GOLF RULE QUESTION 111:
Does a player incur a penalty for tapping down an irregularity behind their ball on the fairway?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 111:
The answer to this question depends on whether tapping down an irregularity behind the ball on the fairway would improve the player's lie, area of intended stance or swing (Rule 13-2).
If the irregularity was a yard (or metre) behind the ball it obviously would not.
However, if it was only an inch behind the ball it almost certainly would improve the player's area of intended swing.
Similarly, if the player tapped down an irregularity in an area on which they then wanted to take their stance. Exactly the same criteria apply if an irregularity was tapped down during a practice swing whether accidentally, or on purpose.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 112:
Do the Rules of Golf allow the use of equipment that measures distances?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 112:
Rule 14-2 states, "Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round the player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment, or use any equipment in an unusual manner:
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play".
However, since 1st January 2008, there is a note to this Rule that states, "The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only."
So, if you want to use equipment that measures or gauges distance in competition, check that the Local Rules for the course permit its use before you commence your round.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 113:
After his tee shot Maurice's ball lies deep in a bush.
He opts to take relief by dropping a ball within two club-lengths, under penalty of one stroke. However, it rolls back under the bush into another unplayable position.
What is the ruling?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 113:
The ball was in play when Maurice dropped it according to the Rules.
Thus, when the ball came to rest in a place that he deemed unplayable he must again invoke the unplayable ball Rule, incurring an additional penalty stroke, unless he decides to play the ball as it lies (Rule 28).
GOLF RULE QUESTION 114:
Derek thought his tee shot had cleared the trees on a dog leg hole, but whilst searching for another player's ball in the same trees he came across what he thought was his ball.
After playing his stroke he then found his original ball on the fairway as he had first thought. His fellow competitors said that must continue with his original ball and had incurred a two strokes penalty for playing a wrong ball.
GOLF RULE ANSWER 114:
Yes, Derek's fellow competitors were correct.
He incurred a penalty of two strokes for playing a wrong ball (Rule 15-3) and his original ball had to be played from where it was found.
It does not matter how many strokes were played with the wrong ball as they are not counted.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 115:
Before playing from the teeing ground, Robin took a practice swing in the course of which he accidentally struck and moved his teed ball with his club.
Did he incur a penalty?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 115:
The key points here are that Robin's ball was not 'in play' and that he did not intend to move his ball.
Therefore no stroke was made and no penalty was incurred.
See Decision 18-2a/19.
Of course, the situation is different if the player's ball is 'in play' (e.g. on the fairway or on the putting green). In these circumstances the player does incur a penalty of one stroke for accidentally moving his ball and, most importantly, has to replace his ball before making his next stroke.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 116:
Is a player permitted to repair a deep pitch-mark on the first cut off the putting green if he wishes to putt towards the flagstick?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 116:
No, you are not permitted to repair ball damage that is off the putting surface. Rule 13-2 states that a player must not improve his line of play by eliminating irregularities of surface and this includes damage made by a ball that is off the putting green.
However, Rule 16-1c states that a player may repair damage caused by the impact of a ball that is on the putting green, whether or not their ball lies on the putting green.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 117:
Helen's ball is deflected by a lob wedge left at the side of the putting green by someone in a preceding group.
May she retake her stroke?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 117:
No, Helen must play her ball from where it came to rest. It is a 'rub of the green', Rule 19-1.
However, if the ball had hit Helen's own club she would have incurred a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be played as it lay.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 118:
Martha's club broke during her downswing. She stopped her swing short of her ball, but the clubhead fell off and moved the ball.
What is the ruling?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 118:
Martha did not make a stroke because as soon as she realised that her club was broken she aborted her attempt to strike the ball.
If it was Martha's first stroke on a teeing ground, no penalty was incurred.
However, if her ball was in play she incurred a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2a(ii) because her equipment caused the ball to move.
In both cases the ball must be replaced.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 119:
In a club strokes competition a leading contender was penalised two shots for testing the surface of the putting green.
What he did was to rub his mud-covered ball on the putting green to clean before replacing it nearby.
Was this a valid penalty?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 119:
Probably not. A player may clean his ball by rubbing it on the putting green, provided the act is not for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green, Decision 16-1d/5.
However, it is recommended that a ball be cleaned in other ways to eliminate any question as to the player's intentions.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 120:
If two players each carry only 12 clubs in their bag may they share the same putter?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 120:
No. Rule 4-4a states that a player must not add or borrow any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
The only exception is if two partners are carrying less than 14 clubs between them, then they may share their clubs with each other (Rule 4-4b).
GOLF RULE QUESTION 121:
Is there any penalty for someone who purposely talks, or makes noises, to distract other players in his group while they are taking their shots?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 121:
There is no direct penalty for a player breaching the etiquette of the game in this way, but Rule 33-7 states that if a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification.
In my opinion, this kind of behaviour would certainly warrant disqualification from a competition.
GOLF RULE QUESTION 122:
As the ball from Gert's putt was in motion the person attending the flagstick pulls it out in time but the hole-liner comes out with it.
Gert's ball, which would have gone into the hole, is deflected a few inches away.
Does Gert incur a penalty and how should he proceed?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 122:
There is no penalty in this situation. Decision 17-8 states, "A hole-liner is an outside agency. Accordingly, if the hole-liner was moving when the ball struck it, the stroke is cancelled and the ball must be replaced, Rule 19-1b.
If the hole-liner was not moving, the ball must be played as it lies, Rule 19-1. In case of doubt, the ball must be played as it lies."
GOLF RULE QUESTION 123:
On a putting green Ted removed the flagstick and laid it on the ground. As he was making his putting stroke he hit the ground early and sent his ball off at 30 degrees from his intended direction.
The ball hit the flagstick on the ground and ended up very close to the hole.
What is the ruling?
GOLF RULE ANSWER 123:
As Ted intended to strike his ball with his putter it was a valid stroke. In match play, he would incur the penalty of loss of hole and in stroke play the penalty would have been two strokes and the ball must be played as it lies (Rule 17-3).
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Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:21 am
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