Rulesman

I think a dinner plate would be too extreme. The curvature would be too shallow to allow a ball to be located accurately. But o/w ok.

Yes. Years ago the rule included 'could be used to indicate' (or words to that effect). The USGA relied on the word 'could'. The R&A said that the use of stringed tees was 'traditional' and 'traditional use' was in the rules, together with other practices, as an exception. I can't remember the other things but they may have included tee mats or fairway mats.

It reminds me of the difference of opinion the R&A and the USGA had about tees joined with a string. The USGA relied on the word 'could'. The R&A relied on tradition.

Thanks. I hadn't seen or noticed the information in red but guess my question "Who?" suggests the manufacturers is the answer.

A two-year delay of implementation in relation to certain uses of self-standing putters under Rule 10.2b(3) is in effect as follows: - Until January 1, 2025, a player may use a self-standing putter by setting it down right behind or right next to the spot on which the ball came to rest to help aim or to take a stance or position their feet. - From January 1, 2025, Rule 10.2b(3) will apply to self-standing putters and the acts described in the previous paragraph will no longer be allowed. But a player will still be allowed to use a self-standing putter that conforms to the Rules to make a stroke or take other actions allowed by the Rules. (Added December 2022) 10.2b(3) No Setting Down Object to Help with Aiming, Taking Stance or Swinging. A player must not set an object down to help with aiming or to help in taking a stance for the stroke to be made (such as a club set down on the ground to show where the player should aim or position their feet).

Seems pretty definitive to me. But advice does not include public information, such as: Wind direction,

Agreed but direction is commonly experienced. "It's coming from the right". When the wind is swirling no one can really give advice other than the direction is variable. Speed is a different matter. Players may/will have different perceptions of speed but it could be measured accurately and therefore be of more assistance.

I reckon that the direction can be seen and felt by anyone present so is public information. Speed needs some sort of device which may not be available to all.

I see wind direction is no longer advice.

Check the definition of Moveable Obstruction.

I have to agree with iacas, it's scummy. But WHS says the definitive handicap index is the one showing in the system.

Even if the course will not mark the area (labour cost?) they can specify the area on a notice or the card providing it defines the area very specifically. Do the margins vary according to the weather? How would you word the local rule?

If the ball cannot be found how do you know it is embedded?

Players taking relief on the wrong side of a cart path.

The above relates to before 2019. But at that time staked trees did not have the status of Immovable Obstructions. So the wording was technically incorrect. The Rule at the time was in Part B Specimen Local Rules, Clause 3 - Protection of Young Trees Which said staked trees could be given relief under Rule 24-2b by Local Rule. This was the rule used for Immovable Obstructions.

The two clubs should have made an arrangement giving equivalent course access to the away team or agree that neither team will have access before the match.

Such trees should be identified by stakes, ribbons or in some other clear way. Model Local Rule E-10 “The young trees identified by [identify markings] are no play zones:

There is a Model Local Rule that can be used for such a situation. E10. But is is not intended for mature trees. E-10 Protection of Young Trees Purpose. To prevent damage to young trees when a player makes a stroke, a Committee can choose to designate them as a no play zone so that: If a player has any type of interference as defined in Rule 16.1 from such a tree designated as a no play zone, he or she must take relief under Rule 16.1f. If the player’s ball lies in a penalty area, he or she must either take free relief under the Local Rule within the penalty area or proceed with penalty under Rule 17.1. Such trees should be identified by stakes, ribbons or in some other clear way. When the tree has matured and no longer needs this protection, the Committee should withdraw the Local Rule and/or remove the identifying stake or ribbon from the tree. Model Local Rule E-10 “The young trees identified by [identify markings] are no play zones: If a player’s ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and it lies on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f. If the ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player’s stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief either with penalty under Rule 17.1e or with free relief under Rule 17.1e(2). Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”

From the book

😄👍

Most of those seem to be Titleist with either black or red dots. I was once refereeing an elite amateur event where my station was overlooking the 18th hole with a wide stream in a deep channel in front of the green. When the 36 hole comp had finished I took the nearby scoop and retrieved about 40 balls. Virtually all were Titleist with red or black dots. I took them into the locker room and said 'If anyone lost a Titleist on the 18th, here it is' and dropped them on the floor. Chaos ensued.

Model Local Rule E-2 Cleaning Ball “When a player’s ball lies in [identify area, such as the general area, at the 6th hole, in the general area cut to fairway height or less, etc.], the ball may be lifted cleaned and replaced without penalty. The player must mark the spot before lifting the ball (see Rule 14.1) and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (see Rule 14.2). Winter Rules Model Local Rule E-3 Preferred Lies “When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less [or identify a specific area such as ‘on the fairway of the 6th hole’], the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area: Reference Point: Spot of the original ball. Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: [Specify size of relief area, such as one club-length, one scorecard length or 6 inches] from the reference point, but with these limits: Limits on Location of Relief Area: Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and Must be in the general area. In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.

As 18.2a(i) says The player must promptly attempt to identify the ball (see Rule 7.2) and is allowed a reasonable time to do so, even if that happens after the three-minute search time has ended. I would see the wait as reasonable

It seems ok providing you are not pressing anything down in front of your ball

The attached 'flap' is not a loose impediment and moving it would improve your lie, so 'play it as it lies' or take an unplayable. Incidentally. you were in a 'divot hole'. The divot is the piece of turf that is displaced 😉