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Rules - who needs rules, Knowing basic rules of golf can make the difference when you start playing with the big boys. Many times knowing the ruling will make the difference between winning and losing! (Remember the boulder which was ruled a "loose impediment" for Tiger Woods? He knew to ask the question.)
When the chips are down, knowing the rules can make the difference. After all, most games are played by the rules, so why not know rules of golf? There are many easy-to-learn formats out there and you can enhance your game by knowing them!
Below are some commonly asked questions that come into play during a game of golf. It would help if you knew the answers.
BALL INCORRECTLY PLACED
Q. If a player is asked by one of his party to move his ball marker, which is on the other players putting line, and in fact, he does move it, but replaces the marker an incorrect spot, can the other players, before the ball has been addressed point out that the ball has been incorrectly replaced? What is the procedure & what, if any, are the penalties?
A. If a player has replaced his ball in a wrong place and hasn't made a stroke at this ball he is entitled to correct his mistake under Rule 20-6 by replacing his ball at the correct place.
If he hasn't lifted his ball-marker, he should first replace the ball marker to it's original place and then replace his ball making reference to the ball marker.
If he has already lifted the ball marker, he must add one penalty stroke to his score for breaching Rule 20-1 and now he must replace his ball marker or the ball to it's correct place. If it is impossible to determine the correct spot where his ball must be replaced, he must place it as near as possible to the place where it originally lay in accordance to Rule 20-3c.
There is no penalty when correcting his mistake under Rule 20-6. Rule 20-6 may be used as long as this player hasn't made a stroke as his ball. He could have already addressed his ball, Rule 20-6 is still not too late to be invoked.
DIFFICULT LIE
Q. If a player A finds his ball in high grass on sloped ground, the ball is playable, but it's unlikely the ball can be cleanly hit. He opts to declare the ball in an unplayable lie, takes the penalty stroke and drops one club length, no closer to the hole, onto level ground and short grass. Is this proper, or does he have to take a swing at the ball in the unfavorable position?
A. The drop is according to the rules, in fact, he may drop the ball within 2 club lengths. If he is fortunate and his ball ends up in a very good lie, that is also OK in accordance with the Rules. See Rule 28b (unplayable ball) and Rule 20-2c. Nowhere in 20-2c does it say that the ball must be re-dropped if it ends up in a more favorable situation.
WRONG BALL
Q. Players A&B are playing C&D in a 4 Ball match. Player A tees off at the 3rd hole and everyone sees his ball coming up short of a bunker. Player C then plays and everyone quite clearly sees his ball running into the bunker. Player A on arrival at the area plays 'his ball' and they then get player C's ball out of the bunker. It is then discovered that the ball in the bunker is in fact Player A's. It is assumed that there must have been a mix up after finishing the previous hole and both players teed off with each others original ball. What if any are the penalties??
A. No penalty to either player. The definition of "ball in play" says that a ball is in play as soon as the player as made a stroke on the teeing ground. Each player put a ball in play from the teeing ground and continued with that ball, therefore no wrong ball was played.
Decision 15-1/1 also supports this.
The only possible penalty would be if the one-ball rule is a condition of the competition and A and B were using different brands/types.
WRONG BALL PLAYED FROM ROUGH
In a stroke play match, player A puts his drive off the tee in the rough. After a brief search the ball is found (apparently) and is hit back onto the fairway. Covered with mud, the logo and identifying marks are not visible and the ball is struck once again. At this time, the mud is off the ball, and it is discovered not to be his original ball.
What is the correct ruling and how should this be scored?
The strokes played with the wrong ball do not count. He incurs a two stroke penalty and must play with the correct ball.
FOUR BALL PLAY
Q. In four-ball play, A is preparing to play from off the putting green. B, A’s partner, attends the flagstick without A’s knowledge or express authority. A plays and his ball strikes B or the flagstick. What is the ruling?
A. If the flagstick is attended by the player’s caddie, his partner or his partner’s caddie, i.e., by a member of the player’s side, it is deemed to be attended with the player’s knowledge and authority.
Accordingly, in match play A is disqualified from the hole (Rule 17-3b), but B incurs no penalty (Rule 30-3f).
In stroke play, A incurs a penalty of two strokes and must play the ball as it lies (Rule 17-3b), but B incurs no penalty (Rule 31-8).
LOCAL RULES
Q. The design of a hole is such that a player must hit the ball about 100 yards in order to carry a water hazard. A Local Rule has been adopted to assist players who cannot drive over the hazard by allowing them to drop a ball, under penalty of two strokes, in a Ball Drop (Dropping Zone) that is located across the hazard. Is such a Local Rule authorized?
A. No. Such a Local Rule substantially alters Rule 26-1b as it allows the player to drop a ball on a part of the course (i.e., on the green side of the water hazard) that the Rule would not have permitted him to reach. Furthermore, the penalty for taking relief under the water hazard Rule (Rule 26) is one stroke, and may not be increased to two strokes by a Committee through a Local Rule – see Rule 33-8b.
For all official rules of golf and the latest rulings visit USGA Golf
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