Category: Rules of Golf

All: 

Don’t ruin your game by being DQ’d, enjoy reading how not to…

There are several ways a player can be disqualified in a golf tournament, most are lapses in judgment, not outright cheating. 

1.  Have more than 14 clubs in your bag.  Breaching Rule 4.1b(1) is a two stroke  penalty per hole in Stroke play for a maximum of two holes, 4 strokes.  Once you realize you have too many clubs you must declare them out of play immediately or be disqualified.  

• Signing an incorrect scorecard.  The Tournament Committee is responsible for adding the scores and putting the correct handicap for each player on the scorecard but if you sign for a lower score, you will be disqualified, Rule 3.3b (2).

• Agreeing to ignore a Rule or penalty.  If two or more players agree to ignore a Rule or penalty that they know should be enforced, they will be disqualified.  Rule 1.3b (1).

• Playing starting a hole from outside the teeing area.  Breaching Rule 6.2b in Stroke play incurs a two stroke penalty and the player must correct and play a ball from inside the teeing area.  If the player fails to correct and finishes that hole and proceeds to make a stroke to begin the next hole they will be disqualified.   

• Playing a Wrong ball.  If you play a wrong ball and finish the hole with that ball and then tee off at the next hole you will be disqualified. Rule 6.3c.

• Standards of Player Conduct, Rule 1.2.   If you disagree with the course set up and move the tee markers or boundary stakes you will be disqualified.  If you endanger the other players by throwing clubs or constantly disrupting play with vulgar or offensive language you may be disqualified.  Also, if you deliberately distract other players while they are making a stroke you may be disqualified.

• Playing from a Wrong place, Rule 14.7b (1).  A “serious breach” of this Rule is when a player gets a “significant advantage” over making a stroke from the right place.  For example, when a player takes a drop when their ball goes into a penalty area (e.g. a water hazard) which is marked with yellow stakes but takes a drop on the wrong side of the hazard as if the hazard is marked with red stakes.  They must drop on the side closer to where they last played NOT drop a ball on the far side, closer to the hole.  They have a serious advantage in distance and must correct and play from the right place.  If they do not correct before making a stroke to begin another hole the player is disqualified.  (Smaller breaches when very small distances are involved incur a two stroke  penalty, not disqualification.) 

• A participant in a Stroke play competition is not allowed to practice on the course on the day of the competition and will be disqualified Rule 5.2b.

• Finally, and probably the most well-known example for disqualification, “failure to sign your scorecard.” This has become a very contentious issue in the world of Golf Rules and in 2023 the R&A and the USGA introduced a Local Rule, L-1 to allow a player who does not sign their scorecard to be assessed a two stroke penalty NOT disqualification.  The R&A and USGA are testing the use of this Local Rule, L1  until 2027 when they will decide if it will become a permanent Rule penalty change.  Be very certain that any competition you play the Committee has allowed this Local Rule L-1 to be in effect for the tournament, if not you will be disqualified if you fail to sign your scorecard.  

I hope this helps you.

Hilary

Everyone:

Please see the video below of Rory at Pebble Beach this weekend and then read my explanation below.  I hope this helps you.

If you want to use the “Back on the Line” relief option when permitted under a Rule you must be careful where you drop your ball. As you can see in the video it cost Rory a two stroke penalty.

When using this option a player may drop a ball behind the spot of the original ball as far back as they like, keeping the spot of the original ball between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped. When dropped the ball must land on that line and the ball cannot go out of the relief area which is one club length in any direction from where the ball landed on that line. 

Rory found the line but proceeded to drop his ball in the relief area straight away rather than dropping it on the line first.  As he played from a “Wrong place” he incurred a two stroke penalty. Ouch.

You can find an easy to understand diagram of the relief options for this Rule on page 262 of the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf.  

Also as reminder, thanks to Cathy H, if you haven’t already, download the Rules of Golf app from USGA.org to your mobile device. It’s very easy to use and easier than carrying the heavy Rules book with you!  Also they have regular updates to the Rules so you won’t be behind the times like Rory….

Hilary 

Everyone:

Following Kelly’s recent reminder about the care of our bunkers I wanted to

follow up with a few more reminders. These are not Rules as such, but bunkers

are addressed in Rule 1.2 Standards of Player Conduct, “Taking good care of the

course.” There are no penalties for not raking a bunker, damaging the side of a

bunker when you climb in and out, or tracking sand across the putting surface,

but as a matter of etiquette all players are expected to show consideration to

others by keeping the course in the best playing condition possible!

1. Entering and exiting on the high side.

Many golfers enter and exit bunkers from the high side, clambering up and down steep faces like mountaineers. That a no-no. For starters, it produces deep and sloppy footprints, which take longer to smooth over. But that’s not all. Over time, all that tramping can harm the integrity of the bunker itself. Take a little more time, even if it requires you to take a few more steps, and always enter and exit on the low side of the bunker.

2. Half-hearted raking.

Many golfers take the lazy way, dragging the rake behind them — with sloppy results. In the long term it’s the maintenance crew’s job to ensure that bunkers remain in good condition but in the short term — as in right after playing a bunker shot — it’s the golfer’s job. Spend a few extra seconds and take a little extra effort to rake with two hands, smoothing over the sand while backing slowing out of the bunker. You know you’ve done the job right when it’s hard to tell that you were ever there.

3. Leaving rakes in the line of play.Many golfers’ errant shots have been saved from going into the bunker by hitting a rake which was probably left in the wrong place. Different courses have different protocols where they want the rakes placed. Our course likes them half in and half out of the bunker, but try to ensure they are not left directly in the line of play for the oncoming players. A bad ricochet off a rake could send a player’s ball into a lake!

4. Tracking sandy footprints.

We have all complained about sandy footprints left on the putting surface by some inconsiderate golfer up ahead who played from the bunker and forgot to tap their shoes clean. These sandy footprints can also, in some cases, send putts off line. The solution is simple. As you exit the bunker, tap your shoes gently with your wedge, dislodging any lingering sand from your shoes and letting it fall back where it belongs. Show consideration to your fellow players as the sand you left behind might make the difference of a par putt rather than a birdie putt.

I hope this helps you.

Hilary