Golf: signing the scorecard

[JayJ79]

Michelle Wie lost her chance to possibly win up to $255,000 because she forgot to sign her score card before leaving the scoring tent.
(that is, the tent set up off of the the last green where the players review their scorecards and whatnot. Not to be confused with where one "gets lucky" while on a camping trip :p )

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3496673


I can understand that it's part of the "honor system" of golf. But automatic disqualification for something like that seems pretty harsh, especially with all that money on the line. It's not like not signing it gives the player any sort of competitive advantage or something.

[jonmac]

Rules is rules, I guess. And in pro golf it pays, literally, to know them.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Keep in mind that a huge part of golf's "honor system" is a player signing his card as well as another in his group signing as attesting the score is accurate. That is done in every amateur event I've ever seen.

I haven't read much on this incident, but somebody told me they waited 24 hours and after she played the next round to DQ her. WTF? xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xsmhx xsmhx xsmhx

[ISUMatt]

What I heard is she stepped out of the tent, which isnt a DQ yet, but then went outside the ropes that lead into the tent, and THAT is where the automatic DQ hits ya...

Now Im on a golf league in the summer and even we have to sigh the score card so someone in her profession should know that without thinking about it!

[Rob Iola]

It's a written LPGA rule. They didn't catch it until she was in the middle of her next round, so they waited until she finished so as to not disrupt play.

This isn't the 1st time she's shown lack of understanding for either the rules or protocol. She needs sound instruction but unfortunately was shielded from the junior circuit events where most players pick this stuff up.

[JoltinJoe]

What I heard is she stepped out of the tent, which isnt a DQ yet, but then went outside the ropes that lead into the tent, and THAT is where the automatic DQ hits ya...

Now Im on a golf league in the summer and even we have to sigh the score card so someone in her profession should know that without thinking about it!

I get the need to sign a scorecard in an amateur golf league.

But let's face it. At a major LPGA or PGA event during which a tournament official follows each group and records each shot, the signing of a scorecard is quaint but unnecessary throwback -- or so it seems.

89Hen, if you're out there, am I missing something??

Tossing Wie for an innocent oversight just seems wrong.

[Eyes of Old Main]

At least she's deciding to play some LPGA events. All the ego stroking of playing PGA events on sponsor's exemptions was getting old. She might have some talent, but between this incident and her previous policy of withdrawing with suspect injuries every time she got off to a slow start show that she has a long way to go to be considered a credible professional.

[Rob Iola]

I get the need to sign a scorecard in an amateur golf league.

But let's face it. At a major LPGA or PGA event, where a tournament official follows each group and records each shot, the signing of a scorecard is quaint but unnecessary throwback -- or so it seems.

89Hen, if you're out there, am I missing something??
I'm not 89Hen, but I do poop at his course a couple times a year while marshalling...

Basically the tournament officials that follow each group consist of an adult volunteer and a child standard bearer that keep unofficial track of their pairing's scores - but the official score may be different and may change prior to the player signing their card. Official rules officials are stationed every few holes, but are only called in for rulings (usually concerning relief). Most pros apply rules and penalties themselves and ask their playing partners for validation. They are keenly aware of the fact that any rules infraction, no matter how minor, may be called in by a volunteer, a spectator, or by a TV viewer - resulting in a DQ for "signing an incorrect scorecard". It's pretty unique in the world of sports, and is definitely a major element of golf.

[tribe_pride]

At least she's deciding to play some LPGA events. All the ego stroking of playing PGA events on sponsor's exemptions was getting old. She might have some talent, but between this incident and her previous policy of withdrawing with suspect injuries every time she got off to a slow start show that she has a long way to go to be considered a credible professional.

Way to speak too soon.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3498905

[Appstate29]

until she gets "menstrual cramps". Michelle Wie would have been much better served by playing the amateur circuit, and then playing LPGA tour, and then, when she has matured enough, try to challenge the men.

[WWII]

She's had to sign her cards, for years now. She made a stupid mistake, but those are the rules. Every player checks their card, or should check their card, before turning it in. Each tour has it's rules for when the card is turned in. Some have you put it in a box, etc., but once it's turned in it should be correct.

[kardplayer]

Signing the scorecard is a stupid rule. The fact that they get help finding their ball (which I don't when I'm playing on a Sunday) is also unfair - think of what British Open scores would be if they got penalized for not being able to find their ball in that rough.

[89Hen]

I get the need to sign a scorecard in an amateur golf league.

But let's face it. At a major LPGA or PGA event during which a tournament official follows each group and records each shot, the signing of a scorecard is quaint but unnecessary throwback -- or so it seems.

89Hen, if you're out there, am I missing something??

Tossing Wie for an innocent oversight just seems wrong.
At first glance, one might think this is ridiculous or archaic (sp?) but scoring rules are tricky and there's a little more to it than most people think. Golf is the only sport where you keep your own score. Yes, the competitors do exchange cards, but YOU are the one who reports the score and YOU are the one who gets penalized if your opponent records a wrong score for you. So that means YOU keep your own score. Some of the most minute infractions are self-reported. If you accidentally ground your club in a bunker, you may be the only one who knows it. If the balls moves when you address it, you may be the only one who sees it. So really, you are the only one who can accurately keep your score.

Also, keep in mind that they don't want to have one set of rules for the Tour and one set of rules for you and I. When the Tour players are on the course, a rules official is only a wave of a hand away. When you and I play, we don't have that luxury.

Now, there is a fix for this on Tour and I think one day we may see a change. I think scores could be given to the walking official after every hole. Honestly, that's more accurate any way. The problem becomes each player having to verify or sign off 18 times instead of once. Imagine 17 more chances to screw up.

So I guess as much as it pains me to say it, because I too think is too penal, I think the rules are necessary. xpeacex

[89Hen]

The fact that they get help finding their ball (which I don't when I'm playing on a Sunday) is also unfair
But you could. It's only unfair that you can't possibly convince hundreds of volunteers to watch for your ball. xsmiley_wix

[kardplayer]

But you could. It's only unfair that you can't possibly convince hundreds of volunteers to watch for your ball. xsmiley_wix

More importantly, even if I could get the volunteers, I couldn't afford the insurance on me hitting them with a ball. I guess I could have them all stand in the middle of the fairway - safest place on the course when I'm playing :D

[JoltinJoe]

At first glance, one might think this is ridiculous or archaic (sp?) but scoring rules are tricky and there's a little more to it than most people think. Golf is the only sport where you keep your own score. Yes, the competitors do exchange cards, but YOU are the one who reports the score and YOU are the one who gets penalized if your opponent records a wrong score for you. So that means YOU keep your own score. Some of the most minute infractions are self-reported. If you accidentally ground your club in a bunker, you may be the only one who knows it. If the balls moves when you address it, you may be the only one who sees it. So really, you are the only one who can accurately keep your score.

Also, keep in mind that they don't want to have one set of rules for the Tour and one set of rules for you and I. When the Tour players are on the course, a rules official is only a wave of a hand away. When you and I play, we don't have that luxury.

Now, there is a fix for this on Tour and I think one day we may see a change. I think scores could be given to the walking official after every hole. Honestly, that's more accurate any way. The problem becomes each player having to verify or sign off 18 times instead of once. Imagine 17 more chances to screw up.

So I guess as much as it pains me to say it, because I too think is too penal, I think the rules are necessary. xpeacex

Interesting points. I guess you're right. Thanks.