Golfing Rules During WW2 Bombing

“Temporary” rules for playing golf at Richmond Golf Club in Surrey, UK, during World War II that have re-emerged nearly 80 years later, after the release of an historic photograph archive, reveal how golfers at that club refused to let Hitler’s Luftwaffe interrupt their games, even as bombs fell on their course.

More than 1,000 bombs were dropped on Richmond between October 7, 1940 and June 6, 1941, the Daily Mail reported, with several hitting the golf club property. One destroyed a laundry used by the club, as the German Luftwaffe turned its attention from targeting RAF airfields to attacking London and other major cities towards the end of the Battle of Britain.

The following rules were apparently genuine and illustrated the bold determination of English golfers.

1.Players are asked to collect Bomb and Shrapnel splinters to save these causing damage to the Mowing Machines.

2.In Competitions during gunfire or while bombs are falling players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.

3.The positions of known delayed-action bombs are marked by red flags at reasonable but not guaranteed safe distance therefrom.

4.Shrapnel and or bomb splinters on the Fairway or in Bunkers within a club’s length of a ball may be moved without penalty and no penalty shall be incurred if a ball is thereby caused to move accidentally.

5.A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced or if lost or destroyed a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without a penalty.

6.A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole, preserving the line to the hole, without penalty.

7.A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may replay another ball from the same place. Penalty one stroke.