News
Webb Simpson the latest player to be hit with a penalty as he pleads for intent to be included in Rule 9.4b
Webb Simpson is the latest PGA Tour player to be handed a penalty on Tour, with the 33-year-old receiving a one-stroke penalty on Sunday afternoon at the Players Championship, leading the former U.S. Open champion to declare that “we have to get intent into the rules.”
The incident occurred on the 14th green at TPC Sawgrass when Simpson was addressing a 47-foot birdie putt from the fringe. Simpson disclosed following his round how his putter accidentally became tangled in his shirt, moving his golf ball “a quarter of an inch.” The 33-year-old was assessed a one-stroke penalty from a rules official having been deemed in violation of Rule 9.4b (Ball Lifted or Moved by Player).
Had Simpson had accidentally moved his ball on the putting surface, the American would not have been handed a penalty, but since the incident occurred off the green, it violated the rules. Something which Simpson, while speaking after the round, was frustrated with (per Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard)
“I’m going to be loud and clear, we have to get intent into the rules. We have to. Because it’s killing our game when it comes to these kind of things. What they try to say is either it’s hard to write the rule with intent or you open it up for gray area.
I think it’s actually the opposite. There’s no advantage. My putter hit my clothes, it moved it a quarter inch, I’m going to move it back. So I’m just I’m hoping that somehow or another intent can get broadened.”
Simpson finished the event T16 after birdieing two of his final three holes on Sunday.
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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knackers
Mar 20, 2019 at 7:47 am
What a sponge. Seems like sportsmanship has gone too the wayside and i wonder how many of these pros would self-impose a penalty if not seen by others/camera. Bobby Jones self-imposed a penalty that cost him the US Open. “You might as well praise me for not robbing banks.”. How about be play with the old rules that your aren’t allowed to pick the ball up and whilst we are at it ban alignment markings on balls.
cody reeder
Mar 19, 2019 at 9:16 am
it is difficult to prove or disprove intent. that is why intent should never be part of any rule for sports. Can you imagine, “I didnt mean to grab your facemask and almost rip your head off” Oh, ok as long as you didn’t intend to, then no foul”.
Or I didnt mean to hit him with the pitch, so he should be able to take his base. Get out of her, spend a few min on your private jet as you fly to your next event a read the rule book a bit.
youraway
Mar 19, 2019 at 8:01 am
With lack of integrity on the Tour, it would be prevalent for accidental movement of the ball to improve ones lie. Don’t believe me, I remember Phil’s comment well when he said he wanted to violate a rule to his benefit, US Open. PLAY THE BALL AS IT LIES AND LEARN THE RULES
Jim
Mar 19, 2019 at 6:49 am
It’s amazing how these pro’s don’t know the rules of the game they play and make a living from, and when they break a rule they don’t think it should apply to them or of late these rules are stupid and hurting the game! Come guys step up and play the game and know the rules!!
Swirley
Mar 18, 2019 at 5:51 pm
Not sure why, but Webb’s face bothers me more than his name does.
Chuck
Mar 18, 2019 at 4:47 pm
More almost-unbelievable stupidity from yet another famous Tour player, who reveals how little he knows about the Rules of Golf even as he claims he knows what to do about them.
In the Golf.com story about this new Simpson complaint, Simpson just embarrassed himself…
“But in making his next point, Simpson badly misstated another of the rules changes.
“’Now you can be looking for a ball in the rough this high at a U.S. Open; if you step on it, it’s a penalty,’ Simpson said, ‘It used not to be a penalty. So they have reversed that rule that saved the player from a mistake that anybody can make, and so why would they change that rule I’m not so sure about.’
“The opposite is actually true.
“Under the old rules, players were penalized for accidentally moving their ball while searching for it. The governing bodies deemed that unfair, as Simpson clearly does, so they changed the rule. Now, players who accidentally move their ball while searching for it do not receive a penalty.”
I say now, again, as I have before. I want these young tour pros to argue all of their Rules complaints with real Rules experts from the USGA, and I want it to happen on live tv, so that I can watch. The USGA is taking so much heat right now from these Tour players, who are actually so very ignorant themselves of the Rules in the game they play for a living.
Geoffrey Holland
Mar 19, 2019 at 12:54 am
Webb Simpson is a holier-than-thou phony christian moron.
Dizzle Trizzle
Mar 18, 2019 at 4:14 pm
I think he had trouble seeing the ball through that chin rug.
William
Mar 18, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Don’t use a putter that comes to your neck and dont ANCHOR it to your forearm. Use the putter like every other club and only let it touch your hands. Why don’t you anchor your driver to your forearm?
CURT
Mar 18, 2019 at 3:50 pm
Best way to fix that is banning long putters.
larrybud
Mar 18, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Don’t move your ball Webb.. pretty simple. Been like that forever, it’s not that hard.