By Alicia Eckman, MGA.
This weekend at Merion there have been many rulings come into play, whether it was an unplayable bunker lie or a water hazard there have been drops and strokes added. This is when we catch a glimpse of a rules official helping make the right call. So what is it these rules officials do? How many are there? The MGA’s Lisa Overom is inside the ropes this week officiating group and learning the ways of Merion.
What do the rules officials do before the event?
Like the players getting in a practice round to chart the course, the rules officials tour the course days before the event to get the lay of the land and note where situations could occur. They receive hole-by-hole notes that tell them where each hazard and drop area is. With large events like the U.S. Open, temporary immovable objects, such as grandstands and leader boards, come into play. Drop zones are designated for such situations to help speed up play.
How many rules officials are at events like the U.S. Open?
Because we don’t get to see what’s going on behind the scenes and only see players we don’t always see the rules officials unless something comes up. Rules officials are flown in from all over the world and each ruling association. Each group of players has a rules official assigned to them. Yup, each group has a rules official with them to help make the right call.
What’s a typical day like for a rules official?
As mentioned before, the rules officials are assigned to each group. The group changes daily, unless a group cannot finish their round such as the case at Merion due to weather issues. For this U.S. Open the rules officials stayed with the same group for the first two days because of overlapping rounds.
Like the players, the rules officials get to the course well before the group’s tee time. They check in, get their radios, notes, and any other special information about the day. As soon as the first ball is hit they are on the job, walking with the group the entire round. Generally the last people to leave the course, they put in a full day of work.
As you watch the U.S. Open this weekend you might catch a glimpse of a rules official helping a player. Even though we don’t always see them, they are always around a crucial element to any golf event.