Rules Seminar. Presented by Robin Farran

Transcription

1 Rules Seminar Presented by Robin Farran AIA Golf Coaches August 4, 2018 The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf quoted on the following slides are copyright of the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews All rights reserved. USGA 1

2 Agenda Local Rules for Recent Changes to the Rules of Golf On the 1 st Tee Obstructions - Cart Path Abnormal Ground Conditions Lost Ball / Provisional Ball Ball Unplayable Water Hazards (Marked Yellow) Lateral Water Hazards (Marked Red) OK / Not-OK in Bunkers Questions 2

3 Local Rule for Accidental Movement of a Ball on the Putting Green Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows: When a player s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his or her partner, his or her opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and

4 Local Rule for This Local Rule applies only when the player s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental. Note: If it is determined that a player s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced. 4

5 Principle Changes Anchoring the Club [General penalty for anchoring club] Ball Moved by Player, Partner, Caddies or Equipment [Ball Moving after Address withdrawn] Omission of Penalty on Score Card [No DQ if penalty strokes omitted for unknown breach] Use of Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment [Single breach is general penalty not DQ 2 nd breach is DQ] 5

6 ANCHORING A CLUB Rule 14-1b. Anchoring the Club In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either directly or by use of an anchor point. Directly means intentionally holding the club or gripping hand against the body. Anchor point exists when forearm is held in contact with body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand swings the club. 6

7 SCORING IN STROKE PLAY (Rule 6-6) 2018 Local Rule: Modification of Score Card Penalty The Exception to Rule 6-6d is modified as follows: In stroke play, if a player, after returning his or her score card but before the competition has closed, learns that he or she incurred a penalty, the player incurs the applicable penalty for each hole where the score for the hole was incorrect due to a penalty unknown to the player. If the player has breached a Rule for which the penalty is disqualification, the player is disqualified. The Exception to Rule 6-6d does not apply. 7

8 STRIKING THE BALL (Rule 14) Rule Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment; Abnormal Use of Equipment The penalty for use of the following items is the general penalty and not disqualification (loss of hole or two-stroke penalty). Use of a DMD when the Local Rule is not in effect Use of a weighted donut or other swing aid in a practice swing or stroke Use of an alignment rod to check golf swing Use of electronic device, including play of radio or music during round A second breach after an intervening stroke or two different breaches results in disqualification. 8

9 DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES Decision 14-3/0.5 Local Rule Permitting Use of Distance-Measuring Device The Local Rule permits use of a device to measure distance only. A player is in breach of Rule 14-3 if any additional function on the device is used to measure other conditions that might affect a player s play. Without a Local Rule, use of a distance-measuring device is a breach of Rule [Former wording permitted a device that only had the capability of measuring distance.] See item 5 in Appendix IV for additional information. 9

10 KEY CONCEPTS Rule 13 Rule 13 states that a player must not improve the lie, area of intended stance or swing or line of play. The Rule describes examples of prohibited actions and permitted actions by the player. Decision 13-2/0.5 Meaning of Improve in Rule 13-2 Q. Rule 13-2 prohibits a player from improving certain areas. What does improve mean? 10

11 Clarification of Terminology Meaning of Improve Clarifies that improve means to change for the better so the player creates a potential advantage for the position or lie of the ball, area of intended stance or swing, line of play or the extension of the line of play beyond the hole, or the area where ball will be placed or dropped. The determination of whether a player has created a potential advantage by his or her actions is made by reference to all the circumstances prior to his or her stroke. 11

12 On the 1 st Tee Time of Starting Check Notice for important information Count clubs selected for play ID on golf balls Things to remember on the course No advice during play (OK with partner but not teammate) Play a provisional ball when appropriate Rule 3-3 for doubtful situations in stroke play Pace of play Proper etiquette 12

13 Doubt as to Procedure (Rule 3-3) - Stroke Play In stroke play only, a player who is in doubt as to how to proceed under a Rule is permitted to play two balls. The player should inform another player of his or her intent to play two balls and which ball he or she would like to count for the hole if the Rules permit. In the absence of proceeding with the announcement of intent and selection of the ball to count, the Rules will determine which ball counts, not always to the player s advantage. 13

14 Relief Procedures - Dropping The ball must be dropped in the correct manner and in the correct location for the Rule. Free Relief ball must land on same part of the course and stay on same part of the course as the location of the original ball. Penalty Relief dropping is by geometry, after landing ball must remain on same part of course where ball landed. 14

15 Relief Procedures - Dropping After the ball lands on the course, the ball must be re-dropped if rolls nearer hole than reference for relief or more than two club-lengths or rolls onto a different part of the course, e.g., if the ball lands through the green, cannot roll into a hazard or onto a putting green and be properly in play. 15

16 24-2 Immovable Obstruction a. Interference Interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with the player s stance 16

17 24-2 Immovable Obstruction a. Interference Interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with the player s stance, or the area of his intended swing... 17

18 24-2 Immovable Obstruction b. Relief Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction, as follows: 18

19 24-2 Immovable Obstruction b. Relief (i) Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it without penalty within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. Nearest Point of Relief Original Ball Position Nearest Point of Relief 19

20 24-2 Immovable Obstruction b. Relief (i) Through the Green: The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, Nearest Point of Relief the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the immovable obstruction and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. 20

21 24-2 Immovable Obstruction Exception: A player may not take relief under this Rule if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction or Unreasonable to make stroke because of position in tree roots 21

22 Nearest Point of Relief The nearest point of relief is the reference point for taking relief without penalty from interference by - an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2), - an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or - a wrong putting green (Rule 25-3). 22

23 Nearest Point of Relief It is the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies: (i) that is not nearer the hole, and (ii) where, if the ball were so positioned, no interference by the condition from which relief is sought would exist for the stroke the player would have made from the original position if the condition were not there. 23

24 Nearest Point of Relief It is the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies: (i) that is not nearer the hole, and (ii) where, if the ball were so positioned, no interference by the condition from which relief is sought would exist for the stroke the player would have made from the original position if the condition were not there. 24

25 Nearest Point of Relief It is the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies: (i) that is not nearer the hole, and (ii) where, if the ball were so positioned, no interference by the condition from which relief is sought would exist for the stroke the player would have made from the original position if the condition were not there. 25

26 Nearest Point of Relief Note: In order to determine the nearest point of relief accurately, the player should use the club with which he would have made his next stroke if the condition were not there to simulate the address position, direction of play and swing for such a stroke. 26

27 25-1. Abnormal Ground Conditions Relief Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may take relief without penalty from interference by an abnormal ground condition. 27

28 25-1. Abnormal Ground Conditions Relief Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it without penalty within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. 28

29 Relief or No Relief? 29

30 Ball Lost or Out of Bounds Out of bounds is determined by the inside points at ground level of white stakes, fence posts or boundary walls Objects defining out of bounds are not obstructions A ball is out of bounds if the entire ball lies out of bounds Player has 5 minutes to search for a ball - after 5 minutes the original ball is lost and out of play Ball lost or out of bounds player must play next stroke from where the previous stroke was played and add a one-stroke penalty If substituted ball put into play at the spot where the previous stroke was played, original ball is lost and out of play If a provisional ball has been played from a place where original ball is likely or nearer the hole than that place and the original ball is then found, the original ball must be abandoned 30

31 Lost or Out of Bounds If your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, you may play a provisional ball before you go forward to look for the original, provided you announce your intention to do so. That one might be out, I d better hit a provisional ball 31

32 Rule 28. Ball Unplayable The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. 32

33 Rule 28. Ball Unplayable If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke: a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played. (see Rule 20-5); or Ball lies 2-1 stroke - 1 penalty stroke 33

34 Rule 28. Ball Unplayable If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke: b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or Ball lies 2-1 stroke - 1 penalty stroke 34

35 Rule 28. Ball Unplayable If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke: c. Drop a ball within two clublengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole. Ball lies 2-1 stroke - 1 penalty stroke 35

36 Rule 28 Summary Player is the sole judge as to whether ball unplayable Ball may deemed ball unplayable anywhere on the course Exception: ball in water hazard (Rule 26 applies) Options under penalty of one stroke: 28a. Stroke and distance 28b. Drop behind point where the ball lay, on line formed by hole and point where the ball lay 28c. Two club-lengths from where the ball lay A ball may be cleaned or substituted in all three options. In a bunker, ball must be dropped in bunker with options 28b and 28c. Option 28a may allow player out of bunker 36

37 26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the hazard. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule Bethpage State Park Black Course Hole #8 37

38 Relief for a Ball in a Water Hazard Meaning of "Known or Virtually Certain" There must be knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball that cannot be found lies in a water hazard or it must be considered lost somewhere other than in the water hazard. Virtual certainty implies some doubt as to the location of the ball but also means that, based on all readily available information, there is nowhere that the ball could be except in the water hazard. 38

39 26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard (Marked Yellow) If a ball is in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke: (a) Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or 26-1a 39

40 26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard (Marked Yellow) The player may under penalty of one stroke: (b) Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped. 26-1b 40

41 Ball in a Lateral Water Hazard [Marked with Red Lines or Stakes] (5 options) 1. Play the ball as it lies. OR Under penalty of one stroke: 2. Play a ball under the stroke and distance procedure. 3. Drop behind the hazard keeping the point between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped

42 26-1. Ball in Lateral Water Hazard [Marked with Red Lines or Stakes] The player may under penalty of one stroke: As additional options for a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than 4 4. the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or 42

43 26-1. Ball in Lateral Water Hazard [Marked with Red Lines or Stakes] 5. a point on the opposite margin of the lateral water hazard equidistant from the hole. 5 4 The ball may be lifted and cleaned when proceeding under this Rule. (Prohibited actions when ball is in hazard see Rule 13-4.) (Ball moving in water in a water hazard see Rule 14-6.) 43

44 Lateral Water Hazard Review [Marked with Red Lines or Stakes] (5 options) 1. Play the ball as it lies. OR Under penalty of one stroke: 2. Play a ball under the stroke and distance procedure. 3. Drop behind the hazard keeping the point between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped. 4. Drop 2 club-lengths from the point of entry into the hazard. 5. Drop 2 club-lengths from point on the opposite margin, equidistant from the hole

45 Lateral Water Hazard Review [Marked with Red Lines or Stakes] (5 options) 1. Play the ball as it lies. OR Under penalty of one stroke: 2. Play a ball under the stroke and distance procedure. 3. Drop behind the hazard keeping the point between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped. 4. Drop 2 club-lengths from the point of entry into the hazard. 5. Drop 2 club-lengths from point on the opposite margin, equidistant from the hole

46 Rule 26 Summary Definition: Stakes or lines that define the margin are in the hazard. Ball is in the hazard when it lies in or touches the hazard. Margin extends upwards and downwards. Stakes are obstructions Relief for Ball in Water Hazard Knowledge or Virtual Certainty (Decision 26-1/1) Water Hazard (Yellow) 2 relief procedure options. Lateral Water Hazard (Red) relief procedure options Ball Played Within Water Hazard Stays in Hazard May regress with 1p to where last stroke was played out of hazard. Decisions 26-2/1 & 26-2/2 46

47 OK Actions in Bunkers When Ball is in a Bunker Placing clubs, bag or rake in bunker Searching for ball covered by sand Moving movable obstructions (Stones in bunkers by Local Rule) OK to rake bunker anytime for sole purpose of caring for the course, except to improve lie, stance, area of swing or line of play for next stroke Ball still in bunker after stroke; may smooth sand except to improve lie, stance, area of swing or line of play for next stroke 47

48 Not-OK Actions in Bunkers When Ball is in a Bunker Grounding club in bunker (including practice swings touching the sand) Raking or smoothing sand in bunker if lie, area of intended stance or swing or line of play is improved Touching or moving loose impediments in bunker Cannot purposely test the condition of the bunker 48

49 QUESTIONS Robin Farran