1. The USGA rules staff confirmed that a caddie or partner can step into a driver to assist with alignment before a player takes a stroke. For example, a caddie can adjust the face of a putter to line up with the line of play. However, the player is responsible if the caddie causes a rules breach like moving the ball. 2. Brian Selfridge asked if a caddie could step into a slotted driver that a player was using to help with spatial awareness and alignment, especially for younger kids. He argued this could help grow the game by getting more kids involved and building caddie-golfer bonds earlier. 3. The USGA did not

1. 1
Brian Selfridge
From: Carter Rich [JCRich@USGA.org]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 12:41 PM
To: 'Brian Selfridge'
Subject: RE: Stepping into a golf club as means of presentation back to the golf
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hi Brian,
I checked with our Rules of Golf staff and we concluded that a caddie or partner would be permitted to step into the
driver to assist with alignment prior to the stroke. For example, we have said that a caddie or partner could use his or
her hand to adjust the face of the player’s putter to be in line with the line for putting . Of course, the player would be
responsible for any breach of the Rules by the caddie or partner (e.g., causing the ball to move, touching the line of putt,
etc.).
Let me know if you have further questions.
Regards,
Carter
J. Carter Rich
Director, Equipment Rules and Conformance
United States Golf Association
P.O. Box 708, 77 Liberty Corner Road
Far Hills, NJ 07931
908.781-1085
FAX 908.234.1603
www.usga.org
jcrich@usga.org
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From: Brian Selfridge [mailto:bkselfridge@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 2:29 PM
To: Carter Rich
Subject: Stepping into a golf club as means of presentation back to the golf
Hi Carter,
Under USGA rules of play could the golfer be presented the golf club by stepping? Perhaps use the sample Slotted
Driver in this sequence:
1) The golfer tees the golf ball
2) The caddie Left foot steps (for the right handed golfer) into or on top of the golf club with the golf club’s face
directly behind the tee’d golf ball
3) The golfer steps into their address position assuming their grip & stance as the caddie removes their foot and
clears to let the golfer swing away

2. 2
My goal is asking for this ruling is for kids not adults. Spatial awareness is huge part of the game. Here is the question?
At what point does an child’s spatial awareness become such a detriment that step aiming beneficial? When does it
make sense to concentrate of swing mechanics and address position set and less on aiming for kids. As ages get younger
everyone in golf can clearly see why step aiming could be beneficial to kids. Sounds crazy but what about a separate set
of rules for kids? Here is why it makes sense. The USGA’s charter is to impartially grow the game. If kids caddies were
able to step present golf clubs to the competing kid golfer more children would be involved in the completion. The
caddie would be close to the game trying hard to ascend the golfer themselves. Caddie/Golfer bonds would form
earlier.
Stepping as a way of presenting a golf club back to golfer behind a teed golf ball could help grow the game. Especially in
certain demographic age groups. Please let me know the USGA’s thoughts on this happening during competitive play.
Thanks.
Cordially,
Brian K. Selfridge
609 969 3855
www.slotteddriver.com
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