Michelle, Ma Belle (What a difference twelve inches can make -- say, $53,000!)

The American Prowler ^ | 10/19/2005 | Reid Collins

[wickedpinto]

You said "so as not to allow the player to place their ball to give themself a great lie." But 12" is NOT a "great lie" it is EXACTLY in context of the concept of a "DROP!" That was my point.

[kevkrom]

She didn't get disqualified for making a closer shot. She got disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. That's because at the time she signed it, it was correct. But after Bamberger got the officials back out there after her round was over, they declared the error which is a two-stroke penalty... If they are going to punish a golfer, it should be before the round is over. That part of the rules is what really sucks.

I agree. I really don't have a problem with the retroactive assessment of the penalty, but if you're going to do that, she should have had the opportunity to correct her scorecard to reflect the penalty.

That said, the moral of the story is to never, ever take an unsupervised drop.

[kevkrom]

But 12" is NOT a "great lie" it is EXACTLY in context of the concept of a "DROP!" That was my point.

The rules of golf are very clear -- the phrase "no nearer the hole" is used over and over when referring to drops. If your drop winds up closer to the hole than your original shot, you must re-drop.

[kevkrom]

20-2. Dropping and Re-Dropping

a. By Whom and How

A ball to be dropped under the Rules must be dropped by the player himself. He must stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm’s length and drop it. If a ball is dropped by any other person or in any other manner and the error is not corrected as provided in Rule 20-6, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke.

If the ball touches the player, his partner, either of their caddies or their equipment before or after it strikes a part of the course, the ball must be re-dropped, without penalty.

There is no limit to the number of times a ball must be re-dropped in these circumstances.

(Taking action to influence position or movement of ball — see Rule 1-2.)

b. Where to Drop

When a ball is to be dropped as near as possible to a specific spot, it must be dropped not nearer the hole than the specific spot which, if it is not precisely known to the player, must be estimated.

A ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course where the applicable Rule requires it to be dropped.

If it is not so dropped, Rules 20-6 and -7 apply.

c. When to Re-Drop

A dropped ball must be re-dropped without penalty if it:

(i) rolls into and comes to rest in a hazard;
(ii) rolls out of and comes to rest outside a hazard;
(iii) rolls onto and comes to rest on a putting green;
(iv) rolls and comes to rest out of bounds;
(v) rolls to and comes to rest in a position where there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken under Rule 24-2b (immovable obstruction), Rule 25-1 (abnormal ground conditions), Rule 25-3 (wrong putting green) or a Local Rule (Rule 33-8a), or rolls back into the pitch-mark from which it was lifted under Rule 25-2 (embedded ball);
(vi) rolls and comes to rest more than two club-lengths from where it first struck a part of the course; or
(vii) rolls and comes to rest nearer the hole than:
(a) its original position or estimated position (see Rule 20-2b) unless otherwise permitted by the Rules; or
(b) the nearest point of relief or maximum available relief (Rule 24-2, 25-1 or 25-3); or
(c) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or lateral water hazard (Rule 26-1).

If the ball when re-dropped rolls into any position listed above, it must be placed as near as possible to the spot where it first struck a part of the course when re-dropped. If a ball to be re-dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

Note: If a ball when dropped or re-dropped comes to rest and subsequently moves, the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.

[mdcen]

Sorry Freepers! I am a golfer and the game is one in which honor, fair play and rules are paramount. Michelle knows the rules and she should have been more careful about her drop. The caddie is also at fault since he is there to assist and advise her. She DID sign an incorrect scorecard and must suffer the sanction as the rules provide.

This summer in a tournament, I mistakenly hit the wrong ball on a hole. When I got to the green, I immediately realized that it was not my ball. I retraced my steps and found the correct ball and played on with it. Not knowing what the sanction was, I played to the end and found an official and discribed what happened and he informed me that it was a two-stroke penalty. Luckily I found the error before I teed off on the next hole or I would have been disqualified. I posted it on my card and turned it in corrected after signing it. By the way, my two-person team won the match and the prize even with the extra two strokes.

[beyond the sea]

This will be one of those short-term bad, long-term good stations for Wie. It shows her character and will make her mentally stronger.

You are right.

I've been watching her for about three years and she is a GOOD girl. She has a wonderful personality and a good heart. She will be fine after this.............. and oh my, WHAT A SWING she has!!!

[beyond the sea]

The bottom picture is great -- nice to see her "out on the town" and smiling broadly.

[beyond the sea]

No bother talking to you about this. The idea is NOT to allow the player to PLACE the ball in a perfect position to hit it .......... that is why they call for a "drop".

The distance is from the flag is incidental, just so it is no closer to the hole.

[wtc911]

I hope she learned another lesson. Don't EVER think those miserable pricks (and prickettes) in the media are your friends.

---------------------------------------------------------

Rule #46...The media are not your friends, they will lie and steal your honor.

[Warren_Piece]

Considering her newly signed endorsement contracts, I would say $53,000 is no big deal.

[beyond the sea]

This summer in a tournament, I mistakenly hit the wrong ball on a hole. When I got to the green, I immediately realized that it was not my ball. I retraced my steps and found the correct ball and played on with it. Not knowing what the sanction was, I played to the end and found an official and discribed what happened and he informed me that it was a two-stroke penalty. Luckily I found the error before I teed off on the next hole or I would have been disqualified. I posted it on my card and turned it in corrected after signing it.

Congratulations (sarcasm off)

I wish I had at least a half of a day to spend out on the fairways and greens. You're a lucky FReeper......... but I once carried Sam Sneads bag here in Pittsburgh at The Field Club.

;-)

[beyond the sea]

4th Place WAS!

[Warren_Piece]

4th Place WAS!

You are correct, sir! 4th place at 16 years old - something tells me she'll be dominating in a couple of years.

No wonder the media already hates her.

[1Old Pro]

Michele Wie makes more money in one week than this writer.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

PINE TAR ON THE GOLF CLUB!!!

[beyond the sea]

I've been watching the coverage of her for years now pretty closely, and I have seen little or no sentiment against her. Quite the opposite.

I don't think you will be seeing any unpleasantness toward her in the future. I certainly hope not.

888

p.s... cool screen name you got there..... I was going to call myself Justin Case.

;-)

[ghitma]

Lesson for day two - forget day one.

[beyond the sea]

LOL!

[Redleg Duke]

In my opinion, this young lady is the winner here. She has accepted the ruling with grace and maturity as a "good sport". She will be remembered as such.

On the other hand, Bamberger is the loser here. No matter what happens in the future, he will be remembered as the vindictive prick who went out of his way to try and discredit one of golf's young rising stars, for whatever personal reason he might have.

According to the rules, he might be correct, but to what end?

[ncountylee]

Don't EVER think those miserable pricks (and prickettes) in the media are your friends.

Good advice for politicians and Supreme Court Justices too.