The Weirdest Rules In Golf

Golf is an ancient sport believed to have been developed in the middle ages in Scotland. And over the centuries, many golf clubs, as well as the R&A and the USGA, have implemented (and scrapped) many rules. While most are logical, some are just downright strange. Here are the weirdest rules in golf – most of which will likely surprise you:

The weirdest rules in golf:

What to do when your ball goes down a gopher’s hole

The Calgary St Andrews golf club has a rule that states “a ball played into a gopher hole may be lifted and dropped behind without penalty.” Surely golfers would be more worried about their hand being bitten by an annoyed gopher than receiving a penalty?

What to do if your ball goes into the clubhouse

According to the USGA and R&A, “If your shot ends up in the clubhouse, and the clubhouse is not considered out-of-bounds, you may open a window or door and play your next shot without penalty.”

What to do if your ball is lodged in an orange

The USGA and the R&A have thought of everything! This is what you need to do if your ball is lodged in an orange: “If your ball is lodged in an orange, you cannot take relief without penalty.”

Spider’s webs

The USGA and the R&A have designated spider’s webs as loose impediments even if they are attached to something.

No fishing on the golf course

You cannot go fishing on golf courses in the state of Augusta in the US – but who would have thought this needed ruling out? Apparently, in some states, water hazards are known to be great for fishing, and players have been known to pack their fishing tackle alongside their golf clubs.

What to do if your ball is moved by enemy action

In 1940, Richmond Golf Club introduced some temporary rules which included the correct process to follow if your ball is moved by enemy action. “A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if lost or destroyed, a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty,” the rule book said. Richmond Golf Club also asked if players could collect bomb and shrapnel splinters so they would not damage mowing machines. Not even a war got in the way of a round of golf back then.

What to do if a bomb drops during play

Let’s finish up with another great rule from Richmond Golf Club’s temporary rules: “In competitions, during gunfire, or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.”  The club also added later on that, “A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place. Penalty, one stroke.”

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