The rules of golf allow a person to use a hand warmer during their game to keep their hands warm. It is considered a traditionally accepted use of devices. However, the rules of golf do not allow you to use a golf ball that has been intentionally heated during a set game. This would be a violation of article 14 (3) and a penalty of disqualification. Decision 14-3/13.5 deals specifically with this issue. Do you have a question about the rules? Ask the guy for rules! Send your questions, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise you that he will not throw the book at you. When is a golf ball considered illegally „heated”? Like what. Isn`t GHIN closed to golfers in cold weather like most tournaments at this time of year? If so, why is it important? The first tee time was 8:00 am and within 45 minutes the hats and gloves were sold out in the professional golf shop. There was a product of which they had a good supply that sold like hotcakes. They were „HotHands” hand warmers®. The literature says they were activated by air and would provide up to ten hours of soothing heat in gloves, bags or anywhere you feel a cold.
It certainly sounded good for many of the women from across the 96 estate who attended the resurgent event, as evidenced by the lively sales; but not so good for the officials of the event. What you can`t do is heat them artificially. The ambient temperature does not meet this definition because it is „normal” to have the balls at room temperature. Even if you leave them in the trunk of your car and it heats up, it`s „normal”. You do nothing for the sole or primary purpose of heating up your golf balls. So, by bringing my golf balls into the house overnight to be at room temperature, am I violating it? But the guys who keep their bags in the clubhouse have golf balls at room temperature that are not injured? [Quote name=`Vindog` Timestamp=`1353164039` post=`5946543`] [Quote name=`SketchyBFC` timestamp=`1353163156` post=`5946523`] [Quote name=`kevcarter ` timestamp=`1353162165` post=`5946493`] [Quote name=`SketchyBFC` timestamp=`1353159857` post=`5946423`] What if it was heated and stored in an insulated container to keep it warm? [/quote] Let`s take a look at the cited decision: the use of a ball that was intentionally heated with an artificial device during a set round is a violation of the 14-3 rule. [/quote] Interesting interpretation, because it would not be heated during the round, but would only be protected from the cold. So if we do this a little more low-tech and say we padded the bag to the bag with an unheated towel and added the heated balls – same decision? [/quote] Could be classified as an „unusual use of equipment” You no longer use the towel as a towel, but as a blanket. [b] I think if you were really interested in keeping your balls warm, you could just keep them in your pocket without a hand warmer? [/b] [/quote] [b] That! [/b] In cold weather, I wear insulated pants and have up to four balls (which I spin after each hole) in my pocket. I`ve seen other people wearing pants under rain pants who do the same thing I do. IMHO, preheating golf balls and using an insulated container would use an artificial device. However, the use of a towel could be considered A/D as it is usually used for cleaning equipment.
However, he believes it would be allowed to be used as a gripping aid (like a handkerchief) in wet weather. Good thread! I read on this board that a golf ball brought to room temperature will remain playable for up to 4 hours and more at 40°F. [Quote name=`kevcarter ` timestamp=`1353243631` post=`5949235`] [quote name=`J13` timestamp=`1353242730` post=`5949207`] The exception applies to players who give up, and when you move on to the next tee, of course, put your ball in your pocket. It`s a natural reaction and players won`t remember that they have hand warmers. [/quote] The cited decision clearly states „deliberately heated”. You`re right, another animal. Which post do you reply to? [/quote] I just gave an example of why they added the word „intentionally heated.” In most cases, guys who use heaters would be punished every time they threw the ball into their pocket, which would be crazy. I use warmers in the winter and would shoot 18 shots higher each turn if I got a penalty for lol Martyn Woodhouse starts the show by answering a few questions posted by listeners. One of the questions came as a result of the discussion on TGD Today, when hosts George Honeycutt and Hugh Royer III (at a golf preparation show in winter) disagreed on the rules for warming up balls during the round with warm hand warmers. A listener of this show wrote to the TGD community`s RULES of Golf forum for clarification from Martyn. As Martyn explains very clearly by reading the 14-3 rule on artificial devices, players are allowed to use artificial devices such as hand warmers to warm their hands during a game, but not their (golf) balls. However, using a golf ball that was heated before the round does not violate the rule.
Thank you for the enlightenment, Martyn! 1. If a golfer goes to the course with a golf ball over a heated vent in his car, is it illegal? Or how about carrying your golf balls in a black bag on a sunny day? We all know that the color black stores more heat than white or any other color. So, would carrying the balls in a black bag „artificially” heat the balls? I`m not trying to make the discussion „lively” or anything, but it`s getting more and more interesting. [Quote name=`kevcarter ` timestamp=`1353246941` post=`5949383`] Putting a ball in your pocket next to the skin is not artificial equipment, the intention does not matter. Add a hand warmer to the mixture. [/quote] It`s a fun topic, always like your messages. So, is it legal to keep a ball warm with body temperature, no matter how I do it? 1. I can heat the ball to the desired temperature before the turn. 2. Keeping it in my pocket is legal. ( no heat except body heat ) 3.
Is it legal to hold it in my hand? „4. Can I blow on it or rub it in my hands like Mr. Miyagi? ( Karate Child ) I would like to know more about the legality of the isolated pocket insert. For the record. I`ve never heated or tried a ball before. I held a bullet in my hand while it was cold to prevent it from getting colder. I don`t know if it works at all. It was 42 degrees and the wind was up to 40 mph when we arrived for the final round of the International Women`s Four Ball Championship, which took place at the Wanderers Club in Wellington, Florida. After a one-year hiatus from the Orange Blossom Tour of women`s amateur golf tournaments in Florida, the Florida State Golf Association is trying to bring the once prestigious event back to its former state. I guess one way to look at it could be to keep the features of the game. When I hit the first hole yesterday, the balls were about 68*. The outside temperature gradually lowered the temperature of my golf ball to 47*.
But is it a violation to keep the temperature at 68*? However, could be a prohibited use of devices to do so if it was really effective. [Quote name=`Rockminer` timestamp=`1353245509` post=`5949299`] Can I use a hand warmer while playing the hole and then hold the ball in my hand without the heater, between the holes or at some point when the ball is out of play? [/quote] Do you intend to keep your hands warm or keep the ball warm? Some good points, really difficult to make against someone who is not honest about his intention.