Michelle Wie's Disqualification?

Question

Can somebody please explain to me the background, purpose, and reasoning behind the rule- sign your scorecard immediately- that just disqualified Michelle Wie? I'm not a big fan, I only somewhat follow golf, but this situation strikes me as idiocy on the part of rules-enforcing officials.

Complete idiocy.

But I'm hoping there is something I'm missing here- something that will make this situation make sense- any golf aficionados, please enlighten my ignorance.

Answer 1

Done to help the integrity of the game.  Everything is done in a timely manner.  pace of play, time to walk up to a ball and finish the putt, looking for a ball, etc, etc.

The rules work, some are archaic, but unlike other sports they try to keep the sport as close to its inception as possible, staying up with the times, nonetheless trying to keep it close as the founders of the game had intended.

Answer 2

Other players on the course might change their shot selection or strategy based on what score another player has posted.  It wouldn't be fair for a player to post a 5 under par, watch the other competitors flame out trying to match it, and then change your scorecard and say, "oh yea, I really shot even par".  Thus there has to be a particular point in time when each and every player MUST certify what their score was.  This point in time is BEFORE they leave the scoring area.  

Happens once or twice per year that someone forgets this, but there really is no excuse.  The whole reason they have a "scoring area" is so the golfer can 1) review their card to make sure it is correct and 2) sign it.   Two simple things.  As another poster pointed out, forgeting to sign your score card in the scoring area is like forgetting to turn the water on once you get in the shower.  Plus, you can have your freaking caddy stand there and remind you in case you have trouble remembering to sign your scorecard.

Also - there are 100-200 players in a typical golf tournament, spread out all over the course.  It is a a cornerstone of golf competition that each player keeps their own score accurately and turns it in at the end.

Given that Wie has been disqualified and penalized a dozen times for a wide variety of rules violations, it would seem that she is either sloppy and inattentive or else just unable to understand the rules (which everone else seems to do fine with).

Answer 3

Charles gave an excellent answer, no question.

What I take issue with is the idea that the game is "self-governing". At the PGA and LPGA level, it is most definitely NOT self-governed. It's governed by officials who levy penalties, viewers who can call in to officials because of an infraction they saw on television, other players, other caddies, and generally everyone else in the world.

If a player forgets to count a stroke, trust me - they are watched and penalized. For this reason alone, golf is absolutely not "self-governing", and to pretend that it is is just silly.

Scores are kept on huge signs, and broadcast with each stroke by the media. The fact that golfers keep their own score any more is a dated and totally un-needed practice. Every year a few good pros get smacked by this archaic rule, and the punishment definitely does not fit the crime.

I love this game, but come on - this rule is ridiculous.

Answer 4

Not sure, but it makes tomorrow absolutley unwatchable, because none of the major babes are playing anyhow.

Answer 5

I am as baffled as you, because the person above me wrote about signing it to prevent cheating.  How could she have cheated in that small amount of time?  The judges were the only ones with access to that card.  Somebody needs to further explain how she could have cheated.

Answer 6

She's a hack player and has no business being as popular as she is.

She's tall, asian, and beautiful.  In her case, her ability to play golf is definitely a secondary consideration.

Answer 7

Old rule.but Miss Wie is a great player.it is all good.great publicity.money in the bank i would say.

Answer 8

you can argue all you want as to why the rule is there.....whether it make sense to you or not.....it is a rule and when you play tournament golf at any level.....you have to follow the rules....its that darn simple.

Answer 9

thanks to CHARLES M ,i had the same question and he pretty much coverd it!

Answer 10

The rule stems from the fact that during the golf's beginning it was up to the individual to "self govern" his play.  Honesty and integrity was a big part of the game (as it is now) and signing the card serves as a verification of your round, almost like signing an oath.  And to keep the rule standard, one must sign their score card in a certain place, usually the judges table, in front of the tournament judge, and they must sign the card "IMMEDIATELY" after their round.  That is why you see golfers, after their round, scurry off into the judges tent.

They can't just sign it whenever they please.  And once you leave the tent/judges table, your opportunity to sign your card is lost.  

It is not so much that the issue with the rule, my issue is Ms. Wei.  She is a pro, she should know better than to take off without signing her card.  As a professional, that is a no brain-er.

The PGA holds a very high standard of the conduct of its players, and it is the little things (like properly signing your scorecard) that they obsess over.

I have seen tournament play where people have been disqualified for an improper ball drop, or the caddie was carrying too many clubs that was allowed for that particular tournament.  Remember, you not only have to adhere to the PGA tournament rules, but also you must deal with individual tournament rules for that particular golf course.  It takes alot of homework, and you can trip up easily.

Answer 11

I feel bad for Michelle, but she needs to learn these rules.  That's what separates pros from amateurs.  She has tremendous talent.  In 2006, she had 5 out of 7 top 5 finishes, and was ranked #2 in the world.  

Unfortunately, she made bad decisions to play against the men.  She needs to mature and quit Stanford and devote herself to golf.