yourself a lie. We're not playing for six figures here.
However, some of these moments are pretty black and white to me, like knowing what golf ball you are playing at all times. Brand, Number, Marking. Simple stuff. You should never be "forgetting" what you hit. And if you come across someone who does, you should be on high alert for any other rules they might be skirting.
For this week's Stupid Golf Problem, I wrote about how to handle checking someone on what ball they are playing. It may seem like a weirdly specific topic, but I trust many others have dealt with this like I have.
|
LPGA star continues late-season run with another victory in her home country. Ruoning Yin found something that was just as good as winning in her home country of China: winning there again. The 24-year-old star shot a final-round four-under 68 to overtake Hye-Jin Choi to win the Buick LPGA Shanghai by one shot on Sunday. Yin won the title in 2024, but her win this year came at a different course, the Sheshan Golf Club.
“I think I kept patient the whole week, even though some putts were not dropping,” Yin said. “My putting was working well when I needed it the most. I'm just really proud of my team and myself, and everyone who came out to watch me. I'm just glad I get it done again.”
After a two-year winless streak, Yin has now won her last two events.
|
Rory McIlroy responds to Kevin Kisner's call out. Last week on the Foreplay podcast, Kiz had some pointed comments for the reigning Masters champ, who teed it up at the DP World India Championship. McIlroy had recently discussed expanding golf's reach in India at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi, and Kisner wasn't having any of it. "He doesn’t want to globally expand in India," Kisner stated. "He wants to get his $10 million bucks and go play in India." McIlroy caught wind of the comments on Sunday following his T-42 finish, saying he believes two things can be true at once - 1. that you can get paid to come play a tournament, and 2. that you can accept the appearance fee while still having a genuine interest in growing the game globally. There's your update on this week's latest unnecessary drama/beef in professional golf.
|
LPGA vet slapped with two-stroke penalty while contending in China. Carlota Ciganda, notorious for being one of the more deliberate players on the LPGA Tour, was hit with a costly two-stroke penalty for slow play on Saturday in the Buick LPGA Shanghai. Ciganda received her penalty on the par-4 13th hole while playing the third round at Sheshan International Golf Club. Per a pace of play policy announced by the tour in early 2025, being 1-5 seconds over time is a fine; 6-15 seconds is a one-stroke penalty; 16 seconds or more is two strokes.
This continues a troubling trend for the 36-year-old, who has been assessed numerous slow-play penalties throughout her career, including in the 2023 Evian Championship when she would not accept a two-stroke penalty and was DQ'd from the LPGA major.
|
|
|
|
