The Rules of Golf in Plain English [Paperback]

Jeffrey S. Kuhn (Author), Bryan A. Garner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226458156 | ISBN-13: 978-0226458151 | Publication Date: May 1, 2004 | Edition: 1

"The cry for the simplification of the Rules of Golf is a stock-in-trade of the journalist during the winter months. Countless words on the subject have been poured out to an ever-tolerant public, but still the long-sought simplification does not come."--Henry Longhurst, 1937

The hopes of renowned writer and golfer Henry Longhurst--and millions of golfers before and after him--have finally been realized. In The Rules of Golf in Plain English, Bryan A. Garner, American English language and usage expert, and Jeffrey S. Kuhn, volunteer USGA rules official, have translated the knotty Rules with the encouragement and permission of the United States Golf Association. The result is a modern, readable version that offers, for the first time, clear guidance to both amateurs and professionals.

Based on a 338-word set of thirteen rules written in 1744, the official Rules have grown, over two and a half centuries, to 40,000 words. Numerous contributors and a complex revision process have rendered these Rules so opaque and stylistically inconsistent that a companion volume--the 600-page Decisions on the Rules of Golf--has been published to help golfers navigate them.

Both lawyers and avid golfers, Kuhn and Garner recognized the difficulties that the language of the Rules of Golf created, especially in a sport that expects players to call penalties on themselves. By reworking the Rules line by line, word by word, they have produced an accessible resource that no golfer--from the duffer to the pro--should be without.

(04/26/2004)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lee Trevino once said that the Rules of Golf should sit inside a matchbook. If the situation wasn't covered there, you'd add a stroke and keep playing. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Today's rule book is as big as ever and the decisions regarding those rules could fill a small phone book. To the rescue comes The Rules of Golf in Plain English. Authors Jeffrey Kuhn, a volunteer USGA rules official, and Bryan Garner, an English language and usage expert, with permission from the USGA have tried to put the rules in simpler terms and words that are more understandable. They've also included changes made this year that will be in effect until 2007. The book is handy in size and easily fits in a golf bag." (George Sweda Cleveland Plain Dealer 05/11/2004)

"Any golfer who has thumbed through the Rules of Golf knows it's as readable as the federal tax code. So dense and impenetrable are the rules that an entire cottage industry of books exists to explain how to proceed. . . . The latest book is The Rules of Golf in Plain English. As unlikely as it might seem, the coauthors are a couple of Texas lawyers, Bryan Garner and Jeff Kuhn, who met when Kuhn enrolled in a seminar Garner was teaching on how to write legal briefs that weren't full of legalese. . . . Among those praising their efforts are David Fey, executive director of the USGA, and Jamie Conkling, a PGA Tour rules official." (Joe Logan Philadelphia Inquirer )

"It's a shame that this book is even necessary, but it sure beats reading the offficial rules of golf." (Craig Smith Seattle Times )

"The Rules of Golf in Plain English is exactly what its title promises. . . . I recommend it heartily." (Paul McNamera, Volunteer Rules Official for Southern California PGA )

"The Rules of Golf in Plain English doesn't take shortcuts, but is written to maake the rules clearer to readers. A wonderful teaching aid." (Jamie Conkling, PGA Tour Rules official )

"The Rules of Golf in Plain English is a valuable tool for anyone with an intereest in the Rules of Golf . . . . Clear, useful, and very authoritative." (David Fay, Executive Director, United States Golf Association )

From the Inside Flap

"The cry for the simplification of the Rules of Golf is a stock-in-trade of the journalist during the winter months. Countless words on the subject have been poured out to an ever-tolerant public, but still the long-sought simplification does not come."--Henry Longhurst, 1937

The hopes of renowned writer and golfer Henry Longhurst--and millions of golfers before and after him--have finally been realized. In The Rules of Golf in Plain English, Bryan A. Garner, American English language and usage expert, and Jeffrey S. Kuhn, volunteer USGA rules official, have translated the knotty Rules with the encouragement and permission of the United States Golf Association. The result is a modern, readable version that offers, for the first time, clear guidance to both amateurs and professionals.

Based on a 338-word set of thirteen rules written in 1744, the official Rules have grown, over two and a half centuries, to 40,000 words. Numerous contributors and a complex revision process have rendered these Rules so opaque and stylistically inconsistent that a companion volume--the 600-page Decisions on the Rules of Golf--has been published to help golfers navigate them.

Both lawyers and avid golfers, Kuhn and Garner recognized the difficulties that the language of the Rules of Golf created, especially in a sport that expects players to call penalties on themselves. By reworking the Rules line by line, word by word, they have produced an accessible resource that no golfer--from the duffer to the pro--should be without.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press; 1 edition (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226458156
• ISBN-13: 978-0226458151
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,655,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More readable, but still hard to follow, May 25, 2004

By 

Bob Armstrong (Katy, TX USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Rules of Golf in Plain English (Paperback)

Garner and Kuhn have made an admirable attempt to defog the rules of golf, obviously expending a lot of thought and effort. Their renumbered subcategories are more systematic than those of the official version, and the reorganized definitions are a big improvement. Appendix 1 contains a useful summary of one-stroke penalties.

However, many of the modifications in the text consist simply of substituting "you" for "the player" and transforming statements from passive voice to active. Has this removed all befuddlements from the rules? No. As an example, try to make sense out of this passage from Rule 26.2(B): "When proceeding under Rule 26.2(B), you need not drop a ball as described by Rule 27.1 or 28.1(B). If you drop a ball, you need not play it." Huh? Not exactly plain English.

In other places, the authors slavishly follow the terse, pithy language of the official Rules, failing to insert explanations where they are desperately needed. For example, both the current official Rules and the Plain English version say merely that it is permissible to remove loose impediments from the line of a putt, with no word at all about what means of removal may be used. Until 2003, only the player's hand or club, brushing lightly sideways, was allowed for this purpose. In 2004, however, as specified in the USGA's "Decisions on the Rules of Golf," the rule was changed to permit the player to use a cap, towel, or presumably any other implement within reason. Given the recent rules change and the frequency of this circumstance, a simple sentence of explanation would surely have been in order.

The USGA publication "Decisions on the Rules of Golf" is actually fairly entertaining to read. It contains a fascinating mix of rules applications one might never have thought of otherwise until encountered on the course. It remains the definitive (and only) complete guide to the myriad situations that can arise during a round of golf. Of course some of its decisions are nitpicking in nature, but the vast majority have simple logic and fair play as their basis. I recommend that any golfer who is interested in playing the game honestly (and avoiding arguments) acquire a copy and use it for leisure reading as well as reference.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, May 6, 2008

By 

Landon M. Chapman "LEED AP" (Brownsburg, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rules of Golf in Plain English (Paperback)

This book made the rules of golf very easy to understand. I love having it in my bag.

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes sense...... finally, August 2, 2007

By 

Icabod Brothers (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rules of Golf in Plain English (Paperback)

Been a golfer (low handicap) for over 40 years now and hated having to find a rule. Too hard to understand. Thank goodness for this book so I actually can win arguments with my buddies. Good book that is cheap and easy to use. Nice job.