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A legal issue comes up – and the referee doesn’t give up his chance for comedy

Andrew Johnston, from left, Matt Wallace and the rules officer Sunday on the 9th hole at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

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On Sunday, on the 9th hole at the peaceful Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club nestled between the Swiss Alps, just to the right of the flashing leaderboard from the final round of the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters, the rules official explained the rules. relief.

But not before he provides some comic relief.

Indeed, humor can be found at any time, and laughter can be created by anyone.

The incident occurred following a shot by Andrew “Beef” Johnston, who sailed straight on the par-5, before finishing a few feet to the right of the aforementioned leaderboard, preventing him from making the full cut. Legal assistance was requested. One of Johnston’s playing partners, Matt Wallace, also lent a hand. The following was captured by Golf Channel cameras and shared with the DP World Tour communications team.

Wallace said: “There are two rules to this. There is one where you take a swing at it. Then twice, since then. As it is, you will land on the nearside, then two clubs longer. Get to the fairway and then two club lengths. So the new law.”

Johnston said: “Yes.”

Said Wallace: “Yeah, so it’s not a swing.

Johnston said: “Okay, how…”

Wallace said from the speaker, standing a few feet to Johnston’s right: “It’s kind of close, isn’t it?”

Here, the officer paused. As the other two frantically tried to find an answer to the job he was hired to do, how would he react?

Like this:

The director said: “Wow. Let me do it; I am the referee.”

Here, for about 15 seconds, Johnston and the crowd gathered together and laughed. The officer stood with his hands up. Wallace left. Finally said Johnston: “You’re a comedian too.”

Finally, legal aid was provided.

The lawyer said: “So you have two possibilities. TIO rule or immovable obstacle. ”

Johnston said: “All right.”

Said the lawyer: “It’s an immovable hurdle, you turn and you’re free and you have one club length to drop the ball.”

Johnston said: “Yes.”

Said the manager: “It is the nearest place to be free. So take your club and make a no-touch swing.”

Here, Johnston took a swing, and the leaderboard appeared to be on track.

Said the lawyer: “Okay, now the next point…”

Said the lawyer, pointing to the place to the right where Johnston was originally: “Are you there, OK?”

Here, Johnston took a swing, and he was clear.

The manager said: “Yes, that’s right.” The closest point, then drop one club length.”

Johnston said: “Okay, we’re perfect. Yes, yes, yes, that’s right.”

From there, Johnston fired the gun forward, and drilled a hole.

Said the Golf Channel commentator: “Boy, that was precious. That was a very funny moment, wasn’t it?”

Said one commentator: “Absolutely.” Wally [Wallace] the referee just laughed.”

Male golfer lining up a putt on the golf course - stock photo

Rules Guy: My teammate hung his jacket on the flag when he putted. Is that legal?

By:

Rules Guy



Good stuff, for sure. We will finish here by looking at two noted rules. The scoreboard was considered an immovable obstacle, and the exemption for immovable obstacles is included under Rule 16.1, where it says: “Interference occurs when any of the following is true: The player’s ball touches or is in or in an unusual, unusual position. the condition of the course physically interferes with the player’s intended stance or intended swing position, or only when the ball is placed on the putting green, the course condition abnormal on the putting green interferes with the line of play.” Here, the help zone is “the closest point of total help to the common area” and the club length of that reference point.

But what about the mention of TIO law? The online rulebook describes Model Local Rule F-23 this way:

“TIOs (like a grandstand or tent) are rarely present and are not considered part of the challenge of playing. Due to its temporary nature, this Ground Rule provides an additional option of relief not allowed from immovable obstacles, although the player may choose to treat the TIO as if it were an immovable obstacle and use the relief procedures found in Rule 16.

“An additional aid provided by this Ground Rule includes the player’s ability to relieve himself when the TIO is in a direct position between his ball and the hole (known as the ‘line of sight’) by moving sideways, by keeping. the same distance from the hole, so that the TIO is no longer between the player’s ball and the hole (also known as traveling on an ‘equdistant arc’).

“When a player obtains relief from the TIO, whether under this Local Rule or the relief procedures in Rule 16, the player is guaranteed complete relief from physical interference. But only if relief is taken using the additional relief option under this Local Law will the player be guaranteed complete relief from the TIO’s discretion.”

Nick Piastowski

Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his role, he is responsible for planning, writing and promoting news on the golf course. And when he’s not writing about how to hit the golf ball forward and straight, the Milwaukee native is probably playing the game, hitting the ball left, right and short, and drinking a cold beer to wash down his scores. You can contact him about any of these topics – his news, his game or his beer – at nick.piastowski@golf.com.


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