Question pertaining to Rule 13-2

[turtleback]

No.  The phrase "fairly taking your stance" implies that you are taking your normal stance.

As Fourputt says, the answer is no, you don't have to stand left-handed.

However, there's a good video on the USGA site that clearly illustrates the difference between illegally taking your stance, and fairly taking your stance.

See:

http://www.usga.org/rulestrainers.aspx

in "Play the course as you find it, part 2" in the section, "Permitted Actions"

You'll see a right-handed player slide along a branch to bend it behind him and prevent it from interfering with his backswing (not permitted).  Then it shows him fairly taking his stance, leaving the branch alone and in a position that will clearly interfere with his backswing.  Even though he has backed into the bush, he has done it in the least intrusive way possible.

Thanks to both of you.  That is what I thought, but then I started over-thinking it.