Taping of the fingers...is this legal?

[Bigvivec]

Taping of the fingers…is it legal?

I burned the heck out of my thumb last week…had a big blister on it (thumbpad) for 2 days before I popped it…I’ve since been taping it up with duct tape before I play…I noticed today that since I tear a thin strip of tape off the roll and then wrap the thumb hockey stick style so that two edges of the wrap are exposed on the thumbpad, the edges wear a bit and become quite sticky…an unintentional swing aid of sorts…is this legal or do I have to wrap it in a way that doesn’t improve my hold on the club (dip it in salad oil)…but in the same way a golf glove improves grip but is legal…it’s feeling so good I was thinking about taping the rest of the fingers…

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

Taping of the fingers…is it legal?

I burned the heck out of my thumb last week…had a big blister on it (thumbpad) for 2 days before I popped it…I’ve since been taping it up with duct tape before I play…I noticed today that since I tear a thin strip of tape off the roll and then wrap the thumb hockey stick style so that two edges of the wrap are exposed on the thumbpad, the edges wear a bit and become quite sticky…an unintentional swing aid of sorts…is this legal or do I have to wrap it in a way that doesn’t improve my hold on the club (dip it in salad oil)…but in the same way a golf glove improves grip but is legal…it’s feeling so good I was thinking about taping the rest of the fingers…

I've known plenty of guys who used adhesive tape in certain places on their fingers and that is legal. Also using some things (a wrist brace for instance) for medical reasons is also legal, as long it is clearly for the injury and not just for support. I'd say that if there was a way to wrap it which didn't help the grip, it might offer less fodder for someone to question it, but unless it's in a competition, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[deronsizemore]

Yeah, it's legal as far as I know. Tiger has multiple fingers taped in each tournament. I just go to the nearest Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc. and buy some of that white medical tape and some band aids. Works pretty good.

[Bulls9999]

What about that black cloth (sticky/tacky) tape I used to wrap around my hockey stick when I played hockey? ...used to wrap it around my racket ball racket as well....you won't need gloves to hold onto that.

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

Taping of the fingers…is it legal?

I burned the heck out of my thumb last week…had a big blister on it (thumbpad) for 2 days before I popped it…I’ve since been taping it up with duct tape before I play…I noticed today that since I tear a thin strip of tape off the roll and then wrap the thumb hockey stick style so that two edges of the wrap are exposed on the thumbpad, the edges wear a bit and become quite sticky…an unintentional swing aid of sorts…is this legal or do I have to wrap it in a way that doesn’t improve my hold on the club (dip it in salad oil)…but in the same way a golf glove improves grip but is legal…it’s feeling so good I was thinking about taping the rest of the fingers…

[atticusfinch]

Originally Posted by Bulls9999

What about that black cloth (sticky/tacky) tape I used to wrap around my hockey stick when I played hockey? ...used to wrap it around my racket ball racket as well....you won't need gloves to hold onto that.

are we talking about taping fingers or grips?

[Bulls9999]

OK, original thread was on taping fingers. But it brings up a good question, can something be applied to fingers that is not legal on the grip, or visa versa?

Originally Posted by atticusfinch

are we talking about taping fingers or grips?

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Bulls9999

OK, original thread was on taping fingers. But it brings up a good question, can something be applied to fingers that is not legal on the grip, or visa versa?

If it's done for the purpose of improving your grip or swing, then there is narrow range of things which are allowed, and a sticky tape applied solely as a swing aid would be illegal. Decision 14-3/8:

14-3/8 Adhesive Tape

Q. May a player wear adhesive tape on his hands or apply such tape to a golf glove?

A. The use of adhesive tape, or similar coverings of the hand, for any medical reasons, e.g., to reduce blisters or to eliminate the possibility of skin splits between the fingers, is not contrary to the Rules.

However, the application of tape to the hand or the construction of a similar covering must not be excessive (i.e., must not otherwise assist the player in gripping and its thickness must be comparable to that of a standard golf glove). Also, applying tape to a golf glove to prevent the glove from slipping or to reduce wear is not a breach of Rule 14-3.

However, if the tape is used solely to aid the player in gripping the club (e.g., it is used to bind two fingers together), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3 as such use of tape is the use of equipment in an unusual manner. (Revised)

[Bigvivec]

Great find Rick...just about sums it up!

[ghj567]

Indeed tape is legal. Here's another legal solution that avoids the stickiness of tape, the hassles of it rolling up on you and replacing them. The Digital Shield - the golf glove for the off hand. Protection against blisters and calluses.

[Leaguegolf]

I don't recall ever seeing Lee Trevino or Tiger Woods play without tape on their fingers so it's safe to assume they know the rule too.

[C-Tech]

I almost always put tape around the first finger right above where it attaches to my hand. I have had a problem with splitting there during cold or extremely dry weather. I always assumed it was ok since I had seen several Tour players use tape similarly. Since I don't generally wear a golf glove, this is my best option to avoid the splitting problem.