Thankfully, the days of viewer call-ins for rules violations are behind us, but that didn’t stop one UK fan from putting Ian Poulter on blast during the Dubai Desert Classic.
Rob Hutchings, a motorcycle chauffeur, was blissfully unaware of the changes to the Rules of Golf that went into effect at the beginning of the year, and questioned Poulter’s putting with the flagstick in the hole on the ninth hole at Emirates Golf Club.
Tagging both the European Tour and Poulter, Hutchings tweeted, “Did @IanJamesPoulter just hole out at the 9th by tapping the ball in for a bogey with the flag still in the hole? Have the rules changed since I last played the game? #confused.”
@SkySportsGolf did @IanJamesPoulter just hole out at the 9th by tapping the ball in for a bogey with the flag still in the hole? Have the rules changed since I last played the game? #confused pic.twitter.com/36zDYIn0ul
— Rob Hutchings (@TaxibikeRob) January 25, 2019
Indeed the rules have changed since Hutchings last played the game. And since he tagged Poulter in the tweet, the Englishman responded to Hutchings with a simple emoji.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) January 25, 2019
To Hutchings credit, he owned his mistake and admitted that he hasn’t been able to play golf for the better part of the last 10 years due to a balky back.
I KNOW!!! ??? Where have I been?!? How long has that been in play?!? Heard Ewen Murray talk about finding it hard to get used to just after Li did the same!!! #dopeyorwhat
— Rob Hutchings (@TaxibikeRob) January 25, 2019
Yes keep up
— allan (lufc) presly (@allanpresly) January 25, 2019
I am quite embarrassed!!! Used to play off 5 until I screwed my back! Follow Majors and Ryder Cup religiously! Rescued a RC Guardian and his waistcoat before #Paris last year… yet first time I’m hearing this! ? indeed! ? pic.twitter.com/rrozaEXsuT
— Rob Hutchings (@TaxibikeRob) January 25, 2019
The new Rules have a learning curve for everyone, from the pros on TV to those who are watching.
