So, I heard folks talking ’bout this “two stroke penalty” thing in golf. What’s that all about? Sounds mighty complicated to me. But I listened real good, and I think I got the gist of it. It’s like when you’re playing cards, and you accidentally show your hand – you get a penalty, right? Same idea, I reckon.
Now, this golf game, it’s got more rules than a schoolhouse. You gotta do this, you can’t do that… it’s a wonder anyone can keep it all straight. But this two stroke penalty, that’s a big one. It’s like getting two whacks with the teacher’s ruler. Ouch!
One way you get this penalty is if you mess up where that little flag is. You know, the one they stick in the hole? Well, you gotta watch that thing like a hawk. Don’t be moving it when you ain’t supposed to. Otherwise, bam! Two stroke penalty. They say it’s to make sure everyone plays fair. That’s all I know about the flag.
And get this – if you try to stop a ball that’s rolling around, like you’re trying to catch a runaway chicken, that’s another two stroke penalty. They say it is “interference”. Unless it’s an accident, then maybe you’re okay. But still, you gotta follow more rules about where the ball ends up. Lordy, it’s confusing! Best to just let that ball roll where it wants, I say.
Here are some ways you can get a two stroke penalty, I think:
- You hit your ball when it ain’t your turn.
- You hit your ball when someone else’s ball is still moving, like chasing after it.
I heard about this fella, some fancy golfer named McIlroy. He got himself in a pickle on the course. Hit his ball, then messed up some drop thing. Whatever that means. They gave him a two stroke penalty on top of whatever mess he already made. Ended up with an 8 on a hole where he shoulda had a 5. That’s like losing three whole marbles in a game! Poor fella. He should ask me, I would tell him all about it.
There’s also something about “improving the lie”. Sounds like telling a fib, but it ain’t. It’s about messing with the grass or the ground around your ball. Like if your ball is in a bad spot, you can’t go smoothing things out to make it easier to hit. That’s a big no-no. Two stroke penalty for sure. And if you’re in one of those big-time tournaments, they might just kick you out altogether! Can you imagine?
Here is the bad things you cannot do:
- You move stuff that’s in the way of your ball.
- You make the sand all nice and flat in those sandy pits.
- You push down the grass to make it easier to hit the ball.
Oh, and lifting your ball when you ain’t supposed to, that can get you in trouble too. Or touching it on purpose. Or if you make it move somehow. See, they got rules for everything! You basically can’t do anything unless they say so. And to make sure we remember, they say it’s “Rule” this and “Rule” that.
This two stroke penalty thing, it’s a serious business in golf. You gotta know the rules, or you’ll be in a heap of trouble. It’s like playing checkers with a rule book. You don’t follow the rules, and you might as well go home. Best to just play it safe and keep your hands off that ball unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Otherwise, you might find yourself on the wrong end of one of those penalties. Or worse, get kicked out of the whole darn game!
So, yeah, that’s what I learned about the two stroke penalty. It’s a lot to remember, but I guess that’s just how it goes in that fancy golf game. Me? I’ll stick to my rocking chair, thank you very much. Much less complicated. And no penalties!
