*** Official Rules Questions/Issues Thread ***

ctyri · 06-12-2010, 11:18 AM

I think it'd be useful to have a general rules thread, if mod disagrees, then please change title...

Anyway, here's my nitty rules question:

I pulled a drive to the middle of a large green on neighboring hole. Of course, I know to take a penalty-free drop off the green, no closer to the hole. But does "no closer to the hole" literally mean no closer to the hole or just can't advance further up the hole?

To explain what I mean, if I drop on the side of the green towards my hole (without moving further up the hole), then do I still need to back up towards tee several yards since the actual distance to hole is less if not as far left?

I never had this question come up before, but it was a very large green and the drop distances depending on ruling could have been enough apart to care (if it was tourney, this was casual round so took most advantageous drop).

ntnBO · 06-12-2010, 05:11 PM

No nearer the hole means no nearer the hole. The hole in the green. You know, the hole you try to put your golf ball in.

Example, your ball on the wrong green lies 157 yards from the hole you are trying to put your golf ball in. You then find the closest place off the wrong green to drop your golf ball that is also 157 yards from the hole you are trying to put your golf ball in.

BO

ctyri · 06-12-2010, 06:34 PM

Thanks.

Follow-up question: If the nearest point no nearer the hole off the green is a sand trap (well, fringe, then trap), do I have to drop on the fringe and if it rolls in trap, play it from the sand?

ntnBO · 06-12-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctyri

Thanks.

Follow-up question: If the nearest point no nearer the hole off the green is a sand trap (well, fringe, then trap), do I have to drop on the fringe and if it rolls in trap, play it from the sand?

The sand trap is defined as a hazard, you do not have to play from a hazard when taking a drop in this manner.

Furthermore, if the ball rolls more than two club lengths from where you dropped, you are required to re-drop.

BO

DreamMaster · 06-12-2010, 06:54 PM

If you touch your ball and it doesn't move is that a stroke?

ntnBO · 06-12-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamMaster

If you touch your ball and it doesn't move is that a stroke?

No. Unless of course you were attempting a stroke.

BO

DreamMaster · 06-12-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntnBO

No. Unless of course you were attempting a stroke.

BO

What about if you attempt a stroke and miss the ball?

ntnBO · 06-12-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamMaster

What about if you attempt a stroke and miss the ball?

Seriously?

BO

DreamMaster · 06-13-2010, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntnBO

Seriously?

BO

Why not? Plenty of new players do it.

ntnBO · 06-13-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamMaster

Why not? Plenty of new players do it.

Every time you attempt to hit the ball it's a stroke.

BO

DeathDonkey · 06-13-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntnBO

Every time you attempt to hit the ball it's a stroke.

BO

Is that really the rule? That seems completely open to discretion. I mean if a guy takes a practice swing and accidentally hits his ball, that's a stroke. If a guy swings at his ball and misses by 6 inches and the ball doesn't even come close to moving, that's a stroke too? I play with a lot of bad players and I've never considered counting that (except in bunkers).

JackInDaCrak · 06-13-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeathDonkey

Is that really the rule? That seems completely open to discretion. I mean if a guy takes a practice swing and accidentally hits his ball, that's a stroke. If a guy swings at his ball and misses by 6 inches and the ball doesn't even come close to moving, that's a stroke too? I play with a lot of bad players and I've never considered counting that (except in bunkers).

Any time you address the ball and swing it's a stroke. A practice swing isn't a stroke, even if it hits the ball. It might be a penalty, though.

DreamMaster · 06-13-2010, 05:47 PM

That is kind of odd. You can touch the ball and not have it count as a stroke, yet you can NOT touch the ball and have it count as a stroke.

Lutjanid · 06-14-2010, 11:21 PM

Well I'm allowed to repair marks on the green made by golf balls that are in the line of my putt.However if some idiot drags his\her feet and spikes up the green I can't touch them until after i'm finished putting.When has the game of golf ever made sense?

Ortho · 06-17-2010, 12:24 PM

1. I'm in a hazard and my ball is playable but a removable yellow stake (the lawnmower guy has just pulled it out and put it back in when he mowed) is interfering with my swing. Can I pull out the stake?

2. I'm in a bunker and I hit my ball over the green and out of bounds. Do I have to drop in the bunker?