rules ?

**gt77** · 02-03-2005

I'm am pretty sure you can do both of these but I wanted to double check...

1) are you allowed to hold the club anywhere (not just the grip) when striking a ball?

2) are you allowed to strike a ball with any part of the club (i.e. back of the clubhead, shaft, grip, etc.)

**joshmv** · 02-03-2005

I think it's yes on both questions. 1. because you see players play there 3 wood from the fringe and most have at least one hand on the shaft. 2. because as long as its a golf club it seems like you could it off whatever you want.

Josh

**Silver** · 02-03-2005

While I haven't taken the time to double check the rules, I think you're actually wrong on the second one.

I remember seeing a comment about the rules on one show about not being allowed to "pool cue" the ball into the hole using the butt end of the club. I vaguely remember them quoting a rule saying that you can use any part of the clubhead, but there was some sort of problem with using the other parts of the club, or maybe it was the method of striking it. In any event, there was something wrong with it.

**Kenny** · 02-03-2005

Originally Posted by gt77

I'm am pretty sure you can do both of these but I wanted to double check...

1) are you allowed to hold the club anywhere (not just the grip) when striking a ball?

2) are you allowed to strike a ball with any part of the club (i.e. back of the clubhead, shaft, grip, etc.)

Here are the rules governing #2:

14-1. Ball to Be Fairly Struck At
The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club and must not be pushed, scraped or spooned.

So, according to this rule it is illegal to strike the ball with anything other than the head.
Well, at least purposefully.... But what if you accidentally in the process hit it with
the bottom of the shaft, which embarassingly enough, I've done before. Hmm?

In response to #1, I could not find any other rules pertaining to where you are allowed to grip the club specifically. Other rules pertaining to conformation of clubs to USGA standards are also covered under rule 14. I actually found the offical USGA rules
at www.about.com if you want to check it out.

Kenny

**Silver** · 02-03-2005

Kenny, the USGA rules are also found more easily at www.usga.org

They also have vids and stuff about rules there.

**Silver** · 02-03-2005

Oh, and yeah, that's what it is...has to be struck with the head and cannot be pushed (which is why you can't do the pool cue thing with the butt end)

**corbo** · 02-04-2005

I seem to remember a case about 8-10 years ago when a US pro (may have been Andy Bean) was disqualified or certainly penalised for knocking in a putt that had stayed on the lip with his putter grip. I think it appeared on 'A Question of Sport' in the ' what happened next round'.

**Irishgolfer** · 02-04-2005

Slightly OT:

A great way to practice your putting is to turn your putter 90 degrees so that the toe points to the hole. You then strike the ball with the toe of the putter. It gives you a sweet spot about the size of a quarter. It really forces you to keep your head still and concentrate on getting a solid hit. If you are out a fraction the ball shoots off at funny angles.

but if you are in the Zone you can putt just as well with the toe. It works great on the fringe on the green (less grass to encounter).

btw It only works with some types of putters eg a Ping Answer style putter. ;)

**Hosel_Donkey** · 02-04-2005

Originally Posted by Kenny

So, according to this rule it is illegal to strike the ball with anything other than the head.Well, at least purposefully.... But what if you accidentally in the process hit it with the bottom of the shaft, which embarassingly enough, I've done before. Hmm?

I'd say from 14-1 the decision would be that you didn't make a stroke because you didn't hit the ball with the clubhead. There would be a one stroke penalty for moving the ball and it would have to be replaced.

**collegegolfer** · 02-04-2005

Originally Posted by Irishgolfer

Slightly OT:

A great way to practice your putting is to turn your putter 90 degrees so that the toe points to the hole. You then strike the ball with the toe of the putter. It gives you a sweet spot about the size of a quarter. It really forces you to keep your head still and concentrate on getting a solid hit. If you are out a fraction the ball shoots off at funny angles.

but if you are in the Zone you can putt just as well with the toe. It works great on the fringe on the green (less grass to encounter).

btw It only works with some types of putters eg a Ping Answer style putter. ;)

Or you could just spend $50 on a "Putter Ball"........