I have been asked for my personal comment on the Lexi Thompson penalty, and in this instance, feel obliged to do so for two reasons, first because it was, in many respects very debatable, and second because I feel strongly about the issue of armchair referees.
For reference the Rules of Golf define, in part ; “Referee A “referee” is one who is appointed by the Committee to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. He must act on any breach of a Rule that he observes or is reported to him.” There are slightly different duties for Match Play.
An “armchair referee” is not a person appointed by the Committee and in my opinion, the Rules of Golf do not contemplate that the “reporting” of a breach would emanate from outside the venue of the competition.
Using a technology — designed to provide enhanced entertainment with fantastic slow-motion HD visuals of ball compression at impact, facial expressions of both the thrill of conquest, the heartbreak of misfortune, or the grains of sand as the ball explodes from a bunker — to override that which we consider sacrosanct i.e. the integrity of the golfer, is inappropriate and violates the very fundamental essence of the game.
Let’s try to protect the Spirit of the Game which relies on integrity of the golfer, to not only show consideration for others but to abide by the Rules. Hence, we have no need for referees or umpires – except in major events to help the competitor interpret the rules — we are those people.
We play golf to satisfy a subconscious urge to evaluate ourselves while in the pleasant company of other likeminded people, in an attractive environment. The rules lend order to this wonderful activity but let’s make sure we apply them appropriately knowing what it is that we are trying to protect.
I encourage you to leave your comments below.
Frank
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3rd April 2017 Post: Lexi Thompson Penalty
Dear Frankly Friends,
Yesterday we witnessed yet another rules drama at a major championship.
We would like to hear what you think about the four-stroke penalty that Lexi Thompson was assessed on the 13th tee of the final round, after a TV viewer emailed the LPGA to alert them to a rules infraction they had seen on TV the previous day.
We are very interested in hearing what you have to say about this issue. Please share your thoughts by replying below.
Once a scorecard is signed, the round should be over! Calling a penalty the next day seems crazy to me. If she did something wrong either a playing partner of a rules official needs to catch it. She should have called it on herself;f if she thought she made an infraction of the rules. If not, it is her judgement that needs to be respected.
The rules require a ball to be replaced. A ball can never be replaced on the EXACT spot from which it was lifted. A degree of tolerance is expected and the rules hint at what that could be. Such as, it is permitted to place a marker behind the ball but not two inches behind it, presumably because it is too difficult to estimate an acceptable relocation. Also the rules permit someone else than the player can mark the ball and replace it, so even though the player is responsible, variations can be expected. The question the LPGA officials answered is, was less than 1/2 an inch too much. I imagine that with out a policy change some official will have to rule if 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch is acceptable or not.
Never a pretty sight. The LPGA definitely needs better communication to the players. Penalties need to happen at the time of infractions. To Lexu’s credit she still managed to play her heart but imagine what those extra 2 strokes would have meant if the penalty was reported in a timely manner.
The rule is quite explicit. You REPLACE your ball, which means that you put it back on the exact spot from where you picked it up. As near as possible is not an option. Failure to replace the ball incurs a penalty which is doubled when you make a stroke. You are permitted to correct your error prior to making your next stroke and there would be no penalty.
The additional 2 shot penalty only came in recently and prior to that Lexi would have been disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.I’m sure we all would prefer the penalty to a DQ. If the email had arrived the next day after Lexi had presumably won, no penalty would have been applied and how would Lexi feel then? Her reaction to it all was very classy. Can’t say the same about a lot of the knee jerk reactions from others.
As to infractions being called in, I’m sure that all Tours could make a policy about this if they wanted to. How would you react if the player you disliked the most won from your favourite player and it later came out that an legitimate infraction had been called in prior to the event’s conclusion and no action was taken.
It’s unfair because over 80% of the field is not covered by the intense TV coverage that surrounds the leaders and top stars at a tournament, so the field pretty much has a free ride while very few face a ridiculous level of scrutiny. All rules should be enforced in exactly the same way for all players.
I think a new rule should be written to disregard “after the fact” findings like this one, when there is no conceivable advantage from the infraction, and only enforce when there is an outright advantage, but just enforce the penalty for the action, not the double whammy of adding another two strokes for signing a wrong scorecard.
Travesty. She probably misplaced her golf ball and should incur the 2 stroke penalty
if the infraction had been discovered the day it happened. Totally wrong to impose
the added 2 stroke penalty, 24 hours later, for signing her card. Arm chair QB’s
have to make their case during the round of play.
Looking at Lexi’s body language as she was walking to her ball, she was disgusted with not making the first putt and she was sloppy or careless in placing her coin. However, she replaced the ball correctly as if she had properly placed her coin.
I don’t believe she did it to gain advantage, if she had, then a day late penalty is appropriate. since she didn’t gain an advantage, and in the spirit of protecting the field the two shot penalty would be the max without piling on the second penalty for a total of 4 strokes, which i think, was excessive and uncalled for under the circumstances. It seemed as if the minions were maxing out their power.
I am Lexi’s fan and admire her the way she dealt with the issue, admitting the error, stand strong and brave to finish the round! Many have criticize the person reporting the mistake she make, but we should actually be suggestive in looking at the facts.
1..Did Lexi make a mistake? Yes, she did.
2. Is this practice allowed by official (reporting the issue)? Yes. So what wrong with the reporter? As the official said, he had to do that knowing the issue so is the person who had detected the issue. Since if you found something wrong and not reported, is it fair to others allowing this golfer to win?
3. Is it fair? Yes, considering the other professor golfers who also were penalized such as DJ, Chella Choi, etc..
4. So it is ok to penalize when it is detected instantly, but not after? So is it fair knowing this golfer has validate the rules?
5. Agree that you have an issue with this rule, you can voice your concerns at USGA etc.
This was absolutely ridiculous. A home viewer is not a rules official, nor should they be allowed to act as an official. This violates the spirit of the game.
I thought this had happened on April Fool’s Day when I first heard it Downunder. It’s like Craig Stadler years ago trying to keep his pants clean while playing a shot kneeling down. If the penalty was deserved – and was it really? – if it hadn’t been sorted by the time the score cards had been signed for round 3 then it should be over and done with. Does anyone really think Lexi Thomson was really trying to cheat the system and deliberately infringe? A good idea would be once the ball is put back in front of the maker the only thing that should be moved is the marker. Once the marker is removed get on with the shot. Marking and re-marking is easy to police and unnecessary.
I have seen this over and over and I didn’t see any problem with the placeing of the ball. There are a bunch of people doing it wrong all over the world.
Totally ridiculous! Allowing anyone not present at the tournament venue to influence the score is unacceptable. First, marking a ball on the green is an imperfect process at best. You can never replace the ball exactly where it was before, there is a small error involved. Since golf is self policing and the competitor herself, the opponent with her and the rules official saw no error in replacing her ball, that is all that we can expect. This rule needs to be changed!
A four strokes penalty for an infraction from prior day is too excessive. This rule should be changed to one stroke for an accidental infraction, and DQ if it can be shown that the infraction was committed intentionally. Also, the word “equitable” is inappropriate or justified when it comes to rules when not every player is placed under the same scrutiny, i.e., only the select few is shown on tv – who knows how many other accidental infractions of any and all rules go unreported. Worse yet, how many intentional violations go unreported. Hopefully, more sensible rules changes will be in the offering soon.
The real problem is that she broke 2 rules. Did she do it intentionally, of course not. However, it was an infraction. Under the old rules she would have been DQ’d. I would point out that under discussion for the rewrite of the rule book, this might not be a penalty. But that is the future, not the now. Golf is an unusual sport where players call penalties on themselves. Anyone who overlooks a penalty in a stroke based tourney (vs match play) is guilty of cheating. Rules are the rules. You can’t say “awe forget that one.” Don’t like a rule, change it. As s rules official, I have caught people cheating by doing exactly what Lexi did. If I spotted something, I would watch the player on a few holes. I have seen players move the bill to the right or left of the coin, or even worse, I have seen players place their mark in front of the ball, then when remarking, place their ball in front of their coin, thus placing their balk at least 1-2″ closer.
franklygolf 
Once a scorecard is signed, the round should be over! Calling a penalty the next day seems crazy to me. If she did something wrong either a playing partner of a rules official needs to catch it. She should have called it on herself;f if she thought she made an infraction of the rules. If not, it is her judgement that needs to be respected.
The rules require a ball to be replaced. A ball can never be replaced on the EXACT spot from which it was lifted. A degree of tolerance is expected and the rules hint at what that could be. Such as, it is permitted to place a marker behind the ball but not two inches behind it, presumably because it is too difficult to estimate an acceptable relocation. Also the rules permit someone else than the player can mark the ball and replace it, so even though the player is responsible, variations can be expected. The question the LPGA officials answered is, was less than 1/2 an inch too much. I imagine that with out a policy change some official will have to rule if 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch is acceptable or not.
What about Rule 1-4 that decisions should be made in accordance with equity. The ruling authorities for professional golf continue making golf joke.
Never a pretty sight. The LPGA definitely needs better communication to the players. Penalties need to happen at the time of infractions. To Lexu’s credit she still managed to play her heart but imagine what those extra 2 strokes would have meant if the penalty was reported in a timely manner.
The rule is quite explicit. You REPLACE your ball, which means that you put it back on the exact spot from where you picked it up. As near as possible is not an option. Failure to replace the ball incurs a penalty which is doubled when you make a stroke. You are permitted to correct your error prior to making your next stroke and there would be no penalty.
The additional 2 shot penalty only came in recently and prior to that Lexi would have been disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.I’m sure we all would prefer the penalty to a DQ. If the email had arrived the next day after Lexi had presumably won, no penalty would have been applied and how would Lexi feel then? Her reaction to it all was very classy. Can’t say the same about a lot of the knee jerk reactions from others.
As to infractions being called in, I’m sure that all Tours could make a policy about this if they wanted to. How would you react if the player you disliked the most won from your favourite player and it later came out that an legitimate infraction had been called in prior to the event’s conclusion and no action was taken.
It’s unfair because over 80% of the field is not covered by the intense TV coverage that surrounds the leaders and top stars at a tournament, so the field pretty much has a free ride while very few face a ridiculous level of scrutiny. All rules should be enforced in exactly the same way for all players.
I think a new rule should be written to disregard “after the fact” findings like this one, when there is no conceivable advantage from the infraction, and only enforce when there is an outright advantage, but just enforce the penalty for the action, not the double whammy of adding another two strokes for signing a wrong scorecard.
Travesty. She probably misplaced her golf ball and should incur the 2 stroke penalty
if the infraction had been discovered the day it happened. Totally wrong to impose
the added 2 stroke penalty, 24 hours later, for signing her card. Arm chair QB’s
have to make their case during the round of play.
Looking at Lexi’s body language as she was walking to her ball, she was disgusted with not making the first putt and she was sloppy or careless in placing her coin. However, she replaced the ball correctly as if she had properly placed her coin.
I don’t believe she did it to gain advantage, if she had, then a day late penalty is appropriate. since she didn’t gain an advantage, and in the spirit of protecting the field the two shot penalty would be the max without piling on the second penalty for a total of 4 strokes, which i think, was excessive and uncalled for under the circumstances. It seemed as if the minions were maxing out their power.
I am Lexi’s fan and admire her the way she dealt with the issue, admitting the error, stand strong and brave to finish the round! Many have criticize the person reporting the mistake she make, but we should actually be suggestive in looking at the facts.
1..Did Lexi make a mistake? Yes, she did.
2. Is this practice allowed by official (reporting the issue)? Yes. So what wrong with the reporter? As the official said, he had to do that knowing the issue so is the person who had detected the issue. Since if you found something wrong and not reported, is it fair to others allowing this golfer to win?
3. Is it fair? Yes, considering the other professor golfers who also were penalized such as DJ, Chella Choi, etc..
4. So it is ok to penalize when it is detected instantly, but not after? So is it fair knowing this golfer has validate the rules?
5. Agree that you have an issue with this rule, you can voice your concerns at USGA etc.
Whether the ball was put back in the wrong place (maybe a few mm difference), having a 4 shot penalty for a single incident is way too harsh.
This was absolutely ridiculous. A home viewer is not a rules official, nor should they be allowed to act as an official. This violates the spirit of the game.
I thought this had happened on April Fool’s Day when I first heard it Downunder. It’s like Craig Stadler years ago trying to keep his pants clean while playing a shot kneeling down. If the penalty was deserved – and was it really? – if it hadn’t been sorted by the time the score cards had been signed for round 3 then it should be over and done with. Does anyone really think Lexi Thomson was really trying to cheat the system and deliberately infringe? A good idea would be once the ball is put back in front of the maker the only thing that should be moved is the marker. Once the marker is removed get on with the shot. Marking and re-marking is easy to police and unnecessary.
I have seen this over and over and I didn’t see any problem with the placeing of the ball. There are a bunch of people doing it wrong all over the world.
Totally ridiculous! Allowing anyone not present at the tournament venue to influence the score is unacceptable. First, marking a ball on the green is an imperfect process at best. You can never replace the ball exactly where it was before, there is a small error involved. Since golf is self policing and the competitor herself, the opponent with her and the rules official saw no error in replacing her ball, that is all that we can expect. This rule needs to be changed!
A four strokes penalty for an infraction from prior day is too excessive. This rule should be changed to one stroke for an accidental infraction, and DQ if it can be shown that the infraction was committed intentionally. Also, the word “equitable” is inappropriate or justified when it comes to rules when not every player is placed under the same scrutiny, i.e., only the select few is shown on tv – who knows how many other accidental infractions of any and all rules go unreported. Worse yet, how many intentional violations go unreported. Hopefully, more sensible rules changes will be in the offering soon.
The real problem is that she broke 2 rules. Did she do it intentionally, of course not. However, it was an infraction. Under the old rules she would have been DQ’d. I would point out that under discussion for the rewrite of the rule book, this might not be a penalty. But that is the future, not the now. Golf is an unusual sport where players call penalties on themselves. Anyone who overlooks a penalty in a stroke based tourney (vs match play) is guilty of cheating. Rules are the rules. You can’t say “awe forget that one.” Don’t like a rule, change it. As s rules official, I have caught people cheating by doing exactly what Lexi did. If I spotted something, I would watch the player on a few holes. I have seen players move the bill to the right or left of the coin, or even worse, I have seen players place their mark in front of the ball, then when remarking, place their ball in front of their coin, thus placing their balk at least 1-2″ closer.