A "rub of the green" occurs when a ball

	at rest is picked up by a spectator.
	after a tee shot comes to rest in a sand filled divot.
	in motion after a stroke on the putting green is deflected by a squirrel.
	after a chip shot is deflected by an opponent's golf bag.

The correct answer is C - Definition of "rub of the green" and Rule 19-1.  A "rub of the green" occurs when a ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by any outside agency.  See Rule 19-1.

An opponent's golf bag is not an outside agency; this specific situation (ball in motion deflected by an opponent, his caddie or equipment) is covered by Rule 19-3.

George and Paul are playing their club championship match.
George is riding in a motorized cart and Paul is carrying his bag.  On the 12th hole,
Paul, having just walked up the steep hill to the tee, sits in George's cart to rest
his legs while he waits to tee off.
They play the hole.  Paul birdies the hole and George pars it.  As they walk off the green,
George informs Paul that Paul lost the hole because by sitting in George's cart,
Paul is deemed to be "sharing George's equipment" - loss of hole.
Paul says nothing and they continue the match.
George wins the match 1 up.  Later that day, Paul asks the Committee about what happened on the 12th hole.
What is the ruling?

	The ruling was correct; the match stands as played.
	The ruling was incorrect; however, the match stands as played.
	The ruling was incorrect; the match is adjusted to all square and they must proceed to extra holes.
	The ruling is incorrect; they must return to the 12th hole and replay the match from that hole.

The correct answer is B - Rule 2-5  Believe it or not, this situation actually happened in a recent club championship match.  The names have been changed to protect the innocent!

Sitting in or on someone else's golf cart is not prohibited in the Rules of Golf.  The Rule against sharing equipment only applies to clubs.  (See Rule 4-4).  There is nothing in the Rules of Golf that prohibits a player from sharing any other equipment!  Players can borrow a towel, tees, an umbrella, a jacket, even golf balls, provided the "one ball rule" is not in effect!

Therefore, the ruling was incorrect.  However, in match play, if a doubt or dispute arises between players, one of the players must make a claim before they continue the match.  This means that Paul should have said something before either he or George teed off the 13th hole.  By not saying anything and waiting until later in the day, Paul hasn't made a valid claim, therefore the match stands as played.  In order for a claim to be valid, the player must inform his opponent:

• that he is making a claim

• of the facts of the situation

• that he wants a ruling when they get in

and this must be done before any player plays from the next teeing ground, or in the case of the 18th hole, before all players in the match leave the green. 

All Paul had to say before either of them teed off the 13th hole was that he didn't think sitting on the cart was a violation of the Rules and that they should check with the Committee when they got done.  By saying this, he would have satisfied all 3 of the conditions listed above.  Saying nothing or even saying "I don't think you won the hole" isn't good enough, because he hasn't stated the facts or that he even wants a Ruling. 

The only time a Committee can consider a "late" claim is if it based on facts unknown to the player who is making the claim and if he had been given wrong information by an opponent.  In this situation, Paul knew all the facts and George didn't provide any incorrect information.  Telling Paul he lost the hole, even though incorrect, is not considered incorrect information in this situation.

This "myth" about sitting in an opponent's or fellow-competitor's cart has been floating around for a long time and every now and then, it surfaces and someone calls it on someone else.  It has never been a violation of the Rules of Golf.  However, there are some events in which competitors are required to walk and prohibited from using motorized carts, although they may be allowed to use "cart caddies" - i.e., they may be allowed to have their clubs transported by motorized cart with someone else driving the cart.  In such situations, it may be stipulated in the  Conditions of Competition that the player is not allowed to sit in or on the cart transporting his clubs, or any cart for that matter.  If a player does so, a penalty will be stipulated for breach of that condition.  This, however is not a Rule of Golf;  it is specific situation applying only to the event currently being held and that it why it in included in the Conditions of Competition.

So, it is not a violation of the Rules of Golf and if you do not see it listed on the Local Rules Sheet or Conditions of Competition, you don't have to be afraid of sitting in or on any golf cart that is not your own!

Mike's ball lies on a gravel cart path.  Before lifting his ball from the cart path, Mike determines where his nearest
point of relief is and measures out his one club-length area within which to drop his ball.  The area in which to
drop is a pretty gnarly area.  Mike isn't really sure he wants to take a drop because, even
though his ball is on the cart path,  he has a clear shot to the green.  He decides to take a practice drop to see
where his ball could end up if he decides to take relief.  He pulls a different ball out of his golf bag, drops it correctly
within the dropping area he marked and the "practice drop" ball ends up in a nasty lie.
Now what!!??  Is this legal and what is the ruling?

	Mike can choose to play the ball from the cart path or take a drop and there is no penalty.
	Mike must play the ball from the cart path and incurs a 2 stroke penalty for taking a practice drop.
	When Mike dropped the "practice drop" ball, it became the ball in play and Mike must continue with that ball and incurs a 2 stroke penalty for substituting a ball when not permitted by the Rules.
	Mike must take relief from the cart path; however he cannot use the "practice drop" ball - he must take a new drop using his original ball lying on the cart path.  No penalty.

The correct answer is D - Rule 24

Since Mike's ball was on the cart path, he was entitled to relief under Rule 24 without penalty.  The correct procedure in taking relief is to drop "the" ball (the actual ball on the cart path) within one club-length of and no nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.  Mike was smart not to pick up the ball on the cart path until he determined where his nearest point of relief was and the area he might have to drop the ball in.  Once he picks up the ball he is committed to taking the relief and if he chooses not to take that relief (after picking up the ball), he would incur a one stroke penalty for touching/moving his ball at rest in play if he then decided he wanted to play the ball as it lay on the cart path.

However, Mike is not allowed to take a "practice" drop to see what kind of lie the ball might end up in.  Even though there is no penalty for taking the "practice" drop, Mike has in effect "taken action" and therefore, is now committed to taking relief from the cart path, if he wants to proceed without penalty.  The ball used in the practice drop is an incorrectly substituted ball at this point and Rule 20 allows Mike to correct this without penalty provided he hasn't made a stroke at this "practice" drop ball.  Therefore, Mike must lift the ball from the cart path and take relief using that ball and can proceed without penalty.

If Mike were to play the ball used in the practice drop, he would incur a 2 stroke penalty for substituting a ball when the Rules do not allow him to.  By taking the "practice" drop, Mike is precluded from playing the ball on the cart path, and if he were to do so, he would incur a 2 stroke penalty from playing from a wrong place.

With regard to the line of putt, which of the following statements is TRUE?

	A player may remove leaves or twigs from the line of putt by brushing them aside with his cap or towel, provided nothing is pressed down.
	In addressing his ball on the putting green, a player may not place his club in front of the ball.
	A player at his own discretion may remove casual water that has collected in the hole.
	A player may brush dew or frost off his line of putt.

The correct answer is A - Rule 16-1a;  Decision 13-2/34  Rule 16-1a states that the line of putt must not be touched with the exception of  7 specific situations.  One of these exceptions allows the player to place the club in front of the ball when addressing it, provided the player does not press anything down.

An obstruction is movable:

	only if it can be moved by the player himself.
	if the Committee deems it to be a movable obstruction.
	only if an opponent or fellow-competitor agree with the player that it is movable.
	if it may be moved without unreasonable effort and without causing damage to the course.

Peter hits his ball into a regular water hazard guarding a tricky green.  He opts to keep the point
where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the spot
on which he drops the ball (i.e. he still has to cross the water).  The ball hits the ground and rolls forward
(toward the water and the green) about two feet.  What is the proper procedure?

	Peter must re-drop the ball since it rolled closer to the hole.
	Peter must re-drop the ball since it rolled more than a foot from where it hit the ground.
	Peter plays the ball as it lies and incurs a 2 stroke penalty for playing from a wrong place.
	Peter proceeded properly and the ball is in play.

The correct answer is D - Rule 26-1; Rule 20-2c  Even though the ball has rolled "closer to the hole" after hitting the ground when dropped in taking relief from a water hazard, it has not rolled closer to the hole than where it last crossed the margin of the hazard.   It also has not rolled more than two club-lengths from the spot where it last struck the course; therefore the ball is in play.

What is the proper procedure for taking relief from an abnormal ground condition on the putting green?

	The player must lift the ball and place it at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard, or if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest spot that affords maximum available relief from the condition that is not nearer the hole and not in a hazard.   This spot may be off the putting green and if it is, the ball is still placed.
	The player must lift the ball and place it at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard, or if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest spot that affords maximum available relief from the condition that is not nearer the hole and not in a hazard.   This spot may be off the putting green, and if it is, the ball must be dropped.
	The player must lift the ball and place it within one club length of the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard, or if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest spot that affords maximum available relief from the condition that is not nearer the hole and not in a hazard.  This spot must be on the putting green.
	The player must lift the ball and drop it within one club length of the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard, or if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest spot that affords maximum available relief from the condition that is not nearer the hole and not in a hazard.  This spot must be on the putting green.

The correct answer is A - Rule 25-1b(iii).  The player must lift the ball and place it at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard and if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest spot to where it lays that affords maximum available relief and is not nearer the hole nor in a hazard.  This spot may be off the putting green, and if it is, the ball is still placed.

Henry and George are fellow-competitors in a stroke play event playing together in a group of two.
At the completion of the round, they attest and sign each other's score card.  Henry
gave George's card back to George and left the scoring area.  George discovers an error in the scoring
for the 5th hole; Henry had recorded a 5 for the hole, when in fact, George had made a 4.
Without consulting the Committee, George changed the score for the 5th hole from a 5 to a 4,
and turned it in to the Committee.  The Committee heard what happened, interviewed both players
and determined that George did in fact make a 4 on the 5th hole.
What is the ruling?

	No penalty because George had indeed scored a 4 for the hole.
	One stroke penalty for altering the scorecard.
	Two stroke penalty for altering the scorecard.
	Disqualification for altering the scorecard.

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

	A player may deem his ball unplayable anywhere on the golf course including any hazards.
	A player may proceed under the stroke and distance option for an unplayable ball without finding the original ball.
	A player believing his original ball might be lost, played a provisional ball.  After finding the original ball in an unplayable position, the player may proceed with the provisional ball.
	A player's tee shot comes to rest in tree roots.  He makes a stroke, fails to move the ball and then deems the ball unplayable.  Rule 28a allows the player to return to the tee to play his fourth stroke.

The correct answer is B - Rule 27-2;  Rule 28;  Decision 28/1;  Decision 28/7  

Situation A:   A player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard.  The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable (Rule 28).

Situation B:  A player can always proceed under the stroke and distance option (Rule 28a) for an unplayable ball without finding the original ball.  However, since Rules 28b and 28c require a reference to where the original ball lay, the player must find and identify his ball in order to proceed under Rule 28b or Rule 28c.

Situation C:  Rule 27-2c - If the original ball is neither lost nor out-of-bounds, the player must abandon the provisional ball and continue play with the original ball.  If the original ball is unplayable, the player must proceed under Rule 28 with respect to the original ball.

Situation D:  The player was entitled to drop and play a ball under Rule 28a when he first discovered his ball in the tree roots.  Once he made a stoke at the ball and failed to move it, if he wanted to invoke Rule 28a, he would have to drop a ball back into the tree roots (the place where he last made a stroke at the ball before declaring it unplayable).  His only realistic options are to invoke either Rule 28b or 28c, playing his fourth stroke.

A player plays a new ball from the teeing ground and it comes to rest in the fairway.  He then skulls
the second shot to the fringe of the putting green.  Upon arriving at the fringe he sees a huge cut
in his ball.  Without saying anything, he marks his ball prior to lifting it, and then proceeds
to replace the cut ball with a new one and completes play of the hole.
Which of the following is true?

	No penalty is incurred.
	The competitor incurs a one stroke penalty.
	The player loses the hole in match play or incurs a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.
	The player is disqualified.

The correct answer is B - Rule 5-3   The player was certainly entitled to replace his ball that was visibly cut under Rule 5-3.  However, there is a specific procedure the player must follow in order to invoke this Rule correctly.  Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention to his opponent in match play or his fellow-competitor in stroke play and mark the position of the ball.  He may then lift and examine it provided that he gives his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to examine the ball and observe the lifting and replacement.  The ball must not be cleaned when lifted under Rule 5-3.  If the player fails to comply with all or any part of this procedure, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.

So, where did he go wrong?  The ball was visibly cut - no problem there.  He marked his ball before lifting it - no problem there.  He replaces the cut ball with a new one - no problem there.  He neglected to announce his intention to invoke Rule 5-3 before lifting the ball - problem there - one stroke penalty.  What if the player lifted the same ball (visibly cut) without saying anything, did not mark the position of the ball,
cleaned a spot of mud off the ball, replaced it with a new ball and completed the hole????  Still only a one stroke penalty.

What if the ball was not visibly cut or damaged and he proceeded in either of the two scenarios above?  Now, the player gets a two stroke penalty.  He incurs a one stroke penalty for not following the proper procedure under Rule 5-3 and if the ball was not visibly cut, cracked or out of round, then he was not entitled to replace it with a new ball, so he incorrectly substituted a ball and incurred the general penalty for breach of Rule 5-3 - two strokes - but no additional penalty under this Rule.  So here's another example of 1 + 2 = 2 !!!

In which one of the following situations has the player proceeded without incurring
a penalty under Rule 7-2?

	A players addresses a range ball with a 7 iron and then strikes it some 150 yards back into the practice range.
	Prior to a player making his second stroke from the fairway, he makes a stroke with a plastic ball.
	In taking a practice swing, in the rough, a player dislodges a concealed range ball.
	While waiting to play from the fairway, a player drops another ball in the fairway and makes a practice putt.

The correct answer is C - Decisions 7-2/2, 7-2/4, 7-2/5, 7-2/7   Since the player had no intention of striking the concealed ball, his swing remained a practice swing and was not a stroke.  Consequently, there is no question of his having played either a practice stroke (Rule 7-2) or a stroke with a wrong ball (Rule 15).

As far as hitting the ball back into the practice range, in this situation the player addressed the ball and took a full regular swing with the intent to hit the ball back into the practice range - a definite breach of Rule 7-2.  However, the casual flicking of a range ball, apparently only for the purpose of tidying up the course, is not a breach.

A player elects to take relief from a cart path, marks and lifts his ball.  He then realizes that the only area
in which he may drop under the Rules is such that his ball, when dropped, will almost
certainly be unplayable.  He replaces the ball on the cart path and plays it from the
original position.  What is the ruling?

	No penalty since he was entitled to relief from the cart path.
	One stroke penalty for playing from a wrong place.
	Two stroke penalty for playing from a wrong place.
	One stroke penalty for lifting his ball in play.

The correct answer is D - Decision 18-2a/12   The player was entitled to take relief from the cart path under Rule 24.  However, by subsequently deciding to not take relief, his right to lift the ball was negated and he incurred a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a for having lifted his ball in play.

So, when you find yourself in a situation where you are entitled to take free relief, be sure to take a good look around at the area within which you can drop your ball before you lift it!  You may discover that the nearest point of relief and subsequent one club length doesn't actually give you "relief" at all.  "Relief" doesn't necessarily equal "good" in the Rules of Golf - it only means that you are entitled to lift your ball from the immoveable obstruction or abnormal ground condition - it doesn't guarantee a better lie!

In stroke play, a player marks the position of the ball on the putting green and puts the ball in his pocket while
waiting for his turn to putt.  When it's his turn, he pulls a ball out of his pocket, replaces it on his ball mark
and holes the putt.  As he pulls the ball out of the hole, he realizes that it's not the same ball he hit
off the tee.  The original ball is still in his pocket.
What is the ruling?

	Two stroke penalty and he must correct the error before teeing off the next tee or he is disqualified.
	Two stroke penalty and the stroke counts.
	One stroke penalty and the stroke counts.
	No penalty since it was an honest mistake.

The correct answer is B - Rule 15-2   This week's Rules question is a variation of last week's.  Last week, the player marked his ball on the green, set the ball aside and putted from the spot where the ball was set aside.  In this week's situation, the player, having marked his ball on the green, replaced it with a different ball (but in the right place) when it was his turn to putt.  Rule 15-2 states that if a player substitutes a ball when not permitted to do so under the Rules, that substituted ball is not a wrong ball; it becomes the ball in play.  If the mistake is not corrected as provided in Rule 20-6 and the player makes a stroke at the wrongly substituted ball, he incurs the penalty prescribed by the applicable Rule and in stroke play, must play out the hole with the substituted ball.  So in this situation, the player incurred a 2 stroke penalty under Rule 16-1b and the stroke counted; i.e. the ball was holed.

In stroke play, a player marks the position of the ball on the putting green, lifts the ball and sets it aside.
By mistake, he putts the ball from the spot at which he set it aside.
What is the ruling?

	Two stroke penalty and he must correct the error before teeing off the next tee or he is disqualified.
	Two stroke penalty and the stroke counts.
	One stroke penalty and the stroke counts.
	No penalty since it was an honest mistake.

The correct answer is A - Rule 15-3b  When a ball is lifted under Rule 20-1, it is out of play (See Definition of  "Ball in Play").  When the player played a stroke with his ball while it was out of play, he played a wrong ball (Rule 15-3).  In stroke played he incurred a penalty of two strokes and was required to correct the error (i.e., replace the ball in the correct place and finish the hole) before playing from the next tee; other wise, he would be disqualified.  If this had happened on the 18th hole, he would have to correct the error before leaving the putting green or be disqualified.

In match play, the penalty would have been loss of hole.

Henry addresses his ball on the putting green.  After he starts his backswing, the ball starts to move
and he strikes the ball while it is moving and holes the putt.  What is the ruling?

	One stroke penalty for striking a moving ball and the stroke counts.
	One stroke penalty for striking a moving ball and the ball must be replaced.
	One stroke penalty for causing his ball to move and the stroke counts.
	One stroke penalty for causing his ball to move and he must replace the ball.

The correct answer is C - Rule 18-2b, Rule 14-5 and Decision 14-5/1  This is a common situation that causes a lot of confusion.  There is no penalty under Rule 14-5 for playing a moving ball because the movement of the ball started after the player had begun the stroke or the backward movement of his club for the stroke.  However, the player is not exempt from penalty under Rule 18-2b - since the player had addressed the ball prior to making his stroke, and the ball moved after address, he is deemed to have caused the ball to move.  He incurs a penalty of 1 stroke and normally, the ball must be replaced unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club and the stroke is made.  Therefore, the player incurs a 1 stroke penalty and the ball is holed.

Now, if Henry had stopped the stroke before striking the ball, the penalty would still be 1 stroke for causing the ball to move, and he would have been required to replace the ball.  If he didn't replace the ball, the penalty would be 2 strokes.

A player in a stroke play event holed a short putt by squatting behind the ball (but not on an extension
of the line of putt) and striking the ball with the bottom of the club head, using a motion
similar to that used in playing a shot in billiards.
What is the ruling?

	One stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced.
	One stroke penalty and the stroke counts.
	Two stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced.
	Two stroke penalty and the stroke counts.

The correct answer is D - Rule 14-1 and Decision 14-1/2.   Although the stroke counts, (since the player intended to fairly strike at and move the ball) the player incurs a penalty of 2 strokes for breach of Rule 14-1.  Striking the ball in the billiards-type motion constitutes a "push" in golf.

In a match play event ,  in the match between A and B, player B, without  player A's authority,
marked the position of, and lifted player A's ball on the putting green because it was
in the way of player B's line of putt.  What is the penalty, if any?

	One stroke penalty
	Two stroke penalty
	Disqualification
	No penalty

The correct answer is A - Rule 18-3b and Decision 20-1/2.   Under Rule 20-1, a player's ball may be lifted by his opponent (match play) only with the authority of the player.  Since B was not entitled to lift A's ball, B incurred a penalty stroke - Rule 18-3b.

If this had happened in a stroke play event, player B would not have incurred any penalty because in stroke play, the fellow-competitor is considered an outside agency - Rule 18-4.

In stroke play, a competitor accidentally moves his ball in play and play it from
its new location.  The correct ruling is that the competitor:

	incurs a one stroke penalty.
	incurs a total penalty of two strokes.
	incurs a total penalty of three strokes.
	is disqualified.

The correct answer is B - Rule 18-2a.   The player incurs a total penalty of two strokes.  He incurred a 1 stroke penalty when he accidentally moved his ball in play and he was required to replace the ball.  Since he failed to replace the ball and played it from its new position, he incurred the general penalty for the breach of Rule 18-2, which is two strokes, but there is no additional penalty under Rule 18.  This is one of those cases where 1 + 2 = 2!

A player's ball comes to rest on the ground, through the green, near a dead snake.
The player has a fear of all snakes, dead or alive.  Without penalty, the player may:

	drop a ball on the nearest spot not nearer the hole which the player determines is not dangerous.
	lift the ball, move the snake with a rake or club, then replace the ball.
	cancel that stroke and play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played.
	ask a spectator, caddie or fellow-competitor to carefully remove the snake with a rake, club, stick, hand or otherwise, without moving the ball.

The correct answer is D - Rule 23.   A dead snake is a natural object and thus, by definition, a loose impediment.  The player may have the snake lifted and removed by anyone or any method, provided in doing so, the ball is not moved.  If the player himself (or anyone else that he asks to do so) moves the ball in the act of removing the dead snake, the player would incur a 1 stroke penalty and must replace the ball.

In a stroke play event, the Committee has adopted the Note to Rule 6-3
(five minute grace period).  A competitor arrives at the first tee
three minutes late for his starting time because on the way to the course
he was witness to an automobile accident and was required
to give a statement to the police.
The correct ruling is that the competitor:

	is disqualified.
	incurs no penalty.
	incurs a two-stroke penalty, which should be applied to the first hole.
	incurs a two-stroke penalty, which should be applied to his total score.

The correct answer is B - Rule 6-3 (Note);  Decision 6-3a/1.5  There is no hard and fast Rule on this.  The proper action depends on the circumstances in each case and must be left to the judgment of the Committee.  Generally, the reason for being late must be something that is an exceptional circumstance.  It is the player's responsibility to ensure that he allows enough time to reach the course and he must make allowances for possible delays.  In this particular situation, witnessing a car accident and being required to give a report to the police would definitely warrant waiving the disqualification penalty.  Since the Note to 6-3 was adopted, a two-stroke penalty would have been applied instead of the disqualification penalty for any player arriving within the 5 minute grace period.  Therefore, this situation would warrant waiving the two-stroke penalty; and the player would incur no penalty.

That being said, the following circumstances would not warrant waiving the disqualification (or two-stroke) penalty:

• The player gets lost on the way to the course.

• Heavy traffic results in the journey to the course taking longer that expected.

• A major accident results in the journey to the course taking longer than expected.

• The player's car breaks down on the way to the course.

In each of the above situations, the player would be disqualified if he arrived late for his starting time, or if the Note to 6-3 was adopted, he would incur a two-stroke penalty added to the score on the first hole if he arrived within 5 minutes of his starting time.