There are many schools of thought on the rules of golf. Some think they make the game what it is and are of paramount importance while others are under the impression that they are archaic and pedantic. Whatever you think of the rules of golf just be glad you don’t have to consider the following rules that were in play at Richmond Golf Club during World War II. Would you have ventured out on to the fairways with these rules in place?
Richmond Golf Club
Temporary Rules – 1940
1 – Players are asked to collect Bomb and Shrapnel splinters to save these causing damage to the Mowing Machines.
2 – In Competitions, during gunfire or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.
3 – The positions of known delayed action bombs are marked with red flags at a reasonably, but not guaranteed, safe distance therefrom.
4 – Shrapnel and/or bomb splinters on the Fairways, or in Bunkers within a club’s length of a ball, may be moved without penalty, and no penalty shall be incurred if a ball is thereby caused to move accidently.
5 – A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if lost or destroyed, a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty.
6 – A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole, preserving the line to the hole, without penalty.
7 – A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place with a one stroke penalty.
I’m not sure about you but even I, as a mad keen golfer, would think twice about playing if there were bombs falling in the vicinity! The one stroke penalty for reloading after hitting a shot at the same time as an explosion is a bit harsh as well!
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