The brutality of golf is indeed as well-known as its talent.
This weekend's The Open event has millions of pounds up for grabs, and competitors have to abide by very precise and tight rules to avoid receiving shot penalties.
From the ancient railroad tracks that tightly grip a corner of the course to the swirling out-of-bounds trap zones and prison bunkers, Express Sport examines the rules that will be in effect for this weekend's action and the limited options players will have in specific situations.
However, some circumstances can be far more dangerous than others, with some even carrying the genuine risk of becoming a deal breaker.
When it comes to governing in the sand traps, the greatest golfers do have some options, but they have to proceed extremely cautiously, both literally and figuratively.
However, some circumstances can be far more dangerous than others, with some even carrying the genuine risk of becoming a deal breaker.
When it comes to governing in the sand traps, the greatest golfers do have some options, but they have to proceed extremely cautiously, both literally and figuratively.
Tiger Woods, a golf prodigy at the time, found himself in a very awkward predicament on the opening hole of the 1997 Open championship at Troon. Following a crisp long iron down the firm fairway, Woods found himself in a bunker next to the green. He then chipped out horribly, placing his ball squarely next to his playing partner Bernhard Langer's sand trap.
Without tampering with the other player's ball and lying, neither player could attempt their shot. Since many of the ancient courses' violent undulations feed wayward balls into the same spots within the sand traps, it's a very regular scenario at the Open tournament.
Without tampering with the other player's ball and lying, neither player could attempt their shot. Since many of the ancient courses' violent undulations feed wayward balls into the same spots within the sand traps, it's a very regular scenario at the Open tournament.
That's when a dilemma emerged. It was necessary to call in a rules official and the play that followed established a protocol for handling such situations, which will be followed this weekend.
The young Woods was required to use a tee to mark his ball in the sand and then remove it straight out of the bunker without, crucially, washing the ball or clearing away any sand particles. So Woods carefully set the ball down on the grass next to the trap.
Woods placed his ball back in the identical area where it had rested on the bunker after Langer had taken his shot. Although Woods and his caddie had to carefully replicate the original lay of their ball, which had rested in a small built-up path of sand, Langer's disturbance of the sand was allowed to be scraped.
After proving his recreation attempt to the rules official, Woods was allowed to chip out of the bunker and onto the putting area.
Baseball gorse shots
Robust and threatening gorse bushes border numerous fairways at Royal Troon.
The young Woods was required to use a tee to mark his ball in the sand and then remove it straight out of the bunker without, crucially, washing the ball or clearing away any sand particles. So Woods carefully set the ball down on the grass next to the trap.
Woods placed his ball back in the identical area where it had rested on the bunker after Langer had taken his shot. Although Woods and his caddie had to carefully replicate the original lay of their ball, which had rested in a small built-up path of sand, Langer's disturbance of the sand was allowed to be scraped.
After proving his recreation attempt to the rules official, Woods was allowed to chip out of the bunker and onto the putting area.
Baseball gorse shots
Robust and threatening gorse bushes border numerous fairways at Royal Troon.
The plant, which grows in compact formation with prickly spines and branches, is native to several link courses in the United Kingdom. If a player hits the ball completely into a gorse bush, it will not come out.
Still, very seldom do the best pros miss that terribly. Even yet, the old gorses continue to have a voice in the Open championship.
A gorse bush entangled Ernie Els in 2004 as his ball shot over the fairway. Since his miss wasn't too bad, the ball itself managed to come to rest comfortably wedged between the plant's spines at waist height.
Still, very seldom do the best pros miss that terribly. Even yet, the old gorses continue to have a voice in the Open championship.
A gorse bush entangled Ernie Els in 2004 as his ball shot over the fairway. Since his miss wasn't too bad, the ball itself managed to come to rest comfortably wedged between the plant's spines at waist height.
Picking the ball out of the gorse and accepting an unplayable drop for one penalty stroke is one option in this scenario that many weekend golfers would choose. You can drop the ball from knee height one club length (typically the longest in the bag, the driver) away from the point of entry. However, dropping it nearer the hole is not possible.
Els discussed his predicament with his caddie back in 2004 before deciding to add some flair to his play and take the shot.
Els discussed his predicament with his caddie back in 2004 before deciding to add some flair to his play and take the shot.
Els adopted a stance and grip comparable to that of a baseball player, swung through the gorse bush, and connected with the ball, moving it around fifty yards down the fairway and into the second cut of rough.