The Rules Expert answers:

This is a common situation. Under Rule 18-2 If a player causes his ball in play to move accidentally (as in a practice swing or stroke) he shall incur a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced. If the player fails to replace the ball, ie, plays it from the new position he has played from a wrong place and will therefore incur the general penalty for breach of Rule 18, ie, 2 strokes. In this case it would be a total penalty of two strokes. The accidental stroke does NOT count, but all of the other strokes from the wrong place will count and the 2 stroke penalty would be added to the score. Decision 18-2a/20 talks about the exact situation.

The Rules Expert answers:

Yes, A player may play a stroke with any part of the clubhead, provided the ball is fairly struck at (Rule 14-1) and the club conforms with Rule 4-1.

The Rules Expert answers:

This is a good question and you are correct, ie, "the rules of golf do not cover whether or not rakes should be left in or out of bunkers". However, the USGA, R & A, and the RCGA agree on this one. Rakes should be left outside of the bunkers. When rakes are left in the bunkers there is always a chance that the rake could prevent a ball from rolling to the bottom of the bunker. When the rake is removed (as an obstruction) and the ball moves, it must be replaced. If the ball cannot be replaced without rolling closer to the hole (or dropped after the second attempt), the player shall drop the ball outside of the bunker under penalty of 1 stroke. Please encourage your club to recommend that the rakes be placed outside of the bunkers.

Fred Ricker........Leesburg, VA

The Rules Expert answers:

Fred Simms........Bend, OR

The Rules Expert answers:

This situation is covered in the rule book under Rule 19, Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped. Here is the Decision in the 2000 Decisions book under 19/1.

BALL DEFLECTED OR STOPPED BY GOLF CART SHARED BY TWO PLAYERS.

Under the Definition of "Equipment", equipment includes a golf cart, whether or not motorized. If two players share a golf cart, the cart and everything in it are deemed to the the equipment of the player whose ball is involved: except that when the cart is being moved by one of the players, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be that player's equipment. (in this case the cart was "parked" when the ball hit it so it's clearly the equipment of the player's ball that was in motion). Therefore under Rule 19-2a the player whose ball is involved LOSES THE HOLE.

P.S. If this was stroke play the penalty for hitting your own equipment is 2 strokes.
P.S.S. If this cart was actually in motion and being driven by the opponent it would be considered the opponent's equipment and the player involved would have the option of replaying the shot.
P.S.S.S. If it was stroke play and your hit the cart in motion it would be hitting a competitor's equipment and there is not penalty for either person and ball would be played as it lies.

Norman Ross ........Delray Beach, FL

The Rules Expert answers:

This is a good question. I'll respond with the rules of upwards and downwards as it relates to Out of Bounds and Hazards.

Rule 27 says that "The out of bounds line extends vertically upwards and downwards."

For example: Your ball lies in a bush just above the out of bounds fence or stakes...in order to determine if your ball is in bounds or out of bounds you must visualize the line extending upwards. Another example is....Your ball has entered an open drain pipe on the golf course side of an out of bounds fence. You can clearly see your ball inside the drain pipe but in order to determine if it's out of bounds you must extend the out of bounds line downwards past the drainpipe and if your entire ball is beyond that line you are out of bounds.

In the definitions section of the new 2000 Rules on page 4 it says .. "The margin of a bunker extends vertically downwards, but NOT upwards. Here's and example...A small bush overhangs the edge of a bunker and your ball has come to rest in the branches of the bush and clearly past the edge of the bunker. You are going to declare your ball unplayable and since the margin of the bunker does Not extend upwards you are permitted to drop it outside the bunker.

Page 13 in the definitions section of the 2000 Rules says.."The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and downwards." Here's and example ..... Same situation as above for a bunker...ie, your ball is lodged in the branches of a small bush overhanging the margin of a water hazard or lateral water hazard. Since you are in the hazard you must proceed under the rules for relief from a hazard, i.e., you cannot proceed under the unplayable lie rules because you cannot declare your ball unplayable in a water hazard.

Hope this helps.

Sue Beale........Jupiter, FL

The Rules Expert answers:

THE METHOD OF DETERMINING AN ACCEPTABLE SCORE DIFFERS AROUND THE WORLD AND TO FURTHER COMPLICATE THE MATTER SOME COUNTRIES (INCLUDING THE U.S.A.) HAVE CHANGED THE METHOD OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE METHOD CURRENTLY RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S.G.A. SLOPE AND HANDICAP GUIDELINES IS SIMPLY TO TAKE THE PLAYERS STROKES AS THE FALL ON THE SCORECARD, ADD THEM TO THE PAR FOR THAT HOLE AND ENTER THE TOTAL SCORE FOR EACH REMAINING HOLE. HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES: (FOR EACH EXAMPLE LET'S ASSUME THAT THE FINAL FOUR HOLES ON THE COURSE HAVE A PAR OF 3, 4, 4, AND 5. LET'S ALSO ASSUME THAT THE HANDICAP NUMBER ON THESE HOLES IS 18, 2, 6, AND 14.

EXAMPLE ONE: THE ROUND IS RAINED OUT AFTER THE 14TH HOLE IS COMPLETED, MARY IS A 21 HANDICAP. SHE WOULD RECEIVE A STROKE ON EACH OF THE FINAL FOUR HOLES AND THEREFORE HER SCORE ON THE CARD FOR THE LAST FOUR HOLES WOULD BE 4, 5, 5, 6.

EXAMPLE 2: THE ROUND IS RAINED OUT AFTER THE 15TH HOLE IS COMPLETED, MARY IS A 12 HANDICAP. SHE WOULD RECEIVE A STROKE ON HOLES 16 AND 17 BUT NOT ON 18 SINCE IT IS THE 14TH STROKE HOLE AND HER HANDICAP IS ONLY 12. HER SCORE ON THE FINAL THREE HOLES WOULD BE 5, 5, AND 5.

EXAMPLE 3: THE ROUND IS RAINED OUT AFTER THE 14TH HOLE IS COMPLETED AND MARY IS A +2 (I.E. BETTER THAN A SCRATCH GOLFER). MARY MUST SUBTRACT A STROKE FROM PAR FOR ANY INCOMPLETE HOLES THAT ARE HANDICAP HOLES 17 OR 18, THE TWO EASIEST HOLES ON THE COURSE. THEREFORE MARY WOULD ENTER, 2, 4, 4 AND 5 ON HER CARD FOR THE LAST 4 INCOMPLETE HOLES.

HOPEFULLY THIS HELPS YOU.....BUT FOR MORE CLARIFICATION YOU COULD CALL THE U.S.G.A OFFICE OR CHECKOUT THEIR WEBSITE.

Mike Bogen.....Huntington Beach, CA

The Rules Expert answers:

RULE 20-1 PERMITS A PLAYER TO MARK HIS BALL ANYWHERE ON THE COURSE IF IT INTERFERES WITH ANOTHER PLAYERS STANCE, STROKE OR LINE. HOWEVER, THE BALL MAY NOT BE CLEANED WHEN LIFTED UNLESS IT LAY ON THE PUTTING SURFACE. AN INTERESTING OPTION TO THIS RULE IS THAT THE PLAYER MAY PLAY HIS STROKE AHEAD OF THE OTHER PLAYER INSTEAD OF MARKING IT OFF THE PUTTING SURFACE.

Two balls came to rest in the sand bunker so close that one had to be marked as not to hit both balls on one swing of the club. One marked as the other played. The next player to play raked the bunker than placed his ball to make his next play. I claimed that someone else had to rake the bunker as the second player could not rake the bunker as it would constitute "testing the ground in a hazard" much like ground you club in a bunker. You ruling please.

Tom Lombardi.....Manchester, CT

The Rules Expert answers:

THE RULES AND DECISIONS BOOK HAVE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THIS SITUATION. IN THE 1999 DECISIONS BOOK THERE IS A SITUATION UNDER 20-3b/1 THAT CLEARLY INDICATES THE PLAYER HIMSELF MUST "RECREATE HIS ORIGINAL LIE AS NEARLY AS POSSIBLE". IN THE RULE BOOK THIS IS COVERED UNDER RULE 20-3b. UNFORTUNATELY, AS THIS PERSON POINTS OUT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PLAYER TO "TEST" THE SAND....BUT SINCE THIS IS A GAME OF INTEGRITY ONE WOULD HOPE THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN.

Ball came to rest on a double green - clearly on the area that was the green for the other hole. The player putted ball without the pin tended and it went in. Also, the ball did leave the green surface (across the apron). Is this not a penalty?

Tom Lombardi.....Manchester, CT

The Rules Expert answers:

THIS IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION AND ONE THAT COMES UP OFTEN WITH TODAY'S ARCHITECTS BUILDING MORE AND MORE DOUBLE GREENS. THIS IS COVERED IN THE 1999 DECISIONS BOOK UNDER 25-3/1. IF YOU LAND ANYWHERE ON THE PUTTING SURFACE (IE, EITHER HALF) YOU ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ON YOUR GREEN. IF YOU HIT THE FLAGSTICK IT'S A 2 STROKE PENALTY. IN THIS EXAMPLE IT'S IRRELEVANT THAT THE BALL LEFT THE PUTTING SURFACE AND ROLLED OVER SOME FRINGE WHILE IT HEADED FOR THE HOLE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE (IE, COURSE MANAGEMENT OR TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS IN A TOURNAMENT) MAY DIVIDE THE GREENS BY USE OF A LINE OR STAKES AND DECLARE THEM AS TWO SEPARATE GREENS. HOWEVER THIS DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE THE CASE IN THIS EXAMPLE.

Just the other day, I had shot that I thought was legal. After talking with some friends, they said that it was not and I should have taking a two stoke penalty. My ball was resting next to a tree near the green. I am a right handed hitter, so I had no shot. I positioned myself over the ball with a foot on either side. I then hit the ball between my legs and up onto the green. Was that wrong? If so where is it in the rule book that says you cannot hit a ball like that. All I can find is when you are on the green you cannot hit a ball standing astride or on line of a putt. (Rule 16e)

Douglas Beetow.....Hamburg, NY

The Rules Expert answers:

My congratulations to you. You are correct and also have quoted the correct rule. It is ONLY on the putting surface that a player may not "straddle the line of the stroke". If a player is off the putting surface he/she may hit the ball between their legs by straddling the line of the stroke. There is no penalty in this situation and you are to be congratulated for knowing the rules.

I hit a perfect drive heading right down the middle of the fairway. The ball was about to land when it hit the 100 yard marker in the center of the fairway. My ball bounced way up in the air and left over trees and into straw grass. I could not find my ball. Do I have to take a lost ball? Can I rule that the yard marker interfered with the play and place my ball at the spot my partner and I determine the ball otherwise would have come to rest?

Joshua Levy.....Whitefish Bay, WI

The Rules Expert answers:

THIS SITUATION IS COVERED IN THE DECISIONS BOOK UNDER 19-1/1. WHEN A BALL IS DEFLECTED BY A POST, STAKE, SIGN, ETC IT IS CONSIDERED A RUB OF THE GREEN AND THE BALL MUST BE PLAYED AS IT LIES OR IF LOST, THEN AS A LOST BALL. IF THE BALL HAD ENDED UP OUT OF BOUNDS YOU WOULD HAVE HAD TO HIT ANOTHER BALL FROM THE TEE, WHICH WOULD MEAN YOU WOULD BE HITTING YOUR 3RD SHOT FROM THE TEE.

Are those distance-measuring binoculars legal or not? Some courses have a similar device mounted in the carts, some courses now have carts equipped with satellite navigational devices that tell you how far you are from the pin, yet people still say that the binoculars are illegal. It doesn't add up.

Rik Meyers.....Prior Lake, MN

The Rules Expert answers:

ARTIFICIAL MEASURING DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNDER THE RULES OF GOLF. HOWEVER, DURING A PRACTICE ROUND (EVEN ON THE PGA TOUR) MANY PLAYERS AND OR CADDIES USE THESE DEVICES TO OBTAIN ACCURATE READINGS. BUT WHEN THE TOURNAMENT STARTS THEY MUST STAY IN THE BAG OR AT HOME.

"How would you fairly handicap a two person scramble. I was thinking of using (handicap1*handicap2)/71 This would give two people of 10 handicap a team handicap of 1.4 Two people of 20 handicap a team handicap of 5.6 And one person of 10, one person of 20 a team handicap 2.8."

Bill Churchill

The Rules Expert answers:

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION IN VIEW OF THE NUMBER OF TEXAS SCRAMBLES THAT ARE NOW BEING PLAYED AROUND THE WORLD. THE R.C.G.A. DOES NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION FOR HANDICAPPING THESE EVENTS....HOWEVER THERE IS A SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN USED SUCCESSFULLY ACROSS CANADA THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY A LOCAL GOLF ASSOCIATION IN CALIFORNIA. HERE IT IS (AND IT'S SIMPLE). TAKE THE TOTAL HANDICAP OF THE GROUP X 80% DIVIDED BY THE NO. OF PLAYERS IN THE GROUP. EXAMPLES. 4 PLAYERS HANDICAPS 2, 11, 21, AND 30 = 64 THEREFORE 64 X 80% = 51.2 DIVIDED BY 4 = 12.8 ANOTHER EXAMPLE FOR 2 PLAYERS ON A TEAM (SAME FORMULA) HANDICAPS ARE 7 AND 23 TOTAL = 30 THEREFORE 30 X 80% = 24 DIVIDED BY 2 = 12

"Are you able to grip the putter below the grip on the shaft of the club? What are the restrictions if any in doing so? Are you able to grip any club below the grip?"

Phillip Cronin......New Providence, NJ

The Rules Expert answers:

THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE YOU GRIP THE CLUB, PUTTER, IRONS, OR WOODS. YOU MAY GRIP IT AS CLOSE TO THE CLUB HEAD AS YOU WANT. THE RULES RESTRICT HOW AND WHERE YOU STRIKE THE BALL, IE, WITH THE CLUBHEAD, YOU MAY NOT SWEEP THE BALL INTO THE HOLE OR PUSH IT INTO THE HOLE, YOU MAY NOT STRADDLE THE LINE OF THE PUTT ON THE PUTTING SURFACE. SO THE SHORT ANSWER IS THAT THERE ARE NO RULES ON WHERE YOU GRIP THE PUTTER.

"I was putting uphill on a very steep green. I lagged it about a foot below the hole and had a pretty easy tap in. The ball was stopped as my playing partner played his shot (I didn't need to mark). All of the sudden a huge gust of wind came up and started my ball all the way down the slope and off the green. Do I need to play it where it lies even though it was stopped for possibly 30 seconds? "

Bob McCarthy......New York, NY

The Rules Expert answers:

WHERE IT LIES. STRANGELY ENOUGH IF IT WAS AN "OUTSIDE AGENCY" THAT MOVED THE BALL ....SUCH AS A PIECE OF BLOWING TUMBLEWEED OR A BRANCH THE BALL MUST BE REPLACED UNDER NO PENALTY. BUT IN THIS CASE, PLAY IT WHERE IT IS. IF THE BALL MOVED AFTER ADDRESS IT MUST BE REPLACED UNDER A PENALTY OF ONE STROKE.

"If I hit another players ball with my ball while on the putting surface who receives the two penalty strokes. Someone told me that they would receive the penalty strokes for me hitting their ball, which to me does not make sense. If this were the case I would always try to hit someone else's ball in order to beat them by strokes. What is the rule when chipping and from the fairway."

David Smith......Mora, MN

The Rules Expert answers:

In stroke play (medal play) if both balls are on the putting surface it is the responsibility of the player playing the stroke to have the competitor mark his ball if he feels he could hit it with his putt. If he fails to have the competitor mark the ball and his putt hits it, the player who struck the putt incurs a 2 stroke penalty and his ball must be played from where it lies. The other player must move his ball back to the original position. In match play (hole by hole) there is no penalty to either player and the ball that was struck must be returned to the original position. If a ball is struck by another ball other than on the putting green in stroke play or match play there is no penalty but the ball that is struck must be replaced. This situation is covered in Rule 19-5 (a.) Hope this helps.

"This really happened on our course today & I would appreciate your thoughts on the situation. My playing companion hit a ball which came to rest in a patch of rough about 2" from a lateral water hazard. He could not possibly play the ball unless he removed his shoes & socks to stand in the water (which was fairly shallow). And indeed it was possible to play the ball in that manner & perhaps get off a good shot. There was only one problem. In order to stand in the water, he would have to put one foot on an alligator who was sunning himself beside the ball! We did not know whether or not he was entitled to relief or if so, where to place the ball without gaining an advantage. He finally decided to call an unplayable lie. We would appreciate your thoughts as to how to resolve this unusual situation."

Norman Ross........Delray Beach, FL

The Rules Expert answers:

In my opinion, this could fall under rule 1-4/10 "Dangerous Situations". The ball was lying outside of the hazard and was therefore "Through the Green". Assuming the ball could have been played if the "Danger" were not there, ie:, the water was shallow enough to stand in, it wasn't fast moving water that wouldn't allow a stance, etc. I would be inclined to give an "In Equity" ruling that would permit the player relief without a penalty.

"My fellow competitor, on a par 3 hole hit his tee shot over water, a regular hazard. It landed on the other side of the lake but rolled several feet back into the water. Some claim that as long as it went over the water the ball could be dropped on that side of the hazard by moving it back & to the side & to the right of the lake as long as it was no nearer the hole--the reasoning being that the ball did land over the hazard before falling back in. I felt that this was not permitted; that the ball had to be dropped on the far side of the lake keeping that spot on a line between the ball & the hole. Or the tee shot had to be replayed with a one shot penalty in either case. Help."

Norman Ross........Delray Beach, FL

The Rules Expert answers:

Your are correct. On a regular water hazard Rule 26 only gives you 3 options:
1) You can play the ball from the hazard as it lies if it is playable, (being careful not to ground your club...or hitting the water on your backswing),
2) Play another ball from as close to where you played the original ball, in this case the tee, and this would be your third shot,
3) Keeping the point where the ball crossed the hazard between you and the flag, go back as far as you want to hit your third shot.

If your fellow competitor played his ball from the green side of the hazard two club lengths from the point of entry, he was using an option only available if it is a lateral water hazard, so he incurs a two stroke penalty. See the question and answer below for lateral hazard options.

"What are the rules when dealing with the yellow and red stakes? I know that there are slightly different rulings for the two."

Susan Pichla...Philadelphia

The Rules Expert answers:

A regular water hazard is defined by yellow stakes or lines and a lateral water hazard by red stakes or lines. Think in terms of a regular hazard as being any body of water that sits between you and the hole and a lateral one as any body of water that sits to one side of the hole.

One more point before I give you your options for each. The parts of both types of hazards not only include the water but the turf on the edges. The boundaries of the hazards extend upward and downward and any lines or stakes outlining the hazard are part of the hazard. So if for example your ball is resting on the line defining the hazard....you're in the hazard. DON'T GROUND YOUR CLUB.

Okay, now what you can do. First the regular water hazard (yellow stakes).
You have three choices:

• 1. If the ball is playable, play it...no penalty.
• 2. It it's not playable, then find the spot where your ball last crossed the hazard margin and keep that spot between you and the hole. You can then drop your ball anywhere on that imaginary line, as far back as you like. Penalty one stroke.
• 3. The final option is to go back to where you played the shot that went into the hazard and hit another ball. Penalty stroke and distance. So if it was your tee shot, you would now be hitting 3.

• 4. Find the spot where the ball crossed the hazard margin and drop your ball within two club lengths, no nearer the hole. Penalty one stroke.
• 5. Find a spot on the opposite side of the hazard that is the same distance from the hole as the spot where your ball crossed the hazard margin, and drop a ball within two club lengths of that spot, again, no nearer the hole. Penalty one stroke.