My apologies ... for some reason, I have been experiencing some challenges in uploading photos - it seems that I still am! :-D I will try and upload the proper photo this time to support my points above!

On another, completely unrelated note -- boy, these new Pro V1x balls look fantastic! Hahaha :)

I certainly cannot disagree with you on the lack of fairness when a ball settles into a divot on a fairway. I can see problems there however where there would be a lot of discussion on when is a divot a divot ? For example - if the divot has been replaced and patted down, and your ball lands on top of it, are you still offered relief? If it is a sand filled divot that has begun to grow in, at what point is it no longer a divot and simply treated as a slightly bald spot on the fairway? If you ball is just in front or just behind, or one side or the other of the divot, do you get relief?
As much as I dislike playing out of a divot simply because I am being penalized by the lack of etiquette demonstrated by another player, I can see where this could lead to a lot of questions and intricate rulings.
On the other hand....
I believe they should allow for a do-over if I hit my 9 iron instead of my 6 iron. It was clearly a mistake and not the result of a poor shot, just poor eyesight :)

There are a number of rules changes that have been suggested that truly make sense. One I am not sure about is the max triple bogey on a hole ? That works in the case of establishing a handicap, but when it comes to tournament play I think the score should be the score. If you are already hitting three off the tee because your ball went OB on the tee shot, then there is no need to play smart to limit the damage as you can only incur one more additional stroke to par at worst.

Darius

Hi Darius,

I agree with your comment about scoring -- after all, I think that the time is long overdue for "bifurcation" - two sets of Rules. One set for Competitive Tournaments the other for non-tournament play.

The overwhelming "body" of Rules would be the same. Yet, there would be small sections that differ -- Tournament Scoring would be one of those sections that differ.

Regarding the unrepaired divot situations, why I think the current Rule runs afoul of "natural justice" is that if we allow players to repair ball marks and spike marks on a green/putting surface then clearly the same must go for divots in the fairway. After all, ball marks and spike marks are caused by direct human intervention. Ball marks and spike marks directly interfere with another golfer's course of play (no pun intended).

Unrepaired divots in the fairway are exactly the same. They grow in just like ball marks; they have various levels of repair and healing like ball marks, and dare I say that they affect a golfer's play more than a spike mark ever has? There is ambiguity all around - is a small depression the remnants of a ball mark or has it now become a feature of the green?

In addition, both the Green and the Fairway are modern day areas of play that have been designated as such through agronomy, superior maintenance, etc. whereas the rough and other areas have been left in various states.

I see no problem with a ball coming to rest on a "bald" patch on the fairway. I do not see any problems either with a ball coming to rest in a divot that is off of the fairway.

In the professional or competitive tournament situation, there are Rules Officials with every group. Or if not, then the player can elect to play a provisional ball and play both balls out until such time as a ruling can be made afterwards.

After all, the entire reason for having Rules in any competitive sport or game is to "equalize" the playing conditions for all participants. Golf is one of the few sports that does not embrace this - partly I believe due to the "age" of the game and the changes in things like agronomy, maintenance, equipment, etc.

I hope this provides some insight into why I think that the Rules need to adapt in this area. My sincere apologies if it comes across as too "stern".

No apologies required Dino...
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and this forum is a great place to share those opinions with other avid golfers. It is only through sharing our opinions that we create dialogue. That dialogue ultimately can lead to common ground along the way. As I noted, I do agree it is unfair to land in a divot and be penalized due to someone else being too lazy or lacks the required etiquette to replace their sod.
You pointed out the issue of bifurcation of the rules, and although many would say they do not agree with that concept I think it is important to think back to how many times one recorded their "adjusted score" during a non-competition round. Often during weekly play I have either personally said, or have had one of my friends pick up their ball after their second putt misses "That's a Score-Card Double". Tournament play does not offer such grace, nor should it !
I eagerly await the ultimate decision on the changes to the rules and how they will be applied.
Thanks for your well thought out comments Dino...
Darius

This game is hard enough without making things more difficult. I think depending on your playing partners if you want to take the ball out of a divot and its just a casual round with buddies what difference does it make? If its a tournament I say play it as it lies, even if you have to hit it off of Frankensteins fat foot.