Rules Evening Enlightens All
When is a molehill not a molehill?
This subject, and many other, were debated as part of the first Hinksey Heights Rules Evening, and facilitated by our guest Martin Morbey, PGA Tour Rules Official (pictured officiating at the Junior Ryder Cup, Club Marco Simone, 2023 - Courtesy of the PGA)
29 members attended and anxiously nibbled crisps, olives and pretzels, as they tried to work their way through 20 True of False questions set by Martin. Afraid to own up that they didn’t have a clue about what constitutes a stroke, what an animal hole is, or when a ball is officially holed, most attendees kept their puzzled heads down until Martin started the explanations for the answers.
There were relieved cheers when an answer was correct, and the point reiterated was that the rules of gold are fairly logical but the interpretative elements are where things can go horribly wrong. Many members fully understood for the first time rules about taking relief, what to do if you are in a red hazard, and what does constitute out of bounds, as Martin took the time to explain these clearly.
The biggest laughter of the evening was a discussion about molehills and the revelation that they were the same as worm casts. The only issue from rule 25-1b was that if the flattened remains of a molehill were clearly identifiable as a cast made by a burrowing animal, a player would be eligible for relief. So, the question of when a molehill is not a molehill might rumble on across the fairways for years to come.
The other fascinating part of the evening was when Martin answered questions about his favourite players and dream fourball (Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Dame Laura Davies), choosing Rory to play any difficult long-game shot, and officiating under the extreme pressure of the Ryder Cup and millions of TV viewers where he refereed the singles match between Max Homa and Matthew Fitzpatrick which needed a big decision on the 18th hole to confirm an unplayable lie and drop back online for Homa who went on to pitch and hole for a par 5 to win the match. Over the headset Martin heard the words from the head referee, “are you happy?”, which everyone clearly was with the correct decision being made.
Thanks are due to Annabel and Penny (Women’s Captain and Vice-Captain) for organising the evening and to David Brimble and Steve Finn for all the V1 communications to promote it.
It is certainly an event that we will look to put on again and plan to invite Martin back in the early part of next season in the hope that more new members might benefit from having the basic rules explained so well.
Jarlath Brine
29 members attended and anxiously nibbled crisps, olives and pretzels, as they tried to work their way through 20 True of False questions set by Martin. Afraid to own up that they didn’t have a clue about what constitutes a stroke, what an animal hole is, or when a ball is officially holed, most attendees kept their puzzled heads down until Martin started the explanations for the answers.
There were relieved cheers when an answer was correct, and the point reiterated was that the rules of gold are fairly logical but the interpretative elements are where things can go horribly wrong. Many members fully understood for the first time rules about taking relief, what to do if you are in a red hazard, and what does constitute out of bounds, as Martin took the time to explain these clearly.
The biggest laughter of the evening was a discussion about molehills and the revelation that they were the same as worm casts. The only issue from rule 25-1b was that if the flattened remains of a molehill were clearly identifiable as a cast made by a burrowing animal, a player would be eligible for relief. So, the question of when a molehill is not a molehill might rumble on across the fairways for years to come.
The other fascinating part of the evening was when Martin answered questions about his favourite players and dream fourball (Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Dame Laura Davies), choosing Rory to play any difficult long-game shot, and officiating under the extreme pressure of the Ryder Cup and millions of TV viewers where he refereed the singles match between Max Homa and Matthew Fitzpatrick which needed a big decision on the 18th hole to confirm an unplayable lie and drop back online for Homa who went on to pitch and hole for a par 5 to win the match. Over the headset Martin heard the words from the head referee, “are you happy?”, which everyone clearly was with the correct decision being made.
Thanks are due to Annabel and Penny (Women’s Captain and Vice-Captain) for organising the evening and to David Brimble and Steve Finn for all the V1 communications to promote it.
It is certainly an event that we will look to put on again and plan to invite Martin back in the early part of next season in the hope that more new members might benefit from having the basic rules explained so well.
Jarlath Brine