Jackson Reid
The stymie is an archaic golf rule that is no longer in use. It was eliminated in 1952 when the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf came into effect. Before that, if a player's ball blocked an opponent's putt, the interfering ball could only be marked if the two balls were within six inches of each other. If they were further apart, the player had to play around or over the obstructing ball. This rule was abolished because it was seen as a matter of luck or chance that interfered with fairness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A golfing situation in which one player's ball lies between another ball and the hole on the putting green, thereby blocking the line of play |
| Synonyms | To present an obstacle to, stand in the way of |
| Rule | If one player’s ball on the putting green interfered 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, there was no provision for marking the ball nearer the hole and the player simply had to play around or over the interfering ball. |
| Rule Abolishment | 1952 |
| Rule Application | Stymies were mostly absent from stroke play but they remained part of match play well into the 1900s |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The definition of a stymie
The "stymie" is an archaic golf rule that is no longer in use. It refers to a situation in which one golfer's ball sits on the putting green between the hole and the opponent's golf ball, blocking the hole for the opponent's putt. In other words, if a player's ball blocked another player's path to the hole, the latter was "stymied".
The term "stymie" can also be used as a verb, meaning "to bring into the position of, or impede by, a stymie". For example, "Golfer A stymied Golfer B".
Stymies were a part of golf from the time of the earliest written rules, which date back to 1744. In the original rules, lifting one ball to allow another ball to be played was only permitted when the balls were touching. In 1775, this rule was extended to include balls within six inches of one another.
In 1830, stymies were restricted to matches in which there was only one ball per side. They were mostly absent from stroke play but remained a part of match play through the early 20th century.
The stymie rule was abolished in 1952 when the first jointly published set of rules established by the USGA and the R&A came into effect.
ProsWing Golf: Is the Business Still Swinging?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The history of the stymie rule
The stymie rule is an archaic part of golf that is no longer in use. It was an integral part of the game until 1952 when it was abolished by the USGA and the R&A.
The term "stymie" is used to describe a situation when a player's route is blocked. In golf, it referred to a scenario where one golfer's ball sat on the putting green between the hole and the opponent's golf ball, blocking the hole for the opponent's putt. This rule was first mentioned in the originally written rules of golf, which date back to 1744. The rule allowed for the lifting of one ball to allow another to be played only when the balls were touching. In 1775, this rule was modified to include balls within six inches of one another.
In the early 1900s, the Western Golf Association, the USGA, and the PGA of America all experimented with eliminating stymies. In 1920, the 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, 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 in 1941.
Despite these changes, the stymie rule remained a part of match play until the USGA and the R&A jointly issued new rules in 1952, allowing a ball on the putting green to be lifted when interfering with another, regardless of the distance between the balls. This marked the end of the stymie rule in golf.
Golf: Is It Easier for Women?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to play a stymie shot
Stymie is an old rule in golf that is no longer used. It was eliminated in 1952 when the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf came into effect. If a player encountered a situation where their ball's path to the hole was blocked by an opponent's ball, they were said to be stymied.
- Putting or chipping over the opponent's ball: This was a common strategy used by golfers when faced with a stymie. They would try to chip or putt their ball over the opponent's ball that was blocking their path to the hole. This required a delicate touch and precise control of the ball's trajectory.
- Using a "blaster" or sand wedge: Henry Longhurst suggested using a "blaster" or sand wedge to gently putt the ball over the stymie, using the weight on the bottom of the club to get the ball in the air.
- Pitching over the opponent's ball with a lofted club: James Braid recommended using a lofted club to pitch the ball over the opponent's ball while keeping the clubhead low to avoid digging into the green.
- Practising stymie shots: Cecil Leitch, a three-time winner of the British Ladies' Open Championship, emphasised the importance of practising stymie shots to build confidence. She suggested that players should avoid taking their eye off the ball and rushing the stroke.
- Conceding the opponent's next putt: In 1920, the United States Golf Association (USGA) tested a modified rule that allowed a stymied player to concede the opponent's next putt. This provided an alternative strategy for handling a stymie situation.
- Moving the opponent's ball: In certain situations, players were allowed to move the opponent's ball that was causing the stymie. This was permitted if the balls were within six inches of each other or, in some cases, if the obstructing ball was within six inches of the hole.
Golf Digest: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Your Game
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Competitions where stymies were used
The stymie was an integral part of the game of golf, or at least match play, until it was abolished in 1952. The term is derived from the Gaelic "stitch mi," meaning "inside me," or the Dutch "strait mij," meaning "it stops me."
- 1948 PGA Championship Final: In the final match of the 1948 PGA Championship, Mike Turnesa stymied Ben Hogan, who successfully chipped over the stymie and went on to win the tournament.
- 1951 British Amateur Championship: Dick Chapman left a dead stymie for Charlie Coe in this championship.
- Various Competitions before 1952: Stymies remained a part of matches that used one ball per side until revisions to the Rules of Golf in 1952. Therefore, any competition before 1952 that used one ball per side would have included stymies.
- Competitions under R&A Rules before 1952: While the USGA eliminated stymies in 1950, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) continued to use stymies under their rules. So, any competitions governed by R&A rules before 1952 would have included stymies.
Steve Williams: Caddie Legend Retires from Golf?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.73 $17.59
Why the stymie rule was removed
The stymie rule was a significant part of golf's match play until it was abolished in 1952. The rule allowed a player to block their opponent's ball, creating a challenging situation for them. While some golfers found the stymie rule exciting, others viewed it as interfering with fairness, creating a matter of luck or chance.
The rule's removal journey began with modifications in 1920 and 1938, allowing players to concede their opponent's next putt if they were stymied. In 1944, the PGA of America abolished the stymie in its competitions, and the USGA followed suit in 1950, though the R&A retained it.
The stymie rule was officially eliminated worldwide in 1952 when the USGA and R&A issued their first joint set of rules. This change allowed a ball on the putting green to be lifted if it interfered with another player's ball, regardless of their distance. The rule change aimed to standardise the sport and address the fairness concerns raised by golfers.
While the stymie rule has been removed from competition golf, the term ""stymie" is still used casually to describe a situation where one's route is blocked. The evolution of the stymie rule demonstrates golf's adaptability and willingness to modify its rules to enhance the sport's enjoyment and fairness.
Obama's Golf Expenses: How Much Did He Spend?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A stymie is an old golf rule that is no longer used. It occurs when one golfer's ball sits on the putting green between the hole and the opponent's golf ball, blocking the opponent's ball from the hole.
The stymie rule was abolished in 1952 when the first jointly published set of rules established by the USGA and the R&A came into effect.
Prior to 1952, if one player’s ball on the putting green interfered with another player’s line of putt, the interfering ball could only be marked if the two balls were within 6 inches of each other. If they were more than 6 inches apart, the player simply had to play around or over the interfering ball.
A golfer whose ball was blocked could attempt to pop up their putt or chip their ball over the opponent's ball. They might also try to slice or hook their putt around the intervening ball.
