Golf rules expert and author of “999 Questions on the Rules of Golf” Barry Rhodes answers four questions relating to the golf ball and the rules of golf below.
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF QUESTION 1 :
I have a golf question about the Rules. My golf partner on the tee box was just about to make contact with the ball when it fell back off the tee. He was able to still hit the ball into the fairway, but not very far. Does he get to hit again or play it where it lies?
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF ANSWER 1 :
In the circumstances that you describe there is no penalty and the ball must be played from where it came to rest. Rule 11-3 states;
“If a ball, when not in play, falls off a tee or is knocked off a tee by the player in addressing it, it may be re-teed, without penalty. However, if a stroke is made at the ball in these circumstances, whether the ball is moving or not, the stroke counts, but there is no penalty.â€
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF QUESTION 2 :
Andy, If a tree is dead and has fallen over – not embedded in the ground – what part of the tree can be removed and is it a breach of the Rules if when trying to remove an offending branch it breaks from the dead tree?
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF ANSWER 2 :
There are three Decisions that provide the answer to your question;
Decision 23-7:
Q. Is a fallen tree a loose impediment?
A. If it is still attached to the stump, no; if it is not attached to the stump, yes.
Decision 23-1/3:
Q. May spectators, caddies, fellow-competitors, etc., assist a player in removing a large loose impediment?
A. Yes.
Decision 23-1/4:
Q. If part of a large branch which has fallen from a tree (and thus is a loose impediment) interferes with a player’s swing, may the player break off the interfering part rather than move the whole branch?
A. Yes.
However, remember that you may not remove any part of the tree from a hazard if your ball lies in the same hazard.
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF QUESTION 3 :
Andy, one of your Q&As says that a player is penalised if he “taps down scuff marks in the vicinity of the hole, but not on his line of puttâ€. If they were not on his line of putt, then how could it assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole.
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF ANSWER 3 :
Few of us can guarantee that we will always hit our putts along the line that we intend and we might also overshoot the hole by a significant margin; perhaps on the putt back as well! Also, the wind or gravity may move a ball to a different position. Therefore, to avoid incurring a penalty, or an argument, it is strongly recommended that players should not repair any spike marks on the putting green until they have finished play of the hole.
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF QUESTION 4 :
Hi Andy, I have one for you. Red stakes are surrounded by water because of heavy rainfall. The water level of the lake has risen past the markings. My ball lands outside the red stakes but under one foot of water which is now part of the lake. Do I get a free drop?
GOLF BALL – RULES OF GOLF ANSWER 4 :
Yes, in the circumstances that you describe you are entitled to take relief from the casual water without penalty, Rule 25-1b. But not under Rule 26-1, Relief from Water Hazard. Decision 25/2 is relevant;
Q. If a pond (water hazard) has overflowed, is the overflow casual water?
A. Yes. Any overflow of water from a water hazard which is outside the margin of the hazard is casual water.
http://www.BarryRhodes.com – Miscellaneous content on the Rules of Golf. Barry Rhodes is the author of the book ‘999 Questions on the Rules of Golf’
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Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A and the USGA, The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
I was wondering if it is within the rules of golf to lend one of your balls to a competitor in your group.
Great post as usual!
Very interesting, as are most of your snippets.
I was under the impression that you are only allowed to repair plug marks on your line of putt and not spike or scuff marks until after putting out.
I have Barry’s 99 rules CD which I find very interesting.
Best wishes