Category: Rules of Golf

Ladies here is the first monthly Rules quiz for 2018.  Any questions?  Don’t hesitate to e mail me.

1. Rebecca uses her 7 iron to align her feet prior to taking her stance on the teeing ground. Before she makes her stroke at the ball she removes the club.  Should she be disqualified?

Answer

Rebecca should NOT be disqualified.  As long as she does not delay play she may align her feet this way as long as she removes the club before her stroke.

 

2. Suzanne’s ball lies near the putting green and Dianne, who is 25 ft. away, asks her to mark and lift her ball as it interferes with her play.  Is this allowed?

Answer

Under Rule 22/2 a player can request a ball to be lifted at any time if they believe it interferes with their play.  However, in Stroke play, a player may play their ball first rather than lift it.

3. Is there a Rule of Golf that permits taking a line of play relief from a sprinkler head at the side of the putting green?

Answer

No, BUT there is a Local Rule that permits “line of play” relief under certain conditions.  We allow such relief at Discovery Bay CC.  Look on the back of our scorecard, there you will find the Local Rule explained.

4. Rebecca is back on the teeing ground aligning her feet but this time she also taps down uneven ground behind her ball which could interfere with her backswing.  How many penalty strokes should she incur?

Answer

NONE!  A player is allowed under Rule 13-2, to eliminate irregularities on the surface of the teeing ground without penalty.

5. A player may always advise another player on what their options are under the Rules. True or false?

Answer

True.  Information on the Rules of Golf is NOT advice and is allowed.

6. Lana’s ball lies just in bounds but a movable white stake is in her area of intended swing.  May she remove the stake?

Answer

NO she may not!  White “Out of Bounds” stakes are deemed to be FIXED, and a player does not get relief.  Sorry ladies.

I hope you enjoyed our first quiz of this year and it helps you.

Hilary

Hi Ladies:

Let’s have some fun with a “loose impediments “quiz and see what we know and don’t know.

Our ball is on the fairway surrounded by little pieces of cut grass. We think, “Thank goodness they’ve finally mowed the rough!” We remove them from around the ball, and we also remove one piece that’s stuck on our ball. The ball does not move. Penalty or no penalty?

Answer. No penalty for removing the grass around the ball BUT a one stroke penalty for removing the grass adhering to the ball. Rule 21/2 says that anything “adhering to the ball” is not a loose impediment. The grass is a loose impediment when it’s on the ground, not when it’s on your ball.

Your ball is on the fringe of the green and before you make your next stroke you remove some twigs, leaves, loose soil and sand from around your ball. Penalty or no penalty?

Answer.
No penalty for removing the twigs and leaves as they are loose impediments.
But a TWO STROKE penalty for removing the loose soil and sand, because here they are not “loose impediments.” You improved your lie, area of intended stance, swing or line of play. Rule 13-2.

Now you’re on the putting green. You mark your ball and, on your line of play, there’s some sand and loose soil. Can you remove them, or will it be another two stroke penalty?

Answer. Here on the putting green sand and loose soils ARE loose impediments so you can remove them. Rule 16-1
Go figure who decided this, and what DO they have against loose soil and sand eh?

Your ball lies on the fairway and a live insect is on your ball, can you remove it?

Yes, because unlike the grass in question #1, it is not considered to be adhering to your ball as it has legs and can walk and therefore is a “loose impediment”. BUT if your ball moves while removing the pesky critter you get a one stroke penalty and have to replace your ball. If your ball moves and you don’t replace it it’s a two stroke penalty.

Same ball, same insect, now in a bunker. Can you remove the insect?

NO. Even though he/she is a loose impediment it is “in the bunker” and it’s forbidden to move loose impediments in a bunker.
However, as it is capable of moving on its own you may wave your hand over it, or blow on it to encourage it to fly away on its own. If you remove the insect with your fingers you will be penalized TWO STROKES under Rule 13-4c.

I hope this helps you.

Hilary

loose impediments quiz.docx

Here is the handout that was given to those that attended the rules seminar in Oakdale on Wednesday. I have been asked to forward it to all team members. It is worthwhile reading!
Sandy

Match Play Rule Presentation.