How Well do you Know the Rules?

[iacas]

I voted for the last one. :-)

[ControlJunkie]

You would

You're missing an option. I chose #3, but would like to tag on that I'm working towards 4th or 5th option. Book stays in the bag for those unsure times.

[jamo]

I said #3, maybe a little bit towards #4. Though one could argue that even #2 is top 10% of all golfers.

The things that I get wrong are the smaller details. When does intent come into play? (Rarely). When is it a drop or a placement? Stuff like that.

[Camo]

Known them ? Yes Abide by them ? Not so much I choose #3 since I do carry and consult the rule book when needed.

[xxsoultonesxx]

Carry a rule book always. Rarely need to refer to it, but have it if something comes up. Too many rules to this game to not carry a reference.

[Zeph]

I know the most common ones, but by far not all. Sometimes it's not about knowing the rule, but what action to take. If you can drop, where you can drop, how many penalty strokes etc. Reading through the rules book now and then helps, so do reading this forum and picking up the odd thread about rules questions.

[boogielicious]

I know the rules we encounter often and carry the book in my bag.  I also keep reading up on the rules with books like, "Golf Rules Illustrated", which is helpful.

[awmgolfer]

I chose #4, though by the end of next season I should be highly proficient. Becoming the golf coach has forced me to really internalize the rules, getting there....

[sean_miller]

We should be able to select more than one option. I know the basics, which is enough to get me by in most situations. I have a rule book (okay, it's a folded up version in a zip loc bag that I printed off the RCGA website) which I can consult if needed, and considering most people I play with aren't even aware there is such a thing as a rule book, I'd easily put myself in the top 10% of average golfers.

[Mrd19abhs]

I feel like I know enough of the rules to get by in most situations but do not carry a rule book so I couldnt choose #3 and got stuck with #2.

[HazardMagnet]

I just got a rule book over the holiday's, so I went with #3... now if it ever stops snowing maybe I'll get chance to use it.

[Leftygolfer]

I voted for the fourth one.  Do I know every single little rule no I don't.  I don't have a rules book so I couldn't vote for that one.  I understand the different hazards and where/if you can drop.

[Fourputt]

#5 for me.  I'm not giving myself genius status... but I do feel I'm in at least the top 10% of players as far as rules knowledge is concerned.  I've carried a rule book in my bag for more than 20 years, but just about the only time I need it is to show a rule to someone else when they doubt my word on it.  I'm a volunteer rules official for the Colorado Golf Association, and that plus the time I spend discussing rules on various golf forums keeps me on my toes.

[Radford Wooly]

Consult the rule book when in doubt.

[Missouri Swede]

Rulebook is now available as an app for smartphones. IPhones now, blackberry and android later this month. No need to carry the book around anymore. (Unless you are fortunate enough to leave the blasted phone in your car!)

http://www.usga.org/news.aspx?id=54898

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Missouri Swede

Rulebook is now available as an app for smartphones. IPhones now, blackberry and android later this month. No need to carry the book around anymore. (Unless you are fortunate enough to leave the blasted phone in your car!)

http://www.usga.org/news.aspx?id=54898

Or simply don't have any use for a smartphone.  My stupidphone makes telephone calls, and that's all I really want from one.

[B-Con]

I voted for #3, like the majority here. I can get through the average round of golf with no undecided rules questions, but if I'm in a special case scenario, I sometimes need to consult the rulebook. I don't know the rules well enough to know the finer points of "If A first, then B when C, but if B then A then D not withstanding C"-type scenarios that only come up once in a blue moon. That's when I'm thankful I can just play two balls.

[ghalfaire]

I voted for three and carry a rules book in my bag, but have made more than one mistake in my golf career.  I would expect most on this forum (not the pros) would fit that description,  but with golfers at large I see a lot of "don't care" and/or just ignorance.