It’s getting to be that time of year. With a new season of golf on the horizon - already begun in southern climes - it’s time to snuggle up with the new 2008-2009 version of the Rules of Golf and stock up on those thirty four rules, three appendixes and volumes of decisions.
Yup, the new Rules are spiced up with all kinds of new goodies. Here’s a tip: if the Rules themselves aren’t holding your interest, try reading the “Comparison of Principal Changes: 2004 v. 2008.” It highlights all the new verbiage and language tweaks between the prior revision and the latest publication. I can almost guarantee that just a couple of paragraphs into it you’ll be happily flipping right back to the Rules themselves. Reading the changes alone are like piling food on your plate at a massive buffet; everything gets kind of squooshed up together.
Seriously, it is well worth trying to plow through the Rules now and again. Many rules officials of golf organizations spend days and days, if not weeks, in classes studying the rules, so take heart if you can’t manage to digest them all at once.
Luckily the USGA serves us up the official version of the Rules in a tiny little snack size package, small enough to fit into even the tiniest of Sunday bags. But don’t be fooled by appearances; that little book packs quite a lot of food for thought.
Personally, I like to graze through the Rules in spurts, sort of like snacking on cereal right out of the box, a handful at a time. Sure, it’s all a little dry but you don’t get over stuffed with nonsense and you can scarf down a lot of good stuff in a short amount of time.
Some folks might prefer to savor the Rules in a more elaborate setting. There are numerous books - some illustrated, some garnished with flowery explanations - that can satisfy those who feel that a special presentation makes an experience that much more memorable. Choose something you enjoy and will linger over and you’ll be more likely to appreciate it in full.
For the real deal, turn to the USGA, no store brands or artificial flavorings included. The USGA now offers a schmorgasboard of ways to sample the Rules, a little something for everyone. There’s a downloadable version of the Rules for your PDA - though handle that application with caution; local course rules sometimes place bans on cells phones and electronic devices, and you’d not want to get burned. There’s even a CD-ROM on the Decisions on the Rules of Golf … sounds like a plan for a solid case of screen-hypnosis; like eating in front of the TV, it could be difficult to tell just how much you’ve really taken in.
Of course another way to learn the Rules is to find out you’ve broken one in a major tournament and suffer a resulting DQ or two stroke penalty. Like a crash diet, it’s painful but it works.
All this begs me to question, is there any rule on how to learn the Rules? Essentially, you’re facing a thirty four course meal. Just dig in and do your best!
