Fouling the Green: Tiger Woods Fined For Spitting

I was struck this morning by a quote from Ewen Murray, a commentator for Britain’s Sky Sports, that he saw Tiger Woods commit “one of the ugliest things you will ever see on a golf course.” While I do not golf, I had to find out what transgression Woods committed with images of those past call girls dancing in my imagination. It turns out that it was not some Splendor in the Grass but spitting. Woods has been charged and fined for spitting on the green at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The incident occurred during on the 12th green to the obvious disgust of Murray and others.

While I respect the right to enforce these codes of conduct, I will note that Murray may want to consider a few recent occurrences on golf courses in placing this incident in his list of ugly acts on the green. This ranges from blinding fellow golfers to starting major fires to striking down endangered birds.

In the case of Ben Roethlisberger a little spit would have been a welcomed alternative at the Country Club at Muirfield Village.

I have found where the entry form includes a warning that all players are required to comply with the European Tour Members General Regulations Handbook. It says that players can pick up copies but I cannot find a copy posted. The form states:

Conduct themselves in accordance with the Code of Behaviour of the European Tour as specified in the current European Tour Members General Regulations Handbook. Copies are available from European Tour HQ at Wentworth or from the Tournament Office at any Qualifying School venue.

News reports state that the specific rule violated mandates that each player “voluntarily submits himself to standards of behavior and ethical conduct beyond those required of ordinary golfers and members of the public.” From a legal standpoint, that appears a bit ambiguous though (once again) I am not a golfer. I did find the rules for junior golfers which do not mention spitting but do go into detail on the proper inseam for girl’s shorts, here

Here is the spit heard around the world:

Source: Yahoo