By Buzz Walker -- 

 Oak Hills Teaching Professional

Hit them straight!

Buzz Walker

One Ball Rule...

Question: Do the Rules of Golf Prohibit Changing Balls During a Round?

Answer: There is nothing in the Rules of Golf that prevents a golfer from switching to a different brand of golf ball (i.e., from a Titleist to a Bridgestone) on every hole on the course - so long as the change is made between the play of holes.

However, there is something in the Rules of Golf that says a tournament committee can impose such a rule. It's called the "one ball condition" (in the rulebook, it's in Appendix 1, Part C), more commonly known as the "one ball rule". As you probably know, all Tour events are played under the "one ball rule". And any rules committee may adopt the "one ball rule" for its competitions.

The "one ball condition" requires the player to use the exact same brand and type of ball throughout the round. For example, if you tee off the first hole with a Titleist Pro V1x, then that's what you must play throughout the round. You may not switch to any other brand of ball, nor even to any other type of Titleist ball. You started with the Pro V1x, so the Pro V1x is what you must use on every stroke.

If the "one ball rule" is not in effect, however, golfers may swap out different types of golf balls at any point in a round of golf, so long as the change is made between holes rather than during the play of a hole.

Rule 15-1 states: "A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground..."

Have a great round and hit them straight! 

Rules On The Putting Green...  

We received an e-mail from an Oak Hills golfer with the following question:

The golfer was putting while his partner was holding the flagstick. He putts the ball and when his partner pulls the flagstick the cup liner comes out with the pin. The putt rolls into the cupless hole. What is the ruling?

Answer:

As long as the ball did not make contact with the cup or the flag, which it did not, the ball is considered holed. 

Here's another question for you: 

You are on the green 30 feet from the hole. You ask that the flagstick be pulled. The pin is pulled and laid on the ground 20 feet from the hole on the downside of the slight slope. Your putt slides past the hole and curves down the slight slope and your ball hits the flagstick that was placed on the ground. 

Do you know the ruling? What, if any, is the (stroke play) penalty?

Answer: 

There is a two stroke penalty. If you are putting on the green and your ball hits the flagstick, (regardless of whether it is in the hole or lying on the ground) you will be charged with a two stroke penalty. Rule 17-3 is applicable. Had this been Match Play, the penalty for striking the flagstick would have been Loss of hole.

Rules on Gambling...   

This season let's review the USGA policy on gambling.

USGA Policy on Gambling

The Definition of an amateur golfer provides that an amateur golfer is one who plays the game as a non-remunerative and non-profit-making sport. When gambling motives are introduced, problems can arise which threaten the integrity of the game.

The distinction between playing for prize money, which violates the Rules of Amateur Status, and gambling, which does not, is essential to the Rules of Amateur Status. The USGA urges amateur golfers to seek USGA guidance whenever it is unclear whether the prize format constitutes playing for prize money or gambling and, in the absence of such guidance, not to play for cash prizes. Such a course of action would ensure that no one jeopardizes his amateur status.

The USGA does not object to informal wagering among individual golfers or teams of golfers when the players in general know each other, participation in the wagering is optional and is limited to the players, the sole source of all money won by the players is advanced by the players on themselves or their own teams and the amount of money involved is such that the primary purpose is the playing of the game for enjoyment.

On the other hand, organized events open to the general public or designed and promoted to create cash prizes are not approved by the USGA. Golfers participating in such events without first irrevocably waiving their right to cash prizes are deemed by the USGA to be playing for prize money.

The USGA is opposed to and urges its Member Clubs, all golf associations and all other sponsors of golf competitions to prohibit types of gambling such as: (1) Calcuttas, (2) other auction pools, (3) pari-mutuels and (4) any other forms of gambling organized for general participation or permitting participants to bet on someone other than themselves or their teams. The USGA may deny amateur status, entry in USGA Championships and membership on USGA teams for international competitions to players whose activities in connection with golf gambling, whether organized or individual, are considered by the USGA to be contrary to the best interests of golf.

Rules For Golfers with Disabilities...   

Rule 6-7 (Undue Delay)

The interpretation and application of this particular Rule provides more than enough difficulty in dealing with able-bodied golfers. To suggest a mechanism by which this Rule should be applied to disabled golfers is equally as difficult. Clearly, there is enough subjectivity in determining what constitutes undue delay that considerable Committee discretion is required. In that regard, a slightly liberal interpretation of what constitutes undue delay is suggested when dealing with golfers with disabilities. Ultimately, each Committee must establish what it considers to be reasonable parameters in defining undue delay, taking into account the difficulty of the golf course, weather conditions and the quality of the field. To offer more specific guidance to the Committee than that is probably unrealistic.

Rules & Etiquette...   

Your tee shot rockets down the middle of the fairway, but the ball strikes a post that indicates the 150-yard mark and ricochets out-of-bounds. You must...

    a) re-tee without penalty.

    b) take a free drop next to the 150-yard post.

    c) play your third shot from the teeing area because the ball went out-of-bounds.

And the answer is...

A yardage or direction post is considered part of the course, and it's the "rub of the green" that the ball was deflected out-of-bounds. You have to play your third shot from the teeing area. 

Rule 27-1 Ball lost or out of bounds.

Out of bounds at Oak Hills...   

The  other day a player asked me about out of bounds at Oak Hill. Oak Hill has no out of bounds stakes so how do you know?

1. Let's start with the definition of out of bounds: "Out of bounds" is beyond the boundaries of the course or any part of the course so marked by the Committee.

When out of bounds is defined by reference to stakes or a fence or as being beyond stakes or a fence, the out of bounds line is determined by the nearest inside points at ground level of the stakes or fence posts (excluding angled supports). When both stakes and lines are used to indicate out of bounds, the stakes identify out of bounds and the lines define out of bounds. When out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. The out of bounds line extends vertically upwards and downwards.

A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds. A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds.

Objects defining out of bounds such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed. Stakes identifying out of bounds are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed.

Note 1: Stakes or lines used to define out of bounds should be white.

Note 2: A Committee may make a Local Rule declaring stakes identifying but not defining out of bounds to be movable obstructions.

2. With this definition in mind, Use your best judgment to determine the property line then proceed under the  Rule below.
Good luck.

Rule 27. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball

Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section.

27-1. Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes a. Proceeding Under Stroke and Distance

At any time, a player may, under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5), i.e., proceed under penalty of stroke and distance.

Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, if a player makes a stroke at a ball from the spot at which the original ball was last played, he is deemed to have proceeded under penalty of stroke and distance.

 b. Ball Out of Bounds

If a ball is out of bounds, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5).

A golfer ask me the other day, "Are Chippers Legal?" 
 
Rule 4-1

Question....  Do chippers conform to the Rules of Golf?

 Answer....  Yes, chippers are iron clubs not putters, and therefore must conform with the requirements for woods and irons. For example, chippers may not have a putter grip, two striking faces or appendages for aiming purposes. Additionally, the USGA considers the long chipper to be not traditional and customary in form and make. Essentially, an otherwise conforming chipper must be approximately the same length as a club of similar loft in the player's bag. 

(Decision 4-1/3 and Rules 1 through 5 in Appendix II)
 

Rule 26-1. Water Hazard...

For those of you at Oak Hills Golf Club that sometimes play other golf courses the following rule my help.
Rule 26-1:

Water Hazard:
A "water hazard" is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course
(whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature on the course. All ground and water
within the margin of a water hazard are part of the water hazard.

When the margin of a water hazard is defined by stakes, the stakes are inside the water hazard, and
the margin of the hazard is defined by the nearest outside points of the stakes at ground level. When
both stakes and lines are used to indicate a water hazard, the stakes identify the hazard and the lines
define the hazard margin. When the margin of a water hazard is defined by a line on the ground, the line
itself is in the water hazard. The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and downwards.

A ball is in a water hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the water hazard.

Stakes used to define the margin of or identify a water hazard are obstructions.

Note 1: Stakes or lines used to define the margin of or identify a water hazard must be yellow.

Note 2: The Committee may make a Local Rule prohibiting play from an environmentally-sensitive
area defined as a water hazard.

26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard: It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after
having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known
or virtually certain that the ball is in the hazard. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the
player must proceed under Rule 27-1.

If a ball is in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found
is in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:

a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule
20-5); or

b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the
margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no
limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or

c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard,
drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the
point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite
margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole. 

When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.

(Prohibited actions when ball is in hazard - see Rule 13-4.)
(Ball moving in water in a water hazard - see Rule 14-6.)

Rule 27. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball...

27-1. Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes

  a. Proceeding Under Stroke and Distance

At any time, a player may, under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot
from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5), i.e., proceed under penalty of stroke and
distance.

Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, if a player makes a stroke at a ball from the spot at which the
original ball was last played, he is deemed to have proceeded under penalty of stroke and distance.

 b. Ball Out of Bounds

If a ball is out of bounds, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as
possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5).

 c. Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes

If a ball is lost as a result of not being found or identified as his by the player within five minutes
after the player's Side or his or their caddies have begun to search for it, the player must play a ball,
under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played
(see Rule 20-5).

Exceptions:

1. If it is known or virtually certain that the original ball that has not been found is in an 
obstruction (Rule 24-3) or is in an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1c), the player may proceed under
the applicable Rule.

2. If it is known or virtually certain that the original ball that has not been found has been moved
by an outside agency (Rule 18-1) or is in a water hazard (Rule 26-1), the player must proceed under the
applicable Rule.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 27-1:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.

27-2. Provisional Ball a. Procedure

If a ball may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds, to save time the player may play
another ball provisionally in accordance with Rule 27-1. The player must inform his opponent in match
play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play that he intends to play a provisional ball, and
he must play it before he or his partner goes forward to search for the original ball.

If he fails to do so and plays another ball, that ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play
under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1); the original ball is lost.

(Order of play from teeing ground - see Rule 10-3.)

Note: If a provisional ball played under Rule 27-2a might be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds,
the player may play another provisional ball. If another provisional ball is played, it bears the same
relationship to the previous provisional ball as the first provisional ball bears to the original ball.

 b. When Provisional Ball Becomes Ball in Play

The player may play a provisional ball until he reaches the place where the original ball is likely to
be. If he makes a stroke with the provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be
or from a point nearer the hole than that place, the original ball is lost and the provisional ball becomes
the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1).

If the original ball is lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, the provisional ball becomes the
ball in play, under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1).

If it is known or virtually certain that the original ball is in a water hazard, the player must proceed in
accordance with Rule 26-1.

Exception: If it is known or virtually certain that the original ball is in an obstruction (Rule 24-3) or
an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1c), the player may proceed under the applicable Rule.

 c. When Provisional Ball to Be Abandoned

If the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds, the player must abandon the provisional ball
and continue playing the original ball. If he makes any further strokes at the provisional ball, he is
playing a wrong ball and the provisions of Rule 15-3 apply.

Note: If a player plays a provisional ball under Rule 27-2a, the strokes made after this Rule has been
invoked with a provisional ball subsequently abandoned under Rule 27-2c and penalty strokes incurred solely
by playing that ball are disregarded.

Decision 14-4/3 Player Hits Behind Ball and Then Strikes Moving Ball...

This time we will look at one of the new decisions of golf for 2008.

Question:

In playing a chip shot, a player's club strikes the ground several inches behind the ball and does not come into contact with the ball. However, the ground is struck with enough force to cause the ball to move. The player's club continues and strikes the ball while it is moving. What is the ruling?

Answer:

The player must count his stroke and add a penalty stroke under rule 14-4. Even though the club itself did not initially strike the ball, the ball was put into motion due to the stroke; therefore, Rule 14-4 applies. (New)

From TeeTalk's Winter 2007/08 Issue:

Holing Out Without Ball Touching Flagstick...

This rule is from the Decisions of Golf. #17-3/1 Holing Out Without Ball Touching Flagstick

Question: A player plays a stroke from the putting green without having the flagstick attended. The ball stops on the lip of the hole and then falls into the hole. The player claims that the ball fell into the hole without striking the flagstick and therefore he incurs no penalty under rule 17-3. Is the claim valid?

Answer: No. A ball is not holed until it is at rest in the hole -Definition of "Holed." If the flagstick is in the hole, it is impossible for a ball to come to rest in the hole without striking the flagstick.

Rules of Etiquette...

This month rule has no penalty! It's ETIQUETTE! Etiquette is defined on Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary as "the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life." In golf, it is the conduct and behavior that is expected by all players on the golf course.

While it is important to know the Rules of Golf, one might argue that it is even more important to be familiar with the Etiquette guidelines provided in "Section I" of "The Rules of Golf" before playing the very first round. Following these standards will result in you and those around you to have maximum enjoyment of the  game. 

    Remember these 5 key items:

1. The Spirit of the Game
   This means sportsmanship.
2. Safety
   Don't forget to yell "fore."
3. Consideration for Other Players
   This says it all!
4. Pace of Play and Priority on the Course
5. Care of the Golf Course

The only penalty for the  breach of Etiquette is Guilt.

Embedded Ball...

Rule 25-2 Embedded Ball:

A ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground in any closely mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. "Closely mown area " means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

Abnormal Ground Conditions...

Abnormal Ground Conditions: Rule 25-1

a. Interference
Interference by an abnormal ground condition when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the players stance or the area of his intended swing. If the players ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an abnormal ground condition on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this rule. An example of this would be the diggings of our rather large Blue Herons birds on the golf course.

For more information on this rule and the relief for this problem see Rule 25-1 parts b & c in the USGA Rules of Golf, 2006-2007.

Doubt as to Procedure...

a. Procedure

In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole he may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls. After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor must announce to his marker or a fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. If he fails to do so, the provisions of Rule 3-3b (ii) apply.

The competitor must report the facts of the situation to the Committee before returning his scorecard. If he fails to do so, he is disqualified.

b. Determination of Score for Hole

• (i) If the ball that the competitor selected in advance to count has been played in accordance with the Rules, the score with that ball is the competitor's score for the hole. Otherwise, the score with the other ball counts if the Rules allow the procedure adopted for that ball.
• (ii) If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision to complete the hole with two balls, or which ball he wishes to count, the score with the original ball counts, provided it has been played in accordance with the Rules. If the original ball is not one of the balls being played, the first ball put into play counts, provided it has been played in accordance with the Rules. Otherwise, the score with the other ball counts if the Rules allow the procedure adopted for that ball.

Note 1: If a competitor plays a second ball under Rule 3-3, the strokes made after this Rule has been invoked with the ball ruled not to count and penalty strokes incurred solely by playing that ball are disregarded.

Note 2: A second ball played under Rule 3-3 is not a provisional ball under Rule 27-2.

Are you confused about golf penalties or have a question about a golf rule? Please direct your golf rule questions to Buzz Walker at buzzwalker@teetalk.net - writing "Golf Rules" in the subject line.  After all, we should all Know The Rules!