Tom writes:
Steve - A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball in bounds. The answer to this question may be found in the Rule book under the Definition section and specifically under the definition of "Out of Bounds" where it states: "A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds."

8/7/2010 5:35:05 AM

David Cohn writes:
Matt Radish - Under Rule 23 - Loose Impediments, you can remove a loose impediment from the green even when your ball lies on the fringe. The only exception is when both the loose impediment and ball lie in or touch the same hazard. In that situation, a loose impediment must not be removed.

8/5/2010 7:55:31 AM

tom writes:
Jerry Miller - The proper way to deal with a plus handicap in handicap competitions is to give the player with the plus handicap a zero handicap and then raise the other players handicap accordingly. Example, player A has a plus 2 handicap and player B has a 10 handicap. Player A would become a zero handicap and Player B would become a 12 handicap. This is covered in Section 9 of the USGA Handicap System Manual. It can be found on the USGA web site (www.usga.org) under the Handicapping tab.

7/21/2010 5:49:39 AM

Jerry Miller writes:
Our club has a policy I disagree with. I would like your opinion. We have a member with a plus two HCP. In match play competition, we play him at zero HCP. In my opinion, we should play him at his plus two. Therefore, in individual match play, his competitor would receive two additional strokes. In two man team match play, the two competitors, along with the plus two's partner, would receive two additional strokes. What is your opinion?

7/20/2010 8:19:20 AM

Tom writes:
Jon - Your answer would be in the definition of a stroke that is: A "stroke" is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he has not made a stroke. So, in your case as you describe that there was no intent to hit the ball and the ball was not touched there would not be a penalty.

7/16/2010 11:44:33 AM

Tom writes:
Mike Fishbach - You did not proceed correctly as there is an exception in Rule 25-1 that reads: A player may not take relief under this Rule if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than an abnormal ground condition or (b) interference by an abnormal ground condition would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. So in your situation you would have incurred a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play or a loss of hole in match play.

6/30/2010 7:58:31 AM

Tom writes:
Tork Fog - You will find what you are looking for under Rule 24-2. The Rule is as follows. 24-2. Immovable Obstruction a. Interference Interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with the player's stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player's ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an immovable obstruction on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule. b. Relief Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction as follows: (i)Through the Green:If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the immovable obstruction and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. (ii)In a Bunker: If the ball is in a bunker, the player must lift the ball and drop it either: (a) Without penalty, in accordance with Clause(i) above, except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker; or (b) Under penalty of one stroke, outside the bunker keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped. (iii)On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green, the player must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard. The nearest point of relief may be off the putting green. (iv)On the Teeing Ground:If the ball lies on the teeing ground, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, in accordance with Clause(i) above. The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule. (Ball rolling to a position where there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken - see Rule 20-2c(v).) Exception: A player may not take relief under this Rule if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction or (b) interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. Note 1: If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water hazard), the player may not take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction. The player must play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 26-1. Note 2: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted. Note 3: The Committee may make a Local Rule stating that the player must determine the nearest point of relief without crossing over, through or under the obstruction.

6/25/2010 3:47:17 PM

Tom writes:
Paul Hable - Relief from an immovable obstruction (fence, stone wall, etc.) in a water hazard is not allowed if your ball is also in the hazard. So, if I am understanding you correctly you were in the hazard. Using the option under the lateral water hazard of 2 club lengths it put you on the cart path. At this point you were required to drop on the cart path. With your ball on the cart path, you now could get relief from the cart path. Your nearest point of relief must have been on the hazard side of the cart path. When you dropped your ball at this spot you had interference from the fence. You were entitled relief from the fence whether or not it is in the hazard because your ball was not in the hazard. You then could drop on the side opposite the hazard for your relief from the cart path.

6/18/2010 3:10:13 PM

Tom writes:
Dave Anderson - In your question, you indicate that there is a lateral water hazard and that beyond the hazard it is marked as an out of bounds. Your indicate that the ball is found out of bounds and not in the hazard, so you would be required to go back to the tee under Rule 27-1.

6/15/2010 5:22:30 PM

Tom writes:
Brian - You did not indicate what type of hazard you were referring to in your question, so I am going to assume that you are referring to a lateral water hazard. Under Rule 26-1 under the penalty of one stroke you could return to the tee; you could drop a ball on the line from the flagstick through the spot where your ball last crossed the margin of the hazard with no restriction to how far back you drop the ball; you could drop a ball not closer to the hole within 2 club lenghts of the spot where you last crossed the margin of the hazard; or you could drop a ball equal distance from the hole on the opposite side of the hazard within two club lengths of that margin on that side of the hazard.

6/15/2010 9:56:04 AM

Tom writes:
If the drainage area is not marked as part of the water hazard you would not get relief unless the drainage pipe interferred with your stance or swing or if casual water existed. The drainage pipe relief would be covered under Rule 24-2b and casual water would be covered under Rule 25-1b.

6/15/2010 9:23:54 AM

Dave Anderson writes:
Par 5 dogleg right, trees and water all (red staked) along right side (to corner. Off tee an attempt to "cut" the corner leaves the ball just over the trees and hazard but OB (private property edge) right side to green. Ball is found. Crossed hazard but is out of bounds. Does player go back to tee or can player drop where ball crossed going back as far as they'd like keeping line to flag?

6/13/2010 12:29:47 PM

John writes:
Randall-Under the definition of par in the USGA Handicap System manual, par is a score that an expert player would be expected to make for a given hole. Par is not a significant factor in either the USGA Handicap System of the USGA Course Rating System. For example, Decision 9-4a/3 of the USGA Handicap System manual states: Q: In a match play competition, one hole is par four for men and par five for women. In a match between a man and a woman, if both score par, what is the result of the hole? A: Par is irrelevant. The player who completes the hole in fewer strokes wins the hole. This is true in gross and net competitions. Possibly the handicap stroke hole allocations should be reviewed as to where the women are receiving their strokes, but just arbitrarily giving them an additional stroke on the women's par fives is not the answer.

6/11/2010 11:55:36 AM

brian writes:
what is the penalty: player lifts ball from duck's footprint in sandtrap, rakes sand and places (rather than drops) ball? one for lifting, two for testing the hazard and another for placing?

6/7/2010 11:11:53 AM

Bal writes:
Hello Here's the situation: I'm on the fringe of a putting green and there is some loose sand in front of my ball. So I step away from the ball a few inches and take a practice putt that brushes other loose sand not ony my line, am i violating any rules since loose sand is not a loose impediment and i moved it with a practice putt? thanks

6/1/2010 5:48:10 PM

Tom writes:
Larry - If there are two balls in a bunker (sand trap) situated such that one would interfere with the play of the ball that is farthest from the hole. The ball closer to the hole would be marked just as you would do on a green. If the marker would interfere with the stroke it could be moved in such a way so it could be moved back after the player plays his stroke. The difference lies if the stroke disrupts the lie where the marked ball was sitting. The rule reads that the ball that was marked needs to have the lie recreated. So, the player may rake or take any other procedure to recreate the lie. The ball is then replaced and played by the player.

5/31/2010 4:25:10 PM

Tom writes:
Lynn R. Davis - There is a different rating for each set of tees, so in theory because of the differences in ratings,no matter which set of tees you play from using the 10 best of the last 20 scores your handicap should be the same from either set of tees. Remember that your score may be higher or lower from one set of the tees, but your Handicp Index would be the same. Rules for disabilities is a rather new area for the USGA to approach. They do have a whole section on this on their web site, www.usga.org, under the Rules section; then "Rules for Golfers with Disabilities." In your specific case, I think there are a few things to consider. One, because of your disability does it affect how far you hit the ball? If it does, I think a shorter set of tees should be used in your case. Does the eyesight you have require a person to help allign you? If so, there are some rules that have been adopted by the USGA to help in these situations. If you would like to call me at the office, 414-443-3560, I would be happy to discuss your case in more detail. I think the intent of any of these Rules modifications is to make the game more fun for the player.

5/25/2010 5:44:06 AM

Tom writes:
Mike Sullivan - This depends on where the hazard line is. The stone wall is considered an immovable obstruction. If the stakes or line is on the course side of the stone wall, the stone wall would be considered in the water hazard and you would not get relief. If the stakes or line were on the water hazard side of the stone wall, the stone wall would be considered "through the green" and you would get releif. This is covered in Rule 24-2a and 24-2b.

5/22/2010 2:09:14 PM

Mike Sullivan writes:
A ball is hit over water and settles on the stone wall surrounding the water. Red stakes are around the water but outside of the direct line of the stakes. Can the ball be moved?

5/20/2010 1:42:22 PM

Tom writes:
Brian - You would also get a stroke penalty for lifting the provisional ball as it was to become the ball in play. Decision 27-2b/9 covers this situation.

5/12/2010 3:42:40 PM

Tom writes:
Court Greeley - The equitable stroke control allowance is as listed below: 9 or less - double bogey 10 thru 19 - 7 20 thru 29 - 8 30 thru 39 - 9 40 or more - 10 So, as you can see from the chart a player with a 24 handicap can take an 8 on any hole regardless of the par.

5/7/2010 3:40:13 PM

Court Greeley writes:
If I have a handicap of 23.4 can I enter my eight on a par four hole?

5/4/2010 9:51:50 AM

Tom writes:
Ann - A chair would be considered a movable obstruction by golf rules. The player would lift the ball from the chair, move the chair and then drop the ball at the spot on the course directly below where it was on the chair. There is no penalty for this procedure. This is covered in Rule 24-1 in the Rules of Golf.

5/4/2010 5:19:02 AM

Ann writes:
If your ball lands in a spectator chair do you have to play the ball

4/30/2010 4:25:00 PM

Tom writes:
Jon Kroeber - If your ball is near but outside the hazard and your feet are on the cart path (immovable obstruction)and there is not room for you to drop your ball off the cart path on the hazard side of the cart path; and have your feet off the cart path when you address the ball; then the nearest point of relief would be on the side of the cart path on the opposite side of the lateral hazard.

4/30/2010 8:35:51 AM

Rob Peluso writes:
If your ball comes to rest against a tree stump that has not been removed what is the procedure?

4/30/2010 7:51:45 AM

Jon Kroeber writes:
Three feet from the right side of a paved cart path is red lined as hazard. The ball is inside the hazard but the stance is on the pavement - where do you drop if desired?

4/28/2010 12:07:32 PM

Scott Anderson writes:
Last week while playing in a threesome, fellow player holed out his tee shot on a par four. The only problem was the hole was being played with a temporary green. Is a shot holed in one stroke a "hole in one" if it's done on a temporary green?

4/24/2010 11:16:57 PM

Tom writes:
Scott Bredeson - There would be no reason that a pro during a practice round could not carry additional clubs that he may be trying out as there would be no posted score. If they are playing the pro-am portion of the tournament, they would be limited to the 14 club rule as stated in Rule 4-4a.

4/21/2010 5:56:39 AM

Scott Bredeson writes:
I've been thinking about something, what is the ruling for pros when their playing practice rounds do they they play with 14 clubs or can they bring more clubs out seeing (its just practice) Allan Iverson. just a little humor for you. so whats the ruling Ty, Scott

4/17/2010 6:47:03 PM

Tom Schlueter writes:
Regarding the question below from T. Larson concerning removal of fairway plastic markers if they interfer with stance of swing: What about if they may interfer with flight of ball as in a situation where your drive has come to rest a few yards behind the marker but stance or swing is not affected? I have gotten 2 different rulings on this from 2 different officials.

4/10/2010 9:32:01 AM

larry henry writes:
How are wood chips generally treated? What about Wood nuggets? Shavings? Does size, age or process have any relation to the rule? Thanks Larry

4/9/2010 7:59:01 AM

Travis Larson writes:
Our course has plastic stakes in the middle of the farway marking yardeges and I hit my second shot and it hit the 200yrd markers. What were my opions as far as playing that ball

4/6/2010 11:55:31 AM

John Brennan writes:
What is the difference between red and yellow stakes found near and around hazards on the golf course?

4/6/2010 8:56:12 AM

Tom writes:
Rick - The answer to your question depends on whether or not the fence is a boudary fence. If the fence is an out of bounds fence there is no relief as it by rule it is considered fixed. If the fence were on the course like to protect a tee, the player would get relief if the fence interfered with his stance or swing, but would not get line of sight relief. If the fence was situated off of the course the player would not get relief even if it interferred with his stance or swing.

4/5/2010 10:24:45 AM

Dean Gilles writes:
If your chip from off the green gets pinched between the lip of the hole and the flag stick do you mark you ball on the lip or pull the flag and let it fall into the cup?

4/4/2010 10:29:33 PM

Bilodeau writes:
Our club has a rule that the maximum strokes to be taken is 36. Someone has an index of 40.4. Do you take the 90% from what the actual strokes might be (somewhere in the upper 40's) and then give the maximum of 36 strokes, or do you take the 90% from the 36 strokes allowed which would then be 32?

4/2/2010 9:50:34 AM

Steve Perez writes:
Please,explain the two stroke penalty when playing the ball in a hazzard and at the completion of the stoke the club head is grounded after the swing.

3/30/2010 11:05:12 AM

bHJvmFZaOkSEl writes:
sp_loli_3.txt;20;20

3/27/2010 3:15:54 PM

Kerry Fitzgerald writes:
Player A and player B playing in a stroke play format both hook their drive on a dogleg left hole with red staked lateral hazard running the entire length of the left side. Player B finds what he believes is his ball and plays his second shot before assisting Player A in search for his ball. Player A is unable to find his original ball and drops a ball under Rule 26 for a lateral hazard and plays his third shot to the green. Upon arriving at the green, player B discovers that he has played player A's original ball in error. I know player B must proceed under Rule 15 with required penalty but is Player A required to continue playing his ball with the lateral hazard penalty as his original ball was in play but he never had an opportunity to find his ball as it as Player B had already played it to the green?

3/27/2010 1:11:06 PM

John Kraus writes:
regarding ;your response in the Rules re: pulling the flag up to get a ball out. if chipped in from off the green, and the ball not all the way down, cannot you move the flagstick to have the ball drop all the way in the hole, you mentioned that you must replace and take one more stroke to complete the hole. ????

3/21/2010 10:52:32 AM

jarrod writes:
Player A and player B are partners in a foursome. A drives and there is doubt whether the ball is out of bounds. They decide to play a provisional ball. who plays it?

2/4/2010 11:09:30 AM

Ian Pajcic writes:
A tee ball flies over OB into a water hazard and lands in the water just short of the fairway. The point which the ball crosses into the hazard is 10 feet into the OB. A ruling was given that the player can drop at the begining of the hazard/end of OB and claim opposite margin equidistance to the hole. The drop would be @ equidistance but the issue is defining opposite margin. The spot of the drop is 10 feet down the shoreline of a lake.

2/2/2010 1:08:23 PM

Gary Kiela writes:
If an old cup is in your line of play?

2/1/2010 8:26:53 AM

Tom writes:
Lacy Collins - It is difficult to answer your question without seeing the situation. In the Rules of Golf "worms, insects and the like, and the casts and heaps made by them" are considered loose impediments. This means that in a fairway you would be able to remove these materials as long as you did not cause your ball to move. I do not know if that would help you with your question. The other option would be that the Committee for a tournament or event could mark these areas as ground under repair and thus acplayer could take relief under Rule 25.

1/27/2010 10:11:04 AM

Lacy Collins writes:
Our course has several fairways infested with some kind of worm that creates bare spots and depressions in the fairway. These spots are 1 to 2 inches in diameter and make solid contact more difficult. Since these depressions are created by worms, is the player whose ball lies in one of these depressions entitled to a free drop?

1/16/2010 12:43:54 PM

Teckla Kubiak writes:
there are 2 ball mark no the putting surface realitively close, 1 golfer puts the their ball down on the wrong marker and putts out. Seocnd golfer realizes the remaining marker is not theirs. What penalties are incurred.

1/14/2010 2:58:09 PM

Mike Smith writes:
Recently two players in our foursome hit there second shots from the fairway at the same time, not intentionaly. The balls collided in the air. Does either player get a penalty? Where do the third shots get played from?

1/14/2010 2:14:03 PM

David Schmitz writes:
One players shot comes to rest in light rough on an upslope in front of the green. He identifies it as his ball and another player witnesses this. While the rest of the foursome including caddies is arriving at the green, the player in question walks up onto the green, inspects the pin position and returns to his ball, only to find that it is now at the base of the upslope and 6-10 ft to the right of where it was. No one saw it move, so no one knows if it naturally moved or if it was accidently kicked by one of the others in the group. How to proceed?

1/13/2010 3:51:28 PM

JIM MEAD writes:
If you have mark your ball on the green ,cleaned and replaced it,removed your marker,walked away and than your ball moves, what do you do? JIM

1/9/2010 9:48:57 AM

Neil writes:
Why do all of the tour pros go through those gyrations to lift a holed tee/fairway shot out of the hole without disturbing the flag? To my knowledge, there is no rule or decision that prevents them from yanking out the flag and picking out the ball. Seems like useless style points to me. Am I right?

12/30/2009 10:51:40 AM

risa writes:
if your ball lies against a boundary fence, do you get relief

12/7/2009 1:52:06 PM

David Cohn writes:
Mark Friedman - No, it is not illegal to putt while there is another ball in the hole. Under the definition of "holed," a ball is "holed" when it is at rest within the circumference of the hole and all of it is below the level of the lip of the hole. Once the ball is holed, it becomes a moveable obstruction and may be moved or removed from the hole.

11/30/2009 9:24:15 AM

Tom Grabow writes:
In a recent club tournament at Fireridge golf course. Our local pro setup a 16 man tournament withever one using their course handicap Index. In my lower bracket i played two players who Handicap was basic on playing from the Blue tee's. My handicap index was basic on playing from the white tee's. In the tournament we played only from the white tee's and I was giventhe different between the Handicap difference's . My question to you is when players move up to play from tee boxes they normally don't play from. In the Wis Golf association for handicap manual. On page 58 it says it is generally acepted whenever a man and women with the same usga handicap index play from the same tee's the women requires an additional 5 strokes to compensate for the difference in the men and woens course ratings. which is usally 5 strokes. Isn''t this true when men players move up to play from easier tee boxes after getting their handicap fixed from longer tee boxes. Tom Grabow

11/29/2009 6:19:13 PM

Tom writes:
Ernie - Rule 22-1 covers the question you are asking. It states: Except when a ball is in motion, if a player considers that a ball might assist any other player, he may: a. Lift the ball if it is his ball, or b. Have any other ball lifted. So in either form of play (stroke play or match play) the player has can mark his ball if he feels it may assist another player whether or not the other player wants him to leave the ball in position or not.

11/16/2009 8:32:59 AM

Ernie writes:
In stroke play, can a player ask you to mark and leave your ball on the green when he is chipping and is that your decisiion. I know in match play, the player chipping can ask that the ball be marked and left on the green. Is the rule the same in stroke play?

11/15/2009 9:10:08 AM

Tom writes:
David Dennison - If two balls lie side by side in a bunker (sandtrap), the procedure is very similar to what would happen if this occurred in the fairway. One of the balls would be marked and lifted, preferably the one nearer the hole. This could be done with a coin, tee, etc. and the object could be moved several clubheads (or some other measurement) over to the side to be out of the way. The difference is after the first player has played. When the player that marked his ball replaces it, the original lie must be recreated. This may involve raking the area that the first player had just disrupted by his stroke. It could mean placing the ball so it is partially buried. The player would need to do whatever is necesary to create the lie as close as possible to what it was. The player then would play his shot. There is no penalty involved. If this same situation occurred on the fairway and the first player disrupted the lie of the player that marked his ball, upon replacing the ball, the ball would be placed in a lie most similar to the original lie that is not more than one club-length from the original lie, not nearer the hole and not in a hazard. These situations are covered in Rule 20-3b.

11/1/2009 5:41:12 AM

David Cohn writes:
Troy - If your ball moves in the process of removing the rake, the ball must be replaced on the spot from which it moved. If the ball fails to come to rest on that spot, the ball must be placed in the bunker at the nearest spot where it can be placed at rest and is not nearer the hole.

10/30/2009 8:47:30 AM

Tom writes:
Thomas Behringer - The answer to your question is that you could not rake the shoe marks or remove small sticks and leaves. Rule 13-4c states that you cannot move a loose impediment (sticks and leaves are loose impediments) in a hazard when your ball lies in that hazard. Rule 13-2 states that a player must not improve or allow to be improved his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole.

10/28/2009 4:23:59 PM

Thomas Behringer writes:
In a green side bunker. Since there is no lip, I decide to putt it out instead of chip. In front of the ball is some unraked shoe marks, small sticks and leaves. Can I take the rake and smooth down and clear a path to putt through?

10/28/2009 3:15:20 PM

jufil sato writes:
the out of bounce line are defined in two, if stakes, it shalle be the inner part that determines the line and a solid painted line which in itself is out of bounce. question: if the half portion of the ball touches the white painted solid line, is it considered o.b.?

10/26/2009 3:26:09 AM

Tom writes:
Joe Taycher - The answer to your question in addressed in Decision 8-2a/1 and reads as follows: A player places a club on the ground parallel to the line of play to assist him in aligning his feet properly. Is this permissible? A. Yes, provided the player removes the club before playing his stroke. Otherwise, a breach of Rule 8-2a would occur. So as long as you remove the club used to align your shot before you make the stroke there is no penalty. If you were to leave the club there during the stoke it would be a 2 stroke penalty.

10/21/2009 1:20:11 PM

David Cohn writes:
Nancy – When declaring a ball unplayable the player has three options, “a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.” If a player wishes to declare a ball that is in a bunker unplayable, they may proceed under any of the three options, but if they choose option b or c, the ball must be dropped within the bunker.

10/19/2009 9:05:08 AM

David Cohn writes:
Les - No. If the player wishes to take relief from the water hazard, the ball must be dropped outside of the hazard. The options for taking relief from a water hazard are, under penalty of one stroke, “a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.” In this situation, his only reasonable option may be option A.

10/19/2009 8:50:46 AM

Don Jones writes:
If a ball touches the out of ball line is it out of bounds or does the entire ball need to be out of bounds?

10/17/2009 3:05:33 PM

Tom writes:
Aaron - I will assume by your question that you are speaking of a lateral water hazard (red stakes and lines). You would have 5 possible options. One is you could play the ball from the lateral water hazard if that is possible, but could not ground your club in the hazard; two, you could return to where you hit your last shot; three, you could drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; four, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or; five, drop a ball 2 club lengths from a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole. Options 2 through 5 would include a one stroke penalty. If it was a regular water hazard (yellow stakes and lines) only options 1 through 3 would apply. This is covered in Rule 26-1.

9/29/2009 5:16:15 AM

Tom writes:
Jerry Ugland - In WSGA the only distance measuring devices that are acceptible are devices that only measure distance. If the device is capable of measuring some other mode, even if that function can be turned off, it is not acceptilble and the penalty would be disqualication.

9/23/2009 6:52:42 AM

Jerry Ugland writes:
If a golfer has a range finder that indicates or uses elevation in its calculation, and the mode that provides elevation is turned off, can the range finder be used in a WSGA amateur event?

9/22/2009 9:48:40 PM

brian mckinley writes:
team member's ball rolled into a small hole in a sand trap. looked like an impact hole from a previous ball to me, but he declared it a "duck's footprint," lifted his ball, raked the area, replaced his ball and played from there. if he was entitled to relief for an "abnormal ground condition," i think he employed the wrong procedure: he should have dropped the ball within a club length and held off raking until after the shot; but i'm not sure he's entitled to any relief. what types of "holes" do you get relief from? and what is a "runway," as in "hole, cast or runway?"

9/20/2009 9:22:09 PM

Tom writes:
Al - No, it would be required that the ball come to rest when replaced. You would be required to place the ball at the nearest spot not nearer the hole where it would be at rest when placed.

9/20/2009 1:46:25 PM

Tom writes:
Jerry Barr - Your question is addressed in section 7-1 of the USGA Handicap System manual. It states: Acceptability of Scores When Playing Preferred Lies Scores made when a local rule for preferred lies and/or winter rules is in effect must be posted for handicap purposes unless the committee (preferably the Handicap Committee in consultation with the committee in charge of the course) determines that conditions are so poor that such scores should not be posted. Individual players playing the course do not independently decide whether scores are acceptable because of this condition. If an individual decides to apply some form of this local rule and the committee has not invoked such a rule, the player's score is acceptable and must be posted for handicap purposes. So, I am assuming that the tournament committee did not inform you to not post your scores, then the score should be posted for handicap purposes.

9/20/2009 6:25:53 AM

Charlie Brunau writes:
I hit a shot into a very dense wooded and brushy area. I find the ball but it is not playable due to the density of the area. The area is not marked as a hazard and I cannot get relief by taking two club lengths as it does not get me to a spot where I could play the ball. Other than the two club length option, can I choose to go back to spot from where I originally played the ball, because to go back, behind the area where the ball landed is impossible as it is more dense trees and brush. Summary: is it true I had these three options? And if I had not found the ball, was my only option to go back to the original spot?

9/18/2009 5:46:48 PM

al writes:
a ball lands on the back of a green , in an area of considerable slope , and comes to rest in its own pitch mark. However when the mark is repaired and flat, it is impossible for the ball to be placed without it rolling. Do you allow it to roll and play it where it then lies?

9/18/2009 1:13:54 PM

Tom writes:
Ben - This Decision addresses your question: 27-2a/4 Three Balls Played from Same Spot; Only Second Ball Was Provisional Ball Q. A player, believing his tee shot might be lost or out of bounds, plays a provisional ball. His provisional ball is struck in the same direction as the original ball and, without any announcement, he plays another ball from the tee. This ball comes to rest on the fairway. What is the ruling? A. If the original ball is not lost or out of bounds, the player must continue play with that ball without penalty. If the original ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must continue play with the third ball played from the tee as, when this ball was played without any announcement, it rendered the provisional ball lost, regardless of the provisional ball's location. The player would lie 5 with the third ball played from the tee. In both situations, the third ball bears a relationship only to the previous ball played, i.e. the provisional ball. So in your question the first ball hit from the tee is in play.

9/18/2009 4:34:08 AM

Ben writes:
On a tee shot, a golfer may have hit their ball OB. They clearly state they are hitting a provisional and that provisional drive clearly goes OB. They hit a third tee shot without calling it a provisional. The golfer ends up finding their first ball in play, whats the ruleing?

9/16/2009 9:54:04 PM

Tom writes:
Shingo - Assuming your ball was at rest when you picked up the coin and you did not do anything to cause your ball to move, your ball would be holed and your score would be whatever you lied when you marked the ball.

9/15/2009 12:03:42 PM

Tom writes:
Mike Landry - If you are using the option under Rule 28-c that allows you to drop within 2 club lengths of where your ball lies unplayable (and I am assuming not in a hazard) when you drop a ball it must hit within that 2 club lengths and it must not hit the course closer to the hole than where your unplayable ball was. If your ball meets these requirements when dropped and then rolls outside the 2 club lengths, it is in play as long as it does not roll closer to the hole than where your ball lied unplayable, does not roll more than 2 club lengths from where the ball struck the course, rolls and comes to rest in a hazard, rolls and come to rest on a putting green or rolls and comes to rest out of bounds. So in you situation it is possible for a ball if dropped close to the far margin of the 2 club lengths, it could roll almost 2 club lengths and still be in play. So that would be almost 4 club lengths from the where the original ball was unplayable.

9/15/2009 11:52:06 AM

Paul writes:
While playing a round I faded a ball to the right of the green that was severely sloped. Luckily I found my ball on the hillside. While inspecting the lie I found that my ball was sitting directly on top of another ball. Being unsure how to proceed I marked the ball and removed the other ball and placed the ball back in its original location minus the other ball. Now I'm not sure that was the proper way to proceed. What were my options in that situation?

9/11/2009 11:34:55 AM

Tom writes:
Byron Chase - The penalty is a 2-stroke and is covered in Rule 4-4a.

9/8/2009 9:47:19 AM

Tom writes:
Dan Anderson - The answer to your question is addressed in Decision 23-1/2. It states: Large Stone Removable Only with Much Effort Q. A player's ball lies in the rough directly behind a loose stone the size of a watermelon. The stone can be removed only with much effort. Is it a loose impediment which may be removed? A. Yes. Stones of any size (not solidly embedded) are loose impediments and may be removed, provided removal does not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7). So, in your case if you could not remove the stone or play a shot, you would have to proceed under the unplayable ball rule.

9/8/2009 9:26:52 AM

Tom writes:
Dwight Kerr - The answwer to your question is found in Rule 24-1a. The rake is considered a movable obstruction. Rule 24-1a states: If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction, the obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it must be replaced, and there is no penalty, provided that the movement of the ball is directly attributable to the removal of the obstruction. So the answer to your question is that the ball should have been replaced. If it would not come to rest on that spot it should be placed on the nearest spot not closer to the hole where it will be at rest when placed.

9/8/2009 9:06:33 AM

Byron Chase writes:
What is the penalty for using a competitor's club in stroke play.

9/7/2009 6:01:18 PM

Dan Anderson writes:
A large rock (uable to be moved unless you have Tiger Woods' friends) is being used as a 150 yard marker and is about 15 yards away from the fairway. A ball lies next to it and the player is unable to swing at it. Does the player get free relief? Thanks.

9/6/2009 12:39:05 PM

Dwight Kerr writes:
My ball came to rest on the grass face of a bunker against a rake that was incorrectly placed on the grass face instead of in the bunker; I move the rake to play my ball, and the ball moves. Where do I play my next shot from? I played it from the spot where it finally came to rest, was this correct or should I have replaced it to the spot where it had been against the rake?

9/5/2009 9:30:43 PM

David Cohn writes:
Hank - Under Rule 6-6d, "The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned stands." In your situation, you would not be disqualified, but you would be required to take the higher score that you signed for.

9/3/2009 8:44:11 AM

David Cohn writes:
Louis- Under the definition of Out of Bounds, "objects defining out of bounds such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed." If you could not play the ball from where it lies, you would need to declare it unplayable and proceed under Rule 28 with a penalty.

9/2/2009 3:22:04 PM

Tom writes:
RJ - Your question can only be answered with a little more information. The question that needs to be answered is where is the OB line. Is the line on the course side of the bushes or on the side of the bshes away from the cart path. For instance if the bushes were not there, would the player be able to stand with his feet off of the cart path and play a ball without the ball being OB. If that is the case the player nearest point of relief would be in the bushes, so he would most likely have to play his shot off of the cart path or call the ball unplayable. If the OB is so close that the player would not be able to drop in bounds and have his feet off of the cart path if the bushes were not there, then the nearest point of relief on the course would be on the fairway side of the cart path. In this case the player would get free relief.

9/1/2009 2:29:42 PM

RJ writes:
A golfer's ball comes to rest on the cart path that is next to the bushes that mark the out of bounds line. Without a drop, the out of bound bushes will restrict the golfer's swing. Does the golfer get a free drop on the other side of the cart path away from the out of bounds?

8/30/2009 4:56:41 PM

John writes:
Tom Purcell - Under the circumstances, the scores are acceptable scores for handicap purposes.

8/27/2009 12:23:19 PM

Tom writes:
Steve Bohlman - It is permissable to mark a ball off the green on several occasions. The situation that you describe is one situation. This is covered in Rule 22. If a player feels a ball may assist or interfere with play he may have it marked. If it is off the green the ball cannot be cleaned when lifted. A ball may be marked off the green to identify the ball or to check for damage. In either case specific rules must be adhered followed and the ball may not be cleaned. Check Rule 5-3 and Rule 12-2.

8/26/2009 4:10:16 PM

Tom writes:
Bob Shaughnessy - This is covered is in Rule 24-2 that states, "Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction." So if your ball is in a water hazard you would not get relief from any immovable obstruction (cart path, brdge, etc.)

8/26/2009 2:32:35 PM

tom purcell writes:
A club uses a combination of stroke and match play for its men's league competition. This is clearly not permissible per 33-1. The scores are submitted for handicap. Are the scores legitimate?

8/25/2009 6:56:12 PM

Steve Bohlman writes:
Is it every permissible to mark a ball off the green? My ball and my opponent's ball (in a handicap medal/match league) came to rest touching each other in the fairway just off the green. We decide (without a rules official available)that we must mark the closer ball so the further ball can be struck. Then the closer ball was replaced and struck. Our league official had no idea what to do and i cannot find a ruling in my USGA rules book.

8/24/2009 10:45:06 PM

bob shaughnessy writes:
ball is in hazard to the right edge of cartpath.do you get relief if you have hazard on both sides of cartpath or only if it is only on the right side?

8/24/2009 10:16:56 AM

Tom writes:
Anthony Stebbins - Yes, he may have the flag put back in.

8/21/2009 9:34:39 AM

Anthony Stebbins writes:
If a player who is on the green and putts his ball and it rolls off the green, can he have to flag put back in the hole?

8/21/2009 8:39:16 AM

Tom writes:
Vince Joaquin - Decision 24-2b/6 covers your first question. Q. A player's ball is in such a position that a boundary fence and an immovable obstruction near the fence both interfere with the area of the player's intended swing. It is reasonable for him to play the stroke despite the interference from the boundary fence. If the player takes relief from the obstruction under Rule 24-2b, he will incidentally get relief from the fence. Is the player entitled to invoke Rule 24-2b in such circumstances? A. Yes. Your second question is covered by the Exception in Rule 24-2 : A player may not take relief under this Rule if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction or (b) interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. A situation such as you are decribing would best be seen to give the most accurate final answer.

8/20/2009 4:53:04 PM

Tom writes:
Tim - If I envision your situation correctly this would be the answer. If as you say there does not seem to be a local rule that provides for relief from an oranamental flower bed then you would play the ball as it lies. This certainly could be the case, although most courses have a local rule to give relief from these situations just to prevent damage to the flowers. In your case you say the there is plastic edging outlining the area that the ball is resting against. The plastic edging would be an immovable obstruction that the player would be intitled to relief without penalty under Rule 24-2. He would find his nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole where he would not have interference from the obstruction (for swing or stance) and then one club length from that point. He would drop the ball within that area without penalty. With that said there also is an exception in that Rule 24-2 that states: "a player may not take relief under this Rule if it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke." Without seeing the situation I cannot be sure, but you say that the plastic edging outlines the area so I think the player could hit the ball if the plastic edging was not there.

8/20/2009 4:10:19 PM

Vince Joaquin writes:
On a par 3 hole on my course there is a cart path to the right of the green. Next to the path is about a 2-foot wide area of colored stone and then a 6-foot tall wooden fence that defines out of bounds. Under the rules a player is not entitled to free relief from any object which defines out of bounds. So, if a golfer's ball comes to rest in the stones in such a way that, to hit the ball, he would be standing on the cart path, would he be entitled to free relief from the cart path even though the drop would also afford him relief from the fence which marks out of bounds? Am I right in assuming that a golfer does NOT get free relief from an immovable obstruction (such as a cart path) if, by taking relief from the obstruction, he would also be taking relief from an object that defines out of bounds? This raises another question. Does the same rule apply if a player's ball is at rest in a bush next to a cart path (one that is in the middle of the course - not near any O.B.)? If the ball would otherwise be deemed unplayable, I assume the golfer would not get free relief because of the cart path, and have to proceed under the rules for an 'unplayable lie' instead.

8/20/2009 12:57:38 PM

Tim writes:
In stroke play, my competitor hit his ball into an area with small shrubs and decorative plants. The area is circular and outlined by plastic landscape edging. His ball comes to rest inside the area with the ball resting against the plastic edging. He had no swing and had to take a drop. My competitor felt he was entitled to a free drop because it was obviously a man-made area. There were no signs or markings indicating balls hit in this area received a free drop, and there was no mention of this on the score card. Is he entitled to a free drop, or should he have taken an unplayable lie penalty?

8/19/2009 12:36:04 PM

Tom writes:
Neil Kotter - Without reading exactly what the statement on your scorecard states, I would assume that the edge of the road defines the OB, so the road would be OB. So on either hole the road is OB.

8/18/2009 10:45:29 AM

Tom writes:
S. Allen - In your question you state that you do not know if the player's ball is in the water hazard. To proceed using the water hazard rule the Rules of Golf require that it is "known or virtually certain" that the ball is in the water hazard. From what you tell me your situation does not meet that requirement. So you would need to proceed under the out of bounds or lost ball rule (Rule 27). This would require that you put a ball in play from the teeing ground (last shot) with a 1-stroke penalty. There is not a 2-stroke penalty for out of bounds.

8/18/2009 10:05:10 AM

Neil Kotter writes:
Out of Bounds. We have an entry road that runs between the 2nd and 3rd hole at our course. Our scorecard states that if you hit the ball over the road it is considered "out of bounds". This is for either hole. What if the ball comes to rest on the road? Is it OB?

8/17/2009 3:32:00 PM

S. Allen writes:
I was playing a match play event the other day and there was a dispute about someone's tee shot. While teeing off, he hooks his ball left over some trees and we cleary hear the ball hit a house. There are red stakes at the edge of the trees, so he crossed the hazard before hitting the house out of bounds. What is the ruling in this particular case? 2 strokes for going out of bounds or does he get stroke and distance and 1 stroke penalty?

8/17/2009 12:35:21 PM

Tom writes:
Corinne Pivar - First advice in the Rules of Golf book is defined as "any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules, distance or matters of public information, such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice." A player that violates this Rule is subject to a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

8/14/2009 6:31:23 PM

Corinne Pivar writes:
Assuming Golf rule 8 applies, what is the rule on giving golf advice to anyone in your foursome while playing weekly league games or final Championship games? Hear complaints about this. Thank you, Corinne Pivar 618744

8/14/2009 10:08:57 AM

David Cohn writes:
Kevin T- There is no penalty as long as the movement or touching of the ball was directly attributable to the act of marking it. From Rule 20-1: "a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of lifting the ball under a Rule or marking its position, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of marking the position of or lifting the ball."

8/11/2009 3:21:19 PM

Kevin T writes:
I was in match play singles, as the guy I was playing against went down to mark his ball on the green. His marker grazed the ball, nudged it a little bit (we think it did not move from spot) and I thought this would be a 1 stroke penalty. If it was nudged or moved is this a penalty?

8/11/2009 9:58:20 AM

David Cohn writes:
Charlie- The same rule applies to both situations. Even though your ball is still marked, once you replace it, it is back in play. In both situations you would be assessed a one stroke penalty for moving your ball at rest. You would be required to replace the ball back in the spot from which it was moved.

8/10/2009 10:41:27 AM

Charlie Brunau writes:
I have placed my ball on the green and removed my marker. I am taking practice strokes next to the ball and my putter head accidentally strikes the ball. At this point I have not taken my putting stance and I have not grounded the putter...simply taking practice strokes as most players do. Is there a penalty? Furthermore, if I had left my marker in place behind the ball and accidentally struck the ball with a practice stroke would this absolve me of any penalty?

8/9/2009 9:05:26 PM

Tom writes:
Chris Kerry - Your question is covered in Rule 19-5b. It reads as follows: 19-5. By Another Ball b. In Motion If a player's ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by another ball in motion after a stroke, the player must play his ball as it lies. There is no penalty. So, in your question there is no penalty for either player as long as both shots were played from off of the green. The balls are played from where they come to rest. I do not know the odds of this happening, but I have played golf for over 40 years and I do not recall ever seeing it happen. The answer would be the same for match or stroke play.

8/9/2009 6:01:16 AM

Tom writes:
Dennis Cahill - Assuming that playing the ball in the water hazard is not an option, there are two options available to you. One is to hit a shot from the spot where you last played, in this case the teeing ground. The second option is to drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped.

8/7/2009 3:22:04 PM

Tom writes:
Pat Ohlendorf - The Father-Daughter tournament is put on by the Wisconsin Women's State Golf Association. You can get to their web site by clicking the NEWS area on the WSGA web site and then going to Allied Association, then Wisconsin Women's State Golf Association.

8/5/2009 10:59:18 AM

Tom writes:
Jesse Haggitn - The USGA in developing the Slope Handicap System has found statistically that in courses shorter than 3000 yards for 18 holes the system does not work accurately. Therefore, scores shot on these courses are not used in the Slope Handicap System.

8/4/2009 4:48:01 AM

Tom writes:
Frank Csizmadia - The "L" on the Trend Handicap stands for local. This means that this Handicap Index is designed only for use at your local club when playing with club members. If you are playing an away cours you should be using your Official Handicap Index>

8/4/2009 4:35:58 AM

Richard Saks writes:
In our club event, a player used a Titleist x-out ball which is not on USGA conforming ball list. Our club bylaws provide that we will play by all USGA rules, but we have not adopted a rule that requires players to use only balls on conforming ball list, as stated in the Note to Rule 5.1. We have no evidence that the x-out ball violates any of the ball requirements in Appendix III to the rules. Should the player who uses the x-out ball be disqualified?

8/3/2009 3:45:11 PM

Tom writes:
Charles O'Rourke - I do not know the answer to your question. I would suggest that you call the USGA and ask for the Balls and Implement area. They may be able to answer your question. The telephone is 800-222-USGA.

8/1/2009 4:40:41 PM

charles o'rourke writes:
Is my BEAR CLAW chipper with a milled face legal. It has a round grip and offset shaft. Made by Golden Bear. The shaft enters the clubhead near the absolute heal but not at the total end of the head. It can only be played off the front face.

8/1/2009 7:52:18 AM

Mike writes:
I see many pros push the ball into the hole when a putt stops very close to the hole. I did not think this constitutes a stroke but it seems to be let go all the time. Is pushing in a putt permissable?

7/31/2009 4:23:17 PM

Jeff writes:
I am on the green. Another player hits his approach onto the green. His ball hits mine, must I replace the ball to the original spot or can I play it from the new spot?

7/30/2009 4:47:26 PM

Tom writes:
Charles O'Rourke - The answer to your question is answered in Decision 4-1/3 (Status of Chipper) It states, "the Rules which apply to chippers include: (1) The shaft must be attached to the clubhead at the heal (Appendix, 2c); (2)The grip must be circular in cross-section (Appendix II,3(i)and only one grip is permitted (Appendix II,3(v); (3)The clubhead must be gererally plain in shape (Appendicx II, 4a)and have only one striking face (Appendix II,4d); and (4) the face of the club must conform to specifications with regard to hardness, surface roughness, material and markings in the impact area (Appendix II,5). So if your chipper meets these requirements then it is a legal club.

7/30/2009 4:29:41 PM

Charles O'Rourke writes:
I am a 7 and have a chipper that resembles a putter, but puts a little loft on the ball. It's made by Nicklaus and many of my partners say it's illegal. You can only hit with one side of the club. I've checked with golf stores and they say it's legal for amateurs. Can you help me?

7/30/2009 2:26:01 PM

Doc writes:
A player stands with the club a few inches from the ball and takes several practice swings. During the swings he knocks several pine needles and a cone from a medium size branch that is overhanging his lie. The branch is still in his swing path and most of the needles and cones remain after the practice swing. Has there been a violation of improving the intended area of a swing.

7/28/2009 8:53:32 PM

Byron Chase writes:
Can the pin be attended for a shot from off the green?

7/15/2009 10:46:59 AM

Tom writes:
Doug Thiessen - The Rules of Golf allows a person to "fairly take his stance." Under Rule 13-2 (Decision -2/1)it is explained what a player can do to fairly take a stance. Your description of using your hand to hold a tree branch while you hit the ball is a violation of Rule 13-2 and you would incur a 2-stroke penalty.

7/13/2009 7:54:21 PM

Tom writes:
Doug Ramstack - The USGA in the Miscellaneous Decisions section of the Decisions of the Rules of Golf suggest that the rakes be left outside the bunkers (sand traps) in a position where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball. In your question the rake is a movable obstruction. If a golfball is stopped or comes to rest against a movable obstruction (in this case the rake) you merely remove the rake. If the golfball moves it must be replaced and there is no penalty involved. Rule 24-1a covers this situation.

7/13/2009 7:40:56 PM

doug thiessen writes:
Can a person hold up a tree branch that his/her ball lies underneath with one hand while playing the shot with the other and still be playing in accordance with the rules? Thankyou, Doug

7/13/2009 7:47:01 AM

Doug Ramstack writes:
By course protocol rakes are to be placed in the sand traps. Player hits into the trap under the lip. Player takes a rake and places it near his position without testing conditions. While playing his shot it hits the lip and rolls back into the rake. Does player incur any penalties? How should player proceed? Thank you.

7/11/2009 1:23:23 PM

Max writes:
if a player taps the ball off the tee when address his drive, is this a stroke?

7/10/2009 10:17:17 AM

Tom writes:
Terry - I am not sure if I understand your question. When dropping from a cart path (or any immovable obstruction) there is only one nearest point of relief. From that point you may drop within one club length not nearer the hole. So, I think your answer is whatever side is your nearest point of relief that would be the side you would have to drop.

7/8/2009 4:43:34 AM

Terry Wilkins writes:
Ball rests on the right 1/3 of the cart path while standing behind with green in front of me. If I take a drop, am I required to drop within one club length, no closer to hole only to right side of path?

7/6/2009 7:57:22 AM

Tom writes:
Brian - The WSGA is not using the "one ball rule" in any of its 2009 competition.

7/6/2009 7:26:15 AM

Brian Siebers writes:
A couple of quick follow-ups to the previous question. #1 Simply, is there a "USGA" rule that states you can't change golf balls after each hole. #2 If I play in a tournament and the "committee" or "Director" does not specifically inform players of the "one ball condition" only that all "USGA" rules apply, would I without penalty be able to switch balls after each hole?

7/5/2009 2:40:04 PM

John Engel writes:
If your ball lies just outside a "ground under repair" area, but you are standing in the ground under repair area while you are addressing the ball, would you get relief of any kind?

7/5/2009 9:40:06 AM

David Cohn writes:
Thomas - There is nothing in the Rules of Golf that prohibits both balls from being marked in a different position.

7/2/2009 10:54:17 AM

David Cohn writes:
Ralph - To determine the nearest point of relief, you should use the club with which you would make your next stroke if the cart path were not there. The nearest point to where the ball lies on the cartpath would bee your reference point and then you would be allowed to drop one club-length from that point, no closer to the hole.

7/2/2009 10:29:07 AM

Thomas Theusch writes:
Two of my fellow competitors had balls marked with coins only a few inches from each other and in the apporoximate line of my putt. I asked both to move their coins to the outside of or away from each other to give me a larger area for my intended putt to roll through. One of the fellow competitors stated I could only ask one but not both to move their coin. Thoughts?

7/1/2009 2:28:10 PM

Ralph Nennig writes:
My ball went over the green onto a cart path that circled the green by 6 in.should I take off the cart path between the green and the cart path on a radial line,no closer to the hole,which would have been about 20 feet. Or take it on the other side of the cart path which would of been 10 feet.

6/28/2009 12:55:27 PM

Chuck writes:
I hit my drive very near OB but it was still in-bounds. Near where my ball came to rest there was a telephone pole located out-of-bounds. The pole had guy wire mounted to it that was anchored to the ground in-bounds. The guy wire was interfering with my swing...am I entitled relief?

6/26/2009 1:20:54 PM

Tom writes:
Doc - Decision 34/2 answers your question. Q. In error, a referee authorized a player to infringe a Rule of Golf. Is the player absolved from penalty in such a case? A. Yes. Under Rule 34-2, a referee's decision is final, whether or not the decision is correct.

6/26/2009 11:42:23 AM

Tom writes:
Robert - There is nothing in the rules of golf to prevent you from doing what you did other than in a tounament format you could be penalized for delay of play (slow play) if you group was being timed.

6/26/2009 10:36:59 AM

Tom writes:
Jeff - A tree stump from a recently cut tree is not ground under by definition. In the definition of ground under repair it states that material piled for removal is ground under repair,i.e., like grass clippings. To answer your question, unless the tree stump is marked as ground under repair, you are dealing with a short tree. You would either play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 28; Unpalyable Ball.

6/24/2009 7:19:01 AM

Jeff writes:
What is the ruling for a ball which comes to rest on a tree stump from a recently removed tree? Is this ground under repair?

6/23/2009 3:36:44 PM

Tom writes:
Rick Binder - If I can visualize correctly what you state in your question, you are placing the putter behind the ball and not in front of the ball. There is nothing in the rules to disallow that. You are not in the line of putt as that is the line your putt will travel from the ball to the hole. So as long as you are not pressing down spike marks of the like it is within the rules to use that procedure.

6/21/2009 5:11:31 AM

Tom writes:
Victor Chua - Rule 18-1 states " If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency (golf cart from other foursome), there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced (not dropped)." The ball may be cleaned and this answer is found in Rule 21 that states "A ball on a putting green may be cleaned when lifted under rule 16-1b. Elsewhere, a ball may be cleaned when lifted, except when it has be lifted: a)To dtermine if it is unfit for play, b) for identification, in which it may be cleaned only to the extent necessary for identification, or c)because it is assisting or interfering with play."

6/21/2009 4:50:56 AM

Pat Kawula writes:
My drive on a par 4 dog leg right is found "in play" a few feet before white out-of-bounds stakes. Immediately behind the white stakes (less than a foot) and before the ditch and county road is a wooden fence. I know that I would not be able to remove or take relief from the white stakes if they interfered with my stance or swing, however, does that also apply to the wooded fence located behind the white stakes?

6/18/2009 3:31:21 PM

CAREY M WOLF writes:
IF YOU HIT YOUR DRIVE AND ARE NOT SURE THAT IT IS OUT OF BOUNDS,THEN HIT A PROVISIONAL,MY QUESTION IS:CAN YOU PLAY THE PROVISIONAL UP TO YOUR BALL,IF YOU FIND IT INBOUNDS AND PLAY THE ORIGINAL DRIVE WITH NO PENALTY OR DOES THE PROVISIONAL BALL BECOME THE BALL IN PLAY,AFTER YOU HIT IT PAST FIRST DRIVE?

6/17/2009 8:05:51 AM

Jay Cox writes:
Recently I observed this situation and didn't have an answer. A player was laying up short of a water hazard, the ball rolled across the cart path and stopped in some heavy grass just inside the red hazard stake. To hit his shot he would be standing on the cart path. He asked if he could get relief from the cart path even though he was in the hazard??

6/14/2009 3:59:26 PM

dick Gosch writes:
When taking an unplayable lie,using the two club length option,does the dropped ball have to remain within the two club lengths or can it roll an additional two club lengths no nearer the hole ?

6/12/2009 4:00:08 PM

Bob Sullivan writes:
Over the years I have seen players line-up for a putt, place their putter in front of the ball (between ball and hole)as part of their "pre-putt" routine, and then proceed to putt the ball. If in doing this they grounded the club while placing it in front of the ball, would this be considered influencing or improving their line?

6/10/2009 8:23:24 PM

David Cohn writes:
Doug - The only equipment you are prohibited from borrowing from other players is clubs. Using a tee you find on the course would not be a breach of any Rule.

6/10/2009 7:02:51 AM

RICH LUCZKOWSKI writes:
I'm on the putting green and as I'm moving my putter forward to strike the ball. it begins to move. I don't stop my stroke and proceed to hit the ball. What is the ruling?

6/8/2009 3:27:04 PM

Ray writes:
In a match, my drive landed in a long sand trap. My next stroke moved the ball ~30 feet down range but still in the trap. I raked the original ball position before moving to the next shot in the same bunker. Is there a penalty?

6/6/2009 8:05:45 PM

Jeff L. writes:
The suspension of the 'one ball rule' in our WSGA events has brought up a question. Must you finish a hole with the same type of ball you started? If, for instance, you hit your approach on a par 4 into a water hazard, must you use the same type of ball when you drop?

6/3/2009 10:18:40 PM

Tom writes:
Al - a)The definition of a provisional ball is a ball put in play for a ball that "may be lost outside of a water hazard or out of bounds." Since the player's original ball is not lost or out of bounds and if the player declares his original ball unplayable he must proceed under the Rule 28 (Unplayable Ball)and the provisional is no longer a factor. His options are to play a ball as near as possible at the spot where his ball was last played; drop a ball behind where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far back it may be droppped or drop a ball within two club-lenghts of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole. b)If one of the actions that makes a ball lost (such as the 5 minute time limit - check definition of lost ball) has not occured the player is required to identify the found ball. c) After the player hits the ball into an area he does not want to have the ball found, the player may put another ball in play not announcing that it is a provisional ball. By definition this action makes the first ball lost and the second ball hit the ball in play. d)Unless one of the actions required to make a ball lost has occurred the player is required to identify the found ball and that would be his ball in play if it is his ball. e) The rules do not mandate that you have to look for a ball and on the flip side the rules do not prevent your opponent or fellow competitor from looking for your ball. Once you have met one of the actions that make your ball lost even if the opponent or fellow competitor finds your ball it is no longer the ball in play.

6/1/2009 6:13:34 AM

Al Vick writes:
During a tournament, a player hit a tee shot 50 yards into a nasty, tall grass, wooded area not marked as a hazzard. He then declared that he would hit a provisional. a) If he finds the ball, but it is virtually unplayable, does he have the option to simply play the provisional? b) If he decides that after looking for it that he has given up and will play his provisional and then another guy finds it, does he now have to play the original ball? c) After hitting the first ball, can he immediately declare it lost and then hit and play a provisional even if another player decides to look for his first ball and finds it? d) If after hitting the provisional he doesn't declare anything except that he hit a provisional, another player asks him if he wants to look for the first ball and he says "no, forget about it", but another player finds it anyway, does he have to play it? e) Do the rules mandate that you must look fo a ball even if you really don't want to?

5/29/2009 7:52:56 AM

David Cohn writes:
Cliff Lawson – No. Under Rule 18-2, a player may not purposely touch their ball while it is in play other than with a club in the act of addressing it or when permitted to touch it under a specific rule. If a player did as you suggest, the player would be assessed a one stroke penalty. If the ball were moved from its original position, the player would be required to replace the ball in that position.

5/26/2009 3:53:27 PM

Dave Ullenberg writes:
This question arose in a recent tournament. A player hit his approach shot onto the front edge of the green. It spun off onto the fringe, leaving his ball mark on the green between the ball and the hole. Deciding to putt from off the green, the player felt it was not permissible to repair the ball mark left by his ball on the green and in his intended line of play. Our group debated whether or not he was allowed to repair the ball mark. What is the correct ruling?

5/26/2009 12:13:52 PM

benny dier writes:
(This is a true situation that occurred in 2005 at Pine Acres Golf Course in Abrams, WI) A playing partner played his tee shot on the 8th hole off a tree into the middle of the fairway just over 100 yards out. A red fox comes from the treeline to the center of the fairway, picks up the ball and jogs back into the woods with the ball in his mouth. What is the ruling?

5/26/2009 9:46:19 AM

SCOTT HEPPE writes:
Difference of Red Stakes and Yellow Stakes ?

5/24/2009 5:09:48 PM

Charlie Brunau writes:
Ball lying in a sand bunker. On my backswing I strike the sand that was unevenly raked and caused a ridge behind my ball. Is there a penalty for striking the sand on the backswing?

5/22/2009 5:59:55 PM

Rob Pratel writes:
Is it true that under USGA rules a course shouldn't have Out of bounds within the course (meaning area's inside the course and not on the outline of the course)?

5/20/2009 4:01:22 PM

Tom writes:
Matt - The groove situation is a new area and the WSGA has not fully researched what will be done in the future. But it appears that other than USGA Open Qualifiers, current clubs will be allowable at least to the 2014 season.

5/20/2009 2:39:38 PM

Tom writes:
James Kirsh - Your question is covered in Decision 2-4/6. When a putt is conceded the the player may putt his ball and there would be no penalty. "However, if the act would be of assistance to a partner in a four-ball or best-ball match, the partner is, in equity (Rule 1-4), disqualified for the hole.

5/20/2009 2:29:15 PM

Tom writes:
Gary - The answer to your question lies in Rule 13-2. The rules states that you may touch the area behind the ball "in gounding the club lightly when addressing the ball." In your question it appears that the player is pressing a club behind the ball and that is a violation of Rule 13-2. The player would incur a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play or a loss of hole in match play.

5/20/2009 2:14:54 PM

Matt Radish writes:
Just bought Cleveland Zip Groove Sand and Lob Wedge. Am I allowed to use the clubs for WSGA sponsored events like the Net Partners, Governor and Director Cup events through 2013?

5/19/2009 9:01:09 PM

JAMES KIRSH writes:
In a two man team match play contest player A's ball lies on the green outside of player B, his partner, on the same line. Is A required to accept a conceded putt? The purpose of the concession would be to prevent player A from giving the line to his partner, B, who is putting to win the hole.Can he refuse the concession and still putt his ball?

5/19/2009 10:49:18 AM

Cody writes:
FIRST QUESTION: A local rule specifies the practice range as being out of bounds, its margin defined by a line of stakes. A player's ball ends up near the margin but in deep grass, such that it is impossible to determine with any certainty whether the entire ball lies out of bounds. If no string is available to help make a definitive ruling, does the player get the benefit of the doubt? SECOND QUESTION: While addressing a putt, my putter touches the ball but does not move it. If the ball only oscillates in place, I do not incur a penalty. Correct?

5/19/2009 9:59:17 AM

Joe Sherwood writes:
I found my ball in a wooded area. I went back to my bag to get a club.Upon returning to my ball I stepped on a branch that was at least 20 feet from my ball and the ball moved. I did not see the branch under the leaves. I was a assessed a two stroked penalty. Was this correct?

5/18/2009 4:50:15 PM

Phil Puerling writes:
Is their a depth requirement for the embedded ball rule? Can you have an unplayable lie in a sand trap?

5/18/2009 11:50:08 AM

Tom writes:
Brad - When you say sudden death playoff I assume you mean a stroke play competition. The playoff in a stroke play competition is considered to be the start of a new "stipulated round" and, therefore, you may change clubs in your bag. If you need to go to extra holes in a match play competition you may not change clubs, because this is not considered the start of a new stipulated round.

5/18/2009 4:19:43 AM

Brad Smith writes:
In a sudden death playoff, are you allowed to change clubs in your bag from what you used in regulation?

5/17/2009 6:52:00 PM

ed pawlowski writes:
If your tee shot on a par 3 goes into a hazard and there is a drop area, must you play from it, or can you replay from the tee?

5/15/2009 12:11:36 PM

Karl writes:
Say for instance there is a pond in front of a tee box.....if you hit one in the H20, can you re-tee, or do you need to drop? Thanks.

5/14/2009 10:42:59 PM

Tom writes:
Dennis - Your ruling was correct. The answer is covered in the definition section of the Rules of Golf. A stroke is defined as the "forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at or moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reches the ball he has not made a stroke." Therefore, in your question as you had every intention to hit the ball and your club was stopped by the tree and not voluntarily you met the definition of a stroke and that should count on your score.

5/14/2009 3:24:57 AM

Dennis writes:
I am a former righty who is now a lefty. I have been carrying a right-handed club as one of my 14 for those situations where a right-handed shot would be easier to hit. I also still putt right handed. Someone said carrying and using both right and left handed clubs in the same round is a rule violation. I say it isn't. Who is right?

5/13/2009 12:59:13 PM

David Cohn writes:
Glenn- As I understand your question, the part of the cart path that the ball lies on is within the boundaries of the hazard. If this is the case, the player does not get relief because the immovable obstruction is within the hazard. However, the player may ground his club on the cart path if he chooses to play the shot.

5/11/2009 3:15:57 PM

Tom writes:
John - Rule 26-1 gives you the answer to your question. Obviously the normal options under the water hazard rule could be used. You could go and drop a ball as near as possible to where you played your last shot or you could take the flagstick and the point where your ball entered the hazard and go back on that line as far as you want. If I visulize your situation this would not be an option as you would still be in the lateral water hazard. The option of dropping within 2 club lengths of the point where your ball last entered the hazard would be your other choice. You may drop in the bunker with the following paremeters. The ball must land on a spot within the 2 club lengths of where you crossed the lateral water hazard line and not be nearer the hole than the point where the original ball crossed the margin of the water hazard. There is no restriction of not dropping in a bunker within this rule. Rule 20-2c would cover any limitations when the dropped ball hit the ground, such as the ball cannot roll closer to the hole than the point where the ball entered the water hazard, cannot roll more than 2 club lengths, etc. There would be a 1-stroke penalty for hitting into the lateral water hazard.

5/9/2009 9:31:22 AM

Tom writes:
Mike Desson - The answer to your question is answered in the definition of out of bounds; "When out of bounds is defined by reference stakes (posts).... the out of bounds is determined by the nearest inside points at ground level of the stakes (posts)...." So the ball in your question is out of bounds.

5/8/2009 9:16:26 AM

Mike Desson writes:
A ball lies between two out of bounds markers. If a string was strung on the outside of the posts (OB side), 1/4 of the ball would be course side of the string. If the string was strung on the inside(course side) of the posts, none of the ball would be on the course side of the string. Is the ball out of bounds?

5/8/2009 8:59:10 AM

Tork Fog writes:
Are you allowed to touch another player's marker on the green?

5/6/2009 5:53:53 AM

Tom writes:
Chuck - There are several variables that may make the answer to your question different. Let us assume that the water hazard is so close to the cart path (less than a club length) that you could not take a stance off the cart path without your club resting within the water hazard. In this case when you measure two clubs lengths and your drop would be on the cart path. Assuming that when you drop the ball on the cart path it would roll more than two club lengths or closer to the hole you would need to re-drop. And assuming you would get the same response on the second drop you would then place the ball where it hit the cart path on the second drop. You would now have a ball in play on the cart path. You could either play it from there or take relief. Relief would be on the side away from the water hazard as you could not take relief on the side near the water hazard as your ball would then be in the hazard. If the water hazard let us say in 1 1/2 club lengths from the hazard line you would do the same procedure by measuring your two club lengths for relief. Now you can drop anywhere within the two club lengths, so it would be possible for you to drop near the hazard line and play the shot without your feet on the cart path. If you choose to drop on the cart path as above you again would have the choice of whether to play the ball off the cart path or to take relief. Relief in this situation would be on the water hazard of the cart path.

5/5/2009 6:56:46 AM

Tom writes:
Del - The designation of the tees is left up to the club's committee. Tees are gender neutral as either gender can play from any set of tees. Generally if there are three sets of tees the most forward set of tees are played by women, the middle set of tees is most often played by men of average handicaps and the back tees are used by low handicaps. As there are different ratings for women and men, the WSGA will rate the two most forward tees for women and the two most back tees for men. Once there is a rating for either gender, a player could play from any set of tees and even if that set of tees is not rated for their gender there is a chart in the USGA Handicap System manual that will adjust the rating from that set of tees based on the difference of yardage of the rated set of tees. As some of the newer course have up to five sets of tees, it does give the golfer a choice of a course of a distance of course that would make their round more enjoyable. With this all said, on a course with five sets of tees generally the most forward tees are played by women, with the second most forward tees played by more accomplished women and senior men. The middle set of tees are used by most men, with the next set of back tees played by lower handicaps. The very back set of tees are used by very low handicap players and also used for championship play. It is up to the club's committee to name these tees and designate whatever color they feel appropriate.

5/5/2009 5:29:21 AM

Tony Dai writes:
A ball comes to rest on the grass between a chain link fence and a paved cart path. The player is right handed so the chain link fence does not allow a full swing. The player addresses the ball left handed but has to stand on the cart path. Does the player get relief from the cart path since the player must stand on the cart path to address the ball?

5/4/2009 6:56:37 AM

Tom writes:
Tom - The answer to your question is you can use any club to measure that you have selected to use during the round. You also may borrow any club to measure as long as the club is not longer than any of the clubs you have selected for the round.

5/2/2009 2:39:53 AM

David Cohn writes:
Ben- Since your ball came to rest within the margin of a water hazard, you would have the option of playing the ball as it lies or taking relief under Rule 26 under penalty of one stroke. Your relief options are: “If a ball is in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke: a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.” (USGA.org) If you wanted to play the ball as it lies, you would be required to swim to the boat to play the shot. If you moved the boat or requested that the boat be moved, you would be penalized under Rule 18 for moving a ball at rest. If you play the ball as it lies, you would be allowed to ground your club on the boat since it is an obstruction.

5/1/2009 9:06:05 AM

ben writes:
After a nasty slice my ball landed on a small fishing boat sitting in the river near the edge of the rough near the fairway, it ended up on the front deck where normally a chair and fisher sits but unbelievably was playable with possibly room for a swing, does the rules allow for me to swim out to the boat or have the boat come to shore so i could play it?

4/30/2009 9:49:11 PM

David Cohn writes:
Robert- Decision 27/20 “Public Road Defined as Out of Bounds Divided Course; Status of Ball Crossing Road” addresses this exact situation. It states, “Q. A public road defined as out of bounds divides a course. A ball crosses the road and comes to rest on the part of the course on the other side of the road. Is the ball out of bounds? A. No. Since the ball lies on the course, it is in bounds unless a Local Rule provides otherwise. However, because it is unfair that a ball on the road is out of bounds and a ball beyond it is in bounds, it is suggested that the following Local Rule should be adopted: ‘A ball which crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road is out of bounds, even though it may lie on another part of the course.’”

4/27/2009 2:17:50 PM

David Cohn writes:
Meg- If her ball would have rolled into the hole instead of a water hazard, she would have been deemed to have holed out with her previous stroke (ie. she was lying 3 when she marked, and her ball rolled into the hole, her score would have been 3). In this situation, she has to take the bad with the good.

4/27/2009 1:47:13 PM

Jay Cox writes:
In a 2 man match play event I hit my second shot into a par 4, the shot faded towards a water hazard where there was a red stake but also a white stake marking a property line. The ball bounced towards the water hazard but no one could actually see it enter the hazard. Upon arriving at the red and white stakes the ball could not be found or identified in the hazard. I dropped within two club lengths of the red stake where I last saw my ball and played my next shot. What is the correct ruling? Thanks Jay C.

4/25/2009 1:07:42 PM

David Cohn writes:
Meg- Please see the following statement from from Doug Brecht, LPGA vice president rules and competition: “During the second round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Ji Young Oh’s ball was at rest on the 18th green. She marked her ball, cleaned it, replaced it and was backing up to line up her putt when the ball started rolling. The ball subsequently came to rest in the hazard in front of the green. Ji Young should have been instructed to: 1. Keep the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard and go back as far as she wanted; OR 2. Use the drop zone located on the tee side of the hazard; OR 3. Go back to where she played her previous shot from. “I incorrectly told her to place her ball where it was at rest before it rolled into the hazard. Because that was not an option available to her under Rule 26-1, the ruling I gave her was incorrect. The ruling stands as is and no other corrections or additions will be made to her score.” (Source: LPGA.com)

4/24/2009 9:18:28 AM

David Cohn writes:
Mont- Decision 16-1a/8 addresses this situation. “Question: A player touches his line of putt in brushing aside loose impediments with his cap or with a towel. Is this permissible? Answer: Yes, provided he did not press anything down.” Rule 16-1 states “The line of putt must not be touched except: (i) the player may remove loose impediments, provided he does not press anything down…” There are no restrictions on what the player may use to remove loose impediments from his line of putt, provided he does not press anything down when doing so.

4/23/2009 10:10:10 AM

Tom Schmidt writes:
Tom - The answer to this question is covered in decision 20-1/6. The tapping down of the coin is considered directly attributable to the specific act of marking the position of the ball. Therefore, no penalty is incurred and the coin should be replaced as near as possible to where the ball was and not closer ot the hole.

4/21/2009 8:51:34 AM

David Cohn writes:
Robert- Great question! It can be answered in two parts. First, let’s address your ball moving. It is a question as to whether or not you caused your ball to move. If you did not, it must be played as it lies in its new position. If your actions had caused the ball to move, you would be penalized one stroke under Rule 18-2 and the ball must be replaced. Next, let’s look at your decision to play a second ball. This is always a good idea when you are unsure of a rules situation in stroke play. Under Rule 3-3, “if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, he may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls.” So, you were able to play a second ball, but you did not do so under the proper procedure. When proceeding under Rule 3-3, “After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor must announce to his marker or a fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit.” Then, to determine your score for the hole since you did announce which ball you wished to count, you would look to Rule 3-3b(ii) which states, “If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision to complete the hole with two balls, or which ball he wishes to count, the score with the original ball counts, provided it has been played in accordance with the Rules.” Since it was determined that you did not cause your ball to move, the ball that moved further from the hole had been played in accordance with the rules when it was played from the new spot and should be the score that counted. I’m sure you are glad to know that your lower score counted! As for the order of play, you could play either ball first, provided that you were operating under Rule 3-3.

4/20/2009 11:00:29 AM

Robert writes:
In stroke play, I hit the green in two on a par four. I did not mark my ball; instead I pulled the flag for another player. I dropped the pin onto the ground at the edge of the green. The other players inform me that my ball just rolled away from the hole by about six feet. The ball had been stationary for a couple of minutes, so why would it roll now? I ask the others if my dropping the pin may have caused a vibration in the ground which caused the ball to start rolling. They say that they don't know. I don't either, my back has been to my ball the whole time. It's a tournament, so we decide it is best to play from both spots and consult with our pro. I start by putting from the new position, which is the farther putt, and sink it. I then putt from the original spot and two-putt. A) What's the ruling? And B) when it comes to playing out a hole both ways to ask for a ruling later, does the order in which I play the two putts matter? In this case, I was pretty sure that, penalty or no penalty, I'd get to replace the ball to the original position. Should I have hit that putt first, since it could be construed that taking the farther putt first would help me with the line for the nearer putt?

4/20/2009 9:18:55 AM

David Cohn writes:
Aimee- Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 states "After making the stroke, if the ball is still in the hazard or has been lifted from the hazard and may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard, provided nothing is done to breach Rule 13-2 with respect to his next stroke. If the ball is outside the hazard after the stroke, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard without restriction." In McIlroy's situation, as long as he did not improve his lie, area of intended stance or swing, or line of play, he did not breach Rule 13-2.

4/17/2009 10:11:25 AM

Tom Schmidt writes:
Jon, Rule 22 - Ball Assisting or Interfering with Play covers the situation that you are asking. The rule reads, except when a ball is in motion, if a player considers that a ball might assist any other player, he may lift the ball if it is his ball or have any other ball lifted. So in your question, the answer is that you could mark and lift your ball and if it is off the green you would not be allowed to clean the ball. The answer would be the same for both match or medal play.

4/17/2009 9:36:35 AM

Jon Kroeber writes:
In match or medal play, am I allowed to mark my ball which is NOT on the green if I think it may help my opponents next shot? (his ball may slide accross the green and be stopped by my ball just off the green)

4/17/2009 9:03:01 AM