The foggy weather conditions at Shinnecock Hills delayed the U.S. Open first round. However, former champ Jim Furyk made the most of the delay as he learned a very unique USGA rule.

During the delay, the USA broadcast of the major brought in Jay Roberts, the USGA’s Senior Manager of Rules. Analyst Tom Abbott raised a query to Roberts about whether, during the delay, players were allowed to practice on the previous green while they waited.

“They can,” Roberts said. “Practice areas will remain open, and players would be allowed to practice on the putting green of the hole they just completed.”

What Roberts said is clearly mentioned in the rule book. Rule 5.2b permits “practice on or near the putting green of the hole just completed even if they will play that hole again on the same day” in stroke play.

“I had no idea,” Furyk said after hearing the rule.

However, Abbott added another dimension to the rule, which left Furyk even more stunned.

“In USGA championships they allow you to practice on the previous green during play as long as you don’t hold up play,” Abbott added. “It’s something a lot players don’t know, Jim.”

As per Rule 5.5b, a player is not allowed to hit a practice stroke between two holes. However, they can practise putting or chipping on the putting green of the hole just completed, or at any practice green (Rule 13.1e).

On top of that, they can also head to the teeing area of the next hole to warm their hands up.There’s a catch, though. The practice strokes must not be made from a bunker, and they should also not lead to an unreasonable delay in play, according to rule 5.6a. 

However, Furyk was not the only one unaware, and there’s a reason for that.

Why Furyk and Co. Were Unaware Of This USGA Rule?

Former PGA Tour winner Curt Byrum was also unaware of these rules.

“I did not,” Byrum responded when asked by play-by-play announcer Terry Gannon whether he knew the rules.

The reason Byrum and Furyk must have been ignorant of the rule is that at PGA Tour tournaments, players are prohibited from practicing on the previous green they just completed.

According to Model Local Rule I-2, “A player must not make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole just played or test the surface of that putting green by rubbing the green or rolling a ball.”

The USGA rule amounts to a penalty at PGA Tour events, and thus, it’s natural for Byrum and Furyk to be unaware of the rule because they spent most of their time playing on the PGA Tour.

What are your thoughts on these practice rules? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi