GOLF:

It is once again time for a golf rules quiz. The following questions are from the United States Golf Assn. rules section and my hope is that this will help all of us become more knowledgeable about the game of golf.

I have listed 10 questions. The answers with the applicable rule or decision follows the last question.

1. True or false: Stakes or lines used to mark water hazards must be yellow and stakes or lines used to mark lateral water hazards must be red.

2. True or false: A ball is lost if a player has played a provisional ball from a point nearer the hole than where the original ball is likely to be.

3. Which is correct regarding the marking of the position of a player’s ball?

 A. He may not mark it with a tee.

 B. He may mark it with the toe of his putter.

 C. He may not mark it in front of the ball towards the hole.

4. Which is correct regarding a player addressing the ball?

 A. If he places his club on the ground in front of the ball and takes his stance, he has addressed the ball.

 B. On the putting green, if he grounds his club, takes his stance, and then moves away from the ball, he has not addressed the ball.

 C. If he takes his stance in a bunker without a club, he has not addressed the ball.

5. Which is correct regarding a ball that may be interfering with or assisting another player’s play?

 A. A player may have any other ball lifted if he considers it might interfere with his play even if his ball is in motion.

 B. A player may lift his ball if he considers it might interfere with the play of any other player.

 C. A player may lift his ball if he considers it might assist the play of any other player.

6. Which of the following does not result in a penalty?

 A. Swinging at and missing a wrong ball.

 B. Playing a stroke with his ball and dislodging an abandoned ball that was hidden and lay underneath it.

 C. Playing a stroke at part of an abandoned ball which had broken into pieces.

7. During play of the 4th hole, which one of the following is “through the green”?

 A. Areas of fairway on all 18 holes.

 B. All bunkers on the course.

 C. Teeing ground of the 4th hole.

 D. Putting green of the 4th hole.

8. In match play, a player discovers that his ball in play does not conform to the Rules. His mistake is unintentional. What is the ruling?

 A. There is no penalty.

 B. There is a loss of hole penalty.

 C. He is disqualified.

9. In stroke play, two players strike their balls into the same area of high grass. Two balls are found, but because there are no identifying marks on either ball, neither of the players can identify a ball as his. What is the ruling?

 A. There is no penalty and they must choose a ball based on lot.

 B. Each player incurs a stroke and distance penalty because both balls are lost.

 C. Each player incurs a two stroke penalty and must choose a ball based on lot.

10. Which one of the following is an abnormal ground condition?

 A. Temporary accumulation of water in a drainage ditch.

 B. Burrowing animal hole.

 C. Asphalt road.

 D. Sand filled divot hole.

ANSWERS

1. True. Definitions in Rules of Golf of “Water Hazard” and “Lateral Water Hazard”

2. True. Definition in Rules of Golf of lost ball.3. B. He may mark it with the toe of his putter. Decision 20-1/16.

4. A. If he places his club on the ground in front of the ball and takes his stance, he has addressed the ball. Decision 18-2b/5.5

5. C. A player may lift his ball if he considers it might assist the play of any other player. Rule 22-1

6. B. Playing a stroke with his ball and dislodging an abandoned ball that was hidden and lay underneath it. Decision 15/2

7. A. Areas of fairway on all 18 holes. Definition in Rules of Golf of “Through The Green”

8. C. He is disqualified. Rule 5-1

9. B. Each player incurs a stroke and distance penalty because both balls are lost.

Decision 27/10

10. B. Burrowing animal hole. Definition in Rules of Golf of “Abnormal Ground Condition”

I got six right this time. These are considered basic by the USGA. They have an advanced category as well.These hopefully help understand the game a little more and I will run other pop quizzes in the future.

I know it will help me and I hope it helps other golfers.

JOHN REGER’S golf column appears Thursdays. He may be reached by e-mail at nolimepublishing@aol.com or by regular mail at P.O. Box 2984, Seal Beach, CA 907040. JOHN REGER’S golf column appears Thursdays. He may be reached by e-mail at nolimepublishing@aol.com or by regular mail at P.O. Box 2984, Seal Beach, CA 907040.