Playing By the Rules

The success of every tournament is largely dependent on volunteers. One important group is the Rules Officials. These dedicated people attend tournaments, providing structure to the event and assistance to the players. From start to finish (starter to the scoring table), and on the course, the Rules Officials apply the Rules of Golf for the benefit of all players.

It's always amazing to see the skill and knowledge of the players in our competitions. Junior, Senior, new or experienced golfers all need to understand the rules, not only to avoid penalties but also where the player may be aided. 

The role of the Rules Officials is to assist players and maintain fairness in competition, applying the rules equally for all players. A Rules Official may make a ruling when an error has been made or assist a player in determining her options in a difficult situation. 

Golf is a challenging game with rules that have developed over decades. The rules not only define what a player can NOT do, but also what IS permitted. Rules Officials are not allowed to "tell" players what to do, but may inform a player of her options. The Rules of Golf are not static and can change as the sport evolves. The Rules Officials are knowledgeable about recent changes.

Need Volunteers: A Rules volunteer doesn't have to be an expert on the rules, but be interested in learning more about rules and rulings. There are training opportunities for new and experienced Officials. A Rules Official isn't required to make rulings alone because the Rules Director and Rules Consultant are available by radio for immediate assistance.

As Rules Officials we become more knowledgeable about the rules and also "give back" to the sport. If you would be interested in learning more about the Rules Committee and consider volunteering, please contact Marta Groess, Rules Director, m.groess@att.net or Paul Lutz at the MWGA. In addition, a volunteer application form can be found on the Contact Us page of the web site.

Upcoming Seminar for Rules Officials: Thursday, May 21 at Edina Country Club - Please contact Paula Lutz (paula@mngolf.org) to reserve your place. 

Advice to all players: Carefully consider your options under the rules, as well as the consequences before proceeding. A rules official may help a player by providing information on the applicable rules and remedies. However, it is the responsibility of the player to know the rules. (See Rule 6-1).