The vid on USGA’s site says ”... Stadler signed his scorecard unaware of the violation and was disqualified”.

But why was he disqualified if Dec 34-1b/1 says disqualification should not be imposed if the competitor did not know he incurred the penalty?

Was this decision introduced since 1987 when the incident happened?

The decision is about discovery after competition is closed. Stadler’s incident was discovered after the third round – “alert viewers”, how the pros must hate that!

That’s gotta suck, but I suppose the decision is pretty generous anyway as many people ignorant of rules often get away with no penalty.

That should only be if their FCs don’t know the rules also.
But then …...

That should only be if their FCs don’t know the rules also.
But then ……

Surely that would only apply if they in fact realised that protecting
your trousers with a towel in some way can be construed as “building a stance”.

What is the definition of ‘Building a stance??

These might help

13-3/2 Playing Stroke While Kneeling on Towel

Q. A player’s ball was under a tree in such a position that he found it expedient to play his next stroke while on his knees. Because the ground was wet, the player placed a towel on the ground at the spot where his knees would be situated so that the knees of his trousers would not get wet. He then knelt on the towel and played his stroke. Was the player subject to penalty under Rule 13-3 for building a stance?

A. Yes.

13-3/3 Knocking Down Side of Bunker to Get Level Stance

Q. A player knocks down the side of a bunker with his foot in an effort to get his feet on the same level. Is this permissible?

A. No. Such action constitutes building a stance in breach of Rule 13-3.

[13-3/4 Reserved]

13-3/5 Player Builds Stance But Corrects Error Before Playing Stroke

Q. A player’s ball is lodged in the branch of a tree just beyond his reach with a club. The player positions his motorized golf cart under the tree, stands on the cart and prepares to make a stroke at his ball. At that point, the player is advised that he is building a stance, contrary to Rule 13-3. If the player removes the cart and does not play a stroke while standing on it, does he nevertheless incur a penalty for a breach of Rule 13-3?

A. No. If a player builds a stance through use of an object such as a golf cart, stone or brick, he incurs no penalty if he removes the object before playing his next stroke.

However, if a player builds a stance through alteration of the ground on which he is taking his stance, it is impossible for him to restore the ground to its original state. Accordingly, a player who builds a stance in such manner incurs the penalty prescribed in Rule 13-3, whether or not he attempts to restore the ground to its original state before playing his next stroke.

In the latter examples the player has physically changed the lie of the area arouind the ball, Literally built a stance.I find it difficult to find any similarities between these & the first example. I am not arguing the ruling, just suggesting that this interpretation seems a little harsh. What advantage would you gain by placing a towel on the ground other than keeping your trousers dry.Like several golf rules , it is sometimes difficult to understand why a particular rule has been worded that way.

I think it boils down to putting/placing something that wasn’t there before, between the player and the ground

You’d have to wonder whether the specific instance in the “decisions” which relates specifically to the Stadler incident actually predates the occurrence in question or was added subsequently after he was penalised.

Again it illustrates how difficult it is to write rules that will cover any given situation without catching players out doing something that is considered to be against the rules although they have nothing to gain by it. Like the penalty you recieve if you accidedntly hit yourself with a ball. Always seems a little harsh to cop that one:-)

What advantage would you gain by placing a towel on the ground other than keeping your trousers dry.

Increased traction in damp or muddy conditions.

Again it illustrates how difficult it is to write rules that will cover any given situation without catching players out doing something that is considered to be against the rules although they have nothing to gain by it. Like the penalty you recieve if you accidedntly hit yourself with a ball. Always seems a little harsh to cop that one:-)

At least this Rule was changed this year from 2 to one penalty – a little easier to accept now?

Again it illustrates how difficult it is to write rules that will cover any given situation without catching players out doing something that is considered to be against the rules although they have nothing to gain by it. Like the penalty you recieve if you accidedntly hit yourself with a ball. Always seems a little harsh to cop that one:-)

‘accidentally’ is where it’s tough. In my early years of golf, I remember when often slicing under a lob on a fluffy lie or taking too much sand in a bunker that I would habitually progress the ball further by hitting it a second time with the shaft in the one motion. It obviously wasn’t noticeable going by my partners’ surprise when I would announce the penalty.

But I can’t say it was an accident as I felt like I meant to do it. I couldn’t break the habit – I just had to stop hitting these bad shots to start with.

I also once hit a nearby tree and it rebounded quickly back towards me and I was standing in front of water. I instinctively didn’t move out of the way and let it hit me (probably because my frugal parents made me value a $5 item like it’s gold). I couldn’t say the ball accidentally hit me, but it probably looked like it.

A little . But you still get punished twice.

Should have just put his rain pants on problem solved.

Exactly.

so then what if he wrapped the towel around himself, knees or otherwise before playing the stroke?

Thank God he didn’t take them off!

hahahaha :)

Has anyone ever noticed how it’s impossible to take off rain pants without falling over?

so then what if he wrapped the towel around himself, knees or otherwise before playing the stroke?

“Yes, he’s goin to play it off the sh1thouse!”

I’d be interested to know the answer to that .

Has anyone ever noticed how it’s impossible to take off rain pants without falling over?

Is this one of Murphy’s laws?