The Spirit of the Game

Did you hear about golf announcer Brandel Chamblee grading Tiger Woods’ season an “F” because of his rules infractions? Whether Woods deserves an “F” or not, does he reflect the “Spirit of the Game”?

So what do I mean by “Spirit of the Game”? Here’s what the R&A says it means: Honesty, Integrity, and Courtesy. Then the R&A goes on to say: “Part of that spirit sits beneath the term ‘etiquette’ and part of it relates to the Rules of Golf. But the Spirit of the Game goes much deeper than just those two intangible terms.

It is something that every golfer should develop an innate sense of, something that is born of golf’s unparalleled history, and something which lifts golf, one could argue, above other sports.”

You probably don’t want to read an article that just quotes the R&A, but you have to admit that they did say it well. Because without the Spirit of the Game, golf just doesn’t work. It’s too easy to cheat. You have to be your own referee. And that sense of honor and fair play extends to the etiquette of the game.

And etiquette means not just being a courteous player, but also not being a rules nazi. Some of our League members need to learn that concept.

Golf was originally a simple game of Scottish shepherds hitting a rock with a stick between two points. The fundamental rule was to play it as it lies, until the rock was holed out. A rule was needed when the rock was lost or unplayable. I wish that the Rules of Golf were that simple. Though the Rules aren’t that simple anymore, it’s still one of the tenets of the Spirit of the Game.

But the Rules of Golf have been increased to try to cover every possible situation and to make it fair. I’m all for fair, but the original concept of playing the ball as it lies makes it fair for everyone. Everyone is as likely to get a bad break as someone else – that’s fair. The game is about taking responsibility for your shot and then making the best you can out of the next shot.

Our legal system has gone as overboard with laws and regulations as the game of golf has with rules. Obviously, rules and laws are vital to our freedom and safety. They are what allow us to have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Society is basically a legal contract so that we can all live together safely while in pursuit of our individual goals.

Contracts are legal deals. A deal is an agreement that people come to. They shake hands, believe it to be fair, then sometimes have it drawn up by a lawyer so that there are legal consequences if the deal is broken.

So, what about contracts with fine print? Was that part of the deal, or a sleazy way to take advantage of an agreement? People who do that stuff, think that’s what life is all about – manipulating the rules for an advantage.

Sadly enough, this mindset has infiltrated even the purest of all games – golf. I hear television golf commentators admire how players use the rules for their advantage. Really? That’s in the Spirit of the Game? The rules are to keep it fair – not to be used for an advantage. Just because something’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s right.

Should Tiger Woods have been penalized for an illegal drop? Did he sign an incorrect scorecard? Did Roberto De Vincenzo lose the 1968 Masters for signing an incorrect scorecard?

Remember the Vince Lombardi line: “Winning isn’t everything – it’s the only thing.” That is the opposite of the Spirit of the Game. I would hope that golf’s version of Vince Lombardi would say: “Winning isn’t everything – Sportsmanship is the only thing”.

Think about it – does golf really matter? I love golf, but the world would get along fine without it. But, Sportsmanship is something the world needs. In fact we couldn’t have civilization if we didn’t have “Honesty, Integrity, and Courtesy” – the three words that the R&A say represent the Spirit of the Game.

Winning at all costs is a survival mentality. Golf is not war. Civilization depends on people living above a survival mentality. And as a civilization becomes more stable, people are more secure and have more time for recreation. Golf can be a civilizing influence.

When I played at Palmetto GC in Aiken, SC a few years ago, I thought it had the greatest atmosphere and friendliest people I’d ever met. Though it’s the second oldest golf club in America, it wasn’t at all snobby or pretentious. On their website, they say that they don’t have any rules – but that they expect people to act with respect and consideration for the club and its members.

Palmetto GC was the model for Augusta National. Donald Ross designed it, and then Alister MacKenzie re-designed it after he did Augusta – and many of Palmetto’s members were original Augusta National members. Aiken is just on the other side of the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia.

I realize that Augusta National is under intense pressure because of the Masters. They do an amazing job – the Masters is a tournament “like no other” – but, I hope they go over to Palmetto GC once in awhile to remember why Augusta National was built in the first place. It’s all about “The Spirit of the Game”.