Is this legal

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By wormburner

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  1. wormburner

    wormburner
    hawaii

    Just wondering if the following is legal if I play in a club tournament.

    1.  Placing a piece of tape on my putter head to make the sweet spot as I look down on my putter.

    2.  Placing another piece of tape about 18 inches on the shaft to mark "gimme" putts when I play with friends.

    3.  Placing a piece of tape with an arrow on my irons and other club shaft marking the center point just below the grip.

     

    Any info would help, thanks.

  2. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    Hi Mark, Here is what I found on this (from http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-04/#4-1): The first two Q/A's are "Decisions" and the last "4.2" is a "Rule" regarding foreign material. 4-1/4 Lead Tape Applied to Clubhead or Shaft Before Start of Round Q.Before the start of a round, may a player attach lead tape to a clubhead or shaft for the purpose of adjusting weight? A.Yes. The use of lead tape is an exception to Appendix II, 1b(ii). 4-1/5 Adhesive Bandage or Tape Applied to Clubhead to Reduce Glare or for Protection Q.May a player put an adhesive bandage or tape on the clubhead to reduce glare or to protect the club from being damaged? A.An adhesive bandage or tape added to the clubhead is considered an external attachment, rendering the club non-conforming (see Appendix II, Rule 1a but see also Decision 4-1/4). However, material attached to the clubhead that does not affect the performance of the club and is semi-permanent, durable, not easily removable and conforms to the shape of the clubhead may be permitted by exception, but an adhesive bandage or tape does not fall under that exception because such items are temporary in nature and easily removable. See "A Guide to the Rules on Clubs and Balls," Section 1a, for detailed criteria regarding permissible external attachments, such as alignment markings, protective coverings or decorative decals. Additionally, adding such an attachment during the stipulated round would change the club's playing characteristics in breach of Rule 4-2. 4.2 B Foreign Material Foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the purpose of influencing the movement of the ball. These are up for interpretation!
  3. wormburner

    wormburner
    hawaii

    Wow, "bucket of worms"?  So, as rules explained can't add tape, such as band aid, black tape, etc..

    What if you had added a name/address label to your club and it comes off.  Its removable.  What if the "Made in China" label comes off or removed during a round?

    Seems to me that it would be okay to mark the areas with finger nail polish instead of tape.  Do you agree?

  4. Jose A

    Jose A
    West Palm Beach, FL

    I'd say so, by marking your grip to tell you where to put your hands is something that doesn't modify the club, so it should be allowed.

    However, this is just my personal opinion, you better try to find the proper answer before doing anything

  5. mark t said:

    Wow, "bucket of worms"?  So, as rules explained can't add tape, such as band aid, black tape, etc..

    What if you had added a name/address label to your club and it comes off.  Its removable.  What if the "Made in China" label comes off or removed during a round?

    Seems to me that it would be okay to mark the areas with finger nail polish instead of tape.  Do you agree?

    If you are taking putts inside 18 inches, I wouldn't worry too much about going this deep in the rule book. Just my opinion.
  6. Brad C

    Brad C
    Weatherford, TX

    Wow, i never thought about these tape ideas to play golf. It seems to me as a amateur who plays in tournaments you would be alot more sensitive to actually playing, performing, and getting yourself mentally ready to compete! Maybe you should lose the tape and learn to play without guides!! Also if you need weighted lead tape for club adjustments and heel, toe weighting go see you local pro, or pro shop. Good luck and play well.

  7. And there you go. If you are a professional playing in a PGA type of event then you probably would have had you clubs adjusted before you stepped on the practice range, other than that just ask the guys or gals you are playing with if they are okay with it. Like "winter rules" 99.9% percent of the classy golfers will want to help you improve your game and if a piece of tape or mark on your club helps you improve they will be good with it. Once you find the sweet spot you won't need the tape. The best golfers always want everyone around them to enjoy golf and get better at striking the ball.
  8. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Holy moly! Talk about digging up an old post. :)

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