9/14: Though we won't be proposing any changes to the stance rules for the 2011
revision, Dr Rick Voakes has been thinking hard about a solution. Here is a recent
note of his with a proposed remedy:
----
Peter had recommended that we not allow follow through after
passing a mark in the fairway that is 40 m from the basket. I would
change this to 30 m, since that is very close to 100 feet (97.5 ft),
so a relatively easy distance to learn to estimate for casual play. I
feel this is plenty of distance to discourage jump putts. And it would
be quicker for TD's to measure.
I would also leave a default, that if no mark is provided, then you
are allowed to have falling putts at any distance (an option we had
already considered anyway). It would not take much for a TD to step
off the distance and poke a flag into the ground on courses where
there is not a permanent marker. If this catches on, most heavily used
courses would probably cement a post into the ground at the edge of
the fairway. Or better yet, plant a stone or cinder block on the line
of play 30 m from the most common pin placement. Most tournaments move
the pins, so flags would still be needed for most tournaments.
I believe this proposal can also solve the problem of players missing
the lie with their plant foot. I had previously proposed enlarging the
"stance zone" to a 60 cm diameter circle. This would be much easier to
hit on a run-up, but might be too large a leeway when you are close to
the basket, and you could get an advantage by stretching an extra 30
cm to the side to get around an obstacle. If we use the 30 m mark for
a "no follow through" line, we could also use it for a "no 60 cm
stance zone" line. Beyond that line, the player would take a stance on
the line of play, as we do (or vaguely attempt to do) now.
I know this proposal sounds a bit radical, but we are definitely going
to have to make a major change in order to solve the stance issue. As
we now play, a very large percentage of even the top pros foot-fault
on almost every shot. If we were to drop the warning for foot-fault,
it would be a disaster. If we do nothing, the sport will start to lose
credibility in the sports world, as more media and photo coverage will
illustrate the laxity of our rules.
So here is a rough draft of a possible revision to 803.04.
803.04 Stance, Subsequent to Teeing Off
A. When the disc is released, a player must:
(1) have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the
playing surface that is within a stance zone defined by a circle
60 cm in diameter directly behind the marker disc (except as
specified in 803.04 E); and
(2) have no supporting point in contact with the marker disc or any
object closer to the hole than the rear edge of the marker disc;
and
(3) have all of his or her supporting points in-bounds. B. Stepping
past the marker disc is permitted, except when throwing from beyond a
fairway marker that is 30 meters from the target.
C. Any throw from beyond the 30-meter fairway marker, as determined by
a majority of the group or an official, is considered an approach
shot. For such a shot, stepping past the marker disc, or making
contact with any object past the marker disc, is not allowed, until
full control of balance is demonstrated. The stance zone for an
approach shot is restricted to the line of play within 30 cm directly
behind the marker disc.
D. A player must choose the stance that will result in the least
movement of any part of any obstacle that is a permanent or integral
part of the course.
E. If a large solid object prevents a player from taking a legal
stance (either within 60 cm, or within 30 cm, whichever applies), the
player shall take his or her stance based on a new lie to be
relocated, without penalty, to the spot directly behind the obstacle
on the line of play. All stance rules will then apply to this new lie.
F. Any stance violation shall incur a one-throw penalty.
[Sections G. and H. are no longer needed, since there are no re-throws.]
.
