--- title: "The gentleman’s rules for how to play golf in war-torn WWII Britain" description: "One fancy country club created rules for what to do if World War II should disrupt or affect the game in any significant way." date: "2021-05-11" modified: "2021-05-11" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-sports/how-to-play-golf-during-war/" categories: - "History" - "War History" - "World War II" --- # The gentleman’s rules for how to play golf in war-torn WWII Britain ![]() Surrey, England, is home to The Richmond Golf Club. The club has been at this location in the southwestern area of London since 1898. As you can imagine, the place has a lot of history, including that time a German bomb was dropped onto one of the holes during the 1940 Battle of Britain. --- If the sport itself isn't enough to stop golfers from golfing and the Blitz wasn't enough to stop Britons from going about their lives, then a few bombs on the course isn't about to stop British golfers from going about their golf. The Richmond did, however, make some rules for members, should they come across any ordnance — exploded or not. Of course, they also [created rules for what to do if World War II should disrupt or affect the game]() in any significant way. ![]() *A Toro riding lawn mower from 1940.* ### Rule 1: God save the mowing machines. "Players are asked to collect bomb and shrapnel splinters to save these causing damage to the mowing machines." ![]() *A bomb crater from a German bomb hit a field during the Blitz.* ### Rule 2: The game can wait. "In competitions, during gunfire, or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play." ![]() ### Rule 3: Look out for UXO. "The positions of known delayed-action bombs are marked by red flags placed at reasonably, but not guaranteed safe distance therefrom." ![]() ### Rule 4: Move the shrapnel, not the ball... "Shrapnel and/or bomb splinters on the fairways, 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." A Surrey, ### Rule 5: ...Unless the enemy does it. "A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if lost or destroyed, a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty." ![]() *The Richmond Golf Club in Surrey, England in 1900.* ### Rule 6: Don't hit from a bomb crater. "A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole, preserving the line to the hole without penalty." ### Rule 7: World War II is not a mulligan. "A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place. Penalty, one stroke." ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()