Adam’s Rules Corner


 

 Iowa Section PGA

The USGA Rules of Golf are important to know and fully understand to allow players to enjoy recreational and competitive rounds of golf.  Throughout the summer, golfers of all ages and abilities will encounter situations where the Rules of Golf will apply.  Adam’s Rules Corner will explain and clarify common situations golfers encounter with the Rules of Golf in a simple and easy to follow format.

 

 

Rule 25. Abnormal Ground Conditions, Embedded Ball and

Wrong Putting Green

With the heavy rainfall and flooding throughout the state of Iowa this spring, golf courses are being put to the test.  It is important that we as golfers do what we can to help golf course maintenance staffs and assure we are not damaging the course while we play.  Let’s take a closer look at the definition of causal water and how to take proper relief.

According to the USGA Rules of Golf…

Casual Water is any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes his stance.  Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player.

Relief Procedure

When your ball lies in or touches casual water that interferes with your swing or stance you...

Through the green: Lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.  This point must not be in a hazard or on a putting green.

Note:  Nearest Point of Relief is the point of the course nearest to where the ball lies:

                            (i) that is not nearer the hole, and

                            (ii) where, if the ball were positioned, no interference by the condition (casual water) would occur

In a Bunker:  Must follow the same procedure as above but your drop must stay inside the bunker.  If you elect to drop outside the bunker, you will incur a penalty of one stroke.

 

Have a question or want to learn more about the USGA Rules of Golf?

Contact Adam Tiedt, Tournament Assistant at the Iowa Section PGA at atiedt@pgahq.com

Answer can also be found in the USGA Rules of Golf Book

Quiz #1

Now that we have covered some of the basic situations and rules questions that golfers might encounter, let’s test ourselves.  Below is a simple quiz that will put your USGA Rules of Golf knowledge to the test.  The answers can be found near the bottom of this section in small print.  Good Luck!!! 

Question #1 When a ball is hit into a Lateral Water Hazard (Red) a player may as one of his options?

A)
Drop a ball inside the hazard

B)
Drop a ball within two club lengths outside the hazard, no closer to the hole, at the point where the ball last crossed into the hazard with a penalty of one stroke

C)
Rehit from his original spot with no penalty

Question #2  If you hit your ball into a water hazard or lateral water hazard and find it inside the hazard, may you play it as it lies within the hazard without taking a penalty stroke?


Yes


No

Question #3 A water hazard is marked with ___ paint and has __ options and a lateral water hazard is marked with __ paint and has __ options to play your next shot.

A)
Yellow 5, Red, 3

B)
Red, 5, Yellow, 3

C)
Yellow, 3, Red, 5

Question #4 If you are looking for a golf ball and are having trouble finding it, how much time do you have to look for it under the Rules of Golf?

A)
5 minutes

B)
Until you find it

C)
Until you give up looking for it

Question #5 You hit your tee shot clearly out of bounds.  What do you do next to put a ball into play?

A)
Drop a ball within two clubs lengths of where the ball went out of bounds

B)
Hit a provisional ball from the spot where the original ball was last played under a penalty of two strokes

C)
Hit a provisional ball from the spot where the original ball was last played under a penalty of one stroke

Question #6 A player hits a ball with a slice off the tee which lands near the out of bounds stakes.  What should the player do?

A)
Tell the group that he/she is going to play a provisional ball because he/she is unsure if the original ball is in bounds 

B)
Trust their feeling that the ball is in bounds and continue play

C)
Wait for a rules official or volunteer to check to see where the ball is

 Question #7 Telling a competitor if there is a water hazard over a hill is considered advice?


True


False

Question #8 While waiting on a par 3 tee box, someone in your group asks you what club you are going to hit.  Did this person violate a rule?

A)
Yes

B)
No

C)
Only if you tell him and he hits out of turn

Question #9 Can you take practice swings in water hazards, lateral water hazard or bunkers?

A)
No

B)
Yes, just as if you were in the rough

C)
Yes, as long as no part of your club touches the ground or any part of the hazard

Question #10 Rule 3-3 is the rule that says?

A)
In stroke play, if you are unsure of the rules or procedure during the play of a hole, you may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls and then report the situation to the committee

B)
Informs golfers of their options when hitting a ball into a lateral water hazard

C)
Is the rule that tells golfers what advice is and what it is not

 

Answers: #1 b, #2 yes, #3 c, #4 a, #5 c, #6 a, #7 false, #8 a, #9 c, #10 a

Have a question or want to learn more about the USGA Rules of Golf?

Contact Adam Tiedt, Tournament Assistant at the Iowa Section PGA at atiedt@pgahq.com

Answer can also be found in the USGA Rules of Golf Book