Category: Rules of Golf

Ladies:

Here are a few items about the Rules that have come up recently. Thank you so much for your ideas.

When you have to “drop” a ball under a Rule, for example because you went into the water, or because you are in Ground under Repair, you cannot re drop your ball if you don’t like where your ball ended up. The only time you can is if the ball lands closer to the hole. So, be careful where you drop as…………. it is where it is!

Your ball lands in “Ground under Repair’. You do NOT have to pick up your ball and take relief and drop it out of the area unless you WANT to.

If your feet, or the area of your intended swing are in the Ground under Repair but your ball is not, you have the same options as if you ball were in the Ground under Repair.
You can take relief if you want to, or not.

These two following items are about…. “Think before you pick up and drop”

If you decide to pick up your ball to take free relief as allowed under a Rule, for example if your ball is on a cart path, THINK FIRST, and then think again. You may find that where you are about to drop will put you under a tree, in a terrible lie or in a worse position. Do not pick up your ball until you are sure. Once you lift it your ball you cannot replace it
without incurring a one stroke penalty for lifting your ball in play. That free relief just turned into a penalty stroke.

When you consider using Rule 28 for an Unplayable Lie, think carefully about your options.

If you use option b) as far back as you like in line with pin and where ball lies, or c) within two club lengths no closer to the hole, be very sure of where that will put you.
You could end up in a similar or even worse lie.

Remember the best option might be a), to play a ball from where you made your last stroke. Get the most from your one stroke penalty…..

When your ball goes into a water hazard and you are not sure where to drop the answer is…..Decide where the ball LAST crossed the hazard. Maybe it bounced from land to rocks, to rocks to land, and finally……… into the water, but where did it LAST cross the hazard? Find that place, see if the markers are red or yellow, and then use one of the allowed options under Rule 26.

If you make a stroke at your ball and your ball hits you, you incur a one stroke penalty. If it hits a tree and ricochets backwards and hits you, or bounces off a rock and hits you, or bounces off a yardage marker and hits you, ouch, sadly you play the ball where it lies, take the bruises and the penalty. The bruising is just not enough punishment.

I hope this helps you.
Hilary

Ladies:

Currently we have area of Ground under repair in the front of several greens so here’s a quiz to remind you of the Rules.

Abnormal ground Conditions/ Ground Under Repair. (RULE 25)

If your ball lands in an area marked as “Ground Under Repair” (GUR):

1. Do you have take relief from GUR?

2. If you take relief is there a penalty?

3. If you take relief but your foot, club or ball still touches the GUR is that okay?

4. If your ball lands on bare bumpy ground can you decide it is Ground Under Repair?

5. May you remove the stakes and rope lining the GUR before you make your stroke?

6. Once you find your nearest point of relief from Ground Under Repair how many club lengths do you measure from that point in which to drop your ball?

7. Can you clean your ball if you lift it to take relief from GUR?

8. If GUR is on your line of play can you get free relief?

Answers

1. No you do not HAVE to take relief, you may play the ball as it lies unless there is a Local Rule in effect prohibiting play, or the area is deemed as an environmentally sensitive area.

2. There is no penalty, you get free relief.

3. No it is not okay. When you drop your ball and are set up to make your stroke you must have COMPLETE relief from the GUR. If you do not you will incur a TWO stroke penalty!

4. No, only the Pro Shop or Committee may decide which area is Ground Under Repair.

5. Yes you may. The stakes are considered to be “Obstructions”. After your stroke replace the stakes from where you removed them.

6. One club length. You may use any club in your bag to measure this one club length.

7. Yes you may.

8. No you cannot take relief just because the area is on your intended line of play.

I hope his helps you.

Hilary

Hi Ladies:

It’s quiz time again……….enjoy!

1. All ground or water within the margin of a water hazard is part of the hazard?

a) True
b) False

Answer: a) True, Definition of Water Hazard

Find where the red stakes or the red lines outline the hazard margins.
If the red lines or stakes are in front of the rocks or grass around the water then the rocks and grass are in the hazard. If you want to try, you may hit from the rocks or grass inside the hazard without a penalty stroke, but you cannot ground your club or adjust any rocks to make a footing for your stance.

2. A player may not stand out of bounds to play a ball that lies in bounds?

a) True
b) False

Answer: b) False).

You CAN stand ob to hit a ball that is in bounds, see Definition of Out of Bounds.

3. In stroke play a player’s ball is up against an out of bounds fence. They want to take free relief under Rule 24 Obstructions and play the ball. Can they?

a) Yes
b) No

Answer: b) No

OB stakes are NOT obstructions so there is no free relief. You may use Rule 28, Unplayable lie to get relief, and take a one stroke penalty, but if not you have to play the ball where it lies

4. You rotate your ball on the putting green to line up the trademark or line on the ball with your intended line of putt to the hole. You didn’t lift it, change its position or mark its position. What is the ruling?

a) No penalty.
b) Two stroke penalty
c) One stroke penalty

Answer c) A one stroke penalty for touching the ball on the putting green without its position being marked.

Under Rules 16-1b and 20-1 a ball on the putting green may be lifted, touched or rotated after its position has been marked.

5. In stroke play a player marks and lifts their ball on the green. As they walk away they accidentally step on their marker and move it. What is the ruling?

a) No penalty
b) One stroke penalty
c) Two stroke penalty

Answer: b) One stroke penalty. Decision 20-1/5.5.

The ball must be placed as near as possible to its original position.

I hope you got them all correct and this helps you.

Hilary