Is This Really Smart Golf?

Reader Pete Blaisdell confessed that he was the rules expert who pointed out the Ping-loophole which Jim McCabe noted today. And like many of you, he takes issue with my view that John Daly and Dean Wilson violate the spirit of the rules by adding otherwise-illegal clubs to their bags.

Are these guys cheaters? Course not. A cheater is one who knowingly violates a rule to gain an advantage over his fellow competitor or opponent.These players are taking advantage of a rule to gain an edge in a particular situation that is SANCTIONED by the Ruling Body. Not cheating. Let me ask you this. Your ball is in deep rough close to the fairway. You have interference from a sprinkler head and rule 24 permits you relief (nearest point not closer to hole, drop within one clublength of that point). You follow the correct procedure and lo and behold, your ball is now in play in the fairway. Is that cheating? no, the rule book just gave you the opportunity for some good luck. It's simply taking advantage of the book. It's not cheating, it's smart golf.

I'm sure if I'd actually comprehended Shakespeare, I'd be able to pull some clever lines on the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law.

So yes, schmucky Daly and Wilson are following the letter of the law, but what about the spirit of the law? You can admire the creativity in ducking the groove rule change, but that doesn't mean you have to admire the man.