The Rules of Golf in Plain English (Paperback)

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

Editorial Reviews

Review
Deciphers the heretofore indecipherable. . . . brings order and clarity to the Rules of Golf. -- Steve Campbell, Houston Chronicle, April 14, 2004

Handy in size and easily fits in a golf bag. -- George Sweda, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 26, 2004

It's a shame that this book is even necessary, but it sure beats reading the official rules of golf. -- Craig Smith, Seattle Times, May 11, 2004

Those greenside arguments over drops, strokes, and hazards can now be avoided. -- Wilmington Star News, Thursday, March 25, 2004

[An] $11 godsend. . . Kuhn and Garner have taken on the Rules of Golf. . . translated it deftly, simplifying, but not oversimplifying. -- Golf World, April 2, 2004

Review
"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 20040426)

"It''s a shame that this book is even necessary, but it sure beats reading the official 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 make 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 interest in the Rules of Golf . . . . Clear, useful, and very authoritative." (David Fay, Executive Director, United States Golf Association )

"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 )

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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.com Sales Rank: #805,237 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 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

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 (REAL NAME)

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

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.