Comments on: Barry Rhodes On The Rules Of Golf Interview – Episode #8

By: Roger Foo

Roger Foo — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:52:16 +0000

What is the rule if a golfer picks up his ball and drops without informing anyone or indicating his intention either to his partner or fellow competitors if he takes a relief with or without penalty?

By: Sly

Sly — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:26:30 +0000

Barry, what is the ruling In this situation: In stroke play Player A chipped within gimme distance and was on approach to mark his ball when his fellow competitor B, who is to make a pitch 40 yards off the green requested A to let B hit first. Out of courtesy, A obliged and B hit his pitch shot which fall short of the hole. Later on it was learned that B’s request has something to do with the possibility that A’s ball may be used as a backstop.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:11:57 +0000

When ball if OFF the green is the only options taking the flag out or leaving the flag in? My question is when OFF the green, can I have the flag tended by someone who makes the decision to leave the flag in or take it out based on the ball rolling fast, slow, etc. Can that person tend the flag, pull it or leave it in?

By: Eddie

Eddie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:15:14 +0000

Barry in a match play game one player plays a shot into the hole as the other player has played more shots he lifts his ball and concedes the hole the other player goes to the flag and finds his ball jammed against the flag but just lifts the ball out what is the rule?

By: imants

imants — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:09:21 +0000

Many thanks for this informative page of rules.

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:20:21 +0000

Regarding GPS systems on golf buggies, many clubs are now allowing these in competitions but I cannot see where this has been sanctioned by the rules of golf. Can you advise, thanks

Barry’s Reply:

Sue,

The Note to Rule 14-3, Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment, states, “The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only.”

So, GPS devices may only be used in competition if there is a Local Rule permitting their use. It is important to check this before the competition starts as the penalty for a breach of Rule 14-3 is disqualification.

Regards,

Barry

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:30:36 +0000

Barry,

Another continuously, very windy day, very firm green at Royal Adelaide. The ball refuses to stop wobbling and threatens to move (as much as a ball can refuse or threaten!). Should one then (1) wait until the wind drops possibly invoking slow play, 2) press the ball into the green on replacement – causing a change to the playing surface – 2stroke penalty or 3) not ground the club before playing a shot and risk hitting a moving ball

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:19:22 +0000

Rules question. It is a very windy day, my ball is on the green, I put a marker down to mark the position of my ball but leave my ball on the green whilest someone else putts, the wind blows strongly and my ball rolls a couple of yards away from the hole. Is my ball deemed to have been marked and just replace it at the marker or have to play it as it lies.

Thanks

Bill

Barry’s Reply:

This is a question that even Tournament Pros get wrong most of the time. Decision 20-4/1; “Q. A player replaces his ball on the putting green but does not remove his ball-marker. Subsequently the wind moves his ball to a new position.

What is the ruling?

A. Under Rule 20-4, a ball is in play when it is replaced, whether or not the object used to mark its position has been removed.
Consequently the ball must be played from the new position ? see Decision 18-1/12.”

By: Najib

Najib — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:05:07 +0000

If a hit from the tee hits a golf bag that caddies are holding or resting at some distance, what is the penalty and on which player, the one who hits or the one whose bag it is! please advise.

Barry’s Reply:

Najib,

It depends whether it is stroke play or match play and whose bag the player hits. Here is a summary; 1. In stroke play player’s ball hits his own bag, one stroke penalty (Rule 19-2) and play the ball as it lies.
2. In stroke play player’s ball hits his fellow competitor’s bag, no penalty (Rule 19-4) and play the ball as it lies.
3. In match play player’s ball hits his own bag, one stroke penalty (Rule 19-2) and play the ball as it lies.
4. In match play player’s ball hits his opponent’s ball, no penalty but he may choose to cancel the stroke and play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (Rule 19-3), or play the ball as it lies.

Note that the penalty for 1. and 3. was two strokes until a change in the Rules at 1st January 2008.

Regards,

Barry Rhodes

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:50:24 +0000

When hitting the ball from off the putting surface a player has the option of asking a playing partner to leave their ball in position so as to act as a ‘backstop’.

Can the partner, in leaving their ball in position, mark the ball and thereby be able to replace their ball exactly should it be struck?

Jim,

Barry’s Reply:

Whilst you are correct in saying that the player has the option of asking a player partner to leave their ball in position so as to act as a ‘backstop’, the opponents also have the option of asking for the ball to be lifted, Decision 30-3f/11; “Q. A and B are playing C and D in a four-ball match. B’s ball is near the hole in a position to serve as a backstop for A’s ball. C requests B to lift his ball. B does not comply and A putts. What is the ruling?

A. B is disqualified for the hole for failing to comply with Rule 22-1. If A’s ball strikes B’s ball, A would also be disqualified from the hole since B’s infringement assisted A ? Rule 30-3f. If the balls do not collide, A is not penalized.”

Although it is not specifically covered in the Rules or Decisions, my opinion is therefore that the partner could legitimately leave his ball marker by his ball but that the opponents could ask for it to be lifted if they thought that it could assist the person making the stroke.

Regards,

Barry