The Rules of Golf begin with these words, "Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf."


The Spirit of the Game

Last week, during the first round of the PGA Tour’s second stage of qualifying school, J.P. Hayes was handed a ball by his caddy on the par 3 12th hole at Deerwood Country Club in Texas. When Hayes reached the green, he realized that the ball was a different version (a prototype) of the ball he normally plays. Hayes is a former PGA Tour winner who finds himself at Q-School, fighting for his card after finishing 176th on the money list. Releasing he'd jeopardize his chances to regain his card, he still called a penalty on himself. As the rules specify, Hayes was given a 2-stroke penalty. But after the round, he realized this prototype ball may not be present on the current list of conforming golf balls, and after confirming so, was disqualified.

This incident is getting some attention outside the golf community and many are hoping Hayes is rewarded for his integrity through sponsor exemptions next year on the tour. However, this is the expected behavior from those of us who play. After being commended for his honesty after penalizing himself in the 1925 U.S. Open, Bobby Jones reply was, "You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank."

But this behavior is newsworthy. This demonstration of integrity is rare in other sports. It points out what makes golf great. I've played other sports. I've never told an umpire that I was really out when he called me safe at first. I've never told a referee that the puck didn't actually cross the goal line when a goal was scored. I've never corrected a referee for placing the football too far forward of where I was tackled. But I have called plenty of penalties on myself in golf.

I was recently reminded of one of those situations. I ran into a guy this week that I'd played against in a match last year. He introduced me to a friend and went on about my honesty and integrity. He reminded me that during our match I had called a penalty on myself when my ball moved as I grounded my wedge behind the ball located on a steep slope by the green. Nobody saw it, but I put the ball back and informed my opponent of the penalty. I then chipped up close and my opponent gave me the putt. My opponent then addressed his ball on the green. He was on in one and just needed a 2-putt to win the hole. I wasn't watching, but his ball moved as he grounded his putter! He immediately informed me and called a penalty on himself. He then 2-putted to halve the hole. I don't remember if a gust of wind picked up or if his ball was simply on a bit of a slope, but I'll never forget our demonstration of sportsmanship. I forget who eventually won that match.

Bobby Jones explained it best when he said, "When you cheat in golf, the only person you're cheating is yourself." In golf as in life, we don't get a chance to take a mulligan, we can't erase certain 'strokes' just because we don't like the outcome. We have to play the ball as it lies.

Anne Kinsman Fisher shares in an interview, "Golf gives us a chance to practice living by our principles. And, when you build integrity, it carries over into every aspect of your life. What you learn in the smaller world of the golf course, you take off the course into the greater realm of your life. Everything you learn in golf carries forward directly to the outside world. Calling a penalty on yourself, in the real world, is knowing when your actions are wrong and taking steps to correct them. Counting your score accurately means judging yourself honestly -- and moving forward from that point. Integrity is learning about a deeper gratification -- a soul-level fulfillment, if you will. Integrity is doing what is in the highest good, not just what you might personally want. It's calling a penalty on yourself when it's warranted. It's playing the ball as it lies, even when it would be easier (and might even go unnoticed) for you to kick it out onto the fairway again. It's counting all your strokes and take pride in your final score, no matter what it is."

Labels: Integrity, Spirit of the Game