Taking Relief from a Path

https://youtu.be/a9rr3NW0Axo How to take relief from an artificially surfaced path (an "Immovable Obstruction") or similar "Abnormal Course Condition". Remember to tell your playing partners or opponents what you are doing before you touch your ball. Also, leave your ball where it is until you have established your "Reference Point" and then your "Relief Area". Relative … Continue reading Taking Relief from a Path

We’d Better Get A Referee – Video Challenge

Watch this video and let me know your decision(s). https://videopress.com/v/5bBmL8ae?preloadContent=metadata What happened and what penalties apply in MATCHPLAY The player on screen touches his ball when not allowed to - 1 penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b and - under Rule 9.4a the ball must be replaced on its original spot The player off screen advises … Continue reading We’d Better Get A Referee – Video Challenge

Dropping the Ball (Rule 14)

Whenever you need to drop a ball to get it back into play, you first need to find your Reference Point. This is often your Nearest Point of Complete Relief, but it could be where you played from previously, you might be going back on-line, or using another option. Mark your Reference PoInt with a … Continue reading Dropping the Ball (Rule 14)

Lifting Your Ball to Identify It

While searching for a friend’s ball recently I found one of the same make and called him over to identify it. He went straight in and lifted it up to see if his mark was on it before letting me know that it wasn’t his ball. My reaction was to say that "I was glad … Continue reading Lifting Your Ball to Identify It

Standing on or Close to the Line of Play Behind the Ball

While it has always been considered a breach of etiquette to stand on or close to the line of play (unless attending the flagstick) there is now a prohibition on caddies standing in this area after a player begins to take their stance.  This also applies to Partners (and Partner’s caddies) in fourball, foursome, and … Continue reading Standing on or Close to the Line of Play Behind the Ball

Movable Obstructions

Movable Obstructions are artificial objects that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course. You can remove moveable instructions anywhere on or off the course, but be aware of the following: If your ball moves as a consequence it must be replaced on its original spot and there is … Continue reading Movable Obstructions

Red Penalty Area on the Right of the 17th

While this post is about the 17th hole at Cumberwell Park it highlights points about identifying where a ball lost crossed in to a penalty area as well as the level of certainty if there is the possibility that a ball may have emerged from the penalty area. So please read on... A problem that … Continue reading Red Penalty Area on the Right of the 17th

Putting with the FlagStick In – A Reminder

Putting with the Flagstick In (stroke made from the Putting Green) Be very clear about your decision to keep the flagstick in – someone standing next to the hole is treated as attending the flag unless the player asks them to move awayNo penalty if your ball hits the flagstick if it is not attendedYou … Continue reading Putting with the FlagStick In – A Reminder

Provisional Balls – Rule Reminder

We all know the advice to play a provisional ball if we are concerned that our ball might be out of bounds or lost outside a penalty area. This not only speeds up play, but saves us a long and lonely walk back to where we played from before. Here are a few reminders: Firstly, … Continue reading Provisional Balls – Rule Reminder