Golf Magazine Golf Rules Explained : Interpretations Based on Real-Life Situations

by David Barrett

• ISBN13: 9781585745098
• ISBN10: 158574509X
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: The Lyons Press

Summary

Let's face it, the Rules of Golf are complicated. Often, even the interpretations are complicated. The idea of schooling oneself in the minutiae of the Rules and their many variables is such an intimidating prospect that most golfers, even those on the professional tour, don't even try. Whether you're just starting out in the game, or you're a seasoned veteran of the links, Golf Magazine - Golf Rules Explained covers just about every situation that could possibly happen on the golf course. In plain English. From David Barrett's popular column, "Within the Rules," this book operates on the guiding principle that the best way to learn the Rules is by using real golf situations as examples. Each column - and each selection in this book - contains two such situations, the first setting up the main premise and the second, with the heading "Now What If" offering up a different, often surprising, twist. The answers are entertaining and enlightening, and will enrich your game.

Author Biography

DAVID BARRETT, author of The 1994 Golf Almanac, is a senior editor at Golf Magazine, where he pens the monthly "Within the Rules" column.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
Chapter 1 - On the Tee
Out of Order
What happens when a player hits from the wrong tee	2	(1)
In the Way
Can a player move a tee marker to clear a path for his swing	3	(1)
Not So Fast
What's the proper order for hitting a provisional ball?	4	(1)
In Line for Trouble?
The Rules don't give you free rein in lining up your shots	5	(1)
Swing and a Miss
A whiff is bad enough-don't compound it with a penalty	6	(4)
Chapter 2 - In the Fairway/Rough
Touchy Situation
Can a player touch or lift a ball to identify is as his?	10	(1)
Timber!
What happens when a player meets interference from a fallen tree?	11	(2)
Stuck in Jail
An ill-considered swing can lead to big trouble	13	(1)
Kicked Around
What's the ruling when a ball is moved during a search?	14	(1)
Up a Tree
An imaginative way to dislodge a ball from a tree branch - but is it legal?	15	(2)
Root of the Problem
Is a player allowed to probe for roots?	17	(1)
Divot Dilemma
Can a player move a replaced divot if it's in his way?	18	(1)
Sand Splash
Can a player brush away sand from his line on the fringe?	19	(1)
Snap Decision
Breaking a branch could mean a penalty	20	(1)
Cleaning Up
When is a player allowed to clean his ball?	21	(3)
Chapter 3 - Hazards
Hazardous Putting
What can you do when your putt finds a greenside hazard?	24	(1)
Touch and Go
When can you touch the water or ground in a water hazard?	25	(1)
Facing Danger
When is the face of a bunker part of the bunker?	26	(1)
Double Trouble
What happens when a shot from a water hazard ends up out of bounds?	27	(1)
Choosing Sides
When you hit into a water hazard, you'd better know where to drop	28	(2)
Second Stance
Prior to striking the ball, are you allowed to take a second stance in a greenside bunker?	30	(1)
Probing Question
Can a player be penalized for moving his ball in a hazard?	31	(2)
Tidying Up
When should a player clean up his bunker mess?	33	(1)
Sand Blasting
It pays to keep your cool after a bad bunker shot	34	(4)
Chapter 4 - Out of Bounds/Lost Ball
Fenced In
Can a ball inside a boundary fence be out of bounds?	38	(1)
Too Late?
Reaching the point of no return on a lost ball	39	(1)
Provisional Problems
What do you do if a provisional ball can't be distinguished from the original?	40	(1)
Delayed Search
Can a player tell his caddie to wait before looking for his ball?	41	(2)
Thrown for a Loss
What happens when you find your ball, but don't know it?	43	(1)
Compounding the Error
Breaking multiple Rules can lead to a big penalty	44	(4)
Chapter 5 - On the Green
Is This a Test?
A roll of a ball might or might not constitute testing	48	(1)
Let It Be
When is a player not allowed to immediately repair his pitch-mark?	49	(1)
Obstacle Course
What happens when the ball strikes the hole-liner?	50	(1)
On the Edge
Can a player try to make e ball hanging on the lip drop in?	51	(1)
Spiked Up
Can you fix spike marks made by a player walking in your line?	52	(1)
Poor Attendance
What's the ruling when a flagstick attendant screws up?	53	(2)
On a Roll
What do you do when a replaced ball rolls away?	55	(3)
Chapter 6 - Ball Moved or Deflected
Sorry About That
Is there a penalty when a ball strikes another player?	58	(1)
Nutty Situation
What to do when a squirrel runs away with a ball from an undetermined spot	59	(1)
Deliberate Deflection
What happens when a spectator swats a ball away?	60	(2)
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
What happens when a caddie can't get out of the way of a ball?	62	(1)
Bump on the Green
Is it a good break when a ball at rest is knocked into the hole?	63	(1)
Off the Mark
What happens if a ball is marked, but not replaced?	64	(4)
Chapter 7 - Dropping/Placing
Sticky Situation
What do you do when a ball marker doesn't stay put?	68	(1)
Double Drop
What happens when you need relief from two conditions?	69	(1)
Forward Roll
Knowing whether to re-drop can be tricky	70	(1)
On the Spot
When replacing a ball, do you drop it or place it?	71	(2)
Branching Out
When dropping, a tree branch is like any other part of the course	73	(3)
Chapter 8 -Abnormal Ground Conditions
Casual Quandary
What do you do when a bunkers filled with casual water?	76	(1)
Change of Heart
What happens if a player lifts his ball, then decides not to take relief?	77	(1)
All Wet
Does a player need to retrieve his ball from casual water to get relief?	78	(1)
Burrowed Time
Relief from a burrowing animal hole can be very rewarding	79	(1)
Stuck in a Rut
Is a player entitled to relief from a tire track?	80	(4)
Chapter 9 - Rules of Order
Who's Away?
How to determine the order of play when two balls lie in the water	84	(1)
While You Wait
Is a trip to the practice green between nines allowed?	85	(1)
Out of Range
Does hitting a range ball back where it belongs draw a penalty?	86	(1)
Calling Time-Out
When is a player allowed to discontinue play?	87	(2)
Checking It Out
Can a player practice putting on the course before a round?	89	(1)
A Little Help
Can a player get a swing tip before playoff?	90	(1)
Bad Advice
A suggestion can be costly-for the person giving it	91	(2)
Late Substitution
What happens if a player substitutes a ball during play of a hole to avoid confusion	93 93	(1)
Pit Stop
Is a lunch stop allowed under the Rules?	94	(2)
Second Thoughts
Can a player pick up a second ball once he has put it in play?	96	(2)
Chapter 10 - Equipment
Slippery When Wet
What is allowed to keep a wet grip from slipping in your hands?	98	(1)
Damaged Goods?
Declaring a ball unfit for play requires a specific procedure	99	(1)
Weighty Issue
Is a player allowed to take a training aid onto the course?	100	(2)
"X" Marks the Spot
Is an "X-out" ball allowed in competition?	102	(2)
Chapter 11 - Match Play
Pickup Game
Before conceding a putt-or picking up an opponent's marker-you'd better know the score	104	(1)
Judge and Jury
Can a player choose to ignore a penalty committed by his match-play opponent?	105	(1)
Know Your Strokes
It's up to the player to be aware of where handicap strokes fall	106	(2)
Taking It Back
Can a concession of a putt be withdrawn?	108	(1)
Late Discovery
What happens if a violation is discovered after the end of a match?	109	(2)
State of Confusion
What happens when players are mistaken about the status of a match?	111	(1)
Information Please
How quickly do you need to tell your opponent you've incurred a penalty?	112	(4)
Chapter 12 - Four-Ball/Foursomes Play
Team Concept
Is a player penalized for his partner's actions?	116	(1)
Alternate Question
What do you do when a tee shot heads out of bounds in foursomes play?	117	(1)
Hands-on Procedure
Can a player line up his partner's putter?	118	(2)
Something Borrowed
Can player share a club with his partner?	120	(1)
Late Arrival
What happens when a player is late for a team match?	121	(1)
Getting the Line
Can a player stand behind the ball to look at the break of his partner's putt?	122	(3)
Index, by Rule	125