The Definitions -- The Language of Golf

In my last post, I was somewhat harsh toward CBS analysts Ian Baker-Finch and David Feherty for not understanding the term "Dormie". As a result, I had some who asked about the derivation of the term. Here's what I discovered - and maybe some of my criticism wasn't completely warranted.....

According to About.com: Golf, "Dormie comes from the word 'dormir,' which shares a French and Latin origin. 'Dormir' means 'to sleep.' 'Dormie' means that a player has reached a match-play lead that is insurmountable - and so the player can relax, knowing that he cannot lose the match. 'Dormir' (to sleep) turns into 'dormie' (relax, you can't lose)." It goes on to say, "At least, that's what the USGA Museum says." The definition as it applies to golf is that the player is as many "up" as there are holes left to be played.

Baker-Finch made the comment that since each match was to be played until a winner was determined (such as the Casey-Villegas match), dormie wasn't applicable. His point being that there would not necessarily be a set number of holes left to be played. Or, applying the historical derivation, the player would never be able to relax as he could lose in extra holes.

Also, in fairness to Ian and David, I also must be critical of the announcers on the PGA TOUR NETWORK on XM Radio (#146). While I truly enjoy listening to their broadcasts while in my truck, I cannot tell you how many times during their coverage of the Accenture World Match Play Championship I heard them refer to a ball that went over the green as the ball went "through the green". And, this is not limited to just them, many people who cover golf have made the same mistake.

Unfortunately, this creates confusion in the average golfer. As a result, when that golfer attempts to proceed under the Rules, he may do so incorrectly since (believing the information he heard on the radio or TV to be correct) he doesn't understand the Language of Golf - the Definitions. It is imperative that anyone closely related to golf, whether they be an announcer, tournament player, or simply passionate about golf, know the Definitions within the Rules. After all, Rule 6-1 tells us that "the player and his caddie are responsible for knowing the Rules." Yet, how can one reasonably expect to be able to follow the Rules if he doesn't understand completely the language in which the Rules are written?

So, what exactly does the term "through the green" mean? It is the whole area of the course except: (a) the Teeing Ground and Putting Green of the hole being played; and (b) all hazards on the course. By the way, these four are the only parts of a golf course.

Until next time-

Doug

Match Play and TIOs

Today's coverage of the Accenture Match Play Championship has included two interesting situations that warrant mentioning.

The first came at the opening of the coverage. Ian Baker-Finch and David Feherty were discussing some of the relevant points of match play versus stroke play. They were doing an excellent job - right up to the time when Baker-Finch attempted to explain the phrase dormie. He stated that, since in this event a match had to be played to a conclusion and could not end in a halved match (tie), you could "throw dormie out the window". Unfortunately, this is not a correct use of the term. Dormie is a good thing for a player - it means the player is as many "UP" as there are holes to play. For example, if the player is 4 Up with 4 to play, he is dormie.

The second came in this afternoon's semi-final match between Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia. Poulter had played his second shot way left of the green with the ball coming to rest immediately behind/under a small bush. However, in his "line of play" was a television tower. Since this is there as part of the tournament, it is called a TIO (temporary immovable obstruction). A player is entitled to relief from a TIO should he have interference from stance, lie of ball, area of intended swing (just like a standard immovable obstruction) and line of flight if he played directly toward the hole. However, it must be reasonable for him to play that direction.

Poulter (who just closed out Garcia 7&6) claimed that he was entitled to relief. Yet, the first official denied his request saying that it was unreasonable due to the ball's lie behind/under the bush. Poulter called for a second opinion (his right) and this official ruled in his favor, giving him the opportunity to take a drop.

The area in which he would be required to drop is determined by using one club-length from the outer-most edge of the TIO. After measuring the first club-length, he must then drop within the second club-length. When Poulter started looking at his options, he was going to be dropping into a bush. Thus, he ended up playing the ball as it lay.

Too bad today's play has been bothered by the rain and "cold" (hey, that's relative), although the sun had returned. Tucson is a beautiful place and great part of the country - not to mention it is home to the University of Arizona (my alma mater).

Until next time-

Doug

Interesting Updates

It appears the groove issue is starting to (thankfully) die, and Tiger's "press conference" Friday will make it last decade's news, but Golf World had an interesting quote from Padraig Harrington. After he was told the new groove rule was announced way back in August 2008, he quipped, "It wasn't announced to me." Maybe Padraig should spend some of his quiet time as he flies across the Atlantic re-reading the Rules of Golf (better yet, he can download the new Rules of Golf iPhone app) and start with Rule 6-1, "The Player and his caddie are responsible for knowing the Rules."

On the heels of the Mickelson-McCarron-Groove Rule controversy and reconciliation comes another set of interesting rules tidbits from last week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

According to Teemaster.com's weekly electronic newsletter TeeMail, it seems Bill Murray (think Caddyshack) was penalized two-strokes under Rule 6-3a for being late to the tee. Under that rule, a player is required to be on the tee and ready to play at his scheduled starting time. Apparently Murray was being interviewed by CBS analysts Gary McCord and David Feherty while the professionals in his group, Minnesota's own Tim Herron (his partner) and Rocco Mediate, played away thus making him late and subject to a two-stroke penalty. Fortunately (or unfortunately), it didn't matter as the Herron/Murray team missed the cut.

This is particularly interesting considering the article that appeared this week in Charlie Walters' column in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The article featured Hollis Cavner's (Tournament Director for the Champions Tour 3M Championship) experiences while playing with Phil Mickelson during the final round of the same Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Cavner, who partnered with K.J. Choi, is quoted as saying "There was a lot of b.s. going back and forth; we chatted and joked the whole time," he said. "Phil would help you with shots, show you things, 'You need to do this.' He'd look at your clubs and go, 'This is too upright for you.' He was reading putts. You couldn't ask for a nicer guy. It was just a fabulous day."

Hmm, if Cavner was saying that Mickelson (while in contention for the professional title) was helping him, this is in direct violation of Rule 8-1, which states "During a stipulated round, a player must not: (a) give advice to anyone in the competition playing on the course other than his partner, or (b) ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or either of their caddies." The penalty for a breach of this rule is two strokes in stroke play.

Until next time-
Doug

The New Groove Rule and What It Means for You

Unless you have been up on the International Space Station or in a coma for the past few weeks, as a golfer you have to be aware of the controversy on the PGA TOUR regarding Phil Mickelson, Scott McCarron and the new groove rule. Unfortunately, much of what we have heard on television has done little to concisely inform the general golfing public what the new groove rule will mean to them. Thus, I hope this will answer most of your questions.

Beginning in 2010 – The new groove rule is adopted by organizations conducting qualifiers and championships at the very highest level for professional-only and “Open” competitions, such as the three USGA and R&A Open Championships (Men’s, Women’s & Senior) and the major tours. It will be considered as a “Condition of Competition”. Other non-major tours (i.e. Gateway, Futures, etc) may elect to adopt the rule.

Manufacturers may continue to build clubs that do not meet the new groove specifications through the end of this year (2010); however, all clubs built after 1/1/2011 must conform to the new groove regulations.

Beginning in 2014 – This is the earliest the new groove rule will begin to impact amateur golf on a general scale – but (again) only at the highest level. It will become a standard “Condition of Competition” for the highest “amateur-only” competitions, including all USGA amateur-only championships. The Committee of any competition for “expert players” may choose to adopt the rule; however, it is not mandatory.

On a local and state-level, this would be the year the MGA and the other allied associations within Minnesota would begin using the rule – if desired. The MGA Tournament & Rules Committee has already begun the discussion as to whether the rule will be adopted. The Committee did not take any action but will continue discussing the issue.

Beginning in 2024 – This is the planned year for adoption of the rule that will impact the remaining golfers. Prior to this year, golfers may play any golf equipment that was ruled to be conforming under the Rules. As is the case in 2014, the adoption of this rule is at the discretion of the Committee (the group or organization in charge of an event or in charge of the course) and will not be mandatory.

Interesting note to the establishment of this date, consumer research revealed that that only 2% of all iron sets are in use more than 15 years. This rule was written in 2008 (2008 + 15 years = 2023; thus, the year 2024).

If this does not answer your questions, or for complete information on the new groove rule, visit the USGA web site – www.usga.org – or click here.

Until next time-

Doug