News
Justin Thomas rips USGA for new rule, which saw yet another Tour pro controversially penalized
Update 2/3: The USGA has reversed the penalty assessed to Denny McCarthy
Official Statement on Denny McCarthy: pic.twitter.com/PpcPl9rHiF
— USGA PR (@USGA_PR) February 2, 2019
If the USGA thought that updates to the rules of golf would help modernize the sport and keep themselves out of the headlines, then 2019 has been a rude awakening.
Haotong Li’s penalty on the European Tour caused controversy in Dubai last week, and on Friday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, a penalty called on PGA Tour pro Denny McCarthy had the golfing world enraged.
McCarthy received a two-stroke penalty on the 15th hole, after violating Rule 10.2b (4), which states that when a player begins taking a stance for the stroke and until the stroke is made, his caddie cannot deliberately stand in a location on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball for any reason. Despite re-setting, the 25-year-old was deemed to have breached the rule and was subsequently given a two-stroke penalty.
What followed, was a mini-mutiny amongst PGA Tour professionals, led by one of the game’s best, Justin Thomas. Despite being right in the thick of things at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thomas took time to call out the USGA for their latest rule change, in a manner which is almost unheard of in modern sports. Thomas was outraged by the ruling, and on social media, the 25-year-old called it “ridiculous” and stressed how he felt the new rule “NEEDS to be changed asap”.
This is ridiculous… the fact this is a penalty is mind blowing. @USGA this NEEDS to be changed ASAP… there is nothing about this rule that makes the game better https://t.co/wtPmPOcss4
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 2, 2019
Thomas’ post is no doubt going to court controversy, but the American received backing from fellow pro’s Brandt Snedeker and Eddie Pepperell, who soon after joined the rebellion. The former tagged the USGA in his tweet and sarcastically stated “Good job simplifying the rules,” while Pepperell brutally slammed the entire ethos behind the rules of golf, with this ruthless tweet.
Astonishing really, that a game that appears so odd, to so many, has within it some of the most bizarre rules one could fathom. If grey areas, cantankerous old men and contradictions are your thing, then take up the game of golf. https://t.co/wP1XhfLy3H
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 2, 2019
The USGA has been under fire for several high-profile blunders in recent years, especially in regards to its handling of U.S. Opens. With the new rules in place designed to simplify matters, the idea was apparently to keep themselves as just a backstory while letting the game of golf shine. But it has all gone pear-shaped yet again for the organization.
The audacity shown by one of the elite players in the game like Justin Thomas to call out the USGA proves that whatever patience had by the top professionals in the game has just about worn thin with regards to the governing body’s handling of the sport.
The decision to penalize players and their caddies for innocuous incidents, who possess no incentive to gain an advantage, is surely only going to lead to more controversy as we head towards major season. Just take a look at Rickie Fowler’s caddie here, who is wholly focused on his job and then becomes fearful of unintentionally infringing the latest rule implemented by the USGA.
Joe out there trying not to get Rickie Haotong Li’ed in PHX. cc: @the_woke_yolk @NoLayingUp pic.twitter.com/jHXchdAeRt
— Matthew Galloway (@matthewgalloway) February 1, 2019
Golf may be a gentleman’s sport, laced with history and tradition, but Friday night showed that, when feeling justified in doing so, Justin Thomas and his fellow pros are clearly not afraid to call out the powers that be. One can only wonder how the folks in Far Hills feel about such high-profile criticism.
In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.
They wrote:
“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”
Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
- jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
- jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
- Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”
In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.
@DTorres asked:
The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?
Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.
We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
- bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
- CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”
A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.
As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.
Let’s get to the gifts.
Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo
We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.
STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover
If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.
Why Golf: Putting Thing
When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.
OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes
Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!
Therabody Theragun Relief
A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.
World Cup golf apparel
Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.
FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes
Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.
Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker
Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
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Rich
Feb 23, 2019 at 4:13 am
Justin Thomas is a whinger. He thinks he’s a hero because he plays golf well. Plenty of you out there mate. You haven’t got the market cornered on that. Hell, even JB Holmes can beat you down the stretch at Riviera. The rule is simple. Just play to it. Don’t have your caddie anywhere near you like of play when your anywhere near the ball. How hard is that!!!
FeelFreeToPunctuateProperly
Feb 28, 2019 at 12:09 pm
I’m confused as to how sticking up for a lesser-known player is whining. I get it, you don’t like the guy, but try and form a coherent thought, rather than just jumping at any opportunity to grumble about a player. This sort of comment adds nothing to the conversation.
Shotmark
Feb 15, 2019 at 4:34 am
Contrary to their supposed intention, the way the new rules have been dumbed down seem to have the express intention of slowing down play. This rule is however spot on in my opinion.
It puts the onus back on the player to line up shots/puts using their own skill and judgement rather than that of their caddy.
The fact the new rule is causing so much consternation and debate suggests it was necessary. If the change had been seamless then that would suggest it hadn’t gone far enough.
As to the entitled Justin Thomas being upset by the change, heaven forfend that anyone should do anything to offend this delicate snowflake. No doubt the fist person he hears defending the rule will be ejected from the course.
Rich Douglas
Feb 17, 2019 at 3:04 pm
No, it suggests that it is confusing and applied in a manner inconsistent with its intended purpose and outcome.
The rule is aimed at players who have their caddies check their club face alignment at address. This is almost exclusively an LPGA tour thing. So the new rule is designed to have the caddie get out of their before he/she can align the player. Fine. But what constitutes being out of there is really vague. Hence, the confusion.
Tim
Feb 13, 2019 at 9:34 am
This is a really old game.
Really old.
At its inception, the game was simple. The rules were essentially self evident. There were no issues. The objective was to get the ball in the cup in as few strokes as possible. The player with the fewest strokes wins. THAT IT.
Sitting in a room and brainstorming situations like caddie helping a player line up.. This type of thinking will result in these types of moronic situations. Whatever minuscule damage that may come from a caddie helping a player line up his next stroke, pales in comparison to the chaos that comes from making rules to prevent it.
Count every stroke, play it as it lies, OOB is OOB and dont worry about the conversations that the caddies are having with the players. Its just two humans talking. It has nothing to do with the objective of the sport: THE PLAYER WITH THE FEWEST STROKES WINS.
Jd78
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:56 am
Will the pga tour please say to hell with the incompetent buffoons at the USGA and create their own rules. How many more golfers are they going to screw over with their ridiculous rulings, and how many more US opens will they ruin before it happens?
CJ
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:08 pm
I love that JT is speaking his mind and they are taking notice!
Joe Damiata
Feb 5, 2019 at 3:15 pm
It’s good to see a tour pro with some stature voice his opinion. Previously, pros were afraid to speak up, worried by the threat of a fine. If something is wrong, then these guys are the ones who will cause the USGA rules makers take notice. Well done JT.
Art Williams
Feb 4, 2019 at 2:02 pm
I was under the impression that if the golfer backs off the putt and then resets, no penalty occurs. I read above, I think, that that is what ultimately happened. As to RicKie’s penalty it seems absurd. He did everything correctly. The ball was in play and through no action of his gravity or something (wind?) took over and the ball trickled down the embankment into the water. He needed to reset it again with another penalty? Crazy. It should be like a ball on a green that moves. Replace it and play on.
geohogan
Mar 4, 2019 at 9:28 am
@art williams
Your looking for equity and justice in a sport invented by Scots.
Explained by, Robin Williams:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnFbCCgTo4
BallBuster
Feb 4, 2019 at 1:08 pm
I think Thomas and all should quit whining about the rule. It’s a good rule. No outside influence in the actual stroke. Just like 99.9% of golfers do every day. Thomas wonders how it makes golf better? It makes it more dependent on your individual talent and ability to perform on your own and not be pampered. What if your caddy has a better sense of aim than the other guy but you as a player suck more under pressure?
Doubt Ben Hogan or Jack Nicklaus ever had his caddy give him the “roger all systems are go” call before he hit the ball.
As far as backing off after he had his caddy behind him then readdressing the ball to play… geez, just another F’n thing we need to slow down play.
Scooter6
Feb 5, 2019 at 8:04 am
Well said! It is a legit rule that takes care of a problem that was getting out of hand, particularly in the LPGA.
OnInTwo
Feb 7, 2019 at 8:02 pm
I agree, it’s a good rule. These pampered pros just basically need to play like the other estimated 60 million golfers play. Why don’t those folks have to worry about incurring that penalty? Because they don’t have a caddy. Surely the men and women, who are now “pros”, played the game without the advantage of a human tool in their early development and while they are “off”/playing leisurely with friends. How difficult is it for the caddy to give advice, encouragement, sustenance, pyschoanalysis, and assurance that a participation trophy will be issued to the player while standing to the side of the line of play? Unless of course there is some advantage to having all of that presented from behind the player. Yea, ah huh, kinda what I thought.
Ron Garland
Feb 4, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Who cares what the USGA thinks? When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. And they are dead wrong.
Joro
Feb 4, 2019 at 12:29 pm
As usual the “Rulers of the game” have stuck their size 20 foot in their big mouth, are continuing the phuqing up of the game. New rules are stupid rules and not many get them, other than the geniuses in here. Face it when Riickies ball rolled into the water after he placed it, thought it was done and walked up to the Green only 2 see Gravity take over and the Ball rolled into the water. Okay, so it rolled by it self, but a Penalty? that is totally ridiculous, yet that is the rule, which is total USGA Bull****.
Golf should be hit it, go find it and hit it again. No freebies, no drops, nothing. Hit it in the water or OB take a drop, add a stroke and hit it again, and most of all add a big penalty for being slow. They don’t need a watch to see if a player is slow, if they are fine em with a meaningful amount that they will remember.
Hit, find it, and hit it again.
9Lb. Hammer
Feb 4, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Return to troll school dude. You have failed miserably. All you have succeeded in doing is making a laughing stock out of yourself.
REGIS
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:43 pm
The only people who actually play by the rules are professionals and top amatures in tournaments. Most avid amatures don’t understand the rules and that’s fine. Play whatever rules your regular 4 some or group is comfortable. How many times has someone in your group actually gone back to the tee and reloaded after a ball is lost in the rough? How many groups play a breakfast ball or Mulligan. Most charity tournaments sell them to raise money.
Peter
Feb 5, 2019 at 4:16 am
What, the other groups in my Saturday comp aren’t following the rules?? Well, that explains a lot!
Guia
Feb 3, 2019 at 2:03 am
Read the rules, follow the rules, quit whining.
Antonio
Feb 3, 2019 at 1:46 pm
+1. IS it so difficult to understand the rule? These guys are getting spoiled
Tartan Golf Travel
Feb 3, 2019 at 4:48 pm
You clearly don’t understand what happened. The tour has already reversed the ruling!
Antonio
Feb 4, 2019 at 5:59 am
If it were up to me I would change several rules. In the meantime if I break a rule, whether I believe it is a stupid one or not, I just assume it. Now these guys can brake a rule simply because they have not taken the time to read them and then make a lot of noise and influence changes as it has happened.
Nonetheless I think any pgatour pro proposal to modify any of the rules has to be heard but not once you have broken it. I have not heard or seen JT proposing specific changes to the new rules up until now
B
Feb 4, 2019 at 10:35 am
He did follow the rules, that’s why the tour overturned the ruling. Pay attention man.
Tartan Golf Travel
Feb 2, 2019 at 8:26 pm
The ruling was moronic as are most things the USGA does. The spirit of the rule is fine. Make the player line himself up but Li’s Penalty was terrible and this one was just absurd. The tour and USGA have already backed off. Don’t get use to the new rules. The USGA will update them very soon. Guarantee the drop will be amended to say above the knee. This one with lining up is just very subjective but the only way you can do it is I’ll know it when I see it. The only people abusing this anyway was the LPGA.
Robert
Feb 4, 2019 at 11:47 am
You’re already being penalized. How about simply being allowed to place the ball. Would save a lot of wasted time dropping, then re-dropping.
smarterthanusga
Feb 13, 2019 at 11:12 am
amen…..so dumbass that they bend over and drop from knee height and it still always rolls anyway.. what is really dumbass is that they play lift-clean-and PLACE about a quarter of the time anyway so what’s the big deal about placing the ball???
ps..still say the usga should have put in place driver drop zones…to save the morons in front of me from hitting 3 drives each. there’s drop zones by ponds so what is the difference? put the driver drop zone say 200 yards out or whatever from the white tees if they want to add a bit of a distance penalty too.
A. Commoner
Feb 2, 2019 at 3:24 pm
Major professional sports organizations make their own rules of competition; why not professional golf? The tours need to totally direct their own affairs. ‘Seeds of discontent’ have been slowly germinating over some years among professionals and amateurs alike. It is inevitable the “governing bodies” will, in time, extinguish themselves. Ineptitude and irrelevance will not save tradition.
Regis
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:50 pm
The PGA tour does have its own rules.(like the one ball rule) They supplement the USGA/R&A rules. If they chose to the PGA tour could always adapt a separate set of rules governing play in their tournaments
Phil
Feb 2, 2019 at 2:10 pm
It would probably be easier, and fair, if the “reset rule” applied to the entire golf course or, did not exist at all. It does not make sense that this rule’s application depends on where the player is on the course.
Lovejoy
Feb 2, 2019 at 1:31 pm
Thomas,Pepperell and gang need to grow up and shut up.
The rule change has been made and as ‘professionals’ you would assume that all caddies have also been informed and told that under no circumstances should they encroach on the stipulated area.
The situation was highlighted in Dubai but Mr McCarthy has either not taken it on board or believes it doesn’t apply to him.
The player and caddie were stupid not the penalty.
9Lb. Hammer
Feb 4, 2019 at 1:21 pm
The player and caddie failing to observe the rule are stupid. Contrary to what you seem to thing that has less than nothing to do with the fact THE RULE IS STUPID. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.
Defend the rule leaving this particular violation out of it.
15th Club
Feb 2, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Oh bring it on! Nice that Eddie Pepperell when ageist and complained about “cantankerous old men.” No sure what a millennial douchebag like Eddie Pepperell knows about administering the Rules of Golf.
Shallowface
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:45 pm
The perpetrators of ageism will have to get old themselves before ageism is treated with the same much deserved disdain as racism is treated today.
Dan
Feb 2, 2019 at 12:21 pm
How about the premadona pros just play the game with the rules . Rules are rules. Sick of all kinds of so call pros dictating what a what should not be. You make ridiculous amounts of money don’t like it find another sport. Plenty of new young pros behind you that don’t need to listen to the big boys wine.
9Lb. Hammer
Feb 4, 2019 at 1:26 pm
“premadona”, “so call pros”, “dictating what a what should not be”, “big boys wine”
I bet those “so cal pros” can wrote and speak English a lot more proficiently than it seems you can from behind the anonymity of your keyboard and an internet connection.
OnInTwo
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:09 pm
Totally agree with you Dan. It’s incredible, but typically millennial. Whiners. Play like we play (don’t want to hear, but they play better, you know what I mean- pre troll comment), that’s why the rules aren’t bifurcated. So we can see how well experts do it.
dat
Feb 2, 2019 at 11:59 am
No one outside the pro level on TV enforce this crap. And you wonder why people view golf as a masochist game.
antonio
Feb 3, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Are you serious? Most of the people I know (low, mid and high cappers) play by the rules. That’s golf
Mike
Feb 2, 2019 at 11:41 am
If it was Phil Michelson they wouldn’t have assed a penalty. Total bs!!!
Eddie
Feb 2, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Yeah….that’s not true, but your hyperbole surely hides a point in there somewhere.
Travis
Feb 2, 2019 at 8:33 am
Seems like the caddie was just talking to the player about the shot. If the player backs himself out and realigns himself then there shouldn’t be a penalty. The caddie wasn’t there telling him his aim was perfect and he’s good to go. The game of golf can be so dang simple it is unbelievable, yet somehow the morons at the USGA find a way to screw it all up. They should give the rule book to a committee of 20 or so professional golfers across all Tours and I guarantee those guys could come up with a simple and universal rule system that would benefit all golfers Pros and Ams.