USGA looking like idiots.

[Bulldog Bruce]

I looked over a bunch of stuff concerning the handling of the Dustin Johnson penalty. The committee members, who are the only people that seem to think he caused the ball to move, need to look up the definition of instantaneously. They kept saying that the ball moved instantaneously after Dustin grounded his club the second time when obviously it was a half of second or maybe a full second. Neither of those is instantaneous.

Next what was going to change by having Dustin look at the video? He was going to always think you are a bunch of morons. So if you decided you were going to call a penalty, just issue it and let everyone know your decision.

And finally they need to add to the rule the amount of movement. Realistically even if he caused it to move without touching it, how was that amount going to effect anything. You already allow a person to mark their ball and pick it up and place it back. Do you really believe it is possible to place it in exactly the same place from where it was picked up? So if the ball moves less than 8th or 16th of an inch or some reasonable number and it wasn't physically touched by the putter or player, then play it from there no penalty. There is no advantage in the ball moving that minuscule amount.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

They were rightfully hammered by many of the other pros for handling it the way they did and whether it was a penalty or not. I was hoping the dude would finally put his "Major Demons" to rest and loved the fact that he sucked it up and made the penalty stroke a moot point.

http://www.nj.com/golf/index.ssf/2016/06/us_open_2016_pga_golfers_rip_u.html

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Agreed

Not sure they could've handled that worse. Originally said no penalty, then review the situation for an hour, but not notify the player he will be penalized until after the round. What? And like you said, it is impossible to return the ball to the exact location it was after you spot it and pick it up. The USGA is lucky he won by more than one stroke, or they would be catching a lot more heat.

 

[DAWG61]

Once the rules official ruled no penalty that should of been the end of it completely. This **** is the worst part of golf.

 

[boatsandhoes]

their final ruling appeared to be, "there was nothing else but Johnson that could have caused it to move so he must have." physics won't allow it to roll backwards by touching it. The only other thing I can think of is soling the putter blade can cause a displacement of grass which makes the ball oscillate backwards. On blazing fast greens the ball can move at any time without being touched....happens all the time. Oakmont has severe slopes to add to it.

Some rules are good, and some are stupid. I love golf, but it was nonsense and the USGA takes things too far sometimes.

Here is how it should be:
1. if the player gains no advantage by the ball moving. (none was gained here) A player gains no advantage by the ball moving 1/2 inch in any direction.
2. if it is on the putting green, and replaced back to it's original spot (as closely as can be determined)
3. your playing partners agree no advantage was gained, and they agree he replaced the ball back to very near its original spot. (westwood agreed he did not touch it.
4. it's cleared by the official walking with the group (it was here).
5. then the player should be able to play on with no penalty, and it should be a dead issue for the remainder of the round. (done deal)

If you attempt a stroke it counts. he was not ready to attempt at the time it moved.

 

[aTotal360]

Reminded me of the egotistical MLB umps that think the game is about them too.

 

[DAWG61]

The ball often moves when you replace your mark with it. 99% of the time it moves while the mark is still in place but occasionally it happens after you've picked up your mark. It's an outside game with wind, gravity, rain/moisture and a never totally flat putting surface. The ball is going to slightly move at times. This is a terribly stupid rule.

 

[RocketDawg]

I looked over a bunch of stuff concerning the handling of the Dustin Johnson penalty. The committee members, who are the only people that seem to think he caused the ball to move, need to look up the definition of instantaneously. They kept saying that the ball moved instantaneously after Dustin grounded his club the second time when obviously it was a half of second or maybe a full second. Neither of those is instantaneous.

Next what was going to change by having Dustin look at the video? He was going to always think you are a bunch of morons. So if you decided you were going to call a penalty, just issue it and let everyone know your decision.

And finally they need to add to the rule the amount of movement. Realistically even if he caused it to move without touching it, how was that amount going to effect anything. You already allow a person to mark their ball and pick it up and place it back. Do you really believe it is possible to place it in exactly the same place from where it was picked up? So if the ball moves less than 8th or 16th of an inch or some reasonable number and it wasn't physically touched by the putter or player, then play it from there no penalty. There is no advantage in the ball moving that minuscule amount.

They already have that to an extent ... I believe if a ball "oscillates" - meaning moves, then moves back - there is no penalty.

I agree with you that there are a lot of stuffed shirt, useless rules. A couple of examples include not being able to tap down spike marks, and having to hit your ball out of a divot in the fairway. They often have very relaxed rules for drops, so why not out of a divot?

I think the worst part about yesterday's fiasco was that the penalty should have been called or not called on the spot, then stuck with. And it certainly should not be something that's decided after he's finished playing. What if he had been tied with Lowry after the 18th? Then the "Committee" would be in the position of choosing the winner, and would be rightfully ridiculed for it.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I know about the oscillate part. That requires it moving back. This ball moved a couple of millimeters and stayed there so there had to be a ruling. I am just saying the rule should allow for the movement and no penalty if it is very small and doesn't improve the lie. Also remove this whole "influence" language and require that there be physical touching of the ball causing the movement. The USGA wants to protect against players that can move the ball with their mind I guess.