THE COLORADO RULES ADVISORY GROUP INTERPRETATIONS ON THE RULES OF GOLF

THE COLORADO RULES ADVISORY GROUP INTERPRETATIONS ON THE RULES OF GOLF

2016 The Colorado Rules Advisory Group The Colorado Rules Advisory Group was formed in 1994 to help golf officials and players with rules situations that were not explicitly covered by existing USGA Rules or Decisions.The Rules Advisory Group meets annually and discusses Rules problems that occurred in the previous year. Several interpretations made by the Rules Advisory Group have been subsequently incorporated into the The Rules of Golf and the USGA s Decisions on the Rules of Golf. If a situation occurs on a golf course that you think should be reviewed by the Rules Advisory Group, please pass it on to a member of the Colorado Rules Advisory Group. 2016 Members Name Christie Austin Mike Boster Jim Bunch Alex Crall Maggie Giesenhagen Dustin Jensen Rich Langston Pete Lis Jim Magette M.J. Mastalir Ed Mate Ken McGechie Gene Miranda Will Nicholson Mark Passey Mike Rice Sandra Schnitzer Greg With Position Former Chair, USGA Rules Committee CGA Rules Committee Former Member, USGA Rules Committee CGA Manager of Rules and Competitions Former Member, USGA Staff CGA Managing Director of Operations CGA Rules Committee LPGA Rules Official CGA Governor; CGA Rules Committee Former Chair, USGA Rules Committee CGA Executive Director CGA Rules Committee CGA Rules Committee USGA Rules Committee USGA Regional Director, Central Region CGA Rules Committee CWGA Rules Chair CGA Governor; Chair, Rules Committee The Colorado Rules Advisory Group extends a special thanks to its former Secretary Clint McGraw, without whose dedication and expertise this publication would not have existed. ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1-2/a 1-2/b 1-4/a 2-4/a 3-3/c Ball Moved, Accidentally or Purposely....1 Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Lifts Player s Ball Moving in Water.1 in Water Hazard to Prevent It From Going Out of Bounds Ball Lies Near Open Gate in Boundary Fence Which Interferes...1 With Lie of Ball What Constitutes Concession of the Next Stroke, the Hole or the Match?...2 Player Uncertain of His Rights Invokes Rule 3-3 a Second Time on the...2 Same Hole 4/a Rulings, Questions or Possible Violations of Rule 4..3 4-2a/a 4-4a/b 6-7/a Player Uses Felt Marker to Darken Alignment Mark on Top of Putter..3 Clubhead Player Sends Caddie to Retrieve Putter Left on Practice Green; 3 Caddie Returns with a Fellow-Competitor s Putter; Player Putts Out With It on First Hole Undue Delay, Penalty Against Team Four-Ball Stroke Play..4 8/a Coach Requests Permission to Stop His Player from Playing a.4 Wrong Ball 8-1/a 12-2/a 12-2/b 13-2/a 13-4/a 13-4/b 13-4/c 13-4/d Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Knows of Hidden Dogleg; Stops 5 Player from Using Driver from Tee Player's Right to Lift Ball for Identification 5 Identifying Ball, Marked or Not Marked.6 Practice Swing Knocks Down Branch, Improving Area of.6 Intended Swing Testing Condition of Hazard, Practice Swings Through High 7 Grass Player Hooks Clubhead Under Rake and Lifts it From the...7 Bunker Where His Ball Lies; Touches Sand in the Process Player Sticks Tee in Sand or Ground in Hazard to Mark 7 Position of Ball Player Smoothes Bunker While Ball is Outside Bunker but Rolling..8 Back Toward Bunker iii

Page 14-3/a 14-3/b 14-3/c 14-3/d 14-5/a 14-5/b 16-1a/a 16-1c/a 16-2/a 18-2/a 19-1/a 20-1/a 20-1/b 20-3/a Use of Written Instructional Material During Stipulated Round 8 Player Starts Round With Gauze Wrapped Around Grip of Club;..9 Wants to Repair or Replace Gauze During Round Player Wears Hard, Molded Wrist Support for Carpal.9 Tunnel Syndrome Player Wraps Adhesive Tape Around Wrist for Support. 10 Wind Causes Ball to Oscillate; Player Delays Play for Ball to Stop 11 Oscillating Competitor Makes Stroke at Ball Moving in Stream of Casual Water...11 to Prevent the Ball From Being Carried Out of Bounds Touching Line of Putt..12 Player in Spikeless Competition Repairs Obvious Spike Marks on His 12 Line of Putt Made by Spikes Worn by Another Person Player Takes Stance and Begins Stroke at Ball Overhanging.13 Lip of Hole; Before Clubhead Reaches Ball the Ball Falls Into Hole Within the Ten Second Time Limit Player on Putting Green Brushed at Bee, Ball Moved...13 Player s Ball Came to Rest Against a Live Turtle Which Will Not..14 Move Competitors Mark and Lift Their Balls on Putting Green; Unable 14 Later to Identify Their Ball-Markers Using Finger of Opponent or Fellow-Competitor to Mark the...14 Position of Ball Player Claims Opponent or Fellow-Competitor He Authorized to...15 Lift Ball on Putting Green did not Replace it Properly 24/a Status of Stones Used as Yardage Markers 15 24-1/c 24-1/d Status of Ground Up Rubber Material used as Ground Cover 16 Ball Lying on Head of Rake Overhanging but not Touching Bunker 16 iv

Page 24-2/a 24-2/b 24-2/c 24-2b/a 24-2b/b 24-3/a 25-1a/a 25-1b/b 25-2/a 25-2/b 26-1/a 26-1/b 26-1/c 27-1/a Status of Large Stones Placed at Entrances and Exits of 17 Culverts to Prevent Water Damage Marking of On-Course Drainage Ditches That Carry Water..17 From One Part of the Course to Another Determination of Whether Obstruction Comprised of More.17 Than One Part Should Be Treated as a Single Obstruction or Multiple Obstructions Exceptions to Relief Under Rules 24 and 25; Lie or Position of.. 18 Ball, Stance, Area of Intended Swing, Direction of Play Both Stakes and/or Guy Wires of Staked Tree Interfere with...21 Player's Lie, Stance or Area of His Intended Swing; Determining Nearest Point of Relief Ball Lost In, On, or Under Immovable Obstruction...21 Old Tree Stump Hole Not "Temporary".. 21 Casual Water, Separate or Combined.. 22 Ball Embedded in Loose Sand Through the Green.. 22 Ball Strikes and Embeds in Its Own Pitch-Mark in a Replaced... 23 Divot; Impact Partially Unseats Divot; Part of Divot Rolls Over on Top of Ball Player Wants to Drop on a Line Behind a Water Hazard, Either....23 Into Another Segment or Behind the Margin of Another Segment of the Same Hazard Player, Taking Relief, Drops Ball on Teeing Ground Then Tees Ball...24 Native Areas Improperly Marked as Lateral Water Hazards.. 24 Search Delayed by Suspension of Play for Dangerous Situation;...25 Ball Lost During Suspension 27-1/b 27-1/d 27-1/e Ball Played From Abnormal Ground Condition, Went Out of Bounds;.. 25 Relief Options Ball Comes to Rest on Part of a Silt Fence Defined as Out-of-Bounds...26 Ball Found Within Five-Minute Search Period; Player Fails to..26 Identify Ball as His Until After Search Period Expires v

Page 27-1/f 27-2a/b Ball Dropped but not Played, Then Lifted When Original Ball Thought.26 to be Found; The Ball was not the Original Ball and Search Period has Expired Player s Failure to Properly Declare a Provisional Ball Leads to.27 Disqualification 28/a Ball Declared Unplayable, Player Changes Mind.28 33-1/a 33-8/a 33-8/c 33-8/d 33-8/e 33-8/f 34-3/a 34-3/b 34-3/c Use of Host Course Local Rules in CGA, CJGA and Other.28 Tournaments Using CGA Officials Environmentally-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) Declared by Local...29 Course Management Ball Deflected by Concrete Liner of Drainage Ditch; Then..29 Strikes Elevated Cable Player s Ball Lies in Environmentally-Sensitive Area (ESA) Designated 30 as Lateral Water Hazard; Player Invokes Rule 3-3 and Plays Original Ball from ESA/Lateral Water Hazard and 2 nd Ball Under Lateral Water Hazard Rule Ball Lies Playable in Lateral Water Hazard; Procedure for Relief from..31 Interference by Environmentally-Sensitive Area (ESA) Within the Same Water Hazard During a Competition, the Committee Adopts the Local Rule that..31 Requires the Player to Determine the Nearest Point of Relief Without Crossing Over, Through or Under an Immovable Obstruction Error by Official Results in Stroke-and-Distance Penalty Against Player....32 Circumstances When a Player s Presumed Right to the Benefit of the.32 Doubt May be Overridden Error by Official Results in Player Putting a Ball in Play Under Stroke 33 and Distance Instead of Playing a Provisional Ball vi

COLORADO RULES ADVISORY GROUP 2016 INTERPRETATIONS OF THE RULES OF GOLF Rule 1 The Game 1-2/a Ball Moved, Accidentally or Purposely Q. Rule 1-2 says, A player or caddie must not take any action to influence the position or movement of a ball except in accordance with the Rules... and prescribes penalties therefor. Rule 18-4 says, If a fellow-competitor, his caddie or his equipment moves the player's ball, touches it or causes it to move, there is no penalty. Which Rule takes precedence? A. The specific (Rule 18) takes precedence over the general (Rule 1-2). 1-2/b Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Lifts Player s Ball Moving in Water in Water Hazard to Prevent It From Going Out of Bounds Q. A player hits his ball into a flowing stream. The current is moving the ball downstream and the ball will probably be carried out of bounds before the player can reach it. May an opponent or a fellow-competitor, on his own volition, lift the ball to prevent it from going out of bounds or moving into a less favorable position? A. No. If the opponent or fellow-competitor does so, he incurs a penalty of loss of hole in match play or two-strokes in stroke play See Rule 1-2. There is no penalty to anyone if, prior to the lifting, the player elects to take relief under Rule 26 and authorizes the lifting. See Rules 14-6 and 20-1. 1-4/a Ball Lies Near Open Gate in Boundary Fence Which Interferes With Lie of Ball Q. A player's ball lies in bounds close to an open gate in a boundary fence. The gate, swung halfway open onto the course, interferes with the lie of the ball. If the player closes the gate, causing the ball to move, is he subject to penalty? A. Decision 27/18 provides that the player, in equity (Rule 1-4), may leave the gate as he finds it or close it, but he must not move it to any other position. In view of the intent of Decision 27/18, the Committee would be justified in permitting the player to close the gate, provided that he closes it com- 1

pletely and does not move it to any other position. If the ball moves as a direct result of closing the gate, there is no penalty and the player must replace the ball -- see list of exceptions under Rule 18-2. Rule 2 Match Play 2-4/a What Constitutes Concession of the Next Stroke, the Hole or the Match? Q. What factors should the Committee consider in settling a claim over whether a concession has occurred? A. The Rules do not specify how a player must notify his opponent when he wishes to concede the next stroke, the hole or the match. The Committee must consider all the facts in the situation, including statements from the players and other witnesses, if any, and other supporting facts, such as: the lie of the balls, the number of strokes taken by each player, the state of the match, whether statements or acts by either player could reasonably have been misunderstood and other pertinent information. Rule 3 Stroke Play 3-3/c Player Uncertain of His Rights Invokes Rule 3-3 a Second Time on the Same Hole Q. A player, while playing two balls under Rule 3-3, encounters a second situation in which he is doubtful of the correct procedure. May he invoke Rule 3-3 in the second situation and play three balls in concluding the hole? A. The player was entitled to invoke Rule 3-3 in the second situation. Decision 3-3/10 seems to imply otherwise but, as noted by Instructors at a 1998 PGA/USGA Rules Workshop (David Price and John Morrissett), that Decision prohibits play of a third ball in the same situation, not in a new situation See Rule 3-3a and Decision 3-3/10. 2

Rule 4 Clubs 4/a Rulings, Questions or Possible Violations of Rule 4 The Rule is complex, the penalties are severe and questions and rulings under it are frequently difficult to resolve. During a competition, when a situation raises questions or indicates a possible violation of Rule 4, the matter should be referred to the Chief Official or Tournament Director for resolution. For reference, the USGA has published A Guide to the Rules on Clubs and Balls. 4-2a/a Player Uses Felt Marker to Darken Alignment Mark on Top of Putter Clubhead Q. During a stipulated round, a player uses a felt tipped marker to darken the alignment mark on his putter s clubhead so that he can see it better. Does the player incur a penalty for changing the playing characteristics of his club? A. No. Rule 4-2a forbids purposely changing the playing characteristics of a club during a stipulated round. The term playing characteristics is not specifically defined but, it is presumed that the playing characteristics of a club will change when the physical features affecting its performance are changed (weight, swing weight, shaft length and stiffness, loft, etc). A change in appearance does not necessarily change the playing characteristics. 4-4a/b Player Sends Caddie to Retrieve Putter Left on Practice Green; Caddie Returns with a Fellow-Competitor s Putter; Player Putts Out With It on First Hole Q. After playing from the first tee, a player finds only thirteen clubs in his bag and that his putter is missing. He sends his caddie to the practice green to retrieve the putter and the caddie returns with the putter of a fellowcompetitor who is waiting to play. The player putts out with the putter. The fellow-competitor requested the return of his putter. There is no undue delay. What is the ruling? A. When the player made a stroke with any club while the fellowcompetitor s putter was in his possession, even by mistake, it became his fourteenth club See Decision 4-4a/1. The competitor incurs no penalty, but having returned the putter to it's rightful owner, he may not replace it. See Rule 4-4a, first paragraph. 3

Note: The last paragraph of Rule 4-4a does not apply because there is no undue delay and the fellow-competitor was not yet playing on the course. Rule 6 The Player 6-7/a Undue Delay, Penalty Against Team Four-Ball Stroke Play Q. An initial penalty for undue delay against a player in four-ball stroke play has little effect on the score of the team. They may simply select the score of the other partner for that hole, disregarding the score by the slow player and the undue delay penalty is effectively negated. If a subsequent penalty for undue delay is invoked, Rule 31-7a, invokes disqualification and that is applied to the team. May the initial penalties for undue delay in four-ball stroke play be amended to require that a penalty of one stroke or two strokes (depending if the Note is in effect) against either partner for undue delay shall be added to the team s score for the hole. A. Yes. A Notice to Competitors for Four-Ball Stroke Play should be published, including the Note, and require the following penalties for undue delay (Rule 6-7): For a first offense by either partner: a one-stroke penalty to be added to the team s score for the hole. For a second offense by either partner: a two-stroke penalty to be added to the team s score for the hole. For a subsequent offense by either partner, Rule 31-7a requires disqualification of the team from the competition. Rule 8 Advice; Indicating Line of Play 8/a Coach Requests Permission to Stop His Player from Playing a Wrong Ball Q. A coach, thinking one of his players was about to play a wrong ball, requested permission from a Rules Official to stop him or to have the Rules Official stop him. The Note under Rule 8 was not in effect. The Rules Official ruled that neither the coach nor a Rules Official could intervene. The player played the wrong ball and incurred a two-stroke penalty under Rule 15-3. Was the ruling by the Rules Official reasonable in the circumstances? 4

A. No, but the penalty for playing the wrong ball must stand. The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. See Rule 12-2. All Rules Officials are encouraged to prevent Rules infractions in stroke play, when it can be done within the Rules and so long as it is done uniformly for all players (Decision 34-2/3). The Rules Official should have permitted the coach to point out the problem to the competitor before he played the wrong ball or should have done so himself. Also, either could have given the player information on Rule 12-2. Information on the Rules is not advice. See Rules 8 and 12-2 and Definition of Advice. 8-1/a Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Knows of Hidden Dogleg; Stops Player from Using Driver from Tee Q. The player is unaware of a blind dogleg about 180 yards out, with a lake inside the bend and absolutely no chance to cut the corner. He selects his driver and prepares to tee off. His opponent or fellow-competitor, who knows the course, interrupts the player before he makes the stroke and either, (1) asks him if he knows the layout of the hole, or (2) informs him that a driver is too much club for the shot. What is the Ruling? A. The key is whether or not the conversation is about information or advice. In the first situation, a discussion about the layout of the hole concerns matters of public record and is not asking for or giving advice. In the second case, this statement gives an opinion on the player s club selection and constitutes advice in breach of Rule 8-1. Rule 12 Searching for and Identifying the Ball 12-2/a Player's Right to Lift Ball for Identification Q. A player announces his intent to lift his ball for identification and his fellow competitor tells him that will not be necessary because the player's identification mark on the ball is evident. Is the player permitted to mark and lift in these circumstances? A. Yes. However, if anything falls off the ball during the process of lifting or replacing, he may be deemed to have cleaned it more than necessary for identification. If so, he would be subject to a one-stroke penalty for a breach of Rule 21b or 12-2. 5

Lifting for identification when an apparent identification mark is evident and then re-orienting the ball when it is replaced does not, of itself, constitute a breach of Rules 1-2 or 13-2. In an isolated incident, this should not be deemed a serious breach of the spirit of the game and Rule 33-7 would not apply. If repeated instances of this behavior are reported to the Committee, it would be justified in invoking a penalty under Rules 1-2 or 33-7. 12-2/b Identifying Ball, Marked or Not Marked Q. In the area in which his ball presumably came to rest, a player finds a ball of the same brand and number as the ball he is playing. Decision 12-2/1 allows the player to claim the ball as his unless there is reasonable evidence to the contrary or there is another ball of the same brand and number lying in the same area. But that Decision covered a ball that was not marked. If a player has marked his ball and a ball is found with his brand and number, but the mark cannot be seen and the ball cannot be reached to verify his marking, may he claim it as his ball? A. Yes, provided there is reasonable evidence that it is his ball. If he marked only one side, or if he used a mark that was visible only up close (e.g., a pencil mark), or if the mark might have been obliterated, those are good reasons why the mark cannot be seen from a distance. On the other hand, if there are other balls in the area (especially with the same brand and number) or if the ball was marked with large marks on all sides, then the evidence would be against him. Rule 13 Ball Played as it Lies 13-2/a Practice Swing Knocks Down Branch, Improving Area of Intended Swing Q. A player s ball lies near a tree or bush. He made a practice swing beside his ball and, in the process, knocked down a branch from the tree or bush. A Rules Official at the scene described the incident to his Chief Official and asked for a ruling. The Chief Official ruled that the penalty was loss of hole in match play, and the Rules Official so informed the player. In later discussions, the branch was described as a twig and questions arose about whether or not a loss-of-hole penalty was justified under the circumstances, especially in the light of Decision 13-2/22. The Chief Official reaffirmed the penalty. Was this ruling reasonable in the circumstances? 6

A. Yes. It is a matter of judgment whether the player improved the area of his intended swing by moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed. Decision 13-2/22. 13-4/a Testing Condition of Hazard, Practice Swings Through High Grass Q. If a player makes practice swings through high grass in a hazard, has he tested its condition? A. Yes. If his ball lies in or touches a hazard (whether or not in high grass) when such practice swings are made, he is testing the condition of the hazard in violation of Rule 13-4a. Incidental touching of grass while making practice swings in a hazard is not a violation, provided the player does not improve his lie or test the condition of the hazard. See the Note under Rule 13-4 and Decision 13-4/4. 13-4/b Player Hooks Clubhead Under Rake and Lifts it From the Bunker Where His Ball Lies; Touches Sand in the Process Q. A rake and the player s ball lie in the same bunker. The player hooks his clubhead under the rake handle and lifts the rake from the bunker. In the process, his clubhead touches the sand in the bunker. Does the player incur a penalty for touching the sand prior to making a stroke from the bunker? A. No, provided nothing is done to test the condition of the hazard or improve the lie of the ball. See Exception 1 under Rule 13-4. 13-4/c Player Sticks Tee in Sand or Ground in Hazard to Mark Position of Ball Q. A player who was required to mark the position of his ball in a bunker or water hazard, stuck a tee into the sand or ground in the hazard to mark the ball s position. Does this constitute testing the condition of the hazard, a violation of Rule 13-4? A. No. A player is permitted to touch the ground in a hazard or water in a water hazard when lifting (including marking) a ball under any Rule, provided nothing is done which constitutes testing the condition of the hazard or improves the lie of the ball see Rule 20-1 and Exception 1 under Rule 13-4. The casual sticking of a tee in the sand or ground to mark the position of the ball does not, in itself, constitute testing the condition of the hazard. However, if a player is obviously using the tee to probe the condition, a penalty 7

would be in order. The official must use common sense and all available evidence in applying any ruling. 13-4/d Player Smoothes Bunker While Ball is Outside Bunker but Rolling Back Toward Bunker Q. A player hits his ball from a bunker. It hits outside the bunker through the green, and then starts to roll back toward the bunker. The player realizes that if the ball comes back into the bunker it will be in a place where he has dug in his feet for the initial bunker shot. So while the ball is in motion, but still through the green, he smoothes out the sand with his feet. The ball then rolls into the bunker and comes to rest in that portion of the bunker where the player smoothed the sand. Is this a breach of Rule 1-2, Exerting Influence on Ball, Rule 13-2, Improving Lie,or Rule 13-4, Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions? A. There is no breach. The answer in Decision 13-4/37.5 applies in this case. It says, Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 allows a player, after playing his ball out of a hazard, to smooth sand in the hazard without restriction.this right overrides any conflicting provisions in other Rules, including Rule 13-2. Ruling confirmed in letter from John Morrissett, USGA Director, Rules of Golf, dated February 9, 2005. Rule 14 Striking the Ball 14-3/a Use of Written Instructional Material During Stipulated Round Q. Is a player permitted to possess and use during a stipulated round, books, manuals, and other written materials containing detailed instructions and other information on the play of the game? A. Yes, provided that the material is in writing and the player, in referring to it, does not unduly delay play. Written material is different from electronic devices which are discussed in Rule 14-3 and Decision 14-3/16. (Note: A phone call to USGA by the CGA Executive Director on August 20, 1996 confirmed this ruling.) 8

14-3/b Player Starts Round With Gauze Wrapped Around Grip of Club; Wants to Repair or Replace Gauze During Round Q. A player starts the stipulated round with a club that has gauze wrapped around the grip. He wishes to repair or replace the gauze during the round. What is the ruling? A. If the gauze and/or grip has become damaged in the normal course of play, the player may, without unduly delaying play, repair or replace the gauze (and, if necessary, the grip) or have someone else do it for him, provided that the gauze was applied before the player began the stipulated round and the grip with the gauze wrapped around it conformed with Rule 4 and Appendix II (e.g., it was evenly applied, it had no bulge or waist, it was not molded to fit the hand, etc.). After the repair or replacement, the grip with the gauze wrapped around it must continue to conform with Rule 4 and Appendix II See Rules 4-1, 4-3, and Decisions 4-3/1, 4-3/2, and 4-3/6. If the gauze was first applied during the stipulated round, or if the grip with the gauze wrapped around it did not conform with Rule 4 and Appendix II either, before it was damaged or after it was repaired or replaced and it was carried in that state by the player, he should be disqualified under Rules 4-1a, 14-3 and Appendix II. (Ruling confirmed in phone conversation between Jeff Hall, USGA staff, and Warren Wilson, CGA staff, on 1/12/01). 14-3/c Player Wears Hard, Molded Wrist Support for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Q. During a competition, a player wears a hard, molded wrist support (an artificial device) for carpal tunnel syndrome. He says he cannot play without it, or even function without it. A fellow-competitor claims that it keeps his wrist firm while putting, giving him an unfair advantage. The preamble to Rule 14-3 says that a player in doubt as to whether use of an item would constitute a breach of Rule 14-3 should consult the USGA. When the question arises during a competition, it is up to the Committee to decide. Should the player be permitted to wear such a device while playing a stipulated round? A. No. As a general principle, a device should not be used, even for medical reasons, if it gives the player an undue advantage over other players. In the present case, the Committee should rule against the use of the device because it gives the player an undue advantage see Rule 14-3a and Decision 14-3/7. (This ruling and the general guidelines below were confirmed in a phone 9

conversation between Jeff Hall, USGA staff, and Warren Wilson, CGA staff, on 1/12/01.) General Guidelines: Case 1. In most cases, a device that is mass-produced, that spans one or more joints (such as the wrist, fingers, elbow, etc.) and/or restricts their movement is illegal because it gives the player an undue advantage. (The present case fits here.) Case 2. On the other hand, a device that has been especially built to solve a player s specific medical problem and, in the Committee s judgment, does not give the player an undue advantage, the Committee would, in most cases, be justified in approving the device for use by the player. For example: a. A player has lost three fingers on one of his hands and a device is especially made and/or an attachment is fitted to the grip or shaft of the club(s) to assist the player in holding the club(s). The Committee would, in most cases, be justified in approving use of the device and/or attachment if, in their judgment, the device and/or attachment does not give the player an undue advantage. b. However, the Committee might still rule against use of the especially built device and/or attachment if, in their judgment, it gives the player an undue advantage. For example, if the case involves a player with a GHIN handicap and his handicap goes down while using the device and/or attachment as compared to his GHIN handicap before he lost the fingers, he is probably gaining an undue advantage. See Decision 14-3/15. 14-3/d Player Wraps Adhesive Tape Around Wrist for Support Q. A player wrapped his wrist with two-inch adhesive tape for support. Is the player in breach of Rule 14-3? A. Yes, except when used for legitimate medical reasons, adhesive tape applied to the wrists (or hands) for the purpose of, or that results in, assisting the player in making a stroke or in his play gives the player an undue advantage and is a breach of Rule 14-3 see Decisions 14-3/7 and 14-3/8. 10

14-5/a Wind Causes Ball to Oscillate; Player Delays Play for Ball to Stop Oscillating Q. The wind causes a player s ball to oscillate. He fears a penalty for playing a moving ball and waits a considerable time for the wind to calm and the ball to stop oscillating. Other players in the group urge him to continue play but he refuses. What is the ruling? A. An oscillating ball is not moving. See Definition, Move or Moved. The player must continue play and, if he does not, he is subject to penalty for undue delay See Rule 6-7. If he continues play and the ball should begin to move only after he has begun his stroke or the backward movement of his club for the stroke, he incurs no penalty for playing a moving ball. But, he is not exempt from penalty if he has addressed the ball or otherwise caused it to move. See Rules 14-5 and 18-2. 14-5/b Competitor Makes Stroke at Ball Moving in Stream of Casual Water to Prevent the Ball From Being Carried Out of Bounds Q. After a heavy rain, a competitor hits his ball into a flowing stream of casual water crossing the fairway and the flow is carrying his ball toward the out of bounds. To prevent an OB penalty, the competitor hits the moving ball out of the casual water. The Committee assesses a two-stroke penalty against the competitor for playing the ball while it is moving in water that is not in a water hazard. See Rules 14-5, 14-6 and 1-2. Instead of playing the ball, could the competitor, without penalty, have lifted the moving ball from the casual water and, after a successful drop under Rule 25-1b, played it from the point where it came to rest? A. No. Such a procedure is contrary to the Rules (Rules 1-2, 14-5, 14-6, 18-2 and 19-2 apply). Since the flow of water resulted from natural causes (the heavy rain), relief without penalty under Rule 25-1b is not justified see below: (Ruling confirmed in phone conversation between Jeff Hall, USGA staff, and Warren Wilson, CGA staff, on 1/26/01. However, latter conversation with Jeff Hall, Ed Hoard (PGA Rules Committee) and David Rickman (Rules Secretary of the R&A), made it clear that there is still doubt whether or not this is the correct decision. The situation has been forwarded to the USGA for a formal Ruling. Warren was informed in October 2004, that the Rules of Golf Committee is still considering his situation. Until then the interim decision listed here is in effect). a. Rule 14-5, which prohibits play of a moving ball with certain exceptions, one of which, Ball moving in Water, refers directly to Rule 14-6 11

(see b, below) and applies only to a ball moving in water in a water hazard. Neither wind nor water is an outside agency and the player must accept the result of the ball moving in water that is not in a water hazard. See Definitions, Casual Water and Outside Agency and Decision 18-1/12, for example. b. Rule 14-6, which permits the player to play or lift the ball moving in water in a water hazard, but does not apply to the ball moving in casual water, as in this situation. c. Rule 1-2, which prohibits a player or his caddie from taking any action to influence the position or movement of the ball except in accordance with the Rules. The suggested procedure is not in accordance with the Rules. Note: The ruling might have been different if the flow of casual water had resulted from unnatural causes, such as a break in a water line or a malfunction in the irrigation system. 16-1a/a Touching Line of Putt Rule 16 The Putting Green Q. Rule 16-1a begins, "The line of putt must not be touched except... Whose line of putt must not be touched by whom? A. The clause in question is interpreted to mean, "The player's line of putt must not be intentionally touched by the player except... followed by the specific circumstances under which a player is permitted to intentionally touch the line of putt. 16-1c/a Player in Spikeless Competition Repairs Obvious Spike Marks on His Line of Putt Made by Spikes Worn by Another Person Q. May a player in a spikeless competition repair obvious spike marks made on his line of putt by another person wearing spikes in violation of the conditions of the competition? A. No. Repair of such damage by the player is a violation of Rule 16-1a and c. 12

16-2/a Player Takes Stance and Begins Stroke at Ball Overhanging Lip of Hole; Before Clubhead Reaches Ball the Ball Falls Into Hole Within the Ten Second Time Limit Q. The player s ball stops overhanging the lip of the hole. Instead of waiting ten seconds after his arrival at the ball to determine if the ball is at rest, the player walks to the ball without delay, takes his stance without grounding his club, and begins a stroke at the ball. Before the club-head reaches the ball and within ten seconds of his arrival at the ball, it falls into the hole. The player continues the stroke but his clubhead never makes contact with the ball. The player did not address, touch or otherwise cause the ball to move. What is the ruling? A. The player began a stroke with the intent of striking at and moving the ball and he did not voluntarily check the stroke in the downswing. By making a stroke, the player deemed his ball at rest, and effectively waived the ten seconds he could have waited. Therefore, the stroke must count and he must add the stroke to his score for the hole. See Definition of Stroke. The fact that the club-head did not make contact with the ball is irrelevant. See Decisions 11-3/1, 14/1, and 15/1. In view of the last sentence of Rule 16-2, no further penalty is justified in this incident. (Ruling confirmed in phone conversation between Jeff Hall, USGA staff, and Warren Wilson, CGA staff, on 1/26/01.) Rule 18 Ball at Rest Moved 18-2a/a Player on Putting Green Brushed at Bee, Ball Moved Q. A player, after addressing his ball on the putting green, removed his right hand from the grip to remove a bee (a loose impediment) which had landed on his left hand. In the process of removing the bee, his left hand moved the club and the club moved the ball. Is there a penalty? A. The movement of the ball in this situation was not directly attributable to the removal of a loose impediment on the putting green. The player incurred a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 and must replace the ball. 13

Rule 19 Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped 19-1/a Player s Ball Came to Rest Against a Live Turtle Which Will Not Move Q. A player s ball came to rest against a live turtle. Repeated tapping on the shell fails to get the turtle to move. What is the proper procedure when an animate outside agency will not move away from the ball? A. The Committee could, in equity (Rule 1-4), authorize the player to, without penalty, lift the ball and drop it away from the turtle under the principle announced in Decision 1-4/9, the Bird s Nest Decision. Additionally, if the Committee concludes that at rest against the turtle is the same as in or on the outside agency, then Rule 19-1a would apply and the player could lift the ball, move the turtle and drop the ball on the spot where the turtle was when the ball came to rest against it. Rule 20 Lifting, Dropping and Placing; Playing from a Wrong Place 20-1/a Competitors Mark and Lift Their Balls on Putting Green; Unable Later to Identify Their Ball-Markers Q. Two balls lie on the putting green very close to each other. Both competitors correctly marked the positions of their balls, but with identical markers, and lifted them. Neither competitor could distinguish his ball marker from the other or determine the exact spot on which to replace his ball. What is the ruling? A. Each competitor must, without penalty and in the proper order, replace his ball at the ball-marker farthest from the hole and play it from there. The order of play will be decided by lot. See Rules 1-4 and 10-2b. 20-1/b Using Finger of Opponent or Fellow-Competitor to Mark the Position of Ball Q. During a tournament, a player lifts his ball for identification under Rule 12-2. He fails to mark the position of the ball, but a fellow-competitor has placed his finger next to the ball to assist the player in replacing it. Is using 14

the finger of an opponent or fellow-competitor to mark the ball s position permitted under Rule 12-2? A. Yes, provided that: (1) the finger was placed on the ground at the spot where the ball lay prior to the lifting; (2) the finger remained there until the ball was replaced; and (3) neither the lie of the ball nor the line of play was improved in the process. But, this is not a recommended procedure. Use of a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object is much preferred and is less likely to cause problems for the player. See the Note under Rule 20-1. 20-3/a Player Claims Opponent or Fellow-Competitor He Authorized to Lift Ball on Putting Green did not Replace it Properly Q. A player authorized an opponent or fellow-competitor to mark and lift his ball on the putting green because it interfered with another player s putt. After the putt, the person who had lifted the ball replaced it on his own volition. The player objected to the positioning of the ball, claiming it was not replaced properly. The other person objected to repositioning the ball. What is the ruling? A. When he authorized another person to lift his ball, the player was responsible for any breach of the Rules in the lifting. He was also responsible when the ball was replaced. Unless the weight of evidence favors the other side, the matter should be resolved in favor of the player. See Rules 20-1 and 20 3 and Decision 34-3/4. Rule 24 Obstructions 24/a Status of Stones Used as Yardage Markers Q. Some golf courses have placed large stones as yardage markers on Par-4 and Par-5 holes. Some local Committees have designated them as integral parts of the course; some treat them as obstructions; some have no Local Rule or no stated policy. A standard designation would be helpful to Rules Officials at our tournaments. A. Stones used as yardage markers on CGA tournament courses will be treated as obstructions. See Rule 24. The USGA recommends that the course put a paint dot or something similar on the stone to differentiate its status as a yardage marker from other normal stones. 15

24-1/c Status of Ground Up Rubber Material used as Ground Cover Q. Courses in the area have begun to use ground up rubber tires as ground cover in areas worn bare by carts driving off of the artificially-surfaced cart paths and other areas of the course. The consistency of this material ranges from powdery to pellets roughly one-quarter of an inch in diameter. In some cases this material facilitates the re-growth of grass in the area by holding in moisture and warming the soil and the material becomes surrounded by the new grass. The material is artificial and thus an obstruction. What, if any, relief should be granted from it? A. Such material is a movable obstruction with each individual particle constituting a separate obstruction. Accordingly a player may proceed under Rule 24-1 with respect to the material. 24-1/d Ball Lying on Head of Rake Overhanging but not Touching Bunker Q. A player s ball comes to rest on the head of a bunker rake that is overhanging the bunker, but the handle of which is lying on the grass next to the bunker. Should the player move the bunker rake and drop the ball directly under the point where it lay on the rake in the bunker, or should the ball be dropped on the nearest point of relief through the green? A. Rule 24-1b says, If the ball lies on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted and the obstruction removed. The ball must through the green, or in a hazard be dropped as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but not nearer the hole. The margins of the bunker extend vertically down, but not upward. Therefore in this case, the ball is through the green since it is resting on the head of a rake that is overhanging but not in the bunker. The as near as possible requirement in Rule 24-1b(as well as other Rules, such as Rule 27-1) should be read so as not to apply to distance only that requirement also means that the dropped ball must first strike the same part of the course as where the ball lies. In this case, therefore, the player must drop the ball without penalty within one club-length of the nearest point of relief through the green. Ruling confirmed in letter from John Morrissett, USGA Director, Rules of Golf, dated February 9, 2005. 16

24-2/a Status of Large Stones Placed at Entrances and Exits of Culverts to Prevent Water Damage Q. Large stones are placed at the entrances and exits of drainage culverts on the course to protect them from damage during infrequent severe storms. The areas drained by the culverts are prepared for play and do not meet the definition of a water hazard. Should the Committee define such stones as a part of the culverts and, therefore, immovable obstructions? A. Yes. See Decision 24/7 and Definitions of Obstruction and Water Hazard. 24-2/b Marking of On-Course Drainage Ditches That Carry Water From One Part of the Course to Another Q. The USGA, in some circumstances, considers artificially surfaced drainage ditches that carry water from one part of the course to another part of the course to be obstructions and not water hazards. This seems contrary to the Definition of a water hazard but, in light of this thinking, should we leave artificially lined ditches designed for this purpose unmarked and play them as obstructions? A. Yes. The Committee, in its judgment, should determine in each case whether a shallow, artificially lined ditch on the course was put there for the specific purpose of draining a problem area where casual water would otherwise collect and unduly interfere with the play of the game. Where that is the case, the ditch should remain unmarked and should be played as an obstruction. If, on the other hand, the Committee determines that such a ditch was intended as an architectural feature to affect the play and/or the difficulty of the hole, it should be marked and played as a water hazard see Rules 24 and 26. (Confirmed in phone conversation between Jeff Hall, USGA staff, and Warren Wilson, CGA staff, on 1/12/01.) 24-2/c Determination of Whether Obstruction Comprised of More Than One Part Should Be Treated as a Single Obstruction or Multiple Obstructions Q. A player s ball came to rest on an artificially-surfaced cart path that was bordered on both sides by four inch high stone walls. The area of the player s intended swing was impeded by the stone wall nearest the green. The nearest point of relief from the stone wall was on the cart path and the player dropped the ball within one club-length of that point, not nearer the hole, and 17

the ball came to rest on the cart path. Because the surrounding terrain presented less attractive lies than did the cart path, the player played the ball from the cart path. Did the player proceed correctly? A. No. The construction in this instance should have been considered a single obstruction. The decision of whether such a construction should be considered a single obstruction or multiple obstructions for the purpose of determining appropriate relief is a case by case determination which should take into account such factors as (1) the proximity of the obstructions to one another in the area in which the ball lies, (2) The purpose served by each obstruction, (3) whether the obstructions are constructed of the same or different materials and (4) any other relevant factor. 24-2b/a Exceptions to Relief Under Rules 24 and 25; Lie or Position of Ball, Stance, Area of Intended Swing, Direction of Play Q. The Exceptions under Rules 24-2b and 25-1b state that a player may not obtain relief under those clauses if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than a condition covered by Rules 24-2a or 25-1a; or, (b) interference by such condition would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. What should be the ruling in the following situations when the Exceptions under Rules 24-2b or 25-1b may be involved? (Note 1: This Interpretation assumes that the trees, bushes or roots in the following situations have not been designated for protection under a Local Rule and none are the cause for designating any area as ground under repair.) Situation 1. A player's ball lies beneath a tree and in front of an irrigation control box. Both interfere with the area of his intended swing. The ball is so close to the tree trunk that he cannot make a reasonable stroke in any direction. A. The player is not entitled to relief under Rule 24-2b. It is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke due to interference not covered by Rule 24-2a. He must proceed under Rule 28. See the Exception under Rule 24-2b. Situation 2. In a similar case, where the ball lies in a slightly different position, the player can avoid the tree by a sidewise stroke in a reasonable direction but the irrigation control box interferes with his backswing. 18

A. The player is entitled to relief under Rule 24-2b because the obstruction interferes with the area of his intended swing in a reasonable direction. See Rule 24-2a. Situation 3. In another situation, with a slightly different lie, the player can avoid the tree, but only by making a sidewise stroke and this, incidentally, avoids the obstruction. A. The player is not entitled to relief under Rule 24-2b because the obstruction no longer interferes with the lie of the ball, his stance, or the area of his intended swing. See Rule 24-2a. Situation 4. A player's ball lies behind an irrigation control box which intervenes on his line of play, but does not interfere with the area of his intended swing. He could clear the box with a lofted club but this would leave him short of the green. His only alternative is a sidewise stroke to avoid the box, but this would leave him even shorter than the stroke toward the green, and it would also result in his stance being in casual water. May the player choose the sidewise direction of play and then obtain relief from the casual water under Rule 25-1b? A. Yes. The proposed direction of play is reasonable under the circumstances and, since the casual water would interfere with the player's stance, he is entitled to relief under Rule 25-1b. Note 2: A player has great latitude in selecting the manner and direction of his play, even when a reasonable direction of play would move his stance into interference from a condition covered by Rules 24-2a or 25-1a. He would then, as above, be entitled to relief under Rules 24-2b or 25-1b. On the other hand, the player does not have unlimited freedom of choice when he may be taking unfair advantage of the Rules. For example, if the only reason for the player to choose an unnecessarily abnormal direction of play is to escape a poor lie, such a direction of play is not justifiable and the player is not entitled to relief. See Exception (b) under Rules 24-2b and 25-1b and Decision 24-2b/18, by extension. Situation 5. A player's ball lies submerged in casual water, but it is not playable because it lies between two exposed roots under the water. A. The player is not entitled to relief under Rule 25-1b because a stroke would not be reasonable due to interference not covered by Rule 25-1a. See 19

the Exception under Rule 25-1b, Decisions 24-2b/16, 25-1b/19 and 25-1b/20, by extension. Situation 6. A ball is perched in a tree or bush growing near a condition covered by Rules 24-2a or 25-1a. Since the ball does not lie in, on, or touch the condition, the player would get no relief for the lie of the ball. However, the ball is playable except that the condition does interfere with the player s stance or the area of his intended swing. A. The player is entitled to relief under Rule 24-2b or 25-1b, because the condition interferes with his stance or the area of his intended swing and the ball is playable. The Exceptions under Rules 24-2b and 25-1b are irrelevant. Situation 7. In a similar case, the player also has interference to his stance or swing by a condition covered by Rules 24-2a or 25-1a, except the ball is not playable because of its position in the tree or bush not growing in the condition, the ball is not reachable, or interference from the condition covered by Rule 24-2a or 25-1a would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing, or direction of play. A. The player is not entitled to relief under Rules 24-2b or 25-1b. He must play the ball as it lies or take relief under Rule 28. See the Exceptions under Rules 24-2b and 25-1b. Situation 8. What if the player has no interference to his stance or swing, but his ball is in a tree or bush growing in an area of ground under repair through the green, with his ball perched on a limb outside the condition? A. The player is entitled to relief under Rule 25-1b(i) See Definition, Ground Under Repair. His reference point for taking relief is the spot on the ground immediately below the place where the ball lies in the tree. See Decision 25/10.5. Note 3: The Exceptions under Rules 24-2b and 25-1b are worded the same and the intent is the same: to deny free relief when the player could not make the stroke if the condition covered by Rules 24-2a or 25-1a were not present. See also, Decisions 24-2b/16, 24-2b/17, 24-2b/18, 24-2b/19, 25-1b/19, 25-1b/20, 25-1b/21, and 25-1b/22. 20

24-2b/b Both Stakes and/or Guy Wires of Staked Tree Interfere with Player's Lie, Stance or Area of His Intended Swing; Determining Nearest Point of Relief Q. A player s ball lies in a position where two stakes and/or guy wires of a small, staked tree interfere with his stance or the area of his intended swing. The stakes are not readily movable. The Local Rule in Appendix I, Protection of Young Trees, is not in effect. The player wishes to proceed under Rule 24-2b but the nearest point of relief from either obstruction will result in interference from a third or fourth stake and/or guy wire. May the player consider all of the supporting stakes and guy wires as one obstruction and take relief accordingly? A. No. Under the Rules, the player must first take relief from one or another of the stakes and/or guy wires. Then, after his new position is known, he may take new relief from any obstruction that still interferes. If that should result in him having to drop back and forth between two obstructions ( pingponging ), he is entitled to proceed as prescribed in Decision 1-4/8. See also Decision 24-2b/9. 24-3/a Ball Lost In, On, or Under Immovable Obstruction Q. Rule 24-3 allows relief in a situation where it is known or virtually certain that a ball is lost in an immovable obstruction. If the ball is lost on or under the obstruction, is the player entitled to the same relief? A. Yes. The word "in", as used in Rule 24-3b, is interpreted to include "on" or "under". Rule 25 Abnormal Ground Conditions And Wrong Putting Green 25-1a/a Old Tree Stump Hole Not "Temporary" Q. A player's ball lies in the woods about ten yards from the fairway in a hole about three feet in diameter and 18 inches deep. The hole is unmarked, overgrown with grass and weeds, and obviously was dug several years earlier by a greenkeeper in removing a tree or stump. Should the hole be declared ground under repair and the player granted relief under Rule 25-1b? A. No. Decision 25/14 describes a hole made by a greenkeeper as "...ground temporarily dug up in connection with course maintenance..." The condition 21