Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, I was playing a round of golf with my regular foursome last week when we hit a situation that we didn't know how the golf rules handle. About halfway through the round, one of our group realized that he was playing the wrong golf ball. It was the exact same brand that he uses, but he normally puts a mark on his ball and the ball he putted with didn't have that mark on it. He didn't know when he played the incorrect ball. Is he penalized for this?

The answer to: "Playing With The Wrong Golf Ball"

Question asked on 09/13/2008 at 08:19 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, I play in a men's league and one golfer I play with always lays a club down on the tee box and uses it to line up toward the tee before he actually hits the golf ball with his driver. After teeing off he picks up the club and puts it back in his bag. Is this legal? Thanks for all the golf help.

The answer to: "Is Using A Golf Club This Way Legal?"

Question asked on 07/29/2008 at 09:09 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, if my golf ball ends up one inch from the cart path, am I allowed relief? In this situation, if I took my normal golf swing, my club would hit the concrete path. What am I allowed to do in this case?

The answer to: "Golf Shot Ends Up Right Next To Cart Path"

Question asked on 07/25/2008 at 03:02 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, I have a really strange golf rules question. This really just happened to me and I want to check what the correct thing to do would have been.

I was teeing off on a par three when I hit a real low golf shot. I hit it thin and it was a real "worm burner" as I like to call it. The strange part of this was that another golf ball, coming from the hole next to us, hit my golf ball in mid air. I swear that this really happened and I believe that a hole in one would be easier to do, but on to the rest of my question.

My ball ended up knocked down into the side of a bank next to water in front of the hole and rolled into the water. I took the penalty for a hazard and ended up with a double bogey. Is this the correct ruling?

The answer to: "A Strange Golf Rules Question"

Question asked on 05/29/2008 at 06:56 AM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut I was recently playing a round of golf with a foursome. We got to hole #12 a par 5. Three golfers all hit in the water on their 2nd stroke, then 2 of those golfers hit in the water on their fourth stroke. They both pick up their balls and head to the next tee. I ask this question because I am a beginning golfer.

My buddy makes a 9 but the two players that quit the hole said "We both took an 8" so my buddy tells me that the correct ruling is you can't hit over an 8 on any hole and shaves a stroke off his score.

I looked on the USGA site and it says any player failing to hole out is disqualified (Sounds a bit harsh for amateur golf, especially very amateur golf). Do you have any idea of the ruling on this? I'm sure the pick up and take an 8 isn't right, I shoot 10's and 11's pretty regular, I could drastically improve my game if that's the correct ruling. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The answer to: "How High A Golf Score Can I Take On A Hole?"

Question asked on 04/05/2008 at 03:14 PM :: Comments to date: 3

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, I can think of two circumstances where, after a shot, the golf ball can land farther away from the hole:

1) In the woods, you hit a tree, the ball bounces behind you farther into the woods.
2) Around the green, you catch the ball thin and hit it over the green into the woods/behind a tree.

In these circumstances, can you declare the golf ball unplayable and take the "stroke and distance" penalty? The confusing thing for me is that after taking a stroke, you would actually be dropping closer to the hole in these cases.

The answer to: "Golf Rule Question On Unplayable Golf Ball"

Question asked on 03/13/2008 at 07:59 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Hey Golf Nut, before marking my golf ball on the green where it had come to rest, I helped my golf partner look for his ball. While we were looking, the wind gusted and my ball moved slightly closer to the hole. Where should the golf ball be played from and do I incur any penalty?

The answer to: "Golf Ball Moved On Green By Wind"

Question asked on 11/28/2007 at 10:15 AM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Well, it's that time of year golfers. The golf rule changes for the upcoming year have been announced. Like we always do, we will summarize the major changes here. Thank you for all the rules questions that we have received this year. More and more golfers appear to be learning or attempting to learn the rules of golf. Good for you!

The answer to: "Golf Rule Changes for 2008 Set By USGA and R&A"

Question asked on 11/26/2007 at 10:36 AM :: Comments to date: 5

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, one foot inside a red staked hazard is a permanent fence. The golfer’s ball lays one foot outside this hazard. The golfer wants to take a drop because he says that the fence interferes with his backswing. Is he entitled to the drop or is it only if the obstruction interferes with his stance?

The answer to: "Is this golfer entitled to a free drop?"

Question asked on 09/24/2007 at 02:51 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golfers, I have gotten a ton of questions on golf rules the last few weeks. I know that the last post was also on a ruling, so just bear with us as I am trying to respond to as many of the questions that come in in the order received.

During a match play tourney event today, I hit my second shot on a Par 4 far left and into heavy brush/bushes. I was told it was out of bounds, so I dropped another golf ball from the same spot. I hit the ball and put it on the green, where I was now I was now sitting at four.

Several people decided to look in the bushes for the ball but I told them that I was abandoning that golf ball and would play the ball on the green. I was told that I had to attempt to locate the original golf ball or identify a ball found in the bushes. If mine, they said that I must play that golf ball after a penalty drop. Do I have to play that "lost" ball or could I ball the ball on the green?

The answer to: "Does a golfer have to look for a lost golf ball?"

Question asked on 09/10/2007 at 05:33 PM :: Comments to date: 7

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Here is the situation: We were playing in a foursome. One of the guys hit his golf ball out of the greenside bunker. The ball went over the green and hit his opponent’s golf cart and bounced about 30 yards past the cart. One of the golfers said that he was entitled to replay the shot out of the bunker because he hit the opponents cart. Is this true?

The answer to: "Golf Nut, I have a golf rules question about your golf ball hitting a golf cart."

Question asked on 09/05/2007 at 03:30 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, I have an unusual way of marking my golf ball and lining up my putt. My playing partners say that it is a violation. Can you help? Basically I aim the putter head length-wise and perpendicular to the hole and then set my ball behind the putter with the line that I draw on my golf ball perpendicular to the putter mid-way along the putter head. I take the putter away and look at the line on the ball to see that it is aimed
at the hole correctly, and then adjust it if I need to. This saves me time with the
initial placement of the ball so that I have to adjust it less thereafter. I haven’t seen anyone else use this method, so I don’t know if it’s illegal or not.

The answer to: "Is this a violation of the rules of golf?"

Question asked on 08/06/2007 at 04:53 PM :: Comments to date: 4

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, which golf club can you use for a free or penalty drop? My playing partner and I were having a disagreement about this rule. Can you help?

The answer to: "Which golf club can you use for a free or penalty drop"

Question asked on 08/01/2007 at 10:41 AM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, a friend and I are having a disagreement over whether a certain shot should be out of bounds. If a player slices his golf ball over an out of bounds area of the golf course and during the flight the ball curves back into the fairway, is the ball still in play or is it OB due to crossing the OB line? Also if a player hits his ball OB and it hits a tree and comes back into play, is that ball OB or still in play? Thanks for your help

The answer to: "Is my golf ball out of bounds?"

Question asked on 07/25/2007 at 02:58 PM :: Comments to date: 3

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, in match play, if a team concedes a putt to Player 1 of oTeam B, can Player 1 go ahead and putt to show his partner the line? Or is this a violation of the rules of golf? Does Team B lose the hole?

The answer to: "I have a question on the rules during match play"

Question asked on 07/06/2007 at 09:56 AM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, I have a question about playing with different golf balls. When I have a difficult golf shot where water is definitely coming into play off the tee, I usually play an older golf ball. My playing partner said that I could not do that. Who is right?

The answer to: "Rules question on golf balls"

Question asked on 05/29/2007 at 09:39 AM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, I have a rules question for you. A friend and I were playing when his golf ball came to rest near a concrete drainage area. He said that he should get free relief since the drainage is a “man made obstruction”. Is this correct or should he play the ball as it lies?

The answer to: "Please help with this golf rules question."

Question asked on 05/23/2007 at 10:47 AM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

I have a question about marking your golf ball on the green. A lot of us line up our putts using the logo or letters on the ball. Do you have to mark the ball if you don’t pick it up to line up the logo or lettering?

The answer to: "Can I pick up my golf ball?"

Question asked on 05/17/2007 at 09:53 AM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, How do you take relief from a temporary immovable obstruction? Could you end up taking more than one golf club length if the obstruction still interferes with the golfers direct line to the green after a free relief drop?

The answer to: "Relief on the golf course from a temporary immovable obstruction"

Question asked on 04/16/2007 at 04:31 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

I don’t know how many of you golfers out there are aware of what the USGA is considering. But they are collaborating with golf club makers and looking at the possibility of limiting the size of the grooves on golf irons. Let’s talk about this for a minute.

The answer to: "Potential golf rule change for irons"

Question asked on 03/04/2007 at 08:45 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, while playing in a friendly 4 ball yesterday, an opponent hit his drive on the 13th hole out of bounds, the ball went over the out of bounds stakes, over a road and finished in the rough of the adjacent 18th hole. My opponents both said because the golf ball lay on the course it was possible to play the ball from where it lay under no penalty. I disputed this believing that rule was the player must drop the ball as near as possible to the spot from which it was first played under penalty of one stroke - i.e; in this case return to the tee and drop there. Who is right please and what rule number must i show my friends if I am right to prove the point?

The answer to: "Golf Rule on status of golf ball out of bounds"

Question asked on 02/26/2007 at 07:57 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, if you are standing over a putt and you suddenly feel the wind pick up and step back, what happens if the golf ball then rolls forward at that point? Is there a penalty stroke?

The answer to: "What is the golf rule if your golf ball rolls before you putt?"

Question asked on 10/20/2006 at 10:24 AM :: Comments to date: 3

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, can a golfer carry a weighted golf club in addition to the 14 normal golf clubs? I am about to play in my member-member golf tournament and I don’t want to be disqualified.

The answer to: "Can a golfer carry a weighted golf club?"

Question asked on 10/04/2006 at 01:42 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, I have a golf rules question in regards to match play. We were playing a friendly golf competition, match play, when a storm hit. We had completed 6 holes and were 2 down. Both teams agreed that the golf course was unplayable and that we needed to reschedule the match. When we resume do we start at hole 7 or do we start completely over?

The answer to: "Golf Rules Question on Match Play"

Question asked on 10/01/2006 at 04:13 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, I have a golf rules question. I am right handed and my golf ball is next to a tree in such a way that I can’t hit it with the golf club right handed. But I can use the golf club left handed. In addressing the golf ball left handed, I am standing on the golf cart path. Can I take relief? Also if the relief frees up the golf ball so that I can use the golf club right handed is this allowed?

The answer to: "Right handed or left handed golf swing?"

Question asked on 08/29/2006 at 09:14 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, I had my golf clubs re-gripped and was fooling around with my putter before it was finished and liked it without the grip. I decided to try it out on the golf course the next day and loved it. Someone at the clubhouse said that it was against the rules. Is this true?

The answer to: "Is a putter with no grip against the rules of golf?"

Question asked on 08/09/2006 at 07:52 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, if a golfer signs an incorrect scorecard, is he disqualified or does the error just affect the hole on which he recorded the wrong score? What do the rules of golf say on this?

The answer to: "Disqualification golf rules for incorrect scorecard"

Question asked on 08/01/2006 at 06:59 AM :: Comments to date: 4

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Hey Golf Nut, if you carry multiple golf clubs onto the putting green, is it a penalty to rest one of them against the flag stick so that you don’t forget it? I did this recently and one of my playing partners said that it was a one stroke penalty.

The answer to: "Is there a penalty for laying your golf clubs on the flagstick?"

Question asked on 07/15/2006 at 07:36 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, my golf partner and I were recently disqualified from a golf tournament for sharing a putter. Is this correct? We think that we got cheated.

The answer to: "Golf Rule penalty, fair or foul?"

Question asked on 06/27/2006 at 07:37 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

I’ve had a lot of golf questions come in recently, so I’ve strayed away from my series on the basic rules of golf. I had a few minutes breathing room and wanted to get back to this series. I’ve had a lot of good feedback from all of you other Golf Nuts out there, so here we go.

The answer to: "More Rules of Golf"

Question asked on 06/13/2006 at 06:51 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, if I am playing in a match play format and I have a rules violation, are both me and my partner penalized or can he still win the hole for us?

The answer to: "Match play and the rules of golf"

Question asked on 06/06/2006 at 10:19 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, who set the standard for a round of golf at 18 holes instead of some other number? Have golf courses always been this length?

The answer to: "How did it end up 18 holes of golf?"

Question asked on 05/18/2006 at 08:06 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, we recently had a strange golf rules situation and had a disagreement over the rules interpretation. My shot had come to rest in bounds but right next to a yellow jacket nest, which was underground. There was no way for me to hit the golf ball without disturbing the nest and they were already swarming. My playing partner said that I had to declare the ball unplayable and either take relief with a penalty or replay with stroke and distance. I said that I could take relief and take my golf swing without penalty. Who is correct?

The answer to: "Unplayable golf ball question."

Question asked on 05/08/2006 at 09:54 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Here are some more of the basic rules of golf to help you improve your golf game and enjoy the game more. Remember it’s not just about the golf clubs and golf lessons.

The answer to: "More helpful back to basics golf rules."

Question asked on 04/24/2006 at 08:16 PM :: Comments to date: 3

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, my regular golf foursome normally plays ready golf. I recently played with a couple of guys who said it was a penalty stroke for hitting out of turn. I didn’t think this was the case, is it?

The answer to: "Is “ready golf” against the rules?"

Question asked on 04/22/2006 at 12:25 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

I haven’t written much on the basic rules of golf lately. Thank you to all the amateur golfers who have been writing in. I have had a tough time keeping up with the questions. But I wanted to add another installment about golf rules since I have gotten good feedback from golfers who say these rules articles are helpful. Thanks again for the all of the comments and questions.

The answer to: "Some more basics on the rules of golf"

Question asked on 04/18/2006 at 05:37 AM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Many golfers confuse this very simple ruling. You have very clear cut options when your golf ball comes to rest on a cart path.

The answer to: "What are your options when your golf ball is on a cart path?"

Question asked on 04/03/2006 at 11:12 AM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, we have a guy in our regular golf group who won’t play out of bounds shots correctly. He always just takes a drop where the ball went out and then sets up for his next golf swing. We’ve tried to tell him that he must go back and hit again with a penalty stroke. Who is right on this golf rule?

The answer to: "What to do with out of bounds golf shots?"

Question asked on 03/23/2006 at 04:56 AM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golfers throwing golf clubs, practicing their golf swing 10 times before they hit the golf ball, giving unsolicited golf tips every 3 minutes. Are these part of the top 10 ways to make friends on the golf course? No, they are part of my golf “worst behaviors’ list. What are your least favorite golf behaviors?

The answer to: "What golf behavior bothers you the most?"

Question asked on 03/19/2006 at 08:50 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

You are playing a round of golf with a friend who can’t find her second shot in some tall grass. She gives up after looking for a minute or two and takes her golf clubs back to take a drop. Before she completes her golf swing, you find her original ball. What does your playing partner do?

The answer to: "Is the golf ball lost?"

Question asked on 03/07/2006 at 08:00 AM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, a buddy and me were arguing about a golf rule. What can you use to sweep the green before putting? For example if there is some kind of trash or debris between your golf ball and the cup? Are you allowed to use your golf clubs?

The answer to: "What can you sweep the golf green with?"

Question asked on 03/03/2006 at 05:04 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, I have a question that is probably more about good manners than rules. I play golf with a buddy who takes forever to putt. He reads from all angles, has a long set up routine, and then stands over the golf ball before he putts for what seems like years. Any advice? Should I say something?

The answer to: "How much time is too much when putting in golf?"

Question asked on 02/22/2006 at 02:21 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Golf Nut, you have written about the changes to the golf rules for 2006. Was there anything in there about putters? I have heard that there might be some restrictions concerning the longer putters?

The answer to: "Any changes to putters in the 2006 golf rule changes?"

Question asked on 02/10/2006 at 11:40 AM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

This will conclude a two part series on unusual questions from our visitors related to the rules of golf. Thank you to all those golfers who participated and those who are nuts about golf.

The answer to: "Unusual golf questions from the rules of golf-Part II"

Question asked on 01/29/2006 at 04:19 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Dear Golf Nut, I know that there were a number of golf rule changes this year. Can you summarize some of the key ones that might affect amateur golfers?

The answer to: "Golf Rule Changes for 2006"

Question asked on 01/01/2006 at 01:12 PM :: Comments to date: 3

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

Recent incidents, such as Michelle Wie’s rules infraction at her professional golf debut, are starting to make me think that the Rules of Golf are becoming over engineered in today’s game.

The answer to: "Are the Rules of Golf getting too complex?"

Question asked on 12/19/2005 at 09:18 PM :: Comments to date: 6

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

In this Part 2 of the Basic Rules of Golf, I will review some golf rules that are broken quite often by golfers, whether they don’t know them or just choose to ignore these, I don’t know. I suppose in my over optimistic zeal I am hoping that by bringing these to everyone’s attention, we’ll see more adherence to them.

The answer to: "Basic Rules of Golf Part 2"

Question asked on 11/28/2005 at 08:14 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

As I continue my series on the rules of golf, I came across some really good questions from visitors to The Golf Nut. I am including some of those here with the answers. I will continue this series like the series on the basic rules of golf.

The answer to: "Unusual golf questions from the rules of golf—Part 1"

Question asked on 11/20/2005 at 07:45 PM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

The rules of golf can create interesting discussions on and off the golf course. This is the first in a series that I’m writing on the basics of the rules of golf. I hope that you enjoy them and that they prove useful on the golf course.

The answer to: "Basic Rules of Golf"

Question asked on 11/06/2005 at 08:26 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

I am often asked what golf rule gets broken or ignored the most by amateur golfers? We all see in our daily rounds of golf that most golfers don’t know the complicated rules very well. But what basic rule is abused the most?

The answer to: "Rules of Golf-made to be broken?"

Question asked on 10/24/2005 at 10:39 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

The rules of golf can seem intimidating when you first attempt to understand them. Below I have summarized some of the rules that mid to high handicap golfers will find useful to understand and in many cases may not be aware of.

The answer to: "The Rules of Golf"

Question asked on 10/04/2005 at 08:16 PM :: Comments to date: 0

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

A lot of golf courses are starting to crack down on using cell phones while playing golf and even in the club house. What are your thoughts on this?

The answer to: "What about using cell phones on the golf course?"

Question asked on 10/03/2005 at 09:32 AM :: Comments to date: 2

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

My buddies and I love to play in local scramble golf tournaments. However, we are getting very frustrated with certain groups of golfers who show up for these tournaments and play under handicaps that everyone knows are incorrect, they are waaaaay too high. Almost every time, one of these foursomes wins, and usually one of the others take second. Is there a way to handle this?

The answer to: "How to deal with golf handicap fudging?"

Question asked on 09/14/2005 at 09:51 AM :: Comments to date: 4

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

I read some of the recent changes to the rules of golf that take effect January 1. One in particular that I found amusing was the change to allow golfers to use measuring devices, such as GPS systems or rangefinders, in golf tournaments at the discretion of the tournament organizers. I've only seen these devices typically on golf carts at the upscale resorts.

The answer to: "Have you seen the new golf rule changes?"

Question asked on 09/04/2005 at 09:06 PM :: Comments to date: 1

Category: Golf Rules and Etiquette

A friend of mine asked me the other day what I think about when I see golfers throw an unbelievable fit of anger on the golf course when they hit a bad shot. We’ve all seen this type of thing as the golf ball flies into the pond, sand trap, condo yard, etc.

The answer to: "What about temper on the golf course?"

Question asked on 08/18/2005 at 09:36 AM :: Comments to date: 0