The good news is that there’s someone watching the LPGA who cares enough to email the tournament about catching Juli Inkster put a weighted donut on her club to help her warm up after a 30-minute back-up on the 10th tee. The bad news is — pretty obvious — that Inkster was disqualified from the Safeway Classic. She was also playing well and only three strokes behind leader and eventual champion Ai Miyazato going into the final round.
Inkster issued a brief statement: “I had a 30-minute wait and I needed to loosen up,” she said. “It had no effect on my game whatsoever, but it is what it is. I’m very disappointed.”
No doubt Inkster, a 50-year-old veteran and member of the LPGA Hall of Fame, should have known the rule — a seemingly dumb one, but (correct me if I’m wrong) I believe that applies to using a laser range finder in a tournament, which I don’t think should be allowed.
Should armchair rules officials be allowed to anonymously email or call in to any tour if they’ve seen an apparent violation? Is that fair? Especially when players and their playing partners, along with rules officials, are supposed to call penalties? I guess spectators are expected to say something, too. But given the way TV works, only certain players are spotted and receive more air-time for committing an error that another might have also done. That’s the way rules work, though, right? Rules aren’t always fair, but they protect the game and the field. Or something like that.
August 23rd, 2010 on 8:37 am
I can’t think of another sport where calling in an offense is possible, so it seems pretty unfair from that perspective. Can you imagine how something like that would work in baseball? Ball, no ummmm strike.
The LPGA probably needs to rethink this in the era of live coverage, twitter, etc. In my opinion if the on-site referees and other players don’t call it then it should stand.
However I don’t feel too bad about it. Juli might have called it on herself, but I suspect she would have waited until after the round was complete.
August 23rd, 2010 on 8:41 am
difinately fair and not the first time. in 1987, Craig Stadler has someone call in when he used a towel to kneel down so he could hit a shot out from under a tree.
As far as range finders etc., they are illegal during tournament play (although many local club tournaments allow them for faster play reasons)
I am surprised someone did not point out to Dustin Johnson that he was in fact in the bunker. I noticed it on TV and said, I wish I was standing there…
August 23rd, 2010 on 8:51 am
She could have swung two clubs together. I can see how the rule seems unfair yet I can also see how it’s necessary. How is that top players don’t know these things? I knew that it’s illegal to use a training aid during a round and I also check the local rules in any new course and I’m not playing for a living.
Incidentally, what about Scott McCarron’s Aimpoint green reading charts? Between seeing caddies lining up their players and now charts that accurately give them the breaks is greenreading another skill that is going to be diminished or lost?
I play off five and I am sure that if I knew the breaks on all my putts that I could save 4-5 shots a round. Sometimes I can’t tell if they break left-to-right or the other way. But, isn’t this a skill?
August 23rd, 2010 on 9:06 am
Rules are rules. That’s what makes the game of golf so great: even the best can be humble.
August 23rd, 2010 on 9:31 am
Have to agree with the call – though I adamantly disagree with the assertion that this came from some random viewer. Nobody has the email addresses and almost nobody has the temporary phone number that goes to the tournament people.
And to Inkster – the idea that it didn’t help your swing – if you hadn’t tightened up during the wait, you wouldn’t have pulled out that weight to loosen up – so it DID help your swing.
This is another rule that needs to be looked at going forward. Either educate the players, on the rules, or change rules that aren’t applicable to modern times.
August 23rd, 2010 on 9:32 am
Oh – and Steph – read your rule book !
14-3/10 deals with training devices attached to the club.
August 23rd, 2010 on 9:55 am
Inkster said, ‘It had no effect on my game whatsoever.’ But I disagree. What is the purpose of warming up? One of the major reasons, a fine candidate for the overwhelming reason, is to prevent injuries. There was a 30 minute delay. Is it possible/likely that any athlete’s body would tighten in 30 minutes of waiting? Let alone a 50 y o. The effect of the rule and ruling is clear. The LPGA and the USGA are saying, ‘We want more injuries in golf.’ They are saying, intentional or not, ‘We want golf to resemble NASCAR. The anticipation of crashes and injuries is the way to go.’
August 23rd, 2010 on 9:56 am
NO, pros do not know all the rules of golf or the interpretation of golf rules. Even Nick Faldo says he was not aware that the donot was illegal. 98% of all viewers,golf fans,could not pass a test on the rules of golf and its interpretations. I would defend the what Julie did was NOT a violation of 14-3/10 (Use of Training or Swing Aid During Round) What she had was not a swing or training aid and would defend it in a court of law.
Spare me people(even fellow pros Christina Kim) when they say she had an unfair advantage. I would let you swing one all round and your score would not improve one bit. You would have no advantage and tests have proven that your swing speed would become slower.
The bigger problem is 1. The lpga, pga allow people outside call and determine rules violations. Just ridiculous. Spare me golf in full of honor, if Julie had not been called on this, people would not think any less of her or the game.
Let the rules officials and players call the violations.
Is it fair that not all players are on TV for everyone to see, NO.
Can you call into a Nfl game and say they missed a holding call? NO!
This is just bringing more negativity to the game of golf.
Problem 2, The stuffy old men that make and enforce the rules of golf need to get off their high horse and change the rules to address the modern golf game and golf course design.
Julies DQ was another black eye to golf.
It was not fair or justified!
August 23rd, 2010 on 10:08 am
Any professional golfer who needs to use a swing or training aid during a tournament round is not going to last long as a pro.
I also do not think Inkster violated the spirit of the rules of golf by trying to keep loose during a long delay by taking a few warm up swings with a “donut” attached to her club.
That being said it was a technical violation of the rule. Disqualification seems like to harsh a penalty for that infraction.
It’s time for the USGA to take a closer look at many of its rules.
August 23rd, 2010 on 10:08 am
The people that say she revive an unfair advantage because the donut allowed her to loosen up after a 30 minute wait. Just ridiculous!
Players can warm up, stretch any time during the round. Swing two clubs together(dangerous)is allowed, the donut is a safer way to do this.
It was not a swing or training aid, and offered no unfair advantage!
August 23rd, 2010 on 10:28 am
John – emotionalism aside – what if you were one of the other players in that field and found out that Inkster had broken a rule (no matter how obscure or bizarre) and was not punished according to the rule, and that cost you money and finishing position in the field ?
This was not some brand new rule – it has been in the rule book a longer than she has been playing the game. She’s 50 years old and should know the rules by now.
However – I do agree with you that a little housecleaning needs to be done on the rule book. Modern equipment isn’t the same as it was when the rule was written.
Make the tours come up with rules to handle these situations if they aren’t covered in the regular rules.
August 23rd, 2010 on 10:37 am
Courtgolf First I contend no advantage for her over any other player, would not cost anyone money. All players can loosen up anytime, that was a safe way to do it.
Second I contend it was not a rules violation, neither a swing aid or training tool.
This rule was not put in place for a warm up donut.
August 23rd, 2010 on 10:45 am
@johngolfpro. I would think that ninety eight percent of people know the rules of their work. Faldo’s lack of knowledge on the rules is another thing he shouldn’t be proud of.
Are you seriously suggesting that practice aids be allowed during competitive rounds because they don’t work?
It’s easy to throw out comments about ‘stuffy old men’ but golf is a sport where you police yourself and without strict rules you would face anarchy. In my opinion these incidents do not damage the sport of golf in any way. The ignorance of practicioners at the highest level: well that’s another story.
August 23rd, 2010 on 11:10 am
She broke the rules she is supposed to know and agree to. So, yes, she deserved to be penalized. I think a 2 stroke penalty/loss of hole would be a much more appropriate penalty.
August 23rd, 2010 on 12:18 pm
There is no other sport where call-ins from “fans” hanging out on the couch is considered legal. It shouldn’t in golf either. Ridiculous!!
August 23rd, 2010 on 12:20 pm
Steph,
Since a round of golf does not begin until the player’s first shot of the day, how much fun would it be to see Juli warm up on the first tee with her donut in full view of the fans, and then watch their reaction?
August 23rd, 2010 on 1:58 pm
Would it have been a penalty if she used a real doughnut?
August 23rd, 2010 on 2:07 pm
No Duckhook that would not have been a penalty under rule 15-C-2-11
August 23rd, 2010 on 2:16 pm
As the great Pete Bell(Nick Nolte) from the movie Blue Chips(1994) stated…..
“Boys, the rules don’t make much sense. But I believe in the rules. Some of us broke them. I broke them. I can’t do this. I can’t win like this.”
The same applies to golf.
August 23rd, 2010 on 2:23 pm
Dion,
The reason you have rules officials in golf is because they are very complicated and yes pros do not know ALL the rules and interpretations of such rules. Faldo is an example of someone in golf most his life and still not knowing the interpretation with this rule with a warm up donut.
Most people that say yep its a rule, she broke it should have know better have no clue.
If you read, I said I do not believe the donut is a swing aid or teaching tool. Does nothing to improve swing or give any advantage to player. Strictly used as a warm up just like swinging two clubs.
Police yourself? Yourself meaning a viewer can email or call and have a player DQ’d. What about other players not on TV do they have advantage? That is such a joke to allow this to happen. I am sure that’s what golf founders had in mind when making the rules.
Yes you need rules in golf like any other sport. You need to look at changing rules as the game changes and course design changes. Rules 14-3 was not put in place for a warm up donut.
August 23rd, 2010 on 2:32 pm
John. where are you a golf pro at? Bushwood? You may not believe a donut is a swing aid, but the rules say it is.
August 23rd, 2010 on 2:37 pm
I’ve never used a donut but I have a weighted club and was never in any doubt it would not be legal to use on course. The sellers of the donut describe it thus: “The Golf Swing Weight Donut can help you groove your swing and build power and tempo.” Seems like a swing aid to me!
I agree that nobody could possibly know all the rules but this one is hardly obscure. The TV viewer point is a complete red herring. You are hardly suggesting that it’s alright to break a rule if nobody sees it. In fact you could argue that the officials/TV evidence saved Dustin Johnson from disqualification for signing for a wrong score.
August 23rd, 2010 on 2:42 pm
Duckhook, why would you make that statement. If you want to use Bushwood as an analogy then let’s use it. If you think John is the golf pro at Bushwood then you sir are Spaulding. A donut doesn’t improve or aid your golf swing. A donut loosens one up in order to play or work on a golf swing. In your case Duckhook a.k.a Spaulding, you haves lots of work to do on your game and knowledge of the game.
August 23rd, 2010 on 2:50 pm
Duck hook (aka Spaulding) show me in rules where it addresses the donut Julie used. You are the spectator that has no clue as what is in the rules of golf. But will say yep says it right there in rules its a penalty.
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:05 pm
John, see 14-3 under :14-3. Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment( ie a doughnut) and Unusual Use of Equipment.
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:23 pm
Hey there Duckhook. You seem to be pretty good with the rules. What does it say about instant replay? After getting the email from the person watching it on tv they had to go back and review it. Are they allowed to do that? Looking forward to your reply Spaulding.
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:25 pm
Duckhook, I don’t see items listed. Is a golf glove a artificial device? How about weights the new style drivers
How about lead tape to the back of a putter are these all artificial devices?
Unusual use of equipment? Is swinging 2 clubs together to warm up unusual use of equipment?
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:39 pm
I dont think its fair i get a penalty when i hit a ball out of bounds, i dont think its fair that i cant use my rangefinder during tournaments – i could give you a list of things i think are not to my liking in this sport. But guess what – ITS A RULE, and when i play this game the moment i step on the first teebox, i accept these rules. And if i break them, i get penalized. There is no discussion or interpretation necessary, because you cant make up your mind over a rule after you broke it.
These guys/gals make millions, and they are too lazy to learn the rules of the profession? Well, their fault. But i bet you one thing – if their ball ends up in a shitty spot, they will find a rule to get a free drop. All of a sudden they love the rules and know them very well.
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:40 pm
Gentlemen, gentlemen.
As far as rules and their interpetations go, no sport is tougher than golf. It is a players responsibility and (hopefully) desire to play within the rules.
A donut is indeed considered a training device as that in fact was the decision rendered by the AUTHORITIES at that event. My guess without looking at the decisions book (actually event interpetations of the rules) there is a situation that is very similar to this instance. Furthermore, the USGA and Royal and Ancient Golf get together every two years to adjust the rules. So it IS up to date with equipment etc.
I used to be a golf professional and a rules official at our section events. I am no rookie to these type of occurances. Even the best pros are not knowledgable on ALL the nuances of the rules, hence calling over an official.
As far as the donut, it allowed Julie to use extra equipment to get loose DURING A ROUND that other players did not have availability to. Hence, an advantage over the field. Julie, had she known, would never have used it. However, I am also sure as classy as she is, once she did use it and realized it was illegal, she would have called it on herself.
well, I broke down and pulled out the decisions book…
Rule 14-3 and decisions 14 3/10 are very clear that using the donut helps her warm up which in turn, helps her with her next stroke.
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:44 pm
Taken from USGA website (cut and paste) Decisions area
14-3/10 Use of Training or Swing Aid During Round
Q. During a round, may a player make a stroke or a practice swing using a club with a weighted headcover or “donut” on it, or use any other device designed as a training or swing aid?
A. No. The player would be using an artificial device to assist him in his play in breach of Rule 14-3, but see also Decision 4-4a/7 for use of a weighted training club.
Guess Spaulding (duckhook) was right for once huh, John Golf Pro?
August 23rd, 2010 on 4:40 pm
First, the USGA needs to put a task force together to take a close look at the Rules of Golf. Some of them are antiquated and some are just plain stupid. And, take a look to make sure the punishment fits the crime.
Second, the LPGA and the PGA Tour must shut the door on “viewers” or spectators making calls (or emails) about violations. Tournaments pay hefty fees to the Tours who are responsible for supplying Rules Officials. Let them do their job. If they don’t see it, and the player doesn’t know or call the rule, then too bad. Baseball umpires don’t look into the stands to get consensus on a ruling. If they blow the call, and find out later, they just suck it up and say “it’s part of the game.” And to Courtgolf who wants to know how we would feel if we were one of the other players….too bad. Baseball and football teams lose all the time because of bad calls. It’s part of the game.
Finally, this was not a random viewer who blew the whistle on Julie Inkster (who happens to be one of the game’s classiest, standup people). No random viewer has the email address of the tournament officials. And why are tournament officials checking email during a tournament. Fishy.
A rule is a rule, but the situation is BS! And this crap will go on and on if the USGA, the LPGA and the PGA Tour don’t step up to the plate to fix it.
August 23rd, 2010 on 8:09 pm
If I were Julie Inskster I would want that viewers work phone # so I could call the employer the next time he/she takes a 2.5 hour lunch or sneaks out early on a friday.
August 23rd, 2010 on 9:38 pm
Jim Schoenfeld: “Have another donut!”
August 24th, 2010 on 10:02 am
opps
August 24th, 2010 on 10:29 am
The most profound statement is all of this dialogue was from Duckhook (Spaulding), and I quote “Would it have been a penalty if she used a real doughnut?.” Sheer brillance.
August 24th, 2010 on 3:51 pm
How about this scenario: nobody calls in to the LPGA, Inkster wins the tournament, then the Golf Channel shows the infraction over and over again (after someone finally realizes the error) and Inkster realizes she won even though she committed a penalty. Do you really think Inkster would be happy with that?
This is why golf is “better” than other sport.
To put it another way: What if in MLB the player had actually been ‘safe’ but the umpire called him ‘out’ and it ended in a perfect game. Do you really think the pitcher would be happy with his perfect game knowing the player was actually safe?
The rules are there for a reason, and the players are obligated to know the rules.
Whether or not the infraction caused any advantage is beside the point. It was against the rules.
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