Is it a penalty to gauge the wind’s direction by your partner’s cigar smoke?

[El Presidente]

 

I had a chuckle 

 

 

https://golf.com/instruction/rules/rules-guy-penalty-gauge-wind-direction-cigar-smoke/

Rules Guy: Is it a penalty to gauge the wind’s direction by your partner’s cigar smoke?

The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? He’s got all the answers.

If a handkerchief is considered an “artificial object” as it relates to gauging wind, what about cigar smoke? I often play with one or more smokers, and cigar smoke is a perfect indicator of wind direction and velocity. Does observing this smoke result in a penalty for the observer? — Richard Ellis, Roswell, Ga.

First off: Kids, don’t smoke — and don’t break the Rules of Golf.

Just as having a handkerchief on the course itself isn’t a breach but using it as a quasi wind sock is, the same is true with cigarettes, cigars, pipes and so on. Smoking is a health issue but not a rules issue — generally.

However, because cigars et al. are artificial objects, per Rule 4.3a(2) using any of these things for the specific purpose of gauging wind-related information would be an issue.

So, Richard, a smoker — let’s call him Stan — breaching this rule would get the general penalty of two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play for the first offense and disqualified upon a second offense.

Assuming you didn’t ask Stan to blow smoke in order to pick up its signals, you’re in the clear — save for the dangers of secondhand smoke.

 

[Nevrknow]

5 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Assuming you didn’t ask Stan to blow smoke in order to pick up its signals, you’re in the clear

In others words: keep your mouth shut and accidentally observe. 👍🏻

[Chibearsv]

Back in the old days - most of the pros were smoking cigarettes on the course.

[Kevin48438]

Smoke is not an “artificial object.”  It’s something that is very much an occurrence of nature.

In fact, per rule 4.3a(3) if an adult golfer doesn’t light a cigar by the end of the 3rd hole, they are assessed a 1 stroke penalty.

[Huckleberry]

4 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

Back in the old days - most of the pros were smoking cigarettes on the course.

Now we know why they all threw their cigs up in the air instead of setting them down nicely   Cheaters...

[Kitchen]

The thread has got me thinking the man, the myth, the legend.  So many great quotes.  

[Chibearsv]

10 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

Now we know why they all threw their cigs up in the air instead of setting them down nicely   Cheaters...

Obviously 2 of the biggest cheaters.  One wouldn't allow the other to gain an unfair advantage 😁

[GVan]

Arnold is quoted as saying that when he gave up smoking it cost him one or two majors.

[avaldes]

Using your powers of observation is not cheating. I think that is one of the most overlooked aspects of most competitive sports. The great players are taking in information that blow past the average player.

[dominattorney]

I read this in my newsfeed and was ticked off by it. First if all the MSM never misses an opportunity to finger wag at smokers. Omg the health hazard of my cigar smoke outdoors. Fold your petticoats, Doris, and shove off. 

Additionally, I was miffed by the implications of forfeiting holes in match play. Sour grapes anyone? 

This is why you play golf with 14 heavy metal sticks, imho

[La_Tigre]

Prefer smoke to flatulence. 🤣 

[LordAnubis]

Im so good that wind direction has no impact on my golf game. The ball goes everywhere (anywhere) just on its own. 🤣

[Fuzz]

On 4/4/2022 at 9:51 AM, LordAnubis said:

Im so good that wind direction has no impact on my golf game. The ball goes everywhere (anywhere) just on its own. 🤣

Mus is the authority here. Not only did he build the Mali Golden Sands Golf Course, but he is the reigning champion of the Mali Open Golf Championship.

[LordAnubis]

20 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Mus is the authority here. Not only did he build the Mali Golden Sands Golf Course, but he is the reigning champion of the Mali Open Golf Championship.

Ahh yes the Mali International, was fun times. Hole one teeed off from the bar. it was a 50m elevation drop through/over jungle and you could only see the the back of the green from the tee. THe hole was called Hit and Hope.

THe days when i had a village of people to employ from and millions to burn! Still the look of IDGAF and WTF combined from the surveyor when i asked him to geo peg the hole was crazy, he thought we were crazy. He eventually picked up the clubs though and wasnt a bad golfer. Wonder where Boubacar is nowdays.