WELCOME TO “RULES CORNER” – An informative guide to the rules of golf written by the SRGC Golf Committee

Posted on: 22 December

WELCOME TO “RULES CORNER”!

Rules Corner is an initiative to provide golfing members with a fuller understanding of the Rules of Golf to ensure more equitable competitions. It is each players responsibility to ensure they comply with the Rules of Golf and call penalties on themselves where breaches occur. But it’s not all penalties, knowing the rules can assist you in some circumstances.

The Rules of Golf, Players Edition is available at www.randa.org, download the app to your phone so you have on course access, the website also has rules quizzes which are very instructive. If you are really keen you can complete your Level 1 rules accreditation on this website also.

Rules Corner – Edition 13

After a Christmas break, Rules Corner returns. Each month Rules Corner will provide members with information so they can assist in ensuring all competitors comply with the Rules of Golf and any Local Rules that apply.

In this edition we are looking at the “reference point” and the “relief area”. For any relief, be it free, in the case of abnormal ground conditions or immovable obstructions, or under penalty in the case of penalty areas, unplayable lie or out of bounds it is important to identify your “reference point” as it is from this point that you have either 1 or 2 club lengths as a “relief area” within which to drop the ball. So, let’s look at some specific examples.

Abnormal ground conditions or immovable obstructions (free relief) – Your “reference point” is the nearest point, not nearer the hole which provides you full relief from the circumstance. Best to mark your “reference point” before lifting your ball. You have 1 club length in any direction, not nearer the hole from the “reference point” that is your “relief area” within which your ball must remain after you drop it. In some circumstances using the full club length may allow you to drop in an area which means a bunker is no longer in your line of play or there is some other advantage, yes, the rules can also be helpful. But remember, in establishing your “reference point” it is the nearest point that provides full relief, not nearer the hole, not the point that provides a favourable lie or line to the hole. If your nearest point of relief from a path is in the long grass and that long grass is not in a penalty area, that is your “reference point” from which you establish your “relief area”.

Penalty areas – under penalty of 1 shot, your options are:

Lateral relief – the point at which you last crossed the margin of the penalty area is your “reference point”. Your “relief area” is within 2 club lengths, not nearer the hole from the “reference point”. You do not necessary get stance relief from the penalty area in these circumstances. If the ball comes to rest after taking your drop in the “relief area”, but your stance is in the penalty area, bad luck, play on, no additional relief. Unless you want to take an unplayable lie under additional penalty.

Back along the line – a point back along the line keeping the pin and the point where you last crossed the margin in a straight line. You can go back as far as you like. Once you have established where you want to drop the ball, put a tee in the ground, this is your “reference point”. Your “relief area” is within 1 club length in any direction of the reference point. And yes, in this instance the ball can finish closer to the hole than the “reference point”, but it must remain in the “relief area”.

Stroke and Distance – your “reference point” is where you played your last shot from. Your “relief area” is within one club length, not nearer the hole from the “reference point”. If your last shot was from the teeing area, you can use any point within the teeing area.

Unplayable Lie – under penalty of 1 shot your options are:

Lateral relief – your “reference point” is where your ball lies. Your “relief area” is within 2 club lengths, not nearer the hole.

Back along the Line – your “reference point” is a point back along the line keeping the pin and the point where your ball finished in a straight line. You can go back as far as you like. Once you have established your “reference point”, put a tee in the ground, your “relief area” is anywhere within 1 club length, in this instance it can finish nearer to the hole than your “reference point”.

Out of Bounds (stroke and distance under 1 shot penalty) – your reference point is where you played your last shot from. Your relief area is within 1 club length not nearer the hole from this point. If your last shot was from the teeing area you can tee it up anywhere withing the teeing area.

Q and A

What if I don’t mark my “reference point”?

It is best practice to mark your “reference point”. If you don’t the point where your ball first touches the ground is deemed the “reference point”.

What is a “club length”?

I club length is measured using your longest club in your bag excluding your putter. So, for most of us it is our driver.

What if my ball rolls outside the “relief” area after I drop it?

You must drop it a second time. If it rolls outside the relief area again, you place it where it first contacted the ground on the second drop.

Rules Corner – Edition 12

In our final edition for 2022 we are looking at changes in the Rules of Golf that come into force on 1 January 2023. The Royal and Ancient (RANDA) and United States Golf Association (USGA) have made some changes designed to simplify and improve the rules. Remember if you play a round before 1 January 2023 the current rules apply. The rules app will continue to reflect the current rules until 1 January 2023.

The “Players Edition” of the Rules of Golf has been replaced by a “Player Rule Finder” and there are some new resources on the Randa website including a video explaining the changes, so, check them out.

Rules for players with disability (New Rule 25) – currently model local rules govern this area which allows for physical aids and other variations to assist players with disability. These rules will now form part of the Rules of Golf and will be covered in a new rule, Rule 25 as of 1 January 2023.

Requirement for player to ensure handicap recorded on scorecard (Current Rule 3.3b) – currently it is a requirement for players to ensure their card correctly records their handicap. As SRGC cards have for some time printed the players handicap this has not been a particular issue, however, technically it is the responsibility of the player, not the committee to ensure their handicap recorded on their card is correct. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the player. RANDA and the USGA have taken the position that with the technological advances and the increasing use of apps that the requirement for a player to correctly record their handicap on the card no longer apply as of 1 January 2023. However, in handicap Matchplay the player will still be required to declare their correct daily handicap prior to commencement of the match.

Accidental Club Damage (Current Rule 4.1a) – Currently the only circumstances where you can replace a damaged club during a round is when it is damaged by an outside agency. For example, a playing partner runs over your club in a cart and damages it. From 1 January you will be able to replace a damaged club in the event of damage from an outside agency or if the damage was caused accidently. Accidents would include a shaft that snaps whilst making a stroke etc. In the case of damage caused by abuse, such as in anger (throwing your club, smashing it into your bag etc) you will still not be able to replace the club. A club damaged by any means will still be able to be used in its damaged state for the remainder of the round or you can restore it as nearly as possible to its condition before the damage occurred.

Back along the line relief (Current Rules 17.1d and 19.2b) – currently when taking back along the line relief in instances where your ball is unplayable or in a penalty area, if upon dropping your ball it was to finish closer to the hole than your reference point you are required to re drop the ball and then place if it again ends up closer to the hole than the reference point. From 1 January the only requirement is that the ball remain within the relief area (1 club length of the reference point). It won’t matter if it ends closer to the hole than your reference point, so long as it remains within 1 club length of the reference point. This change only applies when taking back along the line relief from a penalty area or unplayable lie. If taking lateral relief your ball still cannot end closer to the hole than your reference point.

Ball at rest moves due to natural forces after being dropped / placed (Current Rule 9.3) – currently if a ball at rest after being dropped or placed anywhere other than the green moves due to natural forces you currently have to play it from its new position in all cases. As on 1 January if your ball moves due to natural forces after being at rest after a drop or place and it rolls into another area of the course you must replace the ball on its original spot. If the ball remains in the same area of the course, you play it from its new position. An example at SRGC could be when you take relief from a penalty area and are dropping the ball on a steep slope. Your ball comes to rest after the drop process. With your ball now at rest, if it was to roll back into the penalty area due to natural forces your current options are to play it as it lies or incur an additional penalty in taking relief. As of 1 January, in these circumstances you will simply replace the ball on its original spot without additional penalty.

The link below provides additional information.

All you need to know about the 2023 changes to the Rules of Golf | Golf Australia

VIEW THE INFOGRAPHIC HERE

The Men’s Golf Committee wishes all members a very merry Christmas / holiday season and all the best for 2023. Remember download the rules app from randa.org so you have on course access to the rules. Do some of the quizzes, and if you’re really keen, do your Level 1 rules accreditation online.

Rules Corner – Edition 11

In the last edition we looked at what happens when your ball in motion is deflected. This week we are looking at what happens when your ball at rest is lifted or moves. (Rule 9).

Essentially the ball is to be played as it lies unless otherwise provided such as in the case of a local rule, for example “preferred lies”, or where the Rules of Golf provide for free relief (e.g abnormal ground conditions or immovable obstructions) or where a player is taking penalty relief (e.g unplayable lie or red or yellow penalty areas).

If your ball at rest moves, you must first determine what caused it to move. The Rules of Golf provide 4 possible reasons:

Natural Forces such as wind or water. In these instances, the ball is normally played from the new spot and no penalty applies.
Any one or any outside influence (other player on course, crow, dog). In these instances, the ball must be placed in its original spot. If the ball is returned to the original spot, no penalty is incurred. If the ball is not replaced the General Penalty applies. (2 shots – stroke play, loss of hole – Matchplay)
If a player or his caddie causes their own ball at rest to move, it must be replaced and

they will normally get a penalty, 1 shot (except on the putting green, where it is accidental, the ball is replaced, and no penalty applies).

An opponent in Matchplay, including their caddie.

In deciding if your ball at rest has moved it must be known to have moved or virtually certain (95% probability) that it moved. If the ball is not known or virtually certain to have moved, it must be played as it lies.

And so, now to the exceptions:

If natural forces move your ball on the putting green after having been marked, lifted and replaced. – In this specific case the ball must be replaced and played without penalty. Failure to replace your ball will mean you have played it from the wrong spot and the general penalty applies (2 shots – stroke play, loss of hole – Matchplay)

If a player or their caddie deliberately lifts or causes their ball to move, a 1 shot penalty applies unless:

A rule allows the ball to be lifted and replaced. (e.g marking your ball on the green)
A rule requires a moved ball to be replaced. (e.g compulsory GUR)
A rule requires or allows a player to drop or place a ball for it to be played from a different place. (e.g abnormal course conditions)
The ball is accidently moved by a player or their caddie whilst undertaking a reasonable search. (Rule 7.4)
The ball is accidently moved on the putting green. (Rule 15.2)
There is no penalty for accidently causing your ball to move whilst removing moveable obstructions or restoring worsened conditions, where allowed to do so. (Rule 8.1d)

If your opponent or their caddie in Matchplay lifts or causes your ball to move, your opponent gets a 1 shot penalty and the ball must be replaced. If you do not replace the ball, you will lose the hole as you have played it from the wrong spot and the general penalty applies.

Exceptions:

There is no penalty to the opponent where they are conceding the next stroke, a hole or the match or at the player’s request.
There is no penalty if a player marks his opponent’s ball on the putting green if they are under the mistaken belief that the ball is theirs.
There is no penalty when an opponent accidently causes the players ball to move whilst undertaking any actions in circumstances where the player has an exception to this rule. (e.g undertaking a reasonable search)

Q and A

I am walking down the fairway in Matchplay and accidently kick my ball. What happens?
As you have caused your ball to move in this manner even though it is accidental a penalty of 1 shot applies as the exceptions from penalty for accidently moving your ball do not include these circumstances. If your opponent accidently kicks your ball in the same circumstances, they would be penalised 1 shot. If you as the player do not replace your ball prior to your next shot you will have played from the wrong spot and be subject to the general penalty, loss of hole.
A crow picks up my ball then drops it 10 metres away from where it was. I am 200 metres away and cannot determine the exact spot where the ball originally laid. What do I do?
You can estimate the spot and there is no penalty. If you do not replace it a 2 shot penalty applies in stroke play or loss of hole in Matchplay.
My ball comes to rest on the putting green. I decide not to mark it whilst my playing partners putt. Whilst I am waiting to putt a gust of wind causes my ball to move. What do I do?
As your ball has been moved by natural forces and it had not been marked and replaced it must be played from its new position. If you had marked the ball, replaced it and then the ball moved you must replace it. Tip – if you ball stops in a precarious position on the green where natural forces may cause it to move away from the hole, mark it quickly!
What happens if the ball moves during my backswing or stroke?
If you continue with your stroke the ball must not be replaced. Whether you are penalised will be determined by what caused the ball to move. Natural forces or an outside influence – no penalty, you the player a 1 shot penalty would apply.

Rules Corner – Edition 10

In this edition we look at the consequences of a ball in motion hitting a player, their equipment, an outside influence or your partner, or their equipment. The rule is covered in Rule 11 and is one that changed significantly in the 2019 edition.

There is generally no penalty to any player if your ball, in motion, accidently hits any person or outside influence. This is true even if the ball hits the player (yourself), the opponent or any other player or any of their caddies or equipment. The player must normally accept the outcome and play their next shot from where the ball comes to rest.

Exceptions:

If a player’s ball played from the putting green strikes another ball, at rest, on the putting green, the player whose ball is in motion gets the general penalty, 2 shots or loss of hole in Matchplay.
When a ball played from anywhere, except on the putting green and comes to rest on any person, animal or moving outside influence the player must not play the ball as it lies, they must take relief by dropping the original ball or a replacement ball, using the estimated point under or where the ball first came into contact with the person, animal or moving outside influence as the reference point.
If a ball played on the putting green accidently hits a person, animal or movable obstruction (including another ball in motion) on the putting green the stroke does not count and the original ball or a replacement ball must be replaced on the original spot without penalty. However, if the ball accidently strikes the flagstick or a person attending the flagstick, or anything they are holding, there is no penalty, and the ball must be played as it lies.

Penalties only apply in relation to a ball in motion being deflected or stopped where the act is known to or virtually certain to be deliberate. The general penalty (2 shots, loss of hole in Matchplay) applies to a player who deliberately deflects or stops any ball in motion. This is true whether it is the player’s own ball or by an opponent or another player in stroke play. See special rules for Matchplay, Rule 3.2.

Where a ball is deliberately deflected or stopped it must not be played as it lies. For a stroke made from anywhere except the putting green the player must take relief on the estimated spot where the ball had come to rest if not deflected or stopped. If that spot is anywhere on the course apart from the putting green, it must be dropped. If the ball would have come to rest on the green, it must be placed on the estimated spot.

For a stroke made from the putting green, the stroke does not count, and the ball must be replaced on its original spot.

Q and A

Can I move an object out of the way after I have played my shot and the ball is still in motion?

No, generally when a ball is in motion you cannot alter any physical conditions that may affect your ball, this includes moving any loose impediments or movable obstructions. The general penalty would apply if you did. There are exceptions where your ball was played from the putting green where you may move a flagstick lying on the green, a ball at rest on the putting green (Yes, if you didn’t get it marked before you played your shot, it can be marked while your ball is in motion), or any other player equipment, for example a towel.

In Matchplay my putt to halve hole a hole misses and has no chance of going in, but, before it comes to rest my opponent knocks my ball away. Can I claim the hole?

No, in this specific instance as your ball had no chance of being holed, it had already missed. You still loose the hole. This is specifically addressed in rule 3.2 which covers Matchplay, a must read for all Matchplay competitors.

Rules Corner – Edition 9

In this edition we are looking specifically at bunkers. (Rule 12)

Your ball is in the bunker if it is touching the sand base of the bunker. If it is in the grass face and does not touch the sand base, it is in the general area. So, if you are unfortunate enough for your ball to lodge in the grass face you can take your unplayable lie relief in the “general area” and not in the bunker. If you ball is embedded in the grass face you may take free relief as it is an embedded ball in the general area. But, remember, the ball must be embedded in the dirt, beneath the surface of the grass, not just buried in the grass.

If your ball is in a bunker, you can touch the sand whilst doing any of the following:

Remove loose impediments and moveable obstructions.
Dig in your feet to take your stance for a practice swing or stroke.
Measuring, marking, lifting, replacing or taking other actions under a rule.
Smooth the bunker to care for the course.
Place clubs or other equipment in the bunker.
Lean on a club to rest, stay balanced, or prevent a fall.
Strike the sand in frustration or anger.

But, if any of the above actions improve conditions effecting your stroke the general penalty applies, 2 shots in stroke play, loss of hole in Matchplay.

You cannot do any of the following in a bunker:

Deliberately touch the sand in the bunker with your hand, club, rake or any other object to test the condition of the sand to learn information for your next stroke.
Touch the sand in the bunker with a club:

In the area immediately in front or behind the ball (unless undertaking a fair search or removing a loose impediment or moveable obstruction).
In making a practice swing, or
In making a backswing for a stroke.

If you do any of the above, the general penalty applies, 2 shots in stroke play, loss of hole in Matchplay.

If you are taking free relief from an abnormal ground condition or a dangerous animal condition (poisonous snake), that relief must be in the bunker. If you cannot get total relief, you must find the point of maximum relief, but still within the bunker. You do not get free relief for an embedded ball in a bunker.

You may declare your ball unplayable in a bunker, if you do so you have the following options:

Under penalty of 1 shot:

2 club lengths in any direction, not nearer the hole and within the bunker.
Back along the line relief, within the bunker.
Stroke and distance, using the point where you played your previous shot as the reference point.

Under penalty of 2 shots:

Back along the line, outside the bunker.

Q and A

My ball lies outside of the bunker, but in the line of play there are footprints within the bunker. Can I rake the footprints prior to playing my shot?
No, you cannot in any circumstance improve your line of play. If you do so, the general penalty applies. 2 shots in stroke play, loss of hole in Matchplay.

Rules Corner – Edition 8

This Edition looks at Model Local Rule B3 which allows for a provisional ball to be played where you believe your ball is in a penalty area. The Rules of Golf do not provide this option, but to assist with pace of play and in other specific circumstances there is a Model Local Rule that can be invoked by clubs and does apply at SRGC.

Probably the most obvious places where this option is useful is where there are circumstances where your ball may have crossed the margin of the penalty area a significant distance from where the ball may lie in the penalty area. Without this local rule a player would have to walk and search for their ball and if taking lateral or back along the line relief would then have to back track to where the ball last crossed the margin to determine their reference point. The 3^rd hole at SRGC is a good example where without this local rule a player may need to walk back 50 metres or more if deciding to take lateral or back along the line relief. But remember, the rule applies to all penalty areas at SRGC.

So, you’ve hit your ball and you believe it may be in a penalty area. You may choose to play a provisional from any of the 3 penalty relief options:

From where you hit the original ball.
Lateral relief using the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the penalty area as your reference point.
Back along the line keeping the point where your ball crossed the margin, the pin and your reference point in a straight line.

So, once you have played your provisional ball you walk forward to search for your ball. If you find your ball outside the penalty area you must play the original ball, the provisional ball cannot be played under any circumstances.

If on walking forward it becomes apparent that it is almost certainly in the penalty area, but you cannot locate the ball, you must play the provisional. You do not have the option of taking any other form of relief. You have already chosen your relief option with your provisional ball, you don’t get a second chance.

If on walking forward you locate your ball in the penalty area, you have a choice to either play the ball as it lies or play the provisional. Once you play a stroke at the ball in the penalty area the provisional ball cannot be played under any circumstances.

If you play a stroke at the ball from within the penalty area and it does not leave the penalty area, whilst you have the normal options, even if you choose the relief option you chose with the provisional ball you cannot play the provisional ball under any circumstances. You must go back and play another ball from one of the penalty relief options.

It is each player’s responsibility to be aware of the local rules, ignorance is no defence. The local rules are printed on the back of the card with additional local rules available on the notice board near the first tee. If you are scoring on the app, even though you may not have a card, it is still your responsibility to know the local rules. Tip – if you use the app, take a photo of the back of the card on your phone to consult where necessary.

Rules Corner – Edition 7 (Lost Ball, Provisional Ball, Unplayable Lie)

Please note there was a typographical error in edition 6 which has now been corrected and you would be advised to read the corrected version.

So, you’ve hit your ball into the long grass, don’t know if you will be able to find it. What are your options?

The Rules of Golf allow you to play a “provisional ball” in these circumstances (Rule 18). However, you must clearly indicate that you are hitting a “provisional ball’. Otherwise, the second ball you hit becomes the ball in play under stroke and distance penalty and your first ball cannot be played if found. If you are hitting a provisional make sure it has different markings to the original and that you advise your marker of the different markings.

If your initial ball was played from the teeing area, your “provisional ball” may be teed and played from anywhere within the teeing area. If your initial shot was from any other area of the course, you have 1 club length in any direction, not nearer the hole, and within the same area of the course from where your initial ball was played.

Once you or your caddie arrive at the search location you have 3 minutes to find your ball. If you find what you think might be your ball at 2 minutes, 55 seconds, but it takes you 20 seconds to identify it as yours, that’s OK.

A ball cannot be declared “lost” by the player. It is only lost, if:

It is not found within 3 minutes of the search commencing.
The provisional ball has been played from a point closer to the hole than where the original ball was likely lost.
Another ball has been put in play. (In play would include a ball dropped in the appropriate area under penalty even if a shot has not been played)

If you accidently move your ball during a reasonable search, it must be replaced back to its original position, and you are required to recreate the lie. (Rule 7.4) There is no penalty.

So, let’s assume you find your original ball. You may play the ball as it lies or declare it “unplayable” and take one of the following options (Rule 19).

Take penalty lateral relief within 2 club lengths of where the ball lies, not nearer the hole. After dropping the ball, it must remain within the 2 – club length relief area.
Take penalty relief going back along a line, keeping the point where your ball lays and the pin in a straight line. Once the reference point is determined, you have 1 club length in any direction, not nearer the hole as your relief area within which the ball must be dropped and remain in.
Take penalty relief under stroke and distance (i.e from where you played the previous shot) If that shot was from the general or any other area of the course apart from the teeing area, the ball must be dropped within 1 club length, not nearer the hole and within the same area of the course. If it was played from the teeing area it can be teed and played from any point within the teeing area.

You cannot play the provisional ball under any circumstances if you have found your original ball.

If you don’t find your ball, you can continue playing the provisional ball under stroke and distance penalty.

So, before you start a search you may want to consider if it will be beneficial for you to find the ball. You are not obliged to search for your ball, and in some circumstances where you believe your only viable option would be stroke and distance and you’ve pumped your provisional ball 300 metres down the middle, your best option may be to just continue with your provisional. Because, if you find the original ball, the provisional ball cannot be played under any circumstances. If taking relief for an unplayable lie under penalty, stroke and distance, you must return to where you hit the previous shot from and play another ball.

Rules Corner – Edition 6

This week we are looking at red penalty areas (Rule 17). The margin of a penalty area is defined as the general area edge of the red line or, where defined by stakes, a straight line between the general area edge of the stakes. If there are red lines and stakes, the red line takes precedence. If any of your ball overhangs the margin, your ball is in the penalty area.

So, you’ve hit it into a red penalty area, what options do you have?

Play the ball as it Lies – you can move loose impediments and movable obstructions, and ground your club as you can in the general area. However, you do not get relief from immovable obstructions i.e sprinkler heads. Your only relief from an immovable obstruction in a penalty area is under penalty as per options 2,3 and 4.
Lateral Relief (under penalty of 1 shot) – Lateral relief is taken from where the ball last crossed the margin (reference point). The relief area is within 2 club lengths, not nearer the hole from the reference point. After your ball has come to rest inside the relief area it is in play irrespective of whether your stance is in the penalty area. If your ball rolls back into the penalty area, you drop again, if it rolls back into the penalty area a second time, you place it at the point where it first touched the ground when you dropped it the second time.
Back along the Line (under penalty of 1 shot) – relief is taken going back in a straight line from the pin through the point where the ball last crossed the margin to determine your reference point. Once you have determined your reference point, your relief area is within one club length of the reference point, not nearer the hole.
Stroke and Distance (under penalty of 1 shot) – relief is taken within 1 club length of the place from where you played your last shot. If the last shot was from the teeing area, it can be played from anywhere within the teeing area.
What are my options if I attempt to play out of the penalty area, but after playing my shot I am still in the same penalty area?
You have all the available options detailed above using the last place you crossed the margin as your reference point if taking penalty relief. In addition, you can choose to drop within the penalty area under stroke and distance using where you played the previous shot as your reference point (stroke and disdance). However, if in doing so you determine that you want further relief after dropping within the penalty area, there is an additional 1 shot penalty, in effect, the drop would count as a shot.
Can I play a provisional ball if I think my ball is in a penalty area?
The Rules of Golf do not allow a provisional ball in these circumstances. However, they do provide for the adoption of a local rule that does allow this procedure. SRGC has adopted this local rule, so, yes at SRGC. If you are playing at another course, check the local rules.
In playing the third hole at SRGC my ball has crossed the margin of the penalty area after crossing a portion of the green. Can I drop the ball on the green?
If you are taking the lateral relief option and the relief area, 2 club lengths not nearer the hole from where it last crossed the margin of the penalty area, and the relief area includes a portion of the green, yes you can drop it on that portion of the green. However, the ball must stay in the area of the course where it has been dropped. So, if it rolls from the green to the fringe or another part of the general area, it must be redropped and placed if necessary. If you drop the ball on any part of the general area and it rolls onto the green, it must also be redropped and placed if necessary.

Rules Corner – Edition 5

Please note we are reviewing information provided in Edition 2 and have withdrawn the edition for the time being. Please consult your rule book for 4BBB Matchplay rules.

One of the central tenants of the Golf is that you play the course as you find it and the ball as it lies. The Rules of Golf and Local Rules provide some exceptions for abnormal ground conditions, obstructions, loose impediments and where local rules provide, for example, preferred lie. There are also specific rules that allow you to repair damage caused by people or animals to the putting green but these rules preclude you from repairing normal wear and tear and damage which is caused for the maintenance of the surface (core marks for example).

All of the below actions would result in the “general penalty”, 2 shot penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in Matchplay.

Removing sand or soil from around your ball or from your line of play. (other than when the sand or soil is on the putting green, or on the teeing area of the hole you are playing, sand and soil is considered a loose impediment when on the putting green or in the teeing area.)
Removing dew or frost.
Building a stance.
Raking foot-prints or damage to a bunker that is in your line of play, stance or line of back swing prior to playing your shot.
Touching the sand with your club during your back swing when playing from a bunker.
Testing the sand in bunkers. (you are allowed to repair areas of the bunker that are not near your ball or line of play in order to care for the course and obviously settle your feet in order to take your stance.)
Pressing down a repaired divot or tuft of grass behind of or in front of your ball. (you are allowed to lightly ground your club behind the ball)
Repairing a pitch mark or divot off the green and in your line of play or back swing.
Repairing normal wear and tear on the putting green. (Pitch marks, foot prints are not normal wear and tear and can be repaired).
Repairing core marks on the green.
Repairing dead areas of grass or bare patches on the green. (you can repair a pitch mark if it is on a bare area.)
Taking practice swings or any other action that results in removing branches or other growing things that are in your swing. (exception: in the teeing area of the hole you are playing)
Pressing your foot down immediately behind the ball anywhere on the course.
Removing a boundary stake that impedes your swing, stance or line of play. (if you return the stake to it’s previous position prior to playing your shot there is no penalty)

There are other examples of situations that would result in the penalty. If the action improves your stance, swing or line of play and is not covered by an exception, the general penalty applies.

Fun Fact – If your ball is within the teeing area (rectangle 2 clubs deep back from the tee markers) of the hole you are playing you can always tee it up. So, if you duff it so bad it stays in the teeing area, you can tee it up again. If you hit the ball, it hits a tree outside the teeing area and bounces back into the teeing area, you can tee it up again.

Rules Corner – Edition 4

Last week we introduced the five areas of the course as defined in the Rules of Golf.

The General Area.
Teeing Area (2 club lengths deep from the front edge of tee markers).
Penalty Areas (defined by red or yellow lines of stakes).
The Bunkers (obvious😊, we have 70 odd examples).
The Putting Green.

The General area is any area of the course other than the 4 specific (teeing, penalty, bunkers, putting green) areas. The General area includes wrong greens for which there are specific rules.

Teeing Area is defined by an area 2 club lengths in depth back from the front edge of the 2 tee markers. The ball is considered to be in the teeing area if any part of it touches or overhangs the teeing area.

Penalty areas are defined by red or yellow stakes, and or, red or yellow lines. If it has both stakes and lines, the lines are considered the boundary. At SRGC we only have red penalty areas.

Where only stakes are used it is a straight line between each stake, using the edge of the stake closest to the General area as the line. If any part of your ball overhangs the edge of that line you are in the penalty area. (Penalty stakes are “immovable obstructions” under SRGC local rules, you only get relief from them if you are not in the penalty area)

Where lines are used, if any part of your ball overhangs or touches any part of the line, you are in the penalty area. (You do not get relief from the penalty area line)

The Bunkers are areas of sand specifically prepared as bunkers. For your ball to be considered to be in the bunker it must be touching sand withing the area prepared as a bunker.

The Putting Green is the area of the course prepared on that hole specifically for putting. The ball is on the putting green if any part of it touches the putting green. If part of the ball touches the general area as well as the putting green, it is on the putting green (the specific area)

The ball can only be in 1 area and never be in 2 areas. Where the ball touches or overhangs any part of the 4 specific areas (penalty, bunker, teeing, putting green) it is considered, to be in that specific area of the course, not in the general area. Where part of the ball lies in 2 specific areas, where it lays is determined by the above order.

Note that for bunkers and the putting green the ball needs to actually touch the surface of the bunker or green, but in the case of teeing areas and penalty areas it only needs to overhang the area to be considered in it.

It is important to determine what area of the course your ball is in as that will determine if you get relief in certain circumstances.

Q and A

1. When is my ball out of bounds.
Our course boundaries are the out of bounds stakes to the right of the 1^st hole, boundary fences and the northern bank of the Eastern creek to the north. Your ball is out of bounds only if all of the ball is out of bounds. In the case of the stakes the line is the inside edge of the stakes closest to the course that your ball lies between. You do not get free relief from boundary refining objects (stakes, fences, etc) in any circumstances.

2. If my ball is in a penalty area and a penalty stake interferes with my stance or swing, do I get relief?
At SRGC stakes defining penalty areas are “immovable obstructions” (Local Rule 5.1). You do not get free relief from immoveable obstructions in penalty areas. Your only option for relief is under penalty as per Rule 17. Your ball is in the penalty area if any part of it overhangs or touches the red line. In the picture there is no free relief from the stake because the ball overhangs the red line, so, it is in the penalty area. If your ball is in any other area and a penalty stake interferes with your stance or swing, you do get free relief.

Rules Corner – Edition 3

In this edition we are looking at Loose Impediments.

Before we continue it is important that we understand that the Rules of Golf identify 5 areas of the course:

The teeing area of the hole you are playing.
The green of the hole you are playing.
Bunkers.
Penalty Areas
The General Area (every area other than areas 1-4)

The rules identify these different areas as the conditions of play in each area are different. As we move through various rules this will become apparent.

Loose Impediments

The Rules of Golf describe loose impediments as:

any unattached natural object such as stones, loose grass, leaves, branches and sticks.
dead animals and animal waste
worms, insects and similar animals that can be removed easily, and the mounds or webs they build (such as worm casts and ant hills)
Clumps of compacted soil (including aeration plugs)

A natural object is not a loose impediment if it is:

Attached and growing.
Solidly embedded in the ground.
Sticking to the ball.

Special Cases

Sand and Soil are not loose impediments (unless on the green).
Dew, frost and water are not loose impediments.
Snow and Natural Ice (other than frost) are either loose impediments, or, when on the ground, temporary water at the player’s option.
Spider webs are loose impediments even though they are attached to another object.

So, what does this mean to the golfer? Loose impediments can be moved in any area of the course including bunkers and penalty areas, however, in moving them, if the ball moves, the ball must be replaced, and the player is given a 1 stroke penalty. So, always consider the possible consequences. If your judgement is the ball may move if you move the loose impediment, your best option may be to not touch the loose impediment and just play the shot.

Remember, you can only remove sand or soil if it is on the green, so if your ball comes to rest anywhere else on the course and there is sand or soil near your ball, that is not on the green, that effects your stroke, stance or line of play you cannot move it, if you do, a 2 stroke penalty applies (loss of hole in Matchplay). If you are not on the green you can remove loose sand or soil from the green.

Q and A

1.Can I repair a pitch mark which is off the green, if it is in my line of play?

No, pitch marks can only be repaired if they are on the green. Generally, you are not allowed to improve your line of play (with exceptions where objects are loose impediments or moveable obstructions). Penalty – 2 shots (loss of Hole in Matchplay). So, don’t touch pitch marks which are off the green, and in your line of play or knock down tufts of grass in your line of play. However, it is good etiquette to repair such marks after you have completed your shot and the pitch mark is no longer in your line of play.

2. Do I get free relief from a divot or sand filled divot?

No, the ball must be played as it lies. If a local rule provides for preferred lies to the area of the course where the ball lies, you may avoid the divot by preferring your lie. Relief in any other circumstances must be taken under penalty (unplayable lie, 1 shot). You also cannot touch the sand around the ball (Penalty 2 strokes, stroke play. Loss of hole, Matchplay)

3. Is the grass face of the bunker part of the bunker?

No, in order for the ball to be considered in the bunker it must be touching the sand base. So, if the ball is just sitting in the grass, it is in the “general area”, you have to play it or take penalty relief under unplayable lie options, that relief can be in the general area. If the ball is embedded (abnormal conditions), you get free relief, within 1 club length, not nearer the hole, in the general area.

Rules Corner Edition 1 – covers a few basics which we will all face in coming weeks following the recent rain.

Bunkers “Out of Play” or “GUR” (Local Rule) – Free Relief

Establish the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole (not the most convenient or most advantageous point, it’s not a choice, it is “the nearest point of relief”) and mark that spot. It is good practice to advise your marker what you are doing and seek agreeance on the nearest point of relief.

Once you have marked your nearest point of relief you can proceed to enter the bunker and retrieve your ball.

From that nearest point of relief your relief area extends one club length in any direction, not nearer the hole. If after you drop your ball it remains in the relief area, the ball is in play. If it rolls outside the relief area it must be dropped again. If it rolls outside the relief area again the ball must be placed where it landed on the second drop, it is then in play.

If local rules allow a preferred lie, you may then prefer your lie after you have taken relief. The area for preferred lie may extend outside the relief area.

Dropping the Ball (Rule of Golf)

The process for dropping your ball is from knee height, it must be dropped vertically down, not thrown or spun. If the ball accidently hits your foot or equipment prior to it coming to rest, there is no penalty and provided the ball remains in the relief area it is in play.

Lifting your ball (Rule of Golf)

When lifting your ball for any reason other than to take relief you must mark it. (Penalty 1 shot)

If you are lifting your ball for relief, you must mark your relief area prior to lifting your ball.

When you lift your ball for relief or when on the green you may clean it.

If you are lifting your ball to identify it, check if it is damaged or because it obstructs another player when not on the green you must not clean your ball. When replacing your ball, it must be placed in the same spot and same orientation. (Penalty – 1 shot)

Preferred Lie (Local Rule) – Generally 30cm at SRGC

Where preferred lies apply you must mark your ball prior to lifting so you have a reference point for the distance within which you can prefer your lie. You only get one preferred lie for each shot, if you decide after preferring there are better options, bad luck, you cannot prefer again. The preferred lie can be in any direction but always not nearer the hole. You cannot prefer your lie from off the green to on the green.

Where preferred lie is allowed in the General Area (through the green) if you ball comes to rest in the rough you can prefer your lie to the fairway provided it is not nearer the hole and within 30cm of where your ball lies.

Embedded Ball (Rule of Golf) – Free Relief

You are entitled to relief unless you are in a bunker or penalty area. The relief area extends one club length in any direction, not nearer the hole. Always mark your relief area before you lift your ball, the ball must then be dropped and stay in the relief area.

If the embedded ball is in the rough but the relief area includes a portion of the fairway, you can drop it on that portion of the fairway which is in the relief area.

If local rules allow a preferred lie, you may then prefer your lie after you have taken relief. The area for preferred lie may extend outside the relief area.

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WELCOME TO “RULES CORNER” – An informative guide to the rules of golf written by the SRGC Golf Committee