Miles Bennett
In golf, a stymie is a discontinued rule that allowed a golfer to intentionally putt their ball into another player's line, blocking their opponent's direct access to the hole. The rule was eliminated worldwide with the release of the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf in 1952. The term stymie is still used to describe a situation where a player's route is blocked by an obstacle.
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What You'll Learn
The stymie rule no longer exists
The stymie is a now-extinct rule in golf that was eliminated in 1952 when the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf came into effect. The rule originated in the late 18th century and allowed for a ball to be moved if it was within six inches of another player's ball. If the balls were more than six inches apart, the player simply had to play around or over the interfering ball. This rule created a situation where a player's route to the hole might be blocked, and they would be "stymied".
The stymie rule was modified several times over the years before its eventual elimination. In 1920, the United States Golf Association (USGA) tested a modified rule for one year, allowing a stymied player to concede the opponent's next putt. In 1938, the USGA began a two-year trial that allowed an obstructing ball within six inches of the hole to be moved, regardless of the distance between the balls. This rule change was made permanent in 1941. However, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews never modified their stymie rule during this time.
The stymie rule was abolished worldwide in 1952 when the first jointly published set of rules by the USGA and the R&A came into effect. After this change, either the player or the opponent could lift a ball on the putting green if it might interfere with a putt or assist the player. There was no penalty for striking another player's ball on the putting green in match play.
While the stymie rule no longer exists in competition golf, the term "stymie" is still used to describe a situation where a player's route may be blocked. For example, a player might say they are "stymied behind a tree".
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Stymie as a verb
The verb stymie originates from the noun stymie, which refers to a golfing situation where a player's ball lies between another player's ball and the hole, blocking the line of play. This rule was eliminated in 1952 when the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf came into effect, but the term stymie is still used in golf to describe a situation where a player's route may be blocked, for example, by a tree.
The use of the verb stymie is not limited to golf. For example, one might say that their progress on a project has been stymied by a lack of funding, or that a political effort has been stymied by opposing colleagues.
The verb stymie is often used to describe situations where something or someone is prevented or hindered from proceeding or achieving a goal. It can be applied to any context where an obstacle or impediment is presented.
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History of the stymie rule
The stymie was an integral part of the game of golf until it was abolished in 1952. It was one of the original 13 rules created in 1744 by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The rule allowed a golfer to intentionally putt their ball into another player's line, blocking their opponent's direct access to the hole.
In the late 18th century, if balls were very near to one another on the playing surface but not touching, they had to be played as they lay. Then, a provision was made for moving balls that came to rest within six inches of one another. In the 1830s, stymies were restricted to matches in which there was only one ball per side.
In 1920, the United States Golf Association (USGA) tested a modified stymie rule for a year, allowing a stymied player to concede the opponent's next putt. In 1921, the Western Golf Association abolished the stymie for its competitions, reinstated it in 1922, and then dropped it for good in 1936.
The next change to the stymie rule came in 1938 when the USGA began a two-year trial, allowing an obstructing ball within six inches of the hole to be moved regardless of the distance between the balls. This rule was made permanent by the USGA in 1941. However, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews never modified their stymie rule.
In 1944, the PGA of America eliminated the stymie for the PGA Championship, and in 1950, the USGA abolished the stymie altogether, although the R&A retained it. Finally, in 1952, the USGA and R&A jointly issued the Rules of Golf, eliminating the stymie rule worldwide.
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Modifications to the stymie rule
The stymie rule in golf allowed a golfer to intentionally putt their ball into another player's line, blocking their opponent's direct access to the hole. This rule was discontinued in 1952 with the release of the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf.
Over the years, there have been several modifications to the stymie rule:
The 18th Century
Early rules of golf only allowed for moving balls that were touching each other. Later, a provision was made to allow the movement of balls that were within six inches of each other.
1775
The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith allowed a ball to be moved if it was within six inches of another ball or the hole.
1812
The St. Andrews Golfers adopted a rule stating that if balls were within six inches of each other, the ball nearest the hole must be lifted until the other was played. However, on the putting green, the ball could not be lifted unless it was directly between the other ball and the hole.
1830
The Montrose rules specified that the stymie rule did not apply to medal play or four-balls.
1920
The United States Golf Association (USGA) tested a modified stymie rule for one year, allowing a stymied player to concede their opponent's next putt.
1938
The USGA began a two-year trial, allowing an obstructing ball within six inches of the hole to be moved regardless of the distance between the balls. This rule change was made permanent in 1941.
1952
The stymie rule was officially eliminated worldwide with the release of the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf. This change gave players the option to lift a ball on the putting green if it might interfere with a putt or assist the player, with no penalty for striking another player's ball.
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Stymie in casual or bounce play
Stymie is an old rule in golf that is no longer used in competition golf. It was eliminated when the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf came into effect in 1952. However, many golfers continue to use the term and the rule in casual or bounce play.
The term stymie describes a situation where a player's route to the hole is blocked by an opponent's ball. In other words, if a player's ball on the putting green interferes with another player's line of putt, the interfering ball could only be marked if the two balls were within six inches of each other. If they were more than six inches apart, the player had to play around or over the interfering ball.
The stymie rule was tested and modified over the years before its eventual removal in 1952. For instance, in 1920, the United States Golf Association (USGA) allowed a stymied player to concede the opponent's next putt. Later, in 1938, the USGA began a two-year trial where an obstructing ball within six inches of the hole could be moved regardless of the distance between the balls. This rule was made permanent by the USGA in 1941.
Today, the term stymie is still used colloquially in casual or bounce play to describe a situation where a player's route is blocked, for example, by a tree.
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Frequently asked questions
A stymie is an old golf rule that was eliminated in 1952. It allowed a golfer to intentionally putt their ball into another player's line, blocking their opponent's direct access to the hole.
If a player found their ball's path to the hole blocked by an opponent, they were stymied. If the interfering ball was within six inches of the player's ball, it could be marked. If the balls were more than six inches apart, the player had to play around or over the interfering ball.
The stymie rule was modified in 1938 to allow an interfering ball within 6 inches of the hole to be moved regardless of the distance between the balls. This rule became permanent in 1941.
The stymie rule was eliminated in 1952 with the release of the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf.
Although the rule no longer exists, the term stymie is still used to describe a situation where your route may be blocked. For example, a player might say they are "stymied behind a tree".
