Yes the Rules of Golf can be fun. The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts. Here is the latest I like to refer to as: Let me just clean this up a little…

Decision 1-2/0.7: Meaning of “Sole Purpose of Caring for the Course”

Q. What is the meaning of the phrase “sole purpose of caring for the course” in Exception 2 to Rule 1-2?

A. The phrase “sole purpose of caring for the course” in the Exception refers to the performance of acts that are encouraged in the Etiquette Section of the Rules of Golf provided they are taken at the appropriate time and in a manner permitted by the Rules. The provisions of Rule 1-2 do not prevent a player from taking acts that conform with the Etiquette Section, so long as the player does so for the sole purpose of caring for the course without intentionally influencing the movement of a ball, or the physical conditions affecting play, of a player in the player’s group or match.

For example, while a player may not smooth the ragged edge of a hole or tap down spike marks in order to influence the movement of a ball of an opponent, fellow-competitor or partner, the player may generally smooth the ragged edge of a hole or tap down spike marks as a courtesy to playersin following groups or matches, or for care of the course (see Decision 1-2/3.5). Similarly, while a player may not press down a piece of turf in the area in which a ball in motion may come to rest or in the area in which a ball is to be dropped or placed with the intention of influencing the movement of the ball, a player generally may attempt to tidy up the course by repairing divot holes and/or replacing divots that do not affect play of the hole by a player in the player’s group or match (see Decision 1-2/8). (New)

The USGA, in conjunction with The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. Through an agreement with The R&A, the Rules jurisdiction of the USGA includes only the United States, its possessions and Mexico.

To learn more about The Rules of Golf check out the Rules and Decision section of the USGA’s website.

Yes the Rules of Golf can be fun. The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts. Here is the latest I like to refer to as: Woulda, coulda, shoulda…

Decision 8-1/8: Comment About Club Selection After Stroke

Q. After playing a stroke, a player says : “I should have used a 5-iron.” Was the player in breach of Rule 8-1?

A. If the statement was made casually, there was no breach. If the statement was made to another player who had a shot to play from about the same position, there was a breach.

To learn more about The Rules of Golf check out the Rules and Decision section of the USGA’s website.

Yes, the Rules of Golf can be fun.  The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through the Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts.

Here’s the latest I like to refer to as:

Am I the last one here?…

Decision 6-3a/2

Time of Starting; All Competitors Must Be Present

Q. In a stroke-play competition, A, B and C were drawn by the Committee to play together starting at 9 am. A and B were present at the appointed time. C arrived at 9:02 am after A and B had played from the teeing ground, but just in time to play in the correct order. What is the ruling?

A. As C arrived and was ready to play within five minutes after his starting time, he incurred a penalty of two strokes for failure to start at the time established by the Committee (Rule 6-3a). If C had arrived more than five minutes after his starting time, the penalty would have been disqualification. In either case if the Committee determines that exceptional circumstances had prevented C from starting on time, there is no penalty.

All competitors in a group must be present and ready to play at the time established by the Committee, in this case 9:00 am. The order of play is not relevant. (Revised)

Yes, the Rules of Golf can be fun.  The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through the Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts.

Here’s the latest I like to refer to as:

Didn’t I know you in a previous life?

Decision 23/1

When Loose Impediment Transformed into Obstruction

Loose impediments may be transformed into obstructions through process of  construction or manufacturing. For example, a log (loose impediment)  that has been split and has legs attached has been changed by construction into a bench (obstruction); or a piece of wood (loose impediment) becomes an obstruction when manufactured into a charcoal briquette.

Yes, the Rules of Golf can be fun.  The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through the Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts.

Here’s the latest I like to refer to as:

 Found it…Darn it…

 Decision 27-2/2

Member of Committee Finds Player’s Original Ball; Player Prefers to Continue with Provisional Ball

Q. Is a member of a Committee or a forecaddie obliged to inform a player that his original ball has been found, even if it is clear that the player does not plan to search for it because he would prefer to continue play with the provisional ball he has played? 

 A. Yes.

Yes, the Rules of Golf can be fun.  The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through the Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts.

Here’s the latest I like to refer to as:

 It’s not the wrong that you think it is, but it’s still wrong…

 Decision 15/4

 Player Lifts Ball, Sets it Aside and Plays it from Where Set Aside

Q. A player marks the position of his ball on the putting, 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? 

 A. 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 match play, the player lost the hole (Rule 15-3a).

In stroke play, he incurred a penalty of two strokes and was required to correct the error before playing from the next tee; otherwise, he would be disqualified (Rule 15-3b).

Yes, the Rules of Golf can be fun.  The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through the Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts.

Here’s the latest I like to refer to as:

Am I the last one here?…

Decision 6-3a/2

Time of Starting; All Competitors Must Be Present

Q. In a stroke-play competition, A, B and C were drawn by the Committee to play together starting at 9 am. A and B were present at the appointed time. C arrived at 9:02 am after A and B had played from the teeing ground, but just in time to play in the correct order. What is the ruling?

A. As C arrived and was ready to play within five minutes after his starting time, he incurred a penalty of two strokes for failure to start at the time established by the Committee (Rule 6-3a). If C had arrived more than five minutes after his starting time, the penalty would have been disqualification. In either case if the Committee determines that exceptional circumstances had prevented C from starting on time, there is no penalty.

All competitors in a group must be present and ready to play at the time established by the Committee, in this case 9:00 am. The order of play is not relevant. (Revised)

Yes, the Rules of Golf can be fun. The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through the Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts.

Here’s the latest I like to refer to as:

Not again…

Decision 13-4/9

Player Creates and Smoothes Footprints in Bunker Prior to Making Stroke

Q. A player’s ball lies in a bunker and a rake has been left in another part of the bunker. Prior to making his stroke in the bunker, the player retrieves the rake. Having lifted the rake, the player smoothes footprints that he has just created, and some others in the process. What is the ruling?

A. There is no penalty provided the smoothing was done for the sole purpose of caring for the course and nothing was done to breach Rule 13-2 in relation to the player’s next stroke (see Exception 2 to Rule 13-4).

If, however, a player is regularly creating and smoothing footprints close to his ball prior to making strokes from bunkers, it would be appropriate to question the player about the purpose of the smoothing. In such circumstances, the smoothing might be for the purpose of gaining knowledge of the condition of the bunker rather than being for the sole purpose of caring for the course. If so, the player would be in breach of Rule 13-4a for testing the condition of the hazard. (New)

Yes, the Rules of Golf can be fun.  The Referee likes to spend evenings perusing through the Decisions on the Rules of Golf for the strange, interesting and sometimes funny facts.

Here’s the latest I like to refer to as:

We ran out of paint…

Decision 26/3

Unmarked Water Hazard

Q.An unmarked ditch on the left of a hole is in bounds, but the left-hand margin is out of bounds. Accordingly, it is impossible to drop behind the water hazard under Rule 26-1b. A player’s ball comes to rest in the ditch. Is the player restricted to playing the ball as it lies or proceeding under Rule 26-1a?

A.It is the responsibility of the Committee to define accurately the margins of water hazards and lateral water hazards – see Rule 33-2a. However, if the Committee has not done so, the ditch is, by definition, a lateral water hazard and the player should be permitted to proceed under Rule 26-1c(i).

The USGA, in conjunction with The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. Through an agreement with The R&A, the Rules jurisdiction of the USGA includes only the United States, its possessions and Mexico.

To learn more about the Rules of Golf, please visit the Rules and Decision section of the USGA’s website.