Rules are Rules

Perhaps you've been following this mess surrounding Phil Mickelson. In case you haven't here it is in a nutshell...

The PGA made a new rule that prohibits the use of certain clubs with a certain groove pattern. However there is a loophole in the rule that allows the use of certain clubs produced before 1990 (Ping Eye 2 Wedges).

The PGA Tour released a statement on Saturday about the grooves, saying, "Leading up to the implementation, we have been aware that under the USGA Rules of Golf, the pre-1990 clubs would be allowed and that there was the potential that some players might choose to use them. We will monitor this situation as we move forward and under our Tournament Regulations, we do have the ability to make a local rule which would not allow the clubs. There's been no decision made at this time."

Phil and 6 other golfers have chosen to use these older clubs...which is completely legal. Now he is under fire from players, fans, the public in general for "cheating".

According to Wikipedia:

Cheating is an act of lying, deception, fraud, trickery, imposture, or imposition. Cheating characteristically is employed to create an unfair advantage, usually in one's own interest, and often at the expense of others. Cheating implies the breaking of rules.

Here's the thing...Phil didn't cheat. Neither did the other 6 players using the clubs. This loophole is open to everyone. There was no unfair advantage in play, nobody lied about using the clubs and not a single rule was broken. He is a highly skilled golfer who had the aptitude to read the rule book and find a way to improve his odds. This isn't called "cheating", its called "playing by the rules". Because after-all, rules are rules.

There is a lesson to be learned here: sports are about winning.