Following on from the rules thread.

[haplesshacker]

Knowing what wealth of advice and knowledge we have on here. Would someone (or many), be able to give an interpretation of some of the basic rules for us new to the game. The R & A rule book is a tomb, and the quick gide is anything but.

For example. Lets start off at the tee.

A golfer takes a swing at his ball (not a practice swing) and misses. How many shots is his next shot?

A golfer swings at his ball, and mishits it, and it lies alongside the teeing area / matt. What are his options?

Takes tee shot, and the ball goes out of bounds and is findable. What should he do?

Tee shot goes into a yellow staked ditch?

Tee shot lands against an unstaked tree, making the next shot impossible?

Tee shot goes into a pond or lake, not casual water? What's next. And how may shots would his next shot actually be?

You get the idea. I simple guide from tee to green.

We have this sort of thing for yacht racing, and its rules are complicated. So I wonder if such a thing exists for golf?

Clear, concise and no confusion. That's what I'm after.

Thanks.

 

[birdieman]

For example. Lets start off at the tee.

A golfer takes a swing at his ball (not a practice swing) and misses. How many shots is his next shot?
He has played one shot, next shot is his second

A golfer swings at his ball, and mishits it, and it lies alongside the teeing area / matt. What are his options?
Play it as it lies, if he cant he takes relief under penalty of one shot.

Takes tee shot, and the ball goes out of bounds and is findable. What should he do?
Findable is irrelevant, if its OOB he must reload and is taking 3 off the tee. If he wants to hold everyone up whilst he goes looking for it thats up to him

Tee shot goes into a yellow staked ditch?
Is in a hazard and can play it but must not ground club or remove loose impediments

Tee shot lands against an unstaked tree, making the next shot impossible?
Play it as it lies or take relief under penalty of one shot

Tee shot goes into a pond or lake, not casual water? What's next. And how may shots would his next shot actually be?
If no red stakes (lateral water hazard) either replay the shot, drop within 2 clublengths (most likely not an option unless ball at pond edge) or take a line from ball back far enough to find relief keeping flag in line with ball - all 3 options under penalty of one shot. However if red stakes present you have a 4th option and can play the ball within 2 clublengths of where the ball crossed the edge of the hazard on either side of the hazard. Simple!

You get the idea. I simple guide from tee to green.

We have this sort of thing for yacht racing, and its rules are complicated. So I wonder if such a thing exists for golf?

Clear, concise and no confusion. That's what I'm after.

Thanks.

 

[Dodger]

Basic rules that all should know.

 

[romsyam]

I'm liking this thread. I am relatively new to golf (started August). I play regular (non competitive) with very competent golfers but they rarely make mistakes, so I am left to the side of the fairway in some awful positions and never know the rules.

Any other additions to the thread would be welcome. I have read parts of the rules though I am no expert in reading shakespeare

 

[DCB]

All serious golfers should have a copy of the Decisions on the Rules of Golf book. It goes through all the rules and shows various decisions applied to each of the rules at some atage or other. Some make amusing reading others give some food for thought. It certainly helps to get an overall picture of just how you apply the rules properly.

 

[bobmac]

I agree. They are really complicated is some places.
I'm surprised no-one has put together an interactive DVD where players could watch the rules being implimented in different scenarios. Are there any rules experts at GM?
If I can give 3 tips
1. If the ball is in a pond, drop behind.If its a stream, drop to the side.
2. If you have a free drop, (cart path, staked tree etc) you only get one club length. If it's a penalty drop (unplayable) you get TWO club lengths.
3. If you are playing with more experienced golfers and you're not sure of a ruling, ASK!!! I bet you any money they will only be too happy to show off their vast knowledge of the rules.......then check it when you get home.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
One of the biggest problems when people are dropping the ball is dropping it in the wrong position from a hazard the point of entry is the most imporant point you must keep this in line between you and the flag and also when taking free releif you must take if from the nearest point of releif and you must take compleat releif.
Mike

 

[Dodger]

Not in the case of a Lateral Mike...

 

[viscount17]

simplest rule - if in doubt, play it as it lies

 

[viscount17]

birdie, can you clarify this bit

If no red stakes (lateral water hazard) either replay the shot, drop within 2 clublengths (most likely not an option unless ball at pond edge)

surely the drop is from the edge of the hazard not from the ball's position in the hazard, so the ball being at the pond edge is immaterial?

or take a line from ball back far enough to find relief keeping flag in line with ball

best and least used option. how often have I seen players take the two club lengths and leave themselves tucked behind a bush when going further back gives plenty of room to clear it over the top.

 

[birdieman]

Viscount, you're getting me confused now!
I dont think you can get a drop at the edge of the hazard unless its officially a lateral water hazard marked with red stakes. If there are no red stakes you have the usual 3 options for a penalty drop after you declare the ball unplayable - 1. Two clublengths not nearer hole from where the ball lies (not egde of hazard) 2. straight line back keeping flag and ball on line back or 3. play the shot again from the same place.
This probably wouldn't come up as 99% of water hazards are either marked with red stakes as a lateral water hazard or have a marked dropping zone but the OP didn't say that.

 

[SammmeBee]

To clarify - it doesn't matter whether it is a pond or a stream or the sea - it all depends on what colour the stakes are, which are generally dependent on the design of the hole and how it is meant to be played but:

For Water Hazard (Yellow) - 3 options

- Play as it lies
- Play from where you were
- Drop as far back as you like keeping the point of where the ball last crossed the margin/edge of hazard in line with the hole

For Lateral Water Hazard (Red) - 5 options

- The 3 as above
- 2 clubs from where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard no nearer the hole
- 2 clubs from a point on the other side of the hazard equidistant to the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard

 

[Dodger]

Sammebee....spot on.

 

[Spoff]

I found this book very useful:

Rules of Golf According to...