[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

Did you ever read The Villages "Good Golf Guide?" (The Rules.)

On the same page where it says, "A maximum of four golfers per group are allowed" (Yep, that's right Grammar Police, it should say "is allowed") is an additional paragraph.

It says, "Note: In some cases the golf staff is extended some liberty in using good judgment on how these policies are applied. As long as the deviation from policy does not circumvent the intention behind the guideline and does not inconvenience other golfers, golf and country club team members are encouraged to demonstrate Raving Fan service. Failure to follow these guidelines, or those given by golf course staff, especially discourteous behavior, may result in unpleasant consequences for all involved."

Now, arguably, a person may not like the escape clause. But the fact is that the people who made the rules created an escape clause for themselves.

Their course.............their rules.

Usually those kids of "escape clauses" as you call them are there to give the golf professional a little leeway to use his discretion when it makes sense. Situations often come up where it makes sense to bend a rule. Rainy day, no one on the course and two foursomes are schedule and only five people show up.

There are several other scenarios where it might make sense to allow a fivesome. That's why the golf professional is given that discretion.

The other side of the coin is that he has to answer to his boss and if he makes a bad call and people complain he's going to hear about it. If he makes enough bad calls, he might be looking for a new job.