Facts

“Your head is kinda’ floating”, said opponent EC to Foremost after F topped an approach shot into Hole #9.

“Perhaps”, replied F, who had never before heard the term”floating head” in reference to a golf swing and was trying to picture what that must look like. “But the implication of that observation is that I need to hold my head still, which constitutes ‘Advice’, resulting in loss of hole for you in match play under R8-1.”

F went on to explain that “Advice” included “any counsel or suggestion” that could “influence a player in …the method of making a stroke.” (See, Def. “Advice”).

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant,” said EC. “You need to hold your stupid head still. It’s floating.”

EC took the LOH in stride as he held a commanding lead in this important match play competition.

The match had tightened considerably, however, by the 17th hole. F again hit a weak approach shot which fell short of the green.

“We need to release the club like the pros instead of at the top of our swing, “ said EC, demonstrating a swing with cocked wrists at impact.

“Thanks,” said F. “But that’s another loss of hole for you under R8.” (F was not particularly proud of DQ’ing an opponent in 2 out of 18 holes, nevertheless…)

“But I said ‘We (emphasis added) need…’ “, argued EC, “I was talking about my own game.”

Issue

Does the preamble, “We need to…”, constitute instruction?

Ruling

F reluctantly, but correctly, assessed another LOH penalty on EC for offering advice. If EC had said, “I (emphasis added) need to release…” the comment would have been excused. Certainly, a Player has the right to talk to himself and chew himself out (ie., “You idiot, don’t forget to turn, stroke the ball, you gotta’ be movin’ “, etc.).

It is obvious, however, that by saying “We need…”, EC was also offering “Advice”, however well-intentioned, to F in violation of the Rule.

While the imposition of LOH for friendly advice might seem harsh, overlooking such a comment (certainly a prerogative of a player under R2-5, Note 1), bears its own risk. The opponent could be offering “friendly advice” as a means to mess with the player’s head by giving him confusing swing thoughts.

Of course, F does not for a minute think that EC’s comments were so intended.

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F