atticusfinch I had no intention of ignoring the rules. Don't think that's what you meant, but wanted to clear that up.

    atticusfinch ? In the USGA almost all scores must be recorded, casual, tournament, match, stroke. 👮

    Says the USGA. Many don't give a shit and choose to enjoy their version of the game. Those folks are included in the group that the USGA doesn't care about.

      If they don't care about the USGA why should the USGA care about them?

      But at least the USGA have done some things for them. They have given the game a framework in which to work. The players at least have basis for the rules they use. The courses the (generally) play on are affiliated to the USGA, who give them guidance and assistance (often financial). The equipment the players use is built to consistent and standard specifications so that players are potentially on an equal footing.
      If the USGA didn't exist, golf in the USA would be in a shambles. But there is no law that says the USGA must be obeyed. But there is a consensus amongst many that it makes sense.

      6 months later

      fnufan You can only hit a provisional ball for a potentially lost ball or out of bounds. If you find your ball and declare it unplayable, you have the three options. Go back to original shot location, take a drop two club lengths from where the ball is and go back directly keeping the location of the ball and the hole in a straight line.

          fnufan Sorry, I was looking at puttinfool's reply asking why you did not hit a provisional before leaving the tee.

            GLFTPS

            In our group we may adopt the proposed new local rule the USGA announced where one of the options for hitting a ball out of bounds is to walk on a slight diagonal (not closer to the hole) from where it went out of bounds until you reach the fairway and then take a two club length drop in the fairway with a 2 stroke penalty.

            There's a couple of other options I believe, but this one seems the best IMO. Basically it's the same as hitting a provisional and you're still lying 3 in the fairway after the drop.

            This saves time and possibly golf balls. Great rule change IMO and like I said we may adopt this early rather than wait until next year.

                Sneakylong In our group we may adopt the proposed new local rule the USGA announced where one of the options for hitting a ball out of bounds is to walk on a slight diagonal (not closer to the hole) from where it went out of bounds until you reach the fairway and then take a two club length drop in the fairway with a 2 stroke penalty.

                I would like that rule if it only gave a 1 stroke penalty similar to a red stake boundary. Determine where it crossed the line, drop one within two club lengths with a single penalty stroke and hit your third. I don't see the wisdom in taking a 2 stroke penalty at a shorter distance than you probably would get it you hit another shot from the tee box. I think it might take more time instead of less.

                    Rickochet

                    I'd like one stroke as well. However, I'm guessing they can't treat it like a red stake hazard because in that case you would have the option on hitting out of Mrs. Brown's flower bed (destroying private property) or near a busy street (possibly getting hit by a car). They could just say you have to take a drop with no option of hitting it from outside the out of bounds stake.

                    As I remember there were 3 options. I liked the drop in the fairway because of the time factor and you could very well drill your provisional out of bounds as well.

                        Sneakylong I'd like one stroke as well. However, I'm guessing they can't treat it like a red stake hazard because in that case you would have the option on hitting out of Mrs. Brown's flower bed (destroying private property) or near a busy street (possibly getting hit by a car).

                        Simple fix. Add a new stake color. Blue, black, whatever. Play it like a red stake hazard but you have no option of hitting it.

                            Rickochet ok, but OB was never meant to be penalized like a lateral hazard. It is stroke and distance for a reason. A one-stroke penalty is attractive, sure, but it doesn't serve the purpose that OB was defined for.

                            IMO, it has to stay two strokes.

                                rsvman

                                I agree. My home course like many Florida courses has a lot of out of bounds because of homes on the golf course. The 2 stroke penalty isn't the issue as much with me. The option to take a drop 2 club lengths once you reach the fairway no closer to the hole is a nice option that saves time. IMO.

                                It saves time because you don't need to hit a provisional and are guaranteed to be lying 3 in the fairway. It's still a stroke and distance penalty, but takes away the possibility of hitting another bad tee shot and getting a huge number.

                                We play a Quota game and pick up after a double anyway, but this new rule is a good option. Again, without looking it up there were 3 options. This was the best option IMO.

                                Also, this rule change is not a blanket new USGA rule. It's an option that your course can adopt as a local rule. I think any course with a lot of out of bounds it's worth considering.

                                  I was reading golf course reviews about courses in reasonable distance from my home and most of the low ratings where about slow play, five hour rounds and inactive rangers. Any rule that slows play is detrimental to the success of golf courses, many that are already struggling to make it.

                                  Under equitable scoring control rules for keeping handicaps, the big number usually won't count, anyway. Pick up and move on.

                                    MidwayJ

                                    I'm sure that's what most people do. But you can't do that in a tournament. Played with a guy who had a 12 on a hole in our Senior Club Championship. Had to count every shot. Realize most probably don't play in tournaments anyway.

                                    Like I said we pick up after a double, but there are times when you're not sure your shot went out of bounds. So you hit a provisional. We have several holes with out of bounds that still could be reached in 2 shots after taking a drop in the fairway.

                                    So a 5 on a par 4 or a 6 on a par 5 is possible. Anyway, not looking for an argument. I like the new option myself. Like I said my course has lots of out of bounds and water, so losing golf balls is an issue. Anytime I can save on possibly losing a golf ball I'm all in favor of that.

                                        You'd better not try that if playing with me. Your score for HC purposes has nothing to do with your score in my match. You play by the ROG or forfeit.

                                          Sneakylong

                                          I was reacting to this post:

                                          "perfectly fine as long as the score is not entered for handicap purposes. I have many friends who don't keep one and will play by whatever rules they make up."

                                          My only point is once you have exceeded your ESC score for that hole it would not change how the score was entered for handicap purposes.