Nicholson and the Rules
Sometimes I get so mad at myself it's close to the assassination level. Then I get in the car and think, Why ruin other people's golf with your rotten, disgraceful attitude? Jack Nicholson
You guys are sticklers for the rules. Besides correcting us when we get rules questions wrong, you often object to rules-violators whom we cover. Latest example: Jack Nicholson, who espoused these rules of play:
1. No double bogeys on the first six holes.2. I don't gamble. But if we must gamble, I only collect, I don't pay.
3. Under pressure, I'll cheat ya.
4. Any green in regulation, the second putt is called goo-oo-ood.
Anthony Abilo of Madison, N.J., can't abide our publicizing Jack's rules.
Your magazine should not be in the business of glorifying golfers who cheat when calculating their handicaps. According to the article, Nicholson has a 12.5?I am a struggling 27 handicap who always plays by the rules and would never think of doing anything dishonest on the golf course. It is an insult to the integrity of the game that Jack can boast a 12.5 handicap given his set of ?rules?.
Anthony, in my experience there are two types of handicap manipulators: those who try to keep their handicaps low and those who try to keep them high. Beware of both; the first as a partner, the second as an opponent. But in Jack's case, I think he's just trying to keep his blood pressure low. Though his rules don't work for me or you, being the upstanding rules citizens that we are, at least he's having fun. I suspect the Lakeside buddies who compete against him adjust for his "rules."
--Bob Carney
(Photo: Nigel Parry)
From Dennis Slagle of Redwood City, Ca.:
I would like to thank Jack Nicholson for the great tips on lowering my handicap: Never have a double bogey on the first six holes. Never three putt a green hit in regulation. Use the foot wedge whenever you are in trouble. These tips are far better than any
instructional tips in your magazine about lowering my handicap.