5 most bizarre penalties awarded in golf

Golf is a sport that demands precision and focus. Small mistakes, however, can lead to penalties that can cost players their scores and even the tournament. As such, penalties are a common occurrence in the sport, and even the best players in the world are not immune to them. While you may be aware of your favorite golfer's achievements, you may not know that they, too, have been penalized before.

With that in mind, this article will take a look at some of the most notable penalties in golf history.

Note: Opinions expressed are those of the writer.

Unbelievable rulings: The 5 most bizarre penalties given in golf

Penalties can happen at any time during a golf tournament, and they can have a significant impact on the final result. In some cases, a penalty can even cost a player the tournament. Therefore, it is crucial for players to understand the rules and regulations of the sport to avoid a potential rap on their knuckles.

1) Tiger Woods' infamous drop at the 2013 Masters

The 2013 Masters Tournament held at Augusta National saw one of the most notorious penalties in the annals of golf history get handed out. Tiger Woods struck his ball into a water hazard on the 15th hole, but it turned out that he put it a few feet behind where it should have been. This allowed him to salvage a par for the hole. Woods did not comply with the rule that required players to drop the ball "as close as practical" to the spot where the first shot was taken. As a direct consequence of his two-stroke deficit, he finished in a tie for fourth place.

2) Dustin Johnson's unintentional bunker violation at the 2010 PGA Championship

LIV Golf Invitational - Tucson - Day One

During the 2010 PGA Championship held at Whistling Straits, Dustin Johnson's ball ended up in a bunker on the 18th hole. He believed that the area where his ball had landed consisted entirely of trash. Johnson committed a regulation violation when he smashed his club into the sand while in a bunker. After scoring a penalty for two strokes, he was no longer eligible to compete in the title playoffs.

3) Ian Woosnam's oversized golf clubs at the 2001 Open Championship

WCM Legends Open de France hosted by Jean Van de Velde - Day Three

Because he used a driver that was too large for the course, Ian Woosnam was penalized two strokes in the first round of the 2001 Open Championship held at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. Woosnam's driver had a clubhead that was somewhat larger than what the regulations allow (460 cubic millimeters). Following the completion of the race, he finished in a tie for 14th place.

4) Jim Furyk's putter interference at the 2010 Barclays

During the first round of the 2010 Barclays at Ridgewood Golf Course, Jim Furyk accidentally touched the ball with his putter while in close proximity to the hole. Touching the ball with your club at any point before performing a stroke earns you a one-stroke penalty. Despite being docked one stroke, Furyk was still able to win the competition by a single stroke.

5) Brian Kim's caddie error at the 2001 US Open

Early on in the first round of the 2001 US Open, which took place at Southern Hills Golf Course, Brian Kim provided his player Brian Kim with the incorrect ball. When Kim purposefully smacked the wrong ball, she was unaware of running afoul of the rules. Having already lost two strokes, he had to finish the round with the right ball or face more penalties. Kim did not move on, but his penalty will go down as one of the strangest in the game's long and illustrious history.

Final words

Golf is a sport with a lot of rules and traditions. However, when these rules are followed, they can lead to some unexpected results. Even though some of these penalties may seem severe at first glance, they are necessary to ensure that golf is a game that everyone can enjoy and is played on an equal playing field.

Edited by Sandeep Banerjee