GOLFERS love rules. In the latest copy of the Forest of Galtres Golf Club newsletter, there is a fascinating exchange about whether on-course saplings protected by plastic tubes are classed as "staked trees" and can be treated by players accordingly.

There can be no sport more regulated, and no sport more hidebound by an inflexible adherence to the rule book.

That makes the outcome of Michael Garnett's story so depressingly predictable. Mr Garnett joined Forest of Galtres Golf Club, paying £560 for a year's membership. Six weeks later he suffered a devastating stroke.

Eight months on, he is still recovering in York Hospital. He has lost all feeling down his left hand side. Mr Garnett will not be playing golf for the foreseeable future.

So his son wrote to the club asking for a refund of his subscription. Mr Garnett would have been happy with a partial rebate, considering he had enjoyed a few rounds before his illness. The club said no, you're not getting a penny. No, you can't freeze the membership. No, you cannot transfer it to another member of the family.

Rules is rules.

How petty. How small minded. Golf clubs are supposed to be communities who look after their own. Instead of offering the hand of kindness to a stricken member, the club dished out a slap in the face.

They should be ashamed of themselves - if the rules allow it.

Updated: 10:20 Thursday, February 17, 2005