2001 Rules Archives

December 12, 2001

In a match, a player and his opponent play their second shots on a par 5 hole. Unexpectedly, neither ball can be found. Rather that proceeding under Rule 27-1, both players agree to a half.
What is the ruling?

A	The hole is halved; no penalty involved.
B	Each player received a 1 stroke penalty for agreeing to waive the rules.
C	Each player is disqualified for agreeing to waive the rules.

The answer is A - Decision 2-1/1.5. An agreement to halve a hole being played does not of itself constitute an agreement to waive the Rules. However, if the players agree to consider a particularly difficult hole halved without either player making a stroke, they should be disqualified under Rule 1-3 for agreeing to exclude the operation of Rule 2-3 by failing to play the stipulated round.

October 15, 2001

Which is correct regarding ground under repair?

A	Deep cracks in the earth are not automatically ground under repair.
B	Grass cuttings piled for removal are not automatically ground under repair.
C	A tree stump is automatically ground under repair.

The answer is A - Decision 25/12; Decision 25/11; Decision 25/8.

September 24, 2001

In a match between A and B, A voluntarily told B during play of a hole that he
had played 3 strokes, whereas in fact A had really played 4 strokes.
A did not correct his error before B played his next stroke.
What is the ruling?

A	No penalty to either player.
B	Player A receives a two stroke penalty.
C	Player A loses the hole.
D	Player A is disqualified.

The answer is c - Decision 9-2/3. A would lose the hole for giving wrong information as to the number of strokes taken. When a player gives wrong information, it is irrelevant whether the error is contained in a response to a question from the player's opponent or in a voluntary statement by the player. It must be corrected before the opponent's next stroke is played.

September 17, 2001

As a gesture of sportsmanship, Player A removes a loose impediment in a hazard, thus
improving the lie of Player B's ball which lies in the hazard. Player's A ball was not in the
hazard. What is the ruling?

A	No penalty to either player.
B	Player A loses the hole in match play or receives a 2 stroke penalty in stroke play.
C	Player B loses the hole in match play or receives a 2 stroke penalty in stroke play.
D	Both players are disqualified.

The answer is b - Decision 1-2/6. Under Rule 1-2, Player A loses the hole in match play or incurs a 2 stroke penalty in stroke play for taking action to influence the position or the movement of Player B's ball.

September 10, 2001

In stroke play, a fellow-competitor lifts a competitor's ball on the putting green without
the authority of the competitor. Such action is contrary to Rule 20-1.
What is the ruling?

A	The fellow-competitor loses the hole.
B	No penalty to either player; the competitor must replace the ball.
C	Fellow-competitor receives a one-stroke penalty for lifting a ball in play.
D	Fellow-competitor receives a two-stroke penalty for breach of Rule 20-1.

The answer is b - Decision 20-1/4. There is no penalty, but the competitor must replace the ball -- Rule 18-4.

September 4, 2001

In stroke play, A played from outside the teeing ground and his ball came to rest out of bounds.
He played another ball from within the teeing ground. How many penalty strokes did he incur, if any?

A	None.
B	One stroke for going out of bounds (stroke and distance).
C	Two strokes for teeing off outside the teeing ground.
D	Three strokes - one for going out of bounds and two for teeing off outside the teeing ground.

The answer is c - Decision 11-4b/6. A. is penalized only two strokes under Rule 11-4b. The ball played from outside the teeing ground was not in play. Therefore, the fact that the ball came to rest out of bounds was irrelevant and the stroke itself did not count.

August 27, 2001

A player's ball lies in a lateral hazard. He decides to take relief under Rule 26-1c. He measures two club-lengths from where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard and leaves the clubs (that he measured with) on the ground when he drops the ball. The ball lands on one of the clubs, bounces off, rolls and hits the player in the foot before coming to rest. How many penalty strokes does the player incur?

A	0
B	1
C	2
D	3

The answer is b - Rule 20-2a. If a ball (to be dropped under the Rules) touches the player, his partner, either of their caddies or their equipment before or after it strikes a part of the course, the ball shall be redropped, without penalty. There is no limit to the number of times a ball shall be re-dropped in such circumstances.

The only penalty the player received was 1 stroke under Rule 26-1c - taking relief from a lateral water hazard

August 21, 2001

A player searched for his ball for two minutes, declared it lost and started back to play
another ball at the spot from which the original ball was played. Before he put another
ball into play, his original ball was found within the five-minute period allowed for search.
What is the ruling?

A	Once he declared the original ball lost, the player must put another ball into play under stroke and distance.
B	Once he declared the original ball lost, the player must put another ball into play with a two stroke penalty.
C	The player cannot render a ball lost by declaration, but because he started back to hit another ball, the original ball is deemed to be lost, and the player must put another ball into play under stroke and distance.
D	The original ball remained in play.

The answer is d - Decision 27/16. A player cannot render a ball "lost" by declaration - see Definition of "Lost Ball". The original ball remained in play -- see Definition of "Ball in Play".

August 14, 2001

A player's ball lies in a bunker. He casually throws a rake into the bunker for use after his stroke. The rake does not move his ball or improve the lie of the ball. Does the player incur a penalty?

A	No penalty incurred.
B	Yes - 1 stroke for testing the conditions of a hazard.
C	Yes - 2 strokes for testing the conditions of a hazard.
D	Yes - Loss of hole for testing the conditions of a hazard.

The answer is a - Decision 13-4/21. There is no penalty. Placing a rake (or an umbrella or clubs) in a hazard is permissible. See Exception 1 to Rule 13-4. In this case, throwing the rake into the bunker was the equivalent of placing it.

If the rake had moved the ball, the player would incur a penalty of one stroke for causing his ball to move; and the ball would have to be replaced. -- Rule 18-2a.

August 7, 2001

In stroke play, a competitor's ball in a hazard moves due to his removal of a loose impediment
in the hazard. How many penalty strokes does he receive if any?

A	1
B	2
C	3
D	4

The answer is c - Decision 13-4/15. The competitor incurs a penalty of three strokes - two for moving a loose impediment in a hazard (Rule 13-4c) and one because the ball moved (Rule 18-2a). The ball must be replaced (Rule 18-2a). If the competitor neglected to replace the ball, the total penalty would be four strokes - two for moving a loose impediment and two for a breach of Rule 18-2a (failure to replace a ball at rest moved).

August 1, 2001

In stroke play, a player concedes his fellow-competitor a short putt and knocks the ball away. The fellow-competitor lifts his ball, does not replace it as required by Rule 18-4 and plays from the next tee. What is the ruling?

A	There is no penalty for either player.
B	The fellow-competitor is disqualified.
C	The fellow-competitor receives a 1-stroke penalty for lifting his ball in play.
D	The player who knocked the putt away receives a 1-stroke penalty for touching the fellow-competitor's ball.

The answer is b - Decision 3-2/1. The player and his fellow-competitor are outside agencies to each other in stroke play. Therefore, there is no penalty if the player moves or touches his fellow-competitor's ball in play. Rule 18-4. The fellow-competitor must replace the ball. Since the fellow-competitor did not replace the ball and hole out before playing a stroke from the next teeing ground, he is disqualified. Rule 3-2.

July 23, 2001

In stroke play, a player's ball lies in a bunker. He makes a swing at the ball and knocks it about 10 yards ahead, but the ball still lies in the same bunker. The player rakes the sand around him and then moves forward to hit the ball again. This time he manages to hit the ball out of the bunker.
What penalty does the player incur if any?

A	The player receives a two-stroke penalty for testing the condition of the hazard when he raked it the first time before getting the ball out of the bunker.
B	The player receives a total of four strokes penalty - two for grounding his club in the hazard with his first swing that failed to get the ball out and another two for testing the condition of the hazard when he raked it.
C	The player loses the hole for testing the condition of the hazard.
D	The player receives no penalty.

The answer is d - Decision 13-4/36. There is no penalty. Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 permits smoothing of sand or soil in the hazard after playing a stroke, provided that the lie of the ball is not improved and the player is not assisted in his subsequent play of the hole. The player was able to test the consistency of the sand during his first stroke in the bunker, and he would gain no additional information by smoothing the sand at the place where that stroke was played.

July 10, 2001

A player's ball came to rest overhanging the edge of the hole. The player walked up to the hole and cast his shadow on the ball, believing that this would cause the grass to wilt and his ball to fall into the hole. What is the penalty, if any?

A	There is no penalty.
B	The player incurs a one-stroke penalty for taking action to influence the movement of his ball.
C	The player loses the hole in match play or incurs a penalty of two-strokes in stroke play for taking action to influence the movement of his ball.
D	The player is disqualified for action contrary to the spirit of the game.

The answer is a - Decision 16-2/3. The player did not breach any Rule.

July 2, 2001

A player playing from the teeing ground misses the ball completely. He pushes his tee farther into the ground and plays. What is the penalty, if any?

A	There is no penalty.
B	The player incurs a one-stroke penalty.
C	The player loses the hole in match play or incurs a total penalty of two-strokes in stroke play.
D	The player loses the hole in match play or incurs a total penalty of three-strokes in stroke play.

The answer is c - Decision 18-2a/1. As the ball was in play after the player had
made a stroke at it, he incurred a penalty of one-stroke under Rule 18-2a when he teed the ball lower, and a penalty of loss of hole in match play or a total penalty of two-strokes in stroke play because the ball was not subsequently replaced -- see penalty statement under Rule 18. (This is a case where 1 + 2 = 2)

June 19, 2001

In stroke play, A's ball lies near the hole in a position to assist B, whose ball lies off the green. A announces that he wants to lift his ball under Rule 22. However, B says he doesn't want A to lift his ball. B plays before A has an opportunity to lift, and B's ball strikes A's ball. What is the ruling?

A	B is disqualified under Rule 3-4.
B	B incurs no penalty because he played his ball from off the green when it struck A's ball.
C	B loses the hole.
D	A incurs a two stroke penalty since his ball assisted B in the play of his shot.

The answer is a - Decision 3-4/1. When A stated that he wished to lift his ball because it was in a position to assist B's play of the hole, he had the right to lift it under Rule 22 before B played his shot. When B played before A could lift his ball, B denied A of his rights under a Rule and violated Rule 3-4: Refusal to comply with a Rule. If a competitor refuses to comply with a Rule affecting the rights of another competitor, he shall be disqualified.

June 12, 2001

A player makes a practice swing and accidentally moves his ball in play with his club.
What is the ruling?

A	Since the player moved the ball, he must count the stroke and play the ball as it lies with no penalty.
B	The player incurs a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2a for moving the ball in play, must count the stroke and play the ball as it lies.
C	The player did not make a stroke since he had no intention of moving the ball; however, he incurs a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2a for moving his ball in play, and the ball must be replaced.
D	Since the player had no intention of striking the ball with his practice swing, there is no penalty, the stroke doesn't count and the player must replace the ball.

The answer is c - Decision 18-2a/20

June 4, 2001

A player enters a hazard without a club and positions his feet for the purpose of determining how he wishes to play the shot. He then leaves the hazard to get a club and while he is outside of the hazard his ball moves. What is the ruling?

A	There is no penalty as the player was not in the hazard when his ball moved and he plays the ball as it lies.
B	The player receives a one-stroke penalty for causing his ball to move under Rule 18-2b and must replace the ball.
C	The player receives a two-stroke penalty for testing the conditions of the hazard under Rule 13-4 and must replace the ball.
D	The player receives a total penalty of three strokes: one for causing the ball to move and two for testing the conditions of the hazard and must replace the ball.

The answer is b - Decision 18-2b/2 - If a player's ball in play moves after he has addressed the ball, the player shall be deemed to have moved the ball and shall incur a penalty stroke. The player shall replace the ball unless the movement of the ball occurs after he has begun his swing and he does not discontinue his swing. Remember, that in a hazard, a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance. The definition of "stance" states: "Taking the 'stance' consists in a player placing his feet in position for and preparatory to making a stroke.

May 21, 2001 True or False

Any player may lift his ball if he considers that the ball might interfere with any other player.

The answer is False - Rule 22: Any player may:
1. Lift his ball if he considers that the ball might assist any other player or
2. Have any other ball lifted if he considers that ball might interfere with his play or assist the play of any other player.

April 26, 2001
With respect to Rule 27-2a, a provisional ball may NOT be played after the player

a.	has left the general area from where he last played to search for his original ball.
b.	hit his original ball towards a water hazard.
c.	struck the original ball into an area where the ball may be unplayable or lost outside a water hazard.
d.	goes forward 20 yards to retrieve a different club from his golf bag.

The answer is a - Decision 27-2a/1.5. The sole purpose of Rule 27-2 is to enable the player to save time. The only way he can effectively do so is to play a provisional ball before going forward for the purpose of searching for the original ball. However, this provision should not be so narrowly interpreted to preclude a player from playing a provisional ball even though he has proceeded from where he last played in the direction of the original ball, e.g., in retrieving a ball or a different club to play the provisional ball. The Committee must consider all of the relevant facts in determining if the player did in fact go forward to search for the original ball.

April 9, 2001
Which one of the following statements is TRUE with respect to loose impediments?

a.	Leaves and twigs that are out of bounds are NOT loose impediments.
b.	An orange in which a ball is embedded is a loose impediment,
c.	Chunks of loose asphalt broken away from a cart path are NOT loose impediments.
d.	Plugs of compacted soil produced through aeration of fairways are NOT loose impediments.

The answer is c - Definition of "Loose Impediment" and Decisions 23/1, 23/10, 23/12.

March 31, 2001
Which one of the following statements constitutes advice in breach of Rule 8-1?

a.	Inquiring as to the accuracy of a distance marker.
b.	Seeking the whereabouts of an opponent's golf ball.
c.	Asking another competitor for golf instruction during a suspension of play.
d.	Suggesting that a fellow-competitor declare his ball unplayable.

The answer is d - Decisions 8-1/3, 8-1/5, 8-1/16, 8-1/20.

March 19, 2001
In stroke play, a competitor changes balls on the putting green, holes out with the substituted ball, and plays from the next tee. The correct ruling is that the competitor:

a.	incurs a one-stroke penalty and is not required to correct the error.
b.	incurs a two-stroke penalty and is not required to correct the error.
c.	incurs a two-stroke penalty and must correct the error.
d.	is disqualified for playing a wrong ball and failing to correct the error before playing from the next tee.

The answer is b - Rule 15-1. There has been some discussion on this particular Rules question, and as worded, the answer is b - a two stroke penalty and the player is not required to rectify. However, there is a situation when the player would be allowed to substitute a ball on the putting green without penalty. If it was determined that the original ball was unfit for play, then the original ball could be taken out of play and another ball substituted without penalty. We appreciate our readers bringing up questions on the Rules situations that we offer because, as we all know, the Rules can be confusing at times and the more we can make them easier to understand, the more everyone will benefit!

March 9, 2001

In match play, Player B, who is away, removes the flagstick, places it on the putting green behind the hole, and putts. Player A, believing that B's ball will strike the flagstick, picks up the flagstick, allowing B's ball to roll beyond where the flagstick had been placed. Which of the following is the correct ruling?

a.	A and B halve the hole.
b.	A incurs a one-stroke penalty.
c.	A incurs a two-stroke penalty.
d.	A loses the hole.

The answer is d - Decision 1-2/3. In match play, A loses the hole for removing an obstruction (unattended flagstick) which might influence the movement of the ball while Player B's ball was in motion -- Rule 1-2 or 24-1. B incurs no penalty. Had this been a stroke play situation, A would have incurred a penalty of two-strokes and just as in match play, B would incur no penalty.

March 1, 2001

A player's tee shot on a par-3 hole landed on the putting green, then rolled back into a water hazard (yellow stakes) that was between the teeing ground and the putting green. The player may:

a.	declare the ball unplayable and under penalty of one stroke drop a ball on the putting green.
b.	under penalty of one stroke, drop a ball on the putting green within two club-lengths and not nearer the hole of the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard.
c.	without penalty, play the ball as it lies.
d.	under penalty of one stroke, drop a ball anywhere along the ball's line of flight prior to where it first crossed the margin of the hazard.

The answer is c - Rule 26-1a, b, c..

February 19, 2001

A player searched for his ball for two minutes, declared it lost and started back to play another ball at the spot from which the original ball was played. Before he put another ball into play, his original ball was found within the five-minute period allowed for search. What is the ruling?

a.	The player having declared his ball lost, must now put another ball into play under Rule 27-1 (stroke and distance).
b.	The player having declared his ball lost, has the option of playing the original ball or putting another ball into play under Rule 27-1.
c.	The player may go back to the tee and play a second ball and choose the ball which he feels is in a better position.
d.	The player must play the original ball.

The answer is d - Decision 27/16. A player cannot render a ball lost by a declaration - see Definition of "Lost Ball." The original ball remained in play - see Definition of "Ball in Play." A good example of this is what happened to Phil Mickleson at the 2001 Buick at Torrey Pines in the third hole of the playoff.

February 10, 2001

A live butterfly is crawling on a player's ball which is lying in a bunker. Which of the following is TRUE?

a.	The player may touch and physically remove the butterfly from the ball.
b.	The player may wave his hand, club or towel to encourage the butterfly to fly away.
c.	The player may touch or lift his ball, to encourage the butterfly to fly away.
d.	The player may do nothing to cause the butterfly to move.

The answer is b - Decision 23-1/5.5. The butterfly is considered to be in the bunker and because it is, by definition, a loose impediment, the player may not touch or physically remove the insect from the ball (Rule 13-4c). However, as the insect is animate and capable of moving on its own, the player may take action, such as waving his hand or a club or towel, to encourage the butterfly to move. If the butterfly moves, there is no penalty provided the player has not touched the insect or the ground in the bunker, or moved another loose impediment in the bunker. (New for 2000 - 2001)

January 12, 2001

When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole:

a.	the ball is considered holed, no penalty, if it falls into the hole 15 seconds after the player reaches the hole.
b.	the player is entitled to wait until he sees that the ball is at rest before counting the allotted 10 seconds.
c.	if it falls into the hole before the player reaches the hole, the ball is considered holed with the last stroke and the player must add a penalty stroke.
d.	the ball is deemed to be at rest after the player has a reasonable amount of time to reach the hole plus an additional 10 seconds.

The answer is d - Rule 16-2. A ball overhanging the lip of the hole is a specific situation in the Rules of Golf and is dealt with under Rule 16-2. It's important to remember that the player has a reasonable amount of time to reach the hole and then has an additional 10 seconds to see if the ball will fall in or not. After 10 seconds, the ball is deemed to be at rest, whether it is moving or not. After 10 seconds, if the ball hasn't fallen in, the player must tap the ball in, even if the ball is still moving. Since the ball is deemed to be at rest, the player will not receive a penalty for hitting a moving ball. The player will score the same whether he taps the ball in after 10 seconds or whether the ball falls into the hole after 10 seconds; therefore, there is no reason to wait once the 10 seconds has elapsed. Example - the player hits his 2nd shot and it ends up on the lip of the hole. If the ball falls in within 10 seconds, the player has scored a 2 for the hole. If the ball falls in after the player has reached the hole and then waits longer than 10 seconds, the player is deemed to have holed out with his previous stroke and must add a penalty stroke, scoring a 3 for the hole. If after 10 seconds, the ball hasn't fallen in and the player taps the ball in, then the player has scored a 3 for the hole.

One word of caution - if after the 10 seconds has elapsed and you go to tap the ball in, be sure NOT to address the ball! If you were to address the ball, and it fell in the hole before you had a chance to tap it in, you would be assessed 1 penalty stroke for ball at rest moved (Rule 18-2b) and would be required to replace the ball and then hole out. In the example mentioned above, your score for the hole would then be a 4!