Page 15 - PPA Tour Magazine Spring 2022

the ball ricocheted off an obstacle and hit his foot. No other player saw the ball

hit his foot, but English knew. He also knew the ruling. Replace the ball at
contact, one stroke penalty. Very admirable? Not really, he was mentored by
Warren Morris to respect the integrity of the rules. Having integrity for the rules

simply means following the guidelines set forth by the PPA. It is an expected
behavior that allows the game to be self-governable. Are some of the rules a bit
antiquated? Probably, but until the rules are updated to meet the maturation of

the current game, the rules should be respected and honored – even if it means a
player calling a penalty on him or herself due to an oversight that only the player
is aware.

If some of the rules are not as applicable today as in past years – which rules
should be ignored, and which rules should be followed? Most players believe the
PPA rules should be respected and followed, but the actions of some players

convey a different belief. Take for example Rule Interpretation #1, A ball comes
to rest against a bumpboard. The standard
rule for the PPA is being allowed to space the

ball to give a player an opportunity to provide
a backstroke. There is also a prescribed
distance.

However, taking liberty with the spacing of the
ball from a rail is sometimes utilized due to the
need for a larger backstroke. This is not an
area of which players are going to call a

penalty on another player or even on him or
herself. But is ignoring the intent of the rule to
accommodate a putter or stroke dishonoring

the integrity of the rule? Are rules adjusted to
compensate for a player’s style of putting or
putter design? Another area generally
experienced is marking the ball. Playing Rule

Number 8: Marking the ball for cleaning,
stipulates that a player must inform the other member(s) of the playing group

before marking, lifting, and cleaning the ball. If not informed, a stroke penalty is
assessed and the ball is returned to play.