‘Lexi Thompson Rule’ USGA will limit TV viewers’ ability to call in rules infractions

[edjr 5,554]

http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2017/4/25/15415392/lexi-thompson-rule-usga-ra-golf-tv-call-ins-suck?yptr=yahoo

 

 

 

Lexi Thompson returns to competition in Texas on Thursday, for the first time since a TV viewer tipped off the LPGA to her sketchy ball replacement during the ANA Inspiration three weeks ago, knowing that golf’s governing bodies have limited such off-course interference with professional tournaments.

On Tuesday, the USGA and R&A handed down a decision designed to limit the use of video replay and hinder armchair whistleblowers’ ability to referee golf tournaments from afar. Players in this week’s LPGA’s Volunteers of America Texas Shootout, the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and the European Tour’s Volvo China Open will play under the new decision, which will take effect immediately.

“New Decision 34-3/10 implements two standards for Rules committees to limit the use of video: 1) when video reveals evidence that could not reasonably be seen with the ‘naked eye,’ and 2) when players use their ‘reasonable judgment’ to determine a specific location when applying the Rules,” according to a statement from the USGA.

“The use of video technology can make it possible to identify things that could not be seen with the naked eye,” the statement continued, noting the example of “a player who unknowingly touches a few grains of sand in taking a backswing with a club in a bunker when making a stroke.”

Call that the “Anna Nordqvist Decision,” if you will, since it obviously relates to the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open when Nordqvist’s backswing displaced a grain of sand in a bunker. A TV camera recorded the violation, which Nordqvist did not notice. The penalty likely cost Nordqvist the title as she lost to Brittany Lang in a playoff.

The second standard results from Thompson’s situation in that it recognizes that players cannot be held to the same “degree of precision” as video technology when determining “a spot, point, position, line, area, distance or other location in applying the Rules.” The rules chiefs noted the example of “determining the nearest point of relief or replacing a lifted ball.

“So long as the player does what can reasonably be expected under the circumstances to make an accurate determination, the player’s reasonable judgment will be accepted, even if later shown to be inaccurate by the use of video evidence,” the new rule states.

Unfortunately, the USGA and R&A did not reject fully the ability of TV snitches to contact tour officials with their interpretations of what happens on the course, saying only that further study is needed on that very sore subject.

“Video-related topics that require a deeper evaluation by the working group include the use of information from sources other than participants such as phone calls, email or social media, and the application of penalties after a score card has been returned,” said the statement.

“This important first step provides officials with tools that can have a direct and positive impact on the game,” USGA executive director and chief executive Mike Davis said in the statement. “We recognize there is more work to be done. Advancements in video technology are enhancing the viewing experience for fans, but can also significantly affect the competition. We need to balance those advances with what is fair for all players when applying the Rules.”

The extremely fast response to recent events came about after the USGA and R&A met with LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan and officials of the PGA of America, PGA Tour, and European Tour at Augusta National during the Masters to talk about about the contentious penalty that cost Thompson four strokes, and likely the ANA title.

Video confirmed, and no one disputes, that Thompson barely, but clearly, replaced her ball incorrectly on the 17th green during the third round of the major. The controversy arose after LPGA officials opened the television viewer’s email on Sunday and alerted Thompson of the violation as she left the 12th green in the final round of the tourney.

Thompson was two shots up at the time but four penalty strokes — two for miss-marking her ball and another two for signing an incorrect scorecard — put her two strokes back and incredulous.

 

 

 

Not sure why it took for a girl to get screwed for them to finally make this change, I am happy they did.

 

 

[Reality 2,710]

They should limit it to never.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

What they are saying is that there is no common sense applied to the rules. If it were they could have just as easily made this ruling then.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,432]

What they are saying is that there is no common sense applied to the rules. If it were they could have just as easily made this ruling then.

 

Well, the reality is that she was wrong and she should not have failed to put her ball back where it started. However, instead of a 4 stroke penalty, she should have been punished a little differently. She should have been bent over my knee and I get to spank her for being a very bad girl.

[Cruzer 1,992]

Unfortunately, the USGA and R&A did not reject fully the ability of TV snitches to contact tour officials with their interpretations of what happens on the course, saying only that further study is needed on that very sore subject.

So the governing bodies basically didn't do shiit - except complicate matters even further and dodge the "viewer call-in" controversy... More study is needed to figure out it's focking moronic to allow them?

[Mike Honcho 4,014]

The problem with this always comes down to certain groups are on television more than the rest, so they face so much more scrutiny. If the rules official on the hole doesn't see it, your opponent doesn't see it, than it probably didn't effect the outcome...unless it's Pat Perez...cause fock that guy.

[frank 2,144]

How about just not answer the phone?

[BufordT 371]

I'd be happy if they said "when you get to the first tee your previous round's score becomes 100% official". That's plenty of time for rules officials to scrutinize every shot.

[supermike80 1,285]

I'd be happy if they said "when you get to the first tee your previous round's score becomes 100% official". That's plenty of time for rules officials to scrutinize every shot.

Agreed. But thats way too simple

[Cruzer 1,992]

I'd be happy if they said "when you get to the first tee your previous round's score becomes 100% official". That's plenty of time for rules officials to scrutinize every shot.

Still leaves a window for ambiguity, and still leaves the door open for 'next day' rulings - which is a major bullshiat point of the whole fiasco to begin with.

 

Once you sign your card, your round is official - period.. Least it should be.

[edjr 5,554]

The problem with this always comes down to certain groups are on television more than the rest, so they face so much more scrutiny. If the rules official on the hole doesn't see it, your opponent doesn't see it, than it probably didn't effect the outcome...unless it's Pat Perez...cause fock that guy.

 

Yup.

 

Of those groups that are on the TV way more than the others. Do we really need to see the really up close shot? and then if something may have moved, do we need the slow mo replay?

 

I don't even get that close to my ball when I play

[BufordT 371]

The problem with this always comes down to certain groups are on television more than the rest, so they face so much more scrutiny. If the rules official on the hole doesn't see it, your opponent doesn't see it, than it probably didn't effect the outcome...unless it's Pat Perez...cause fock that guy.

Good point but if someone is leading or in contention they're getting more air time anyways. Nobody cares if Dicky Pride makes an illegal drop on day 3 while battling for 57th place 15 strokes back.