It’s U.S. Open week, which means Dr. Robin Farran, one of the USGA’s top rules officials who also teaches Advanced Rules at the Golf Academy of America, is in Long Island for the 118th playing of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
In this month’s Diary of a Rules Official, we’re beginning to get a preview of some of the Rules changes coming next year (the biggest Rules overhaul since 1984). Click on the graphics pics below for more information.
A few weeks ago, Dr. Farran sent out a file from the USGA web site detailing the Rules of Golf for 2019. In his words, “new structure and modernized terminology.” In my words, “It’s about time!”
Incidents Today & Next Year
[The rulings will be provided for the Current Rules and the 2019 Rules.] There are no Local Rules in effect that would affect the rulings.
Incident 1
Player A’s ball lies on the putting green. As Player A makes a practice swing, Player A accidentally moves the ball in play.
**Player A incurs a one-stroke penalty for a breach of Rules 18-2.
**Player A must replace the ball on its original spot, without penalty. See Rule 13.1d(1) and Exception 3 to Rule 9.4b.
Incident 2
Player B’s ball lies on the fringe of the putting green. As Player B makes a practice swing, Player B accidentally moves the ball in play.
**Player B incurs a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. See Rule 18-2.
**Player B incurs a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. See Rule 9.4b.
Incident 3
Player C’s tee shot lands and comes to rest in the fairway. As Player C starts down the fairway, a player from an adjacent hole approaches Player C’s ball and plays Player C’s ball. Player C estimates where the tee shot had come to rest and places a ball on that spot. Player C completes play of the hole.
**Player C incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 20-3c. Ball must be dropped.
**Player C has proceeded correctly. See Rule 14.2.
Incident 4
Player D’s ball lands in the fairway and is embedded in the turf. Player D lifts the ball and drops another ball about 20 inches behind the spot where the ball was embedded and plays the ball. Player D completes play of the hole.
**Player D incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 25-2, playing from a wrong place.
**Player D has proceeded correctly. See Rule 16.3b.
Player C Incidents
[The rulings will be provided for the Current Rules and the 2019 Rules.]
Incident 1
Player C, in taking relief from an immovable obstruction, proceeds correctly (in 2018 and 2019) except that the ball, when dropped, first strikes the course outside the correctly measured area and comes to rest inside the correctly measured area. Player C plays the dropped ball.
**In 2018, Player C incurs a loss of hole penalty in match play or a two-stroke penalty in stroke play for a breach of Rule 24-2b. Also, see Rule 20-2b.
**In 2019, Player C incurs a one-stroke penalty. See Rule 14.3b(3).
Incident 2
Player C, in taking relief from an immovable obstruction, proceeds correctly (in 2018 and 2019) with the dropping procedure. The ball, when dropped, first strikes the course inside the correctly-measured area and comes to rest about one foot outside the correctly-measured area, not nearer the hole than the nearest point of complete relief. Player C plays the dropped ball.
**In 2018, Player C has proceeded in accordance with Rule 24-2 and the provisions of Rule 20-2c.
**In 2019, Player C incurs the general penalty for playing from a wrong place, loss of hole in match play or a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. See Rule 14.3c(2) and Rule 14.7a. The ball must land in the relief area and remain in the relief area to be properly in play.
Incident 3
Player C, in taking relief from an immovable obstruction, proceeds correctly (in 2018 and 2019) with the dropping procedure. The ball, when dropped in the correctly-measured area, rolls outside the area and comes to rest nearer the hole than the nearest point of complete relief. Player C lifts the ball and drops another ball which lands and remains in the correctly-measured area. Player C plays the dropped ball.
**In 2018, Player C incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 24-2b. Also, see Rule 20-2c and Rule 15-2.
**In 2019, Player C has proceeded correctly. Substitution is permitted each time a ball is dropped when proceeding under a Rule. See Rule 14.3a.
Player B Incidents
[The rulings will be provided for the Current Rules and the 2019 Rules.]
Incident 1
On hole #2, after a poor shot from a bunker, Player B bangs the wedge on the ground bending the shaft. Player B continued to use the club during the round.
**In 2018, Player B is disqualified. The wedge was damaged other than in the normal course of play, rendering the club non-conforming. Making a stroke with the non-conforming club results in DQ. See Rule 4-3b.
**In 2019, Player B is permitted to use the damaged club for the remainder of the round. See Rule 4.1(2).
Incident 2
On hole #8, Player B makes a stroke near a tree and significantly bends the shaft of his 5-iron. Player B, having 14 clubs in his bag, believes he is permitted to replace the 5-iron since the club was damaged in the normal course of play. Player B has the shop bring out a replacement club which is used by Player B for the rest of the round. At Scoring, when Player B is asked about his day on the course, Player B makes the Committee aware of his damaged club and replacement of the club.
**In 2018, Player B is permitted to replace a club that becomes unfit for play in the normal course of play. See Rule 4-3a.
**In 2019, Player B is not permitted to replace a club that is damaged by the player. See Rule 4.1a(2). Player B would incur a two-stroke penalty on each of the first two holes (maximum penalty of four strokes) after having the replacement club in his position (or a two-hole adjustment in match play). See Rules 4.1b(3) and 4.1b(4). Player B is not disqualified for not taking the club out of play as he was not aware that he should do so.
Player A’s Incidents
[The rulings will be provided for the Current Rules and the 2019 Rules.]
Incident 1
Player A’s ball is on a paved cart path. In taking relief for interference from the obstruction, Player A substituted another ball for the original ball and completed the hole. [The ball was dropped in the correct manner and in the correct location and remained within the one club-length area.]
**In 2018, substitution is not permitted when taking relief from a cart path. Player A would incur the general penalty for a breach of Rule 24-2.
**In 2019, Player A is permitted to substitute a ball whenever a ball is dropped in proceeding under a Rule.
Incident 2
Player A’s ball is on a paved cart path. Player A drops the ball within one driver-length of the nearest point of complete relief not nearer the hole. The ball rolled just outside the one driver-length area but not nearer the hole. Player A played the dropped ball and completed the hole.
**In 2018, the dropped ball was properly in play. Player A proceeded correctly.
**In 2019, the dropped ball must land in and remain in the “relief area”. Player A will incur the general penalty for playing from a wrong place.
Incident 3
Player A’s ball is on a paved cart path. In measuring the one club-length area in taking relief, Player A correctly determined the nearest point of complete relief and measured the area where the ball must be dropped using a 37-inch wedge rather than his 47-inch driver. The dropped ball landed on, and stayed on, a spot about 42 inches from the nearest point of complete relief, not nearer the hole. Player A played the dropped ball and completed the hole.
**In 2018, when a player selects a club for measuring the area for relief, the ball must land within the area measured with that club. Player A would be penalized for playing from a wrong place, loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.
**In 2019, Player A proceeded correctly. In 2019, the one club-length “relief area” is defined as the area measured with the longest club in the bag (other than a putter). [In 2019, players should adopt the practice of always measuring with a driver.]
More Possible Incidents
[The rulings will be provided for the Current Rules and the 2019 Rules.] In the following incidents there are no Local Rules in effect.
Incident 1
In stroke play, Player A’s ball is in a bunker near several stones not near the ball. Prior to the stroke, Player A removed several stones from the bunker, not close to the ball.
**In 2018, Player A incurs a two-stroke penalty.
**In 2019, Player A is permitted to remove stones in bunkers without penalty.
Incident 2
In stroke play, Player A marked, lifted and replaced his ball on the putting green. As Player A made a practice swing close to his ball, Player A’s putter accidentally hit and moved his ball. Player A replaced the ball on its original spot and completed the hole.
**In 2018, Player A incurs a one-stroke penalty for moving his ball in play – Rule 18-1.
**In 2019, Player A is not penalized for accidentally moving his ball in play on the putting green.
Incident 3
In match play, Player A vs Player B, during hole #5, Player A used a distance-measuring device to measure distance for the second shot to the green. Prior to the start of hole #6, Player B made a claim about Player A’s use of a DMD. During hole #6, Player B reviewed his claim with a Rules Official.
**In 2018, Player A loses hole #5 for a breach of Rule 14-3.
**In 2019, Player A is permitted to use a device to measure distance.
Incident 4
In stroke play, Player A’s approach shot to the green landed and embedded in an area of turf that was not closely mown to fairway height or less. Player A lifted, cleaned and dropped the ball about 12 inches behind where the ball had been embedded. After Player A’s stroke, Player B, a fellow-competitor questioned the procedure and called over a nearby official for a ruling.
**In 2018, Player A incurs a two-stroke penalty for moving his or her ball in play and not replacing the ball. (Relief without penalty is only available for a ball in a closely-mown area – Rule 25-2.)
**In 2019, Player A proceeded in accordance with the Rules.
Possible Incidents
Many of the “puzzles” over the next months will include incidents where rulings will be provided for both the Current Rules and for the 2019 Rules. Additionally, a variety of other educational materials will be distributed over the next several months. These exercises are intended to assist our education as we prepare for 2019. Consider the differences, if any, between the current Rules and the Rules for 2019:
1. Before making a stroke at a ball that is in a bunker, there is no penalty if Player A:
a) rakes an area 15 feet to the right of his or her ball and not on his or her intended line of play to care for the course.
**OK in 2018 and 2019
b) tests the condition of the hazard by splashing sand with a practice swing.
**Not-OK in 2018 or 2019
c) touches the ground in the hazard with the club when he or she casually leans on the club while waiting to play.
** Not-OK in 2018 **OK in 2019
d) removes a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard just in front of his or her ball.
** Not-OK in 2018 **OK in 2019
2. In four-ball stroke play, Player A and Player B are partners. Player A started the round with 13 clubs. Player A damages his putter in anger after missing a short putt, changing the playing characteristics. Without penalty, Player A may:
a) use the damaged putter for the remainder of the round.
**Not-OK in 2018 **OK in 2019
b) use B’s putter for the remainder of the round, provided Player B does not use it again.
**Not-OK in 2018 or 2019
c) without unduly delaying play, retrieve an extra putter from Player B’s car and use it for the remainder of the round.
**OK in 2018 and 2019
d) repair the damaged putter and use it for the remainder of the stipulated round.
**Not-OK in 2018 **OK in 2019
3. In stroke play, a player asks his or her caddie to show the line of putt/line of play for the putt from the edge of the green. The caddie indicates the line by touching the putting green with the end of the flagstick and then moves away. The line is not altered by the caddie’s action. Which of the following is correct?
a) The player incurs no penalty. **Correct ruling in 2019
b) The player incurs a one-stroke penalty.
c) The player incurs a two-stroke penalty. **Correct ruling in 2018
d) The player is disqualified.
Incidents Today & Next Year
[The Rulings will be for the Current Rules and the 2019 Rules.] In the following incidents there are no Local Rules in effect.
1. Player A’s ball lies in a bunker. Player A removes a divot in the bunker just in front of his ball and while waiting for his turn to play, leans on his club in the sand not near his ball.
**In 2018, Player A incurred a total penalty of four strokes, two strokes for a breach of Rule 13-4b and two strokes for a breach of Rule 13-4c. Also, see Decision 13-4/2.
**In 2019, Player A will not incur a penalty for leaning on a club touching the sand in a bunker when his or her ball is in the bunker. See Rule 12.2b (2) in the 2019 Rules of Golf.
2. Player B has a difficult shot from a challenging lie. Player B makes the stroke and the ball strikes his golf cart.
**In 2018, Player B incurred a penalty of one stroke for his ball in motion after a stroke accidentally striking his equipment. The ball is played as it lies. See Definition of “Equipment” and Rule 19-2.
**In 2019, Player B will not incur a penalty if his or her ball accidentally strikes his or her equipment. See Rule 11.1a in the 2019 Rules of Golf.
3. While searching for his ball among the bushes, as Player C moves the branches of a bush, the branches move his ball in play.
**In 2018, Player C moved his ball in play and incurred a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced or Player C may proceed under another Rule that applies. See Rule 18-2 and Decision 18-2/21.5. Also, see Decision 20-3a/3.
**In 2019, Player C will not incur a penalty for accidentally moving his or her ball in play during search. See Rule 7.4 and Exception 2 under Rule 9.4b in the 2019 Rules of Golf.
4. As Player D approaches his ball on the putting green, Player D drops his putter causing his ball to move.
**In 2018, Player D moved his ball in play and incurred a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced. See Rule 18-2 and Decision 20-1/14.
**In 2019, Player D will not incur a penalty for accidentally causing his or her ball to move on the putting green. See Rule 13.1d (1) and Exception 3 under Rule 9.4b in the 2019 Rules of Golf.
More Spring Warm-Up Incidents
[In order to prepare for the 2019 Rules, it is recommended that we all practice finding references rather than rely on our memory.]
1. In stroke play, a player thinks his or her ball is lost in a water hazard, but it is not known or virtually certain that the ball is in the water hazard. The player drops another ball behind the hazard under the water hazard Rule and plays it onto the putting green. The player then finds the original ball in the hazard. What is the ruling?
a. The player incurs a one stroke penalty under Rule 26-1 for dropping and playing a ball under the water hazard Rule.
b. The original ball is the ball in play and the player must continue with the original ball.
c. The original ball was lost (Rules 27-1 & 20-7c) when the player dropped and played the ball behind the hazard. **See Rule 26-1 and Decision 26-1/4.
2. In stroke play, a player unwittingly carries a non-conforming club but does not use it. The player discovers the mistake after completing the round and before returning the score card. What is the ruling?
a. There is no penalty.
b. The player is disqualified.
c. The player’s penalty is two strokes on each of the first two holes. **See Rule 4-1a and Penalty Statement for Rule 4-1 and Rule 4-2.
3. In match play, there is a penalty if a teed ball not in play on the teeing ground is knocked off the tee with a practice swing.
a. True
b. False
**See the Definition of “Ball in Play” and Decision 18-2/19.
Two Recent Incidents
Both incidents are stroke play:
Incident 1
Player A takes a free drop from a boundary wall, under the assumption that the course boundary was an obstruction.
After the drop comes to rest in a terrible lie, Player A decides to proceed under relief for an unplayable ball. Player A lifts the ball, then drops the ball about three club-lengths from the wall and plays the ball.
**Player A incurred a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 and three penalty strokes under Rule 28.
Player A lifted his ball without authority under the Rules, a breach of Rule 18-2. When Player A proceeded under Rule 28, Player A dropped the ball in a wrong place, the reference point for relief was the original location near the wall, Player A incurred a one-stroke penalty under Rule 28 and an additional penalty of two strokes under Rule 28 for playing from a wrong place – see Decision 20-3a/3.
Incident 2
Player B makes a practice swing near his ball in the fairway. The toe of Player B’s club accidentally hits the ball which bounces off his golf bag. Not knowing what to do, Player B plays the ball from its new location.
**Player B incurred the general penalty under Rule 18, two penalty strokes, for moving his ball in play and not replacing the ball prior to the next stroke.
The ball was moved accidentally during the practice swing. The moved ball striking his equipment was a related act, no additional penalty – see Decision 18-2/6 and Principle 4 of Decision 1-4/12.