It’s important to know the Rules of Golf, especially when playing in a competition. Penalty strokes often happen simply because players aren’t familiar with the Rules. The good news? About 15% of the Rules cover nearly all of the situations golfers commonly encounter.
This is another in a series of Cameron’s Rules Rundown with Northern Region Executive Director Cameron MacGregor.
With the British Open upon us, let’s look back at one of golf’s more famous rules stories.
Harry Bradshaw, an Irish professional whose career spanned the 1940s and 1950s, was one of the finest short-game players of his era. Known for his deft touch around the greens and exceptional putting stroke, Bradshaw was a serious contender in the 1949 British Open.
During the second round, Harry found his ball nestled into a broken beer bottle. Instead of taking relief and or waiting for an official to make a ruling, Harry gave it the “oh, what the hell” and hit the ball, broken beer bottle attached. The ball skittered down the fairway, and Bradshaw eventually made bogey.
After 72 holes, Harry was tied for the lead. He advanced to a 36-hole playoff against Bobby Locke but was ultimately defeated by 12 strokes.
So, what’s the lesson?
If you’re unsure how to proceed, don’t guess.
Today, Rule 20.1c(3) allows a player in a stroke-play competition who is uncertain about the correct procedure to play a second ball, complete the hole with both balls, and seek a ruling before returning their scorecard. This rule helps players keep play moving without waiting for an official.
Interestingly, the USGA had already adopted this procedure in 1949, but the British Open was conducted under the Rules of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), which had not yet adopted the rule. The R&A eventually incorporated the procedure in 1952, and today the USGA and R&A work together to issue a single, unified set of Rules of Golf.
As for old Harry, he recovered nicely from his heartbreak. Bradshaw went on to win 10 Irish PGA Championships, two Irish Open titles, and was a member of the victorious 1957 Ryder Cup team—the first Great Britain and Ireland team to defeat the Americans in 24 years.
His famous beer-bottle incident remains one of golf’s greatest reminders that sometimes knowing the Rules can be just as important as hitting the shot.
