RULES OF GOLF SEMINAR Study Guide

Transcription

1 RULES OF GOLF SEMINAR Study Guide

2 Table of Contents 1. Preparation Tips 2 2. Test Taking Strategies 7 3. Using the Rule Book Exercise 9 4. True/False Exercise Know the Definitions Exercise Decisions on Index Exercise Multiple Choice Questions Based On the Decisions Exercise Rules of Golf Philosophy and Connections Exercises Multiple Choice Closed Book Exercise Multiple Choice Open Book Exercise Answer Sheets 90

3 RULES SEMINAR TEST PREPARATION TIPS As you begin preparation for the NCGA Rules Seminar, the following tips are simply ideas and recommendations to help you get started. As no two people study the same way what works for one person may not work for another. The following are general techniques that usually produce good results. Before you even begin it s helpful to develop a schedule as a means of allocating your time. After developing a schedule...follow it! Timing when to study is critical. Be sure you are rested and alert. Outlining studies have shown that when key points are highlighted rather than underlined they are more easily remembered. Making notes in your own words is also helpful. The more active the learning is, the more you will remember. Research Look it up! Whether you re playing golf, watching it on TV or discussing it with friends whenever a rules question comes up, take time to research the rule. It may be slow at first, but the experience will accelerate your personal learning curve. Practice One of the difficulties with taking a Rules Exam is the time constraints. If you practice by doing practice quizzes or working through the Decisions book, you will be able to move more quickly during the exam. There are four important steps to becoming more fluent in using the Decisions Book: 1. Know the Rule Numbers and Headings. There is no way around it, if you don t know the numbers and headings you will waste valuable time during the exam. 2. Know the Definitions. As stated below, the importance of knowing the Definitions cannot be understated. The less time you spend sifting through various Decisions when the answer is in the heart of a Definition, the more time you have to ponder difficult test questions. 3. Consult the Index Contents and become familiar with the list of headings. Being familiar with the Index headings is one of the keys to successfully navigating the Index and finding Decisions more quickly. 4. Practice. Practice means more than just answering the questions, follow up and find the references, use the Index even when you can find the Decision without it so you are more prepared when you need the Index. 2

4 RULES SEMINAR STUDY SCHEDULES PHASE I DEFINITIONS It is impossible to understand the Rules of Golf without first understanding the definitions. There are 61 definitions in the rules book. Definitions are terms that define areas of the course, objects and playing situations that confront golfers. In order to properly interpret a rules situation, it is necessary to refer to the definition to correctly understand and apply the relevant rule. Memorize definitions Create flashcards for definitions. Put topics on one side of the card, answers on the other. Flashcards will enable you to test your ability to not only recognize important information, but will increase your ability to retrieve information. Understand the differences between key words Must, Should and May are critical as you study the definitions as are A Ball, His Ball or The Ball. For instance, A Ball allows for substitution of a new ball The Ball' is the ball currently in play. Begin reading the 'Rules of Golf Book Become familiar with the rules by their numbers. Be sure to read and understand the Notes and Exceptions listed under a Rule. EXERCISES 1. Check out the USGA s website at and click the Rules tab. In addition to a Rule of the Day with a related question, there are online quizzes. 2. Royal Canadian Golf Association website at 3. Check out the R & A s website at You may notice some slight spelling differences. 4. Check out the NCGA s Rules Resources page and the Aid to Memorizing Rules document. OTHER TOOLS/READING MATERIALS: The Rules of Golf in Plain English -Jeffrey S. Kuhn & Bryan A Gamer Golf Rules Illustrated Available at under publications. PHASE II Review: The following should be completed. Definitions committed to memory Rules of Golf book read several times USGA online 'basic' quizzes mastered Rules of Golf in Plain English and Golf Rules Illustrated completed PHASE III 3

5 Read: Decisions on the Rules of Golf over the next three weeks in small increments. The Decisions are interpretations of the Rules as a result of questions from golfers and golf organizations from around the world. Become familiar with the Contents of Index. Spend time reading the Decisions book and become familiar with the questions. It is important to identify 'key' words in the situation/question and find the appropriate reference(s). Example Situation: On the tee of a par four, a player asks his opponent which club he used. Key word: Advice look it up in the Contents of Index. Each decision starts with the Rule number such as 10-2/1. First number: Second number: Third number: (10) is the Rule (2) is the subsection of the Rule (/1) is the Decision number on a particular subsection of a Rule If you cannot find the exact Decision you are looking for find one that is similar and then check the cross-referenced Decisions at the bottom of the Decision before you go back to the index. HINT: Keep your Decisions book where you watch TV. Mute the commercials and read a decision or two. You will be amazed at how much you accomplish. Break up your reading of the Decisions into groupings. One suggested method is to group like Rules together: The Game o Rule 1 - The Game o Rule 2 - Match Play o Rule 3 - Stroke Play Clubs and the Ball o Rule 4 - Clubs o Rule 5 - The Ball Player's Responsibilities o Rule 6 - The Player o Rule 7 - Practice o Rule 8 - Advice o Rule 9 - Information as to strokes taken Order of Play and Teeing Ground o Rule 10 - Order of Play o Rule 11 - Teeing Ground Playing the Ball o Rule 12 - Searching for and identifying Ball o Rule 13 - Ball Played as it lies o Rule 14 - Striking the Ball Rule 15 - Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball 4

6 Putting Green Rule 16 --The Putting Green Rule 17 --The Flagstick Ball Moved, Deflected or Stopped Rule 18 - Ball at rest moved Rule 19 - Ball in motion deflected or stopped Relief Situations and Procedures Rule 20 - Lifting, dropping and placing; playing from wrong place Rule 21 - Cleaning Ball Rule 22 - Ball assisting or interfering with play Rule 23 - Loose Impediments Rule 24 - Obstructions Rule 25 - Abnormal ground conditions, embedded ball/wrong putting green Rule 26 - Water hazards Rule 27 - Ball lost or out of bounds; provisional ball Rule 28 - Ball unplayable Other Forms of Play and Administration Rule 29 - Threesomes and foursomes Rule 30 - Three ball, Best Ball and four ball match play Rule 31 - Four-ball stroke play Rule 32 - Bogey, Par and Stableford competitions Rule 33 - The Committee Rule 34 - Disputes and Decisions Phase IV It s time to test your knowledge and understanding of the rules and prepare for the test at the completion of the NCGA Rules Seminar. The following exercises, test taking tips and strategies are intended to assist you in preparing for Rules School. Recommended Activities USGA website at - take the advanced/random mix quizzes NCGA Rules Resources Page - review Robin Farran s Key Points documents Rules and Decisions Videos (Rules of Golf Explained) R & A online rules quizzes at WHAT IS THE RULING EXERCISE? To answer any questions on the Rules you must first establish the facts of the case. 5

7 To do so you should identify: 1. What is the form of play (match play or stroke play; single, foursome or four-ball)? 2. Who is involved (the player, his partner, or caddie, an outside agency)? 3. Where the incident occurred (on the teeing ground, in a bunker or water hazard, on the putting green, or elsewhere on the course)? 4. Where is the ball? 5. What were the player s intentions (what was he/she doing and what does he/she want to do)? 6. When did it happen? Does the player have an opportunity to correct or has he/she teed off at the next hole? 7. Why is a ruling necessary? (Did the player proceed under a correct rule? If not, what is the applicable rule)? 8. What are the subsequent events that have taken place (has the player turned in his/her score card or has the competition closed)? Example: Your friend has invited you to play as his partner in his club's invitational four-ball stroke-play competition. On the final hole of the round, your partner flubs his tee shot towards a lateral water hazard 20 yards in front of the tee. You hear the ball hit a small tree but do not see the ball after it hits the tree. The area between the fairway and the hazard is covered by heather and six inch rough. After searching for five minutes, your partner assumes that the ball went into the hazard. He drops a ball behind the hazard at a spot that conforms to Rule 26-1b and plays that ball onto the green. As he was walking to the green, he found his original ball in the hazard. Has he proceeded correctly? If not, is there a penalty? Who: Your partner but has no bearing on answer What: Four-Ball Stroke play Stroke Play Where: Ball may be in hazard or lost from a tee shot. Area where ball may be has heather and thick rough. When: No time issues - not a serious breach Why: Player can't find ball, needs to take correct relief. When player dropped the ball under the water hazard rule was it the applicable Rule? Was he entitled to take relief? NO Rule 26 requires virtual certainty that the ball is in the hazard ~with the tall rough and the fact that a ball hit the tree and could have gone in any direction, there is NOT VIRTUAL CERTAINTY (see Decision 26-1/1). Therefore, we must find the applicable rule. Do we know where the ball is? NO. Consequently, the only rule that applies is Rule 27 - Ball Lost or Out of Bounds. Therefore, the player was not entitled to assume that his original ball was in the hazard and the fact that it was subsequently found in the hazard is irrelevant. When the player dropped and played another ball behind the hazard, it became the ball in play and the original ball was lost. The player was required to proceed under Rule In playing the ball dropped under Rule 26-1, he played from a wrong place. He incurred the stroke-and-distance penalty prescribed by Rule 27-1 and an additional penalty of two strokes for a breach of that Rule. While it may seem unfair to make the player proceed under the lost ball rule, when his ball actually turns up in the hazard, it is important to remember that the player searched for 5 minutes and didn't find the ball, therefore the ball was lost (Definition of Lost Ball). Also, he was never entitled to assume that it went in the hazard when there were many other places the ball might be (tall rough and heather). Once we know that the player should proceed under the lost ball rule, we know that he must go back to the teeing ground to hit his next shot. He did not do this, so he played from a wrong place and incurred a penalty of two strokes under the lost ball rule (see penalty statement under 27-1 and 20-7). Don't forget to add the 1 stroke penalty for a lost ball. 6

8 TEST TAKING STRATEGIES Learning good test taking strategies and techniques is an important component to your success on the Rules of Golf test. Test Taking Tips: 1. Key words: objective tests usually contain one or more key words. Underline key word(s) in the test question to help formulate the answer. A key word or group of words are those on which the truth or falsity of a statement hinges. Learn to spot the key words in the statement that define the meaning. If a statement contains two clauses, one of which is false, the whole statement is false. 2. Multiple choice questions: multiple choice questions are essentially true-false questions arranged in groups. Usually only one alternative is correct. Your job is to pick the alternative that is more nearly true than the other. Read multiple choice questions the same way as true-false. Eliminate obvious false choices. 3. Options: Cover the options, read the questions, and try to answer. Select the option that most closely matches your answer. Eliminate options you know to be incorrect. Mark words or alternatives in questions that eliminate the option. Give each option of a question the "true-false test:" This may reduce your selection to the best answer. Question options that grammatically don t fit with the key word(s). Read the question with each option. Treat each option as a true-false question, and choose the most true. Certain verbs in test questions require specific types of answers; analyze test questions for 1) the verb denoting the answer required, and 2) key words that will help the focus on the information needed. Strategies to answer difficult questions: Question options that contain negative or absolute words. Try substituting a qualified term for the absolute one, like frequently for always; or typical for every to see if you can eliminate it. 1. All of the above: If you know two of three options seem correct, "all of the above" is a strong possibility. 2. Look alike options: One is probably correct; choose the best but eliminate choices that mean basically the same thing, and thus cancel each other out. 3. Double negatives: Create the equivalent positive statement and consider. If two alternatives seem correct, compare them for differences, and then refer to the questions to find your best answer. In-Test Strategies for Multiple Choice: With all these characteristics, it is no wonder that multiple choice tests are both under-estimated by some students and revered by others. Here are a series of in-test strategies: START WITH QUESTIONS YOU CAN ANSWER READILY. Do not waste time laboring over troublesome questions at the start. Be sure to get credit for items you know well. SET GOALS FOR TIME AND PACE YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY. Allocate your time according to the relative worth of questions. 7

9 READ THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY TWICE IF NECESSARY. Avoid jumping to conclusions about what you think the question asks. CIRCLE OR UNDERLINE KEY WORDS IN QUESTIONS. Multiple choice tests examine your ability to read carefully and thoughtfully as much as they test your ability to recall and reason. Watch for words like "all," "always," "never," "none," "few," "many," some," "sometimes." SOMETIMES ALTERNATIVES DIFFER BY ONLY ONE OR TWO WORDS or in the order of one or two terms. These can seem very confusing. It helps sometimes to read the stem of the question (that's the question part) with an alternative while covering up the others. By methodically thinking through the alternatives this way, you may be able to make more sense of the options by labeling them true or false and eliminating those that do not correctly complete the question. TRANSLATE DOUBLE NEGATIVE STATEMENTS into positive ones. Examples like "Not lacking" or "not none" become "having" and "some" and this can reduce confusion. OVERALL, remember that you are looking for the best answer, not only a correct one, and not one which must be true all of the time, in all cases, and without exception. 8

10 USING THE RULE BOOK EXERCISE Instructions: Identify the Rule number and sub-section that cover the following situations. Example: A player announces that he will play a provisional ball A player moves a loose impediment while in a hazard. 2. A player suggests a fellow-competitor take an unplayable. 3. A player accidentally goes to and plays from the wrong teeing ground. 4. A player touches his line of putt while addressing his ball. 5. A player uses a plain glove in order to assist him in gripping the club. 6. After witnessing a breach on the third hole, a player makes a claim on the fifth hole. 7. A seagull swoops down and steals a player s ball. 8. A player s ball hits his opponent s caddie. 9. A player wants to discontinue play because of lightning. 10. In foursomes stroke play, a side plays out of order. 11. In four-ball match play, a player hits his partner s ball. 12. The Committee discovers an incorrect score card after the close of competition. 13. In match play, a player plays out of order. 14. A player removes dew from the teeing ground. 15. A player s club bends as the result of a stroke and he continues to use it. 16. A player s partner stands on an extension of his line of play behind the ball. 17. On the putting green, a player s ball fails to come to rest when replaced. 18. In match play, players do not determine their respective handicaps. 19. A fence post interferes with a player s area of intended swing. 20. In stroke play, a player is unsure how to proceed in a doubtful situation. 21. A player can t find his ball and thinks it s covered by leaves in a bunker. 22. A player s stroke from a water hazard comes to rest in another water hazard. 23. A player drops a ball three times then realizes his mistake. 24. A player anchors his club intentionally during a stroke. 25. A player finds his ball lying out of bounds. 9

11 Instructions: TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS BASED ON THE RULE BOOK- EXERCISE Using the Rule book, answer each question either true or false. 1. If a player plays a stroke from the previous spot, he has proceeded under stroke and distance. 2. A player can play a stipulated round without addressing the ball. 3. Both partners must hole out while playing four-ball stroke-play. 4. A ball overhanging the edge of a bunker without touching the sand is in the bunker. 5. When in a bunker a player may use any option under Ball Unplayable to take relief outside the bunker. 6. A player must take relief for interference by an abnormal ground condition. 7. A player is not entitled to relief for intervention on his line of play by a sprinkler near the putting green. 8. In match play, a player may play two balls when doubtful of a procedure. 9. A ball that has been marked but not lifted is still in play. 10. The Committee may make a Local Rule waiving a Rule of Golf for local abnormal conditions. 11. A player may give information regarding the Rules to a fellow-competitor. 12. If a player breaks a branch impeding her backswing while making a practice swing there is no penalty. 13. If a player plays his provisional ball after finding the original in bounds and in time, he has played a wrong ball. 14. If a player has addressed the ball and it then moves, he is deemed to have caused the movement. 15. If a player substitutes a ball when not permitted, the mistake cannot be corrected prior to a stroke. 16. A player may touch her line of putt in order to repair an old hole plug. 17. A club rendered non-conforming by damage during the normal course of play may be used for the remainder of that round. 18. In match play, a player who plays the first two holes with 15 clubs loses the first two holes. 19. In match play, if a player breaches the Rules the penalty is loss of hole. 20. A player may take relief for a ball that is embedded in sand. 21. If a player s ball strikes his opponent s caddie, he must cancel and replay the stroke. 22. A dropped ball rolls onto the putting green. The player may play the ball as it lies. 23. An abnormal ground condition includes a hole made by a salamander (reptile). 24. A ball in play can never be a wrong ball. 25. A stray ball lifted, dropped and played under the unplayable Rule is a wrong ball. 10

12 KNOW THE DEFINITIONS - EXERCISE Instructions: Name the applicable definition(s). Note - A described object/person may or may not have the status of the applicable definition. 1. A player finds and plays a ball belonging to another player. 2. A cast made by an insect. 3. A puddle of water visible only after taking a stance. 4. A tee used to mark one club-length from the nearest point of relief. 5. A hole dug by the greenkeeper to repair a broken drain. 6. A player drops a ball under the Water Hazard Rule with virtual certainty then finds his original ball. 7. A player replaces his lucky putting ball instead of his original ball on the putting green. 8. A player s ball touches an out of bounds line. 9. A player s ball comes to rest in a pile of manufactured ice. 10. A player s nearest point of relief from ground under repair in pine straw is on grass. 11. A player spends 6 minutes playing a wrong ball prior to finding his original ball. 12. A fellow-competitor accidentally moves a player s ball. 13. A player has replaced a ball but has not removed the ball-marker when her ball moves. 14. A player s ball heads directly toward a water hazard and may not be lost anywhere else. 15. A player intentionally swings over the top of his ball. 16. A ball strikes a rake held by a fellow-competitor s caddie. 17. A player drops a new ball when taking relief from a cart path. 18. A player s ball comes to rest on a practice putting green on the course. 19. A player plays his ball found lying out of bounds. 20. A rover in match play observes a player play from a wrong place. 21. A player wishes to take relief from a gopher hole. 22. A player replaces a divot five yards in front of his ball. 23. A ball comes to rest against the flagstick about halfway in the hole. 24. A ball comes to rest near a pile of goose dung. 25. A player drives a shared golf cart over his opponent s ball. 11

13 USING THE INDEX IN THE DECISIONS ON THE RULES OF GOLF - EXERCISE The purpose of this Exercise is to familiarize yourself with the Decisions Book index. Each question below describes an incident and the task is to identify the relevant Decision number using the Index and also list all of the Index headings under which that Decision appears. Each question indicates how many headings the relevant Decision will be listed under. Example: A player holds the flagstick with one hand and putts out with the other hand. Decision 17-1/5 Headings 1. Flagstick 2. Holed and Holing Out 3. Putting Green 4. Stroke 1. A started with 14 clubs. During the round he inadvertently grabs one of B s clubs and makes a stroke with it. He then puts in back in his own bag and carries it for 3 holes before it is discovered. Decision Headings A competitor requests that a ball in position to assist him not be lifted. Decision Headings A player drops his ball when he should have placed it, but he hasn t played it yet. Decision Headings A player is unable to find his first tee shot and returns to the tee. He tees up another ball but, before he hits it, his original ball is found within five minutes after he began to search for it. Decision Headings

14 5. A player moves a tee-marker before making her first stroke on that hole. Decision Headings A player drops his ball within the area prescribed by the applicable Rule and it first strikes a tree branch and then bounces down to the ground outside the area where he was required to drop it. Decision Headings A player places his water bottle on the green to determine the slope. Decision Headings A and B are partners in a four-ball competition. A is practicing putting on the previous green when B drove from the next tee. Decision Headings

15 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS BASED ON THE DECISIONS ON THE RULES OF GOLF EXERCISE The purpose of this exercise is to translate practice using the Index into answering Rules questions. During the open book portion of the test, it is extremely helpful and highly recommended to reference a Rule or Decision and write it with your answer. When you review your answers prior to returning your answer sheet, having the Decision reference in place will help you clarify any possible questions you still have about your answer. Example: Q. A player, unable to find his ball, puts another ball into play. He then discovers that his original ball is in the hole. What is the ruling? a. The player must continue play with the second ball put into play. b. The score with the original ball counts. c. The player has played a wrong ball. A. b. Decision 1-1/2 1. A player s ball lies on a flat portion of the putting green on a day with light winds. The player addresses the ball and the ball immediately moves. What is the ruling? a. There is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies. b. There is a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. c. The player incurs the general penalty and the ball must be replaced. A. 2. A player briefly searches for his ball then announces he will return to play a provisional ball. The player drops the ball announced as a provisional at the previous spot, but prior to making the stroke and within the five minute search period the original ball is found. What is the ruling? a. The original ball was lost as soon as he dropped the ball at the previous spot. b. The player may play the second ball as a provisional prior to identifying the found ball. c. The second ball was put into play under an inapplicable Rule and the player must correct the mistake by playing the original ball or incur a penalty of stroke and distance. A. 3. A competitor marks his ball on the putting green by scratching an X behind the ball. What is the ruling? a. There is no penalty, provided the putting green was not tested. b. The player incurs a two-stroke penalty. c. The player is disqualified. A. 4. A player determines his nearest point of relief from a cart path with a 9-iron. He drops the ball and it comes to rest in a position where he can play a 3-wood, and there is no interference for the stroke with the 9-iron. His stance with the 3-wood is on the cart path and he makes the stroke. What is the ruling? a. There is no penalty. b. The player incurs the general penalty. c. The player is disqualified for a serious breach of playing from a wrong place. A. 14

16 5. A player in stroke play assumes his original ball to be in a water hazard, despite the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty. He proceeds under Rule 26-1c by dropping a ball within two club-lengths of where he believed the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard. He then finds his original ball outside the water hazard. What is the ruling? a. The original ball is lost and the other ball is in play with a one-stroke penalty. b. Since it was not virtually certain the original ball was in the water hazard, he proceeded incorrectly and must continue play with the original ball, without penalty. c. Since it was not virtually certain the original ball was in the water hazard, the proceeded incorrectly and must continue play with the original ball, with a two-stroke penalty. A. 6. A player listens to music while making a stroke. What is the ruling? a. There is no penalty. b. The player incurs the general penalty. c. The player is disqualified. A. 7. A competitor is considering putting his ball from a bunker and rakes several footprints in the bunker on his line of play. What is the ruling? a. There is no penalty. b. The player incurs a two-stroke penalty. c. The player incurs a total of four penalty strokes. A. 8. In playing a chip shot, a player s club strikes the ground several inches behind the ball, causing the ball to move without being touched. The club continues forward and actually strikes the ball while in motion. What is the ruling? a. The player has made one stroke and incurs one penalty stroke. b. The player has not made a stroke, incurs one penalty stroke and must replace the ball. c. The player has made a stroke and incurs the general penalty. A. 9. A player drops the ball in the fairway within one club-length of his nearest point of relief from a sprinkler head when the ball originally lay in the rough. What is the ruling? a. The ball must be played as it lies without penalty. b. The player incurs a one-stroke penalty and must correctly drop the ball in the rough. c. If the player plays the ball, he will incur the general penalty. A. 10. A competitor finds a ball she believes is her original ball after her long tee shot, deems it unplayable, drops and plays it under Rule 28c. She then discovers it was not her ball. What is the ruling? a. She incurs a one-stroke penalty and must continue with the dropped ball. b. She must abandon the dropped ball and may find and play her original ball. c. She must play a ball from the tee, incurring three total penalty strokes. A. 15

17 RULES OF GOLF PHILOSOPHY AND CONNECTIONS -EXERCISE The following questions will test your knowledge of various concepts and connections within the Rules of Golf. The questions are designed to help you identify some of the underlying concepts in the Rules of Golf. The exercises should be attempted Closed Book unless otherwise stated. Parts of the Course The Rules of Golf have separated the Course into four parts that are treated more or less favorably throughout the Rules. Where a ball lies will determine whether or not a player is entitled to relief, or what actions are permissible. Knowing the parts of the Course and their limitations is key to understanding the Rules. Attempt this exercise Closed Book, questions 7 & 8 may be done Open Book. 1. Name the Four main parts of the Course: i. ii. iii. iv. 2. Name the Two types of Hazards: i. ii. 3. What is the one defined area that is not a part of the Course? 4. List the Two defined areas that have margins that extended vertically up and down: i. ii. 5. True or False - A ball is in the defined area if it is touching it: i. The Teeing Ground ii. The Putting Green iii. Water Hazard iv. Bunker v. Out of Bounds 6. List these parts of the Course in order from the most favorably treated (under the Rules) to the least favorably treated Bunkers, Putting Green, Teeing Ground, Through the Green, Water Hazards: i. ii. iii. iv. v. 7. List Two things you are permitted to do on the Teeing Ground that you are not permitted to do on the Putting Green (besides teeing the ball): i. ii. 8. List at least Two Rules that treat Bunkers differently from Through the Green: i. ii. 16

18 Types of Definitions The Definitions are fundamental to understanding the Rules of Golf. There are several ways the Definitions were written and knowing the different types will help you in understanding their true meaning. The two types in the following section that will be highlights are Umbrella definitions (definitions that include several other definitions) and Negative definitions (definitions that tell you what they are by saying what they are not). 1. What Three artificial things are NOT obstructions: i. ii. iii. 2. True or False The following are Outside Agencies: i. An opponent s caddie in match play ii. A fellow-competitor s caddie in stroke play iii. Another player s ball in play in either form of play iv. My partner s clubs v. Wind 3. True or False The following are Wrong Balls: i. A second ball under Rule 3-3 in match play ii. A second ball under Rule 20-7c in stroke play iii. A provisional ball in match play iv. A stray ball dropped instead of the original when taking relief from a cart path v. My partner s ball in play 4. Rule 25-1 provides relief for interference by an abnormal ground condition. An abnormal ground condition includes:,, or a,, or on the course made by a, or. 5. List Two things that are carried can be equipment or not equipment depending on how it s being used: i. ii. 6. Name a negative definition that includes an umbrella definition. 7. Name Two definitions that mention dew and frost: i. ii. 8. (Open Book) Determine the status of the form of water listed (may or may not be a Definition): i. Lake ii. Frost iii. Snow on the ground iv. Manufactured ice v. Dew vi. Rain 17

19 Breaches Between Holes In each of the following situations a player has breached a Rule between the play of two holes. The Rules of Golf try to determine what hole the possible advantage gained by the breach of the Rule would best apply to. List during which hole the action is deemed to have taken place (Previous or Next) Extra Credit What is the Rule Number: 1. The player discovers that he is carrying 15 clubs. 2. The player plays two practice strokes at the driving range between the 9 th and 10 th hole. 3. The player adds a second caddie to obtain advice. 4. The player discovers she is carrying a non-conforming club. 5. The player uses a weighted donut to loosen up between holes. 6. (Open Book) The player gets a ride between holes in a walking only event. 7. The player with 14 clubs replaces a club damaged in the normal course of play that was not unfit for play. 8. The player stops for 20 minutes to make a phone call at the turn. Status of the Ball Exercises Knowing the status of the ball is key to understanding what Rule applies in various situations. Lost Ball, Wrong Ball, Substituted Ball and Ball in Play are the key definitions and all play at least some role in determining whether a player has proceeded correctly with the ball just played, dropped or placed. 1. List the Five ways a ball may become lost: i. ii. iii. iv. v. 2. In the following scenarios, what is the status of the original ball (Lost or Not Lost): i. The player plays their provisional ball from 20 yards farther from the hole than where she will go to look for the original ball. ii. iii. iv. The player drops and plays a ball under the water hazard Rule WITHOUT knowledge or virtual certainty her original was in the water hazard. The player drops but has not played a ball under the water hazard Rule WITH virtual certainty that the ball is in the water hazard. The original ball is then found within five minutes of beginning to search outside the water hazard. The player returns to the tee to play a second ball, and the original ball is found within the five minute search period but after the second ball has been teed. v. The player returns to the previous spot in a fairway and drops a ball under stroke and distance. The original ball is found within the five minute search period and before the dropped ball is played. 18

20 vi. vii. viii. The player drops a new ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief from a cart path and plays it. The original ball is sitting in the middle of the path. The original ball is found 5 minutes and 2 seconds after beginning to search for it. (Open Book) The player properly announces and plays a provisional ball. The player finds the original ball in bounds, but in an unplayable position. The player decides to continue with the provisional ball and prior to playing from the next teeing ground the player is questioned. 3. In the following scenarios the player has not proceeded correctly. Has the player played a wrong ball or have they played from a wrong place (Open Book)? i. A player s ball goes into a water hazard but in a position where it is easily retrievable. He substitutes a new ball and drops it three club-lengths from where the original last crossed the margin of the hazard. ii. iii. iv. A player plays his own ball which his partner had marked, lifted and set aside. A player finds and plays a stray ball from a bunker. A player finds a stray ball in a bunker, lifts and drops it within two club-lengths under the ball unplayable Rule and plays. v. A player finds his original ball in bounds, but continues play with his provisional ball. vi. vii. viii. A player finds his original ball in an area of rough turf. He plays it and then discovers the ball was in ground under repair. With the original ball in sight, he drops a new ball under Rule 25-1 and plays it to the green. A player finds his ball where he has interference from an out of bounds stake. He lifts and drops the ball in accordance with Rule 24-2 and it rolls out of bounds. He plays the ball from there. A player hits a tee shot toward a lateral water hazard and he is virtually certain the ball is in the hazard. The player drops a ball two club-lengths from where he believed the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. Before playing the ball he discovers the original ball lying outside the hazard. He abandons the dropped ball and plays the original. 4. List the One occasion a player is not penalized for playing a wrong ball. 5. List Two occasions a player may substitute a ball during a hole without a penalty stroke involved: i. ii. 19

21 Closed Book Practice Examination Questions This document contains all the questions that are used in the practice examination s closed book section. Each time you take the practice examination online 50 questions will be selected from this list. The correct answers to these questions can be found in the corresponding Answers PDF file along with references to the appropriate Rule, Decision or Definition. 1) In a stroke-play competition the Committee has not established any pace of play guidelines or a modified penalty structure for pace of play. Between play of the 9th and 10th holes, a player goes to the club's parking lot and makes a phone call. When he gets to the 10th tee, his two fellow-competitors have played from the tee and are waiting for him. The group behind arrives at the 10th tee at the same time as he does. The Committee becomes aware of the incident before the player completes his round, what is the ruling? (A) The player incurs no penalty. (B) The player incurs a one-stroke penalty. (C) The player incurs a two-stroke penalty. (D) The player is disqualified. 2) Which one of the following is an immovable obstruction? (A) A road declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course. (B) An out of bounds stake. (C) A tree or shrub indicating 150 yards to the putting green. (D) A bridge over a water hazard. 20

22 3) In stroke play, a player played his first stroke on a hole from outside the teeing ground, and his ball came to rest out of bounds. Which one of the following is the correct ruling? (A) The player must put another ball into play under penalty of stroke and distance. He must drop a ball and make his third stroke from where he last played from outside the teeing ground. (B) The player must put another ball into play under penalty of stroke and distance. He will also incur a penalty of two strokes for playing a ball from outside the teeing grounds. He will be making his fifth stroke from within the teeing ground. (C) Because his ball came to rest out of bounds, he is not penalized for playing from outside the teeing ground and the stroke does not count. He must put another ball into play under penalty of distance only from within the teeing ground. He will be making his second stroke from within the teeing ground. (D) The player incurred a penalty of two strokes for playing from outside the teeing ground. The fact that his ball came to rest out of bounds was irrelevant, and the stroke itself did not count. He must make his third stroke from within the teeing ground. 4) Which one of the following statements is true with respect to out of bounds? (A) The margin of out of bounds extends vertically upwards, but not downwards. (B) When a boundary is defined by a wall, by definition the inside face of the wall serves as the boundary line. (C) When out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. (D) When out of bounds is defined by reference to stakes, the out of bounds line is determined by the outside points of the stakes at ground level. 5) In four-ball stroke play, players A and B are partners. A started the round with 13 clubs. He damages his putter in anger after missing a short putt, changing the playing characteristics. B started the round with 10 clubs. Without penalty, A may: (A) share B's putter for the remainder of the round. (B) use B's putter for the remainder of the round, provided B does not use it again. (C) without unduly delaying play, retrieve an extra putter from B's car and use it for the remainder of the round. (D) repair the damaged putter as best he can and use it only for the remainder of that stipulated round. 21

23 6) In which one of the following is the original ball "lost?" (A) Spectators have searched for five minutes and the ball has not been found when the player and his caddie arrive in the area where the ball is likely to be. (B) The player has dropped but not played a ball under Rule 25-1c (Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found) when it is not known or virtually certain that the ball, which has not been found, is in an area of ground under repair. (C) The player has made a stroke at a provisional ball from a point farther from the hole than where the original ball is likely to be. (D) The player has put another ball into play under penalty of stroke and distance. 7) During a stroke from through the green and without penalty, a flagstick may be held up to indicate a target (A) directly over the hole. (B) over the line of play between the ball and the hole. (C) never, it must be moved away from the hole or line; or it must be replaced in the hole before the stroke is made to avoid penalty. (D) at either A or B. 8) In four-ball match play A and B are partners. A holes out in 4 strokes, and B lies 2 on the fringe of the putting green. Both their opponents, C and D, have holed out in 4 strokes. While B plays his stroke from the fringe (through the green), A's caddie stands on an extension of the line of play behind B's ball to block distractions. B holes his third stroke. What is the ruling? (A) The hole is halved. (B) A and B win the hole. (C) C and D win the hole. (D) A and B are disqualified. 9) In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole he may, without penalty (A) complete the hole with two balls. (B) announce the doubt to his fellow-competitor and be protected from penalty no matter how he proceeds. (C) play a provisional ball. (D) discontinue play, return to the clubhouse and get a ruling. 22

24 10) In stroke play, which one of the following results in a single two-stroke penalty for player A? (A) On the second putting green, A realizes one of the 14 clubs in his bag which he has not used is non-conforming (bent shaft). (B) On the 5th tee, A realizes he started the round with 15 clubs in his bag. (C) On the 8th hole, A inadvertently uses B's wedge to make a stroke from the fairway onto the putting green. (D) A purposely breaks his putter over his knee after missing a short putt on the 12th hole and tosses it into a lake. 11) Before making a stroke from the fringe of the putting green (through the green), the player incurs the general penalty if he (A) taps down spike marks two feet beyond the hole. (B) removes sand from the putting green. (C) repairs a pitch-mark on the putting green that was created on his line of play before his ball came to rest. (D) presses down loose soil in grounding the club lightly when addressing the ball. 12) 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) under penalty of one stroke, deem the ball unplayable and drop a ball on the putting green. (B) under penalty of one stroke, drop a ball on the putting green provided that point is within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. (C) under penalty of one stroke, drop a ball anywhere along the ball's line of flight prior to where it last crossed the margin of the water hazard. (D) without penalty, play the ball as it lies. 23

25 13) During a single match, A believes he is entitled to relief without penalty from an out of bounds fence. Without saying anything to his opponent, B, A lifts his ball, drops it one clublength from the nearest point that gives relief from the fence and plays it. B sees A do this and feels that A was not entitled to relief but says nothing at the time. What can B do about this? (A) Before either A or B tees off from the next tee, he must state the facts and that he is making a claim. (B) Tell A that he wasn t permitted to do what he did, but he will ignore it this time. (C) Ignore the possible breach by A. (D) Either A or C. 14) With respect to match play, which one of the following is true? (A) A side is "dormie" when it is as many holes down as there are holes remaining to be played. (B) A player may concede a hole to his opponent at any time prior to the start or conclusion of the hole. (C) If A and B halve the first hole in four strokes each, the match is "all even." (D) Concession of a stroke may be withdrawn if the player who conceded the putt misunderstood the number of strokes his opponent had taken. 15) Which one of the following statements is true? (A) Casual water is a temporary accumulation of water anywhere on the golf course. (B) Snow and natural ice are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player. (C) There is no relief for casual water on your line of putt. (D) A pile of manufactured ice is casual water. 16) In a handicap single match with an assigned starting time and without a referee. The players must: (A) determine their respective handicaps before starting the match. (B) start at the time established by the Committee. (C) be assisted by a caddie, and they are limited to only one caddie at a time. (D) know the Rules and the penalty for any breach of a Rule of Golf. 24

26 17) In stroke play, while waiting to play from the 10th tee, a competitor practices putting on the nearby practice putting green. Which of the following is correct? (A) He incurs no penalty. (B) He incurs the general penalty, applied to the 10th hole. (C) He must add two penalty strokes to his score on the 10th hole for each practice stroke taken. (D) He is disqualified if he made more than one practice stroke. 18) On a calm day, a player grounds his putter behind his ball in play. Immediately thereafter, his ball moves. What is the ruling? (A) He incurs no penalty and must play the ball as it lies. (B) He incurs a one-stroke penalty and must play the ball as it lies. (C) He incurs a one-stroke penalty and must replace the ball. (D) He incurs the general penalty and in stroke play must play the ball as it lies. 19) In a single match, a player makes a stroke and his ball is accidentally deflected by the cart he is sharing with his opponent. At the time the opponent is driving (moving) the cart to a spot behind the putting green. The player's ball comes to rest in the moving cart. What is the ruling? (A) Neither player incurs a penalty and the player may either cancel the stroke and replay it or the ball must be dropped directly under the spot where it came to rest in the cart. (B) The player incurs a penalty of one stroke and the stroke must be canceled and replayed. (C) The opponent incurs a penalty of one stroke and the player either may cancel the stroke and replay it or the ball must be dropped directly under the spot where it came to rest in the cart. (D) The opponent loses the hole. 20) Which one these balls is in "ground under repair?" (A) A ball is caught up in the branch of a tree rooted outside the ground under repair but overhangs an area of ground under repair. (B) A ball that comes to rest in a pile of discarded grass clippings. (C) A ball that comes to rest on natural ice. (D) A ball which is touching the white paint line designating ground under repair. 25

27 21) A ball is deemed "lost" if: (A) the player plays a provisional ball from where the original ball was last played and it comes to rest nearer the hole than where the original ball is likely to be. (B) the player finds his ball in an unplayable lie after a three minute search. (C) the player's first stroke from the tee comes to rest in a water hazard and a second ball is teed, but not yet played. (D) a new ball has been dropped under Rule 26-1b (Relief for Ball in Water Hazard) when the player s original ball has not been found but is known to be in the water hazard. 22) Which one of the following is the player's "equipment?" (A) A towel carried by the player s caddie. (B) A tee used to mark the area in which the player will drop. (C) A shared golf cart being moved by a fellow-competitor. (D) The player's ball in play. 23) A group of players in a stroke-play competition think it is too dark to play and discontinue play five minutes before the Committee sounds the signal to suspend play for darkness. What is the ruling? (A) No penalty to anyone; the players are entitled to discontinue in such circumstances. (B) To avoid possible penalty, the players in the group must report to the Committee as soon as practicable. (C) The Committee must apply the general penalty to all players in the group. (D) The Committee must disqualify all players in the group 24) The player incurs a penalty under Rule 16 (The Putting Green) in which one of the following? (A) He repairs damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball and in the process causes his ball, that is just off the putting green, to move. (B) He touches the line of putt in measuring to determine who is away. (C) Before putting out, he repairs damage made by a caddie in the previous group when the caddie carelessly replaced the flagstick in the hole. (D) He makes a croquet style stroke at his ball which lies on the fringe of the putting green (through the green). 26

28 25) The player makes a stroke from within the teeing ground; his ball deflects off a moving maintenance vehicle and comes to rest out of bounds. The player must: (A) cancel the stroke and replay from the teeing ground without penalty. (B) drop a ball as near as possible to where the original ball struck the maintenance vehicle without penalty. (C) drop a ball within two club-lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the out-ofbounds line with a penalty of one stroke. (D) proceed under penalty of stroke and distance. 26) The player has not played a wrong ball if he makes a stroke at: (A) his original ball that is lying out of bounds. (B) his original ball that has been lifted from the putting green and set aside. (C) a stray ball that he lifts and drops in a bunker under the Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable). (D) his four-ball partner's ball in play. 27) A player is taking relief from a cart path. He leaves the original ball on the path and drops a second (substituted) ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. Before making a stroke at either ball, which ball is in play? (A) The original ball on the path. (B) The substituted ball. (C) Both balls. (D) Neither ball. 28) Which one of the following statements is true about searching for a ball in a water hazard? (A) If the player moves his ball while searching for it under leaves in a dry portion of the water hazard there is no penalty. (B) In searching for a ball covered by leaves on the bank of a water hazard, a player may remove as many leaves as will enable him to see a part of the ball. (C) A player may not use a club to probe for a ball believed to be lying in water in a water hazard. (D) If a player moves leaves covering his ball in a water hazard while searching for his ball, he is not required to replace them. 27