Asheville

As we’re being treated to a rare display of Match Play on TV this week, how about we look at the CliffsNotes for Match Play. (nb. CliffsNotes are good for most situations; as always the complete Rules have some pesky fine print.) ************** NEW FOR 2019 It's no longer a penalty if a player accidentally moves an opponent's ball or ball marker on the putting green. (R9.5b, Ex3) There is no longer a penalty for when a ball in motion accidentally hits an opponent, their caddie, or their equipment. The ball must be played as it lies. (R11.1a) Except on the putting green where the stroke is canceled and must be replayed. (R11.1b, Ex2) There is no longer a penalty when stopping your opponent's ball in motion so long as there is no reasonable chance the ball could go in the hole. The next stroke is considered conceded. (R11.2a, Ex) *********** MATCH PLAY HAS FOUR TYPES OF PENALTIES: 1) the "one-stroke" penalty which applies to the same Rules breaches as in stroke play, and 2) the "loss of hole" penalty which is the equivalent of the two-stroke penalty in stroke play, and 3) the "disqualification" penalty which applies to many of the same Rules breaches as in stroke play. 4) Rule 19.3b, Unplayable Ball in a Bunker, Extra Relief Option has a two-stroke penalty, but not loss of hole. YOU MAY CONCEDE AN OPPONENT'S NEXT STROKE, A HOLE, OR THE MATCH AT ANY TIME. A concession, once made, may not be declined or withdrawn. (R3.2b1) Players may not agree in advance to concede strokes, such as all putts "inside the leather." (R1.3b) Players may agree to tie a hole only during the play of that hole. (R3.2a2) In stroke play, you are disqualified if you don't hole out. (R3.3c) DID YOU GIVE WRONG INFORMATION TO AN OPPONENT? If it's about the number of strokes you have taken or of any penalty strokes you have incurred, you may lose the hole. (See R3.2d for the details) In stroke play, corrections to your score can be made up until the scorecard has been "returned." (R3.3b2) IN DOUBT AS TO HOW TO PROCEED BECAUSE OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT A RULE OR PROCEDURE? You and your opponent are permitted to come to an agreement as to how you should proceed. (R20.1b1) In doing so, you may not agree to disregard a Rules breach or waive a penalty. (R1.3b1 & R20.1b1) If an agreement cannot be reached, you must make a decision and continue playing as you see best. If your opponent disagrees and wishes to request a ruling they must do so before starting the next hole. (R20.1b1) In match play, you may not play a "second ball." If you do, you will automatically lose the hole. (20.1b4) Or, if you don't like what your opponent is doing, you must request a ruling before starting the next hole. (R20.1b2) In either case, the Committee will resolve it later. (R20.1b2) In stroke play only, if you are uncertain about a Rule or procedure you may play a "second ball." (R20.1c3) DID YOU SEE AN OPPONENT BREACH A RULE? You may silently disregard the breach. (R1.3b1) Or, you must request a ruling before starting the next hole. The Committee will resolve it later. (R20.1b2) Players may not agree to disregard a Rules breach or waive a penalty. (R1.3b1 & R20.1b1) In stroke play, you may not ignore another player's breach of a Rule. (R20.1c2) DID YOU PLAY OUT OF TURN? Your opponent may immediately recall the stroke and require that you play in the proper order. Otherwise, the ball is played as it lies without penalty. (R6.4a2) In match play, players may not agree in advance to play "ready golf." (R1.3b) However, when done solely for the purpose of saving time, a player whose turn it is to play may invite an opponent to play first. The opponent is not obligated to accept the offer. (R6.4a2, Ex) In stroke play, "ready golf" is encouraged; there is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies. (R6.4b1) DID YOU PLAY FROM OUTSIDE THE TEEING AREA OR FROM THE WRONG TEES? Your opponent may immediately recall your stroke and require that you play from within the teeing area or from the correct tees. Otherwise, the ball is played as it lies without penalty. (R6.1b1) In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes. You must then correct the mistake. (R6.1b2) DID YOU PLAY THE WRONG BALL SUCH AS ANOTHER PLAYER'S BALL OR A STRAY BALL? You lose the hole. (R6.3c1) In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes. You must then correct the mistake. (R6.3c1) DID YOU DELIBERATELY MOVE AN OPPONENT'S BALL WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION? You incur a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. (R9.5b) In stroke play, there is no penalty for anyone. (R9.6) DID YOUR BALL ACCIDENTALLY HIT AN OPPONENT'S BALL? You must play your ball as it lies. (R11.1a) The moved ball must be replaced. (R9.6) No penalty anywhere on the course. In stroke play, if both balls are on the putting green when this happens, there is a two-stroke penalty for the player whose putt hit the other ball. (R11.1a, Ex) DID YOU PLAY FROM THE WRONG PLACE? You lose the hole. (R14.7a) In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes. You must play out the hole with the ball played from the wrong place unless you've committed a serious breach. (R14.7b) DID YOU BREACH ANY OF THE "RELIEF" RULES SUCH AS THOSE ON LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS, MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS, ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS, PENALTY AREAS, BALL LOST OR BALL OUT OF BOUNDS, OR BALL UNPLAYABLE? You may incur a one-stroke penalty or you may lose the hole. (Refer to R15, R16, R17, R18 & R19) In stroke play, the penalty is either one or two strokes.

The calendar says that today’s the 13th. So, the specific Rules for Putting Greens are our focus for today. What’s new for 2019? The two biggest changes are: DAMAGE ON THE PUTTING GREEN A player may repair almost any damage on the putting green or to the hole. (Note: Natural surface blemishes or imperfections resulting from normal greenskeeping practices may not be repaired.) (R13.1c) FLAGSTICK MAY BE LEFT IN If, as a result of a stroke made from anywhere on or off the putting green, a player's ball strikes an unattended flagstick, they must play the ball as it lies. No penalty. (R13.2a & b) First, the Definition: Putting Green - The area on the hole the player is playing that: Is specially prepared for putting, or the Committee has defined as the putting green (such as when a temporary green is used). The putting green for a hole contains the hole into which the player tries to play a ball. The putting green is one of the five defined areas of the course. The putting greens for all other holes (which the player is not playing at the time) are wrong greens and part of the general area. The edge of a putting green is defined by where it can be seen that the specially prepared area starts (such as where the grass has been distinctly cut to show the edge), unless the Committee defines the edge in a different way (such as by using a line or dots). If a double green is used for two different holes: The entire prepared area containing both holes is treated as the putting green when playing each hole. But the Committee may define an edge that divides the double green into two different putting greens, so that when a player is playing one of the holes, the part of the double green on the side of the edge that is used for the other hole is a wrong green. ***************************** Rule 13 - Putting Greens Purpose of Rule: Rule 13 is a specific Rule for putting greens. Putting greens are specially prepared for playing the ball along the ground and there is a flagstick for the hole on each putting green, so certain different Rules apply than for other areas of the course. 13.1 Actions Allowed or Required on Putting Greens Purpose of Rule: This Rule allows the player to do things on the putting green that are normally not allowed off the putting green, such as being allowed to mark, lift, clean and replace a ball and to repair damage and remove sand and loose soil on the putting green. There is no penalty for accidentally causing a ball or ball-marker to move on the putting green. 13.2 The Flagstick Purpose of Rule: This Rule covers the player’s choices for dealing with the flagstick. The player may leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed (which includes having someone attend the flagstick and remove it after the ball is played), but must decide before making a stroke. There is normally no penalty if a ball in motion hits the flagstick. What are the parts of Rule 13? 13.1 Actions Allowed or Required on Putting Greens 13.2 The Flagstick 13.3 Ball Overhanging Hole https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=13 Interpretations for Rule 13: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=interp&section=rule&rulenum=13

Today, the 12th and tomorrow the 13th, we’ll look at the specific Rules for Bunkers and Putting Greens. Rule 12 - Bunkers The Golden Oldie that you cannot escape a bunker for free still stands. Thank you, Lew Blakey. http://www.generalarea.org/ Later in Rules 15 and 16, we’ll see a few restrictions on taking free relief in bunkers. Purpose of Rule: Rule 12 is a specific Rule for bunkers, which are specially prepared areas intended to test the player’s ability to play a ball from the sand. To make sure the player confronts this challenge, there are some restrictions on touching the sand before the stroke is made and on where relief may be taken for a ball in a bunker. But, what exactly is a “bunker”? Let’s read the Definition: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. These are not part of a bunker: A lip, wall or face at the edge of a prepared area and consisting of soil, grass, stacked turf or artificial materials, Soil or any growing or attached natural object inside the edge of a prepared area (such as grass, bushes or trees), Sand that has spilled over or is outside the edge of a prepared area, and All other areas of sand on the course that are not inside the edge of a prepared area (such as deserts and other natural sand areas or areas sometimes referred to as waste areas). Bunkers are one of the five defined areas of the course. A Committee may define a prepared area of sand as part of the general area (which means it is not a bunker) or may define a non-prepared area of sand as a bunker. When a bunker is being repaired and the Committee defines the entire bunker as ground under repair, it is treated as part of the general area (which means it is not a bunker). What’s in the Rule: 12.1 When Ball Is in Bunker 12.2 Playing Ball in Bunker 12.3 Specific Rules for Relief for Ball in Bunker https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=12 Rule 12 Interpretations: 12.2a/1 Improvement Resulting from Removing Loose Impediment or Movable Obstruction from a Bunker 12.2b(3)/1 Player Is Allowed to Smooth Sand in a Bunker to Care for the Course After Taking Relief Outside the Bunker 12.2b/1 Rule 12.2b Applies to a Mound of Sand from an Animal Hole in a Bunker 12.2b/2 Whether Player May Probe in Bunker 12.2b/3 Rule 12.2 Continues to Apply When Player Has Lifted His or Her Ball from Bunker to Take Relief but Has Not Yet Decided Whether to Take Relief In or Out of Bunker https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=interp&section=rule&rulenum=12

Good for you (and him) that your gentle correction was well received. Lots of casual and fun golf is played almost without any Rules. Then there are those of us who enjoy the game all the more by playing by the Rules as best we can.

The 11th sends us to Rule 11, where the distinction between accidental and deliberate actions are crucial. CliffsNotes version: BALL MOVED BY ANOTHER BALL and BALL HITS ANOTHER BALL If a player's ball is accidentally moved by another ball or if a player's ball accidentally hits another ball, the moved ball must be replaced. (R9.6) The ball which did the "hitting" is played as it lies. (R11.1a & b) No penalty to anyone. Exception: If a player's putt hits another ball at rest on the putting green, the player's ball must be played as it lies. (R11.1b) The moved ball must be replaced. (R9.6) The penalty to the player is two strokes. (R11.1a, Exception) BALL HITS THE PLAYER If a player's ball accidentally hits him or herself or their equipment, the ball must be played as it lies. No penalty. (R11.1a) DOUBLE HIT If a player accidentally hits the ball more than once with their stroke, they must play the ball as it lies. No penalty. (R10.1a) BALL HITS SOMETHING ELSE If a player's ball accidentally hits another player, their equipment or anyone or anything else, the ball must be played as it lies. No penalty to anyone. (R11.1a) Exception: On the putting green, if a player's putt accidentally hits any person, animal or movable obstruction other than a ball-marker, the flagstick or person attending the flagstick, they must replay the stroke. No penalty to anyone. (R11.1b, Exception 2) Rule 11 - Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person, Animal or Object; Deliberate Actions to Affect Ball in Motion Purpose of Rule: Rule 11 covers what to do if the player’s ball in motion hits a person, animal, equipment or anything else on the course. When this happens accidentally, there is no penalty and the player normally must accept the result, whether favorable or not, and play the ball from where it comes to rest. Rule 11 also restricts a player from deliberately taking actions to affect where any ball in motion might come to rest. This Rule applies any time a ball in play is in motion (whether after a stroke or otherwise), except when a ball has been dropped in a relief area and has not yet come to rest. That situation is covered by Rule 14.3. Parts of Rule 11: 11.1 Ball in Motion ACCIDENTALLY Hits Person or Outside Influence 11.2 Ball in Motion DELIBERATELY Deflected or Stopped by Person 11.3 DELIBERATELY Moving Objects or Altering Conditions to Affect Ball in Motion Relevant Interpretations: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=interp&section=rule&rulenum=11

Today’s the 10th, hence Rule 10. A look at two aspects of Rule 10 - Advice and Caddies (Don’t skip the Caddies portion because it’s details pertain to our partners in Four-Ball.) Rule 10 - Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Caddies Purpose of Rule: Rule 10 covers how to prepare for and make a stroke, including advice and other help the player may get from others (including partners and caddies). The underlying principle is that golf is a game of skill and personal challenge. 10.1 Making a Stroke, Purpose of Rule: Rule 10.1 covers how to make a stroke and several acts that are prohibited in doing so. A stroke is made by fairly striking at a ball with the head of a club. The fundamental challenge is to direct and control the movement of the entire club by freely swinging the club without anchoring it. (And, no. Bernhard Langer is not anchoring; the R&A and USGA have confirmed it several times.) 10.2 Advice and Other Help, Purpose of Rule: A fundamental challenge for the player is deciding the strategy and tactics for his or her play. So there are limits to the advice and other help the player may get during a round. Definition of Advice: Any verbal comment or action that is intended to influence a player in choosing a club, making a stroke, or deciding how to play during a hole or round. But advice does not include public information, such as, the location of things on the course such as the hole, the putting green, the fairway, penalty areas, bunkers, or another player’s ball, the distance from one point to another, or the Rules. Two Interpretations regarding Advice: Advice/1 – Verbal Comments or Actions That Are Advice Examples of when comments or actions are considered advice and are not allowed include: A player makes a statement regarding club selection that was intended to be overheard by another player who had a similar stroke. In individual stroke play, Player A, who has just holed out on the 7th hole, demonstrates to Player B, whose ball was just off the putting green, how to make the next stroke. Because Player B has not completed the hole, Player A gets the penalty on the 7th hole. But, if both Player A and Player B had completed the 7th hole, Player A gets the penalty on the 8th hole. A player’s ball is lying badly and the player is deliberating what action to take. Another player comments, “You have no shot at all. If I were you, I would decide to take unplayable ball relief.” This comment is advice because it could have influenced the player in deciding how to play during a hole. While a player is setting up to hit his or her shot over a large penalty area filled with water, another player in the group comments, “You know the wind is in your face and it’s 250 yards to carry that water?” Advice/2 – Verbal Comments or Actions That Are Not Advice Examples of comments or actions that are not advice include: During play of the 6th hole, a player asks another player what club he or she used on the 4th hole that is a par-3 of similar length. A player makes a second stroke that lands on the putting green. Another player does likewise. The first player then asks the second player what club was used for the second stroke. After making a stroke, a player says, “I should have used a 5-iron” to another player in the group that has yet to play onto the green, but not intending to influence his or her play. A player looks into another player’s bag to determine which club he or she used for the last stroke without touching or moving anything. While lining up a putt, a player mistakenly seeks advice from another player’s caddie, believing that caddie to be the player’s caddie. The player immediately realizes the mistake and tells the other caddie not to answer. 10.3 Caddies, Purpose of Rule: The player may have a caddie to carry the player’s clubs and give advice and other help during the round, but there are limits to what the caddie is allowed to do. The player is responsible for the caddie’s actions during the round and will get a penalty if the caddie breaches the Rules. NB In forms of play such as Four-Ball involving partners, a player's partner and the partner's caddie may take the same actions (with the same limitations) as the player's caddie may take under Rules 10.2. Relevant Interpretations: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=interp&section=rule&rulenum=10

The 9th, thus Rule 9. First the Clif Notes version: Ball moved? By who or what and what we’re to do about it. BALL MOVED BY THE PLAYER Except on the putting green or during a search, if a player either accidentally or intentionally causes their ball in play to move or picks up their ball when not allowed by the Rules, the ball must be replaced. The penalty is one stroke. (R9.4b) BALL MOVED ON PUTTING GREEN If a player accidentally moves their ball or ball-marker on the putting green, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. No penalty. (R13.1d) BALL MOVED DURING SEARCH If the player or anyone else accidentally moves the player's ball while looking for it, the ball must be replaced. No penalty to anyone. (R7.4) BALL MOVED BY OUTSIDE INFLUENCE If it is known or virtually certain that a player's ball has been moved by someone or something else, the ball must be replaced. No penalty to anyone. (R9.6) BALL MOVED ON ITS OWN If a player's ball is moved by natural forces such as wind, water or gravity, the ball must be played from its new location. No penalty. (R9.3) Exception: On the putting green, if the ball moves on its own after having been lifted and replaced, the player may not play the ball from the new location and the ball must be replaced. No penalty. (R13.1d2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rule 9 - Ball Played as It Lies; Ball at Rest Lifted or Moved Purpose of Rule: Rule 9 covers a central principle of the game: “play the ball as it lies.” If the player’s ball comes to rest and is then moved by natural forces such as wind or water, the player normally must play it from its new spot. If a ball at rest is lifted or moved by anyone or any outside influence before the stroke is made, the ball must be replaced on its original spot. Players should take care when near any ball at rest, and a player who causes his or her own ball or an opponent’s ball to move will normally get a penalty (except on the putting green). Rule 9 applies to a ball in play at rest on the course, and applies both during a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a. What’s covered in the Rule: 9.1 Ball Played as It Lies 9.2 Deciding Whether Ball Moved and What Caused It to Move 9.3 Ball Moved by Natural Forces 9.4 Ball Lifted or Moved by Player 9.5 Ball Lifted or Moved by Opponent in Match Play 9.6 Ball Lifted or Moved by Outside Influence 9.7 Ball-Marker Lifted or Moved https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=9 https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=interp&section=rule&rulenum=9

You're good, bones. Ask away anytime. 🙂

Made the news this week. Patrick Reed’s blatant breach of Rule 8.1. Rule 8 - Course Played as It Is Found Purpose of Rule: Rule 8 covers a central principle of the game: “play the course as you find it.” When the player’s ball comes to rest, he or she normally has to accept the conditions affecting the stroke and not improve them before playing the ball. However, a player may take certain reasonable actions even if they improve those conditions, and there are limited circumstances where conditions may be restored without penalty after they have been improved or worsened. Parts of the Rule: 8.1 Player’s Actions That Improve Conditions Affecting the Stroke 8.2 Player’s Deliberate Actions to Alter Other Physical Conditions to Affect the Player’s Own Ball at Rest or Stroke to Be Made 8.3 Player’s Deliberate Actions to Alter Physical Conditions to Affect Another Player’s Ball at Rest or Stroke to Be Made https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=8 Relevant Interpretations: 8.1a/1 Examples of Actions That Are Likely to Create Potential Advantage 8.1a/2 Examples of Actions Unlikely to Create Potential Advantage 8.1a/3 Player Who Improves Conditions for Intended Stroke in Breach Even if Different Stroke Is Made 8.1a/4 Example of Moving, Bending or Breaking an Immovable Obstruction 8.1a/5 Building Stance by Positioning Object Such as Towel Is Not Permitted 8.1a/6 Altering Surface of Ground to Build Stance Is Not Permitted 8.1a/7 Player May Probe Near Ball to Determine if Tree Roots, Rocks or Obstructions Are Below Surface of Ground, but Only if This Does Not Improve Conditions 8.1a/8 Altering Surface of Ground in Relief Area Is Not Allowed 8.1a/9 When Divot Is Replaced and Must Not Be Removed or Pressed Down 8.1b/1 Meaning of “Ground the Club Lightly” 8.1b/2 Player Allowed to Dig in Firmly with Feet More Than Once in Taking Stance 8.1b/3 Examples of “Fairly Taking a Stance” 8.1b/4 Examples of Not “Fairly Taking a Stance” 8.1b/5 Improving Conditions in Teeing Area Is Limited to Ground 8.1b/6 Player Smooths Bunker to “Care for the Course” After Playing Out of Bunker 8.1b/7 When Damage That Is Partially On and Partially Off Putting Green May Be Repaired 8.1d(1)/1 Examples Where Player Is Allowed to Restore Conditions Altered by the Actions of Another Person or Outside Influence 8.1d(1)/2 Player Is Entitled to Have Loose Impediments or Movable Obstructions Left Where They Were When Ball Came to Rest 8.1d(2)/1 Examples of Conditions Altered by a Natural Object or Natural Forces Where Player Is Not Allowed to Restore Worsened Conditions 8.1d(2)/2 Player Is Not Allowed to Restore Conditions Affecting the Stroke When Worsened by Caddie or Another Person at Player’s Request 8.1d(2)/3 If Player Enters a Bunker on the Line of Play He or She Must Not Restore Worsened Conditions 8.2b/1 Examples of Player’s Deliberate Actions to Improve Other Physical Conditions Affecting His or Her Own Play 8.3/1 Both Players Are Penalized if Physical Conditions Are Improved with Other Player’s Knowledge https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=interp&section=rule&rulenum=8

You'll have a tough time finding a Rule which covers your dilemma. You, however, will find penalties for raking a bunker when you shouldn't. See Rule 8. https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=8

These next five Rules 7 through 11 are grouped under the heading, Playing the Ball. Rule 7 - Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Ball Purpose of Rule: Rule 7 allows the player to take reasonable actions to fairly search for his or her ball in play after each stroke. But the player still must be careful, as a penalty will apply if the player acts excessively and causes improvement to the conditions affecting his or her next stroke. The player gets no penalty if the ball is accidentally moved in trying to find or identify it, but must then replace the ball on its original spot. 7.1 How to Fairly Search for Ball 7.2 How to Identify Ball 7.3 Lifting Ball to Identify It 7.4 Ball Accidentally Moved in Trying to Find or Identify It Relevant Interpretations: 7.1a/1 Examples of Actions Unlikely to Be Part of a Fair Search 7.2/1 Identifying Ball That Cannot Be Retrieved 7.4/1 Estimating Original Spot on Which to Replace Ball Moved During Search 7.4/2 Player Attempts to Dislodge Ball in Tree or Step on Ball in Tall Grass During Search

Forgot this is Tour Talk. Accuracy is optional.

Let's lose the made-for-tv term "waste area." The area of the course where the ball lay is called the General Area.

Never held a Private Pilot Certificate. But, do have an FAA ATP. 😉 Flew airplanes for 45 years; F4C in the USAF in the '60s, BAC 1-11, L-1011, B737, BAe 146 for various airlines in the US and abroad. The best jobs for me though were corporate flying. For the last twenty years, I flew most of the modern Dassault Falcons and Gulfstreams all over the world. Hung 'em up ten years ago and moved to Asheville NC. Do I miss going to work? Not a bit. Do I fly for fun? Nope. Heck, I don't even airline anywhere anymore . . . if I can't get there by car, I'm not going.

Rule 6 - Playing a Hole Purpose of Rule: Rule 6 covers how to play a hole – such as the specific Rules for teeing off to start a hole, the requirement to use the same ball for an entire hole except when substitution is allowed, the order of play (which matters more in match play than stroke play) and completing a hole. 6.1 Starting Play of a Hole 6.2 Playing Ball from Teeing Area 6.3 Ball Used in Play of Hole 6.4 Order of Play When Playing Hole 6.5 Completing Play of a Hole And the Interpretations for Rule 6: 6.1b(1)/1 Ball Played from Outside Teeing Area in Match Play and Stroke Not Cancelled by Opponent 6.1/1 What to Do When One or Both Tee-Markers Are Missing 6.2b(4)/1 Tee-Marker Moved by Player Should Be Replaced 6.2b(6)/1 Ball That Comes to Rest in Teeing Area Does Not Have to Be Played as It Lies 6.3a/1 What to Do When Balls Exchanged at Unknown Place 6.3c(1)/1 Meaning of “Penalty Strokes Solely From Playing That Ball” 6.4c/1 Stroke Cannot Be Cancelled When Provisional Ball Played Out of Turn from Teeing Area 6.5/1 Another Ball Played After Hole Was Unknowingly Completed

Some time ago, PHDs told us that smoking cigarettes was good for us.

Rules 5 and 6 tell us about playing the "round" and playing the "hole." Purpose of Rule: Rule 5 covers how to play a round – such as where and when a player may practise on the course before or during a round, when a round starts and ends and what happens when play has to stop or resume. Players are expected to: Start each round on time, and Play continuously and at a prompt pace during each hole until the round is completed. When it is a player’s turn to play, it is recommended that he or she make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds, and usually more quickly than that. Rule 5 - Playing the Round 5.1 Meaning of Round 5.2 Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds 5.3 Starting and Ending Round 5.4 Playing in Groups 5.5 Practising During Round or While Play Is Stopped 5.6 Unreasonable Delay; Prompt Pace of Play 5.7 Stopping Play; Resuming Play https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=5

Today's the 4th, Rule 4 gets our once over. We all know what a club and a ball is, but it's worth a good look at the Definition of Equipment: Equipment - Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. Objects used for the care of the course, such as rakes, are equipment only while they are being held or carried by the player or caddie. There is one accompanying Interpretation: Equipment/1 – Status of Items Carried by Someone Else for the Player Items, other than clubs, that are carried by someone other than a player or his or her caddie are outside influences, even if they belong to the player. However, they are the player’s equipment when in the player’s or his or her caddie’s possession. For example, if a player asks a spectator to carry his or her umbrella, the umbrella is an outside influence while in the spectator’s possession. However, if the spectator hands the umbrella to the player, it is now his or her equipment. Rule 4 - The Player's Equipment Purpose of Rule: Rule 4 covers the equipment that players may use during a round. Based on the principle that golf is a challenging game in which success should depend on the player’s judgment, skills and abilities, the player: Must use conforming clubs and balls, Is limited to no more than 14 clubs and normally must not replace damaged or lost clubs, and Is restricted in the use of other equipment that gives artificial help to his or her play. For detailed requirements for clubs, balls and other equipment and the process for consultation and submission of equipment for conformity review, see the Equipment Rules.

Rule 3 - The Competition 3.1 Central Elements of Every Competition Purpose of Rule: Rule 3 covers the three central elements of all golf competitions: Playing either match play or stroke play, Playing either as an individual or with a partner as part of a side, and Scoring either by gross scores (no handicap strokes applied) or net scores (handicap strokes applied). 3.2 Match Play Purpose of Rule: Match play has specific Rules (particularly about concessions and giving information about the number of strokes taken) because the player and opponent: Compete solely against each other on every hole, Can see each other’s play, and Can protect their own interests. 3.3 Stroke Play Purpose of Rule: Stroke play has specific Rules (particularly for scorecards and holing out) because: Each player competes against all the other players in the competition, and All players need to be treated equally under the Rules. After the round, the player and the marker (who keeps the player’s score) must certify that the player’s score for each hole is right and the player must return the scorecard to the Committee.

If you care to take this sort of a roundabout way to learn the Rules, I'd suggest doing the quizzes as an "open book" exam. That way you'll learn your way around the Rule book. Experienced Rules people say, "It's not what you know, it's what you can prove."

Today's the 2nd, Rule 2's an easy one, don't forget to reference the Definitions along the way. Rule 2 - The Course Purpose of Rule: Rule 2 introduces the basic things every player should know about the course: There are five defined areas of the course, and There are several types of defined objects and conditions that can interfere with play. It is important to know the area of the course where the ball lies and the status of any interfering objects and conditions, because they often affect the player’s options for playing the ball or taking relief. 2.1 Course Boundaries and Out of Bounds 2.2 Defined Areas of the Course 2.3 Objects or Conditions That Can Interfere with Play 2.4 No Play Zones

Isn't that the truth, Piz. Play a wrong ball one day when it matters and we'll never make that mistake again.

As you suggest, real life examples of Rules breaches which cost a player penalty strokes do make them easy to remember. We see it in action on TV far too frequently. My method, however, is a tactic to both learn the Rules and avoid the penalty strokes.

One bite at a time Learning (and keeping up with) the Rules of Golf is quite a task. Many say the least satisfactory approach is to pick up the book, start on page 1 and plough through to the end. This’ll either put us to sleep or be rapidly discouraging. So, how might we approach the task? My opinion is that we should take it “one bite at a time.” Let me offer this: First, take some time to study the Table of Contents to see how the Rules are organized, and begin to learn the Rule numbers and their titles (and later the subtitles). Second, near the back of the book is a hugely important section, Definitions. Read through them twice. A thorough knowledge of the Definitions will help build a solid foundation for learning how to apply the Rules. Third, now we can begin with the Rules “one bite at a time.” Look at the calendar . . . today is the 1st so read Rule 1, tomorrow, the 2nd read Rule 2. and so on. Next month, repeat the process, “one bite at a time.”

What's this? A Roman ordering five beers.