FROM THE TEE

The game of golf is very simple: Tee a ball up and hit it with a golf club. Continue hitting the ball until it reaches the green; then, putt the ball into the hole. Add up how many times the ball was struck from tee to hole. Do this 18 times on a regulationsized golf course and in as few strokes as possible. Simple enough? Well, no, not really. There are rules.

For 600 years, since the origin of golf, the game has been played under a set of rules that have changed drastically while adapting to modern conditions, equipment and other issues. The very first list of rules for golf consisted of 13 rules.

In 2019, the rules of golf were altered considerably to simplify and speed up play. In the 2019 rules book, illustrations help to clarify certain rules, and every golfer should have a reasonable understanding of the rules of the game to play well and be accepted in any group of golfers. When playing socially, most of the in-depth rules are not of great concern, and players settle issues within the group; however, in serious competition, proper rulings should be made to assure fair play amongst the field.

Every golfer should acquire a United States Golf Association Rules of Golf book and refer to it often. Get a feel as to how the book is organized, so any ruling searched could be quickly found. Look at the illustrations to understand their respective rules.

Smart golfers download the USGA Rules app onto their smartphones. This app has a search option that speeds the process considerably when concern about a ruling comes up. No need to be an A-plus student in the rules of golf as long as there is a rules book handy and someone can find rulings in it quickly.

When it comes to the rules of golf, the course is divided into five areas; general, teeing, bunkers, penalty and putting green. Where the ball lies within these areas could make a world of difference in the applicable ruling for any occurrence.

For example: If someone accidentally drops the driver onto a teed-up golf ball in the teeing area or accidentally drops the putter on a golf ball on the putting green, there would be no penalty. The golfer simply would replace the ball and proceed with the stroke; however, if the ball were to lie in the general area, penalty area or in a bunker and a golfer accidentally drops the golf club on the ball, the player would be penalized.

Understand what these areas are and how the rules vary within the different areas.

The general area includes everywhere on the golf course that is not specific to the other four areas. This basically includes the fairway, rough, ground under repair, the fringe of the greens and woods that are inside the property lines of the golf course.

The teeing area exists from the outside edges of tee markers, extending back within two club lengths. Not included are the mown areas in front of the tee markers, to the sides or behind the two club lengths. Rules pertaining to the teeing area refer to the teeing area on the hole that is presently being played. If the fourth hole is being played, teeing area rules do not apply if the ball comes to rest on the sixth hole tee.

Bunkers are depressions that are intentionally filled with sand. Grass bunkers are considered the general area.

Any area that is marked with red stakes, red lines, yellow stakes or yellow lines is a penalty area, beginning on the course side of the stakes or From the lines. If the ball touches the line, it is deemed in the penalty area.

Tee Putting greens are mown areas specifically prepared for putting and do not include the fringe of the green. Putting green rules apply to the hole presently being played. Should a player’s ball come to rest on any other of the golf course’s greens, it must be removed, taking complete relief (stance and swing), and dropped at the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole off of that green. Players often are confused about rules pertaining to taking

Dave Jennings relief and where to drop the golf ball. Free Relief is one club length and often is offered for obstructions; ground under repair; cart path; on another green; temporary water; or a temporary immovable obstruction. Determine the nearest point of relief (complete relief of stance and swing) no closer to the hole; then, determine a reference point and drop the ball within one club length.

Penalty relief is two club lengths and commonly occurs in ponds, streams, lakes, rivers and oceans, tall fescue grass, deep ravines, etc. … any area marked with red or yellow stakes or painted lines by the tournament golf committees or superintendent of the course.

Research the options. A point last crossed into the penalty area – two club lengths – no closer to the hole could be reasonable but does not include complete relief. An imaginary line from the hole’s flagstick, through the point the ball last crossed into the penalty area and as far back as the player chooses to take the ball, also is reasonable. Once a reference spot is determined, the player has one club length from that point to drop the

ball. The final option is to take the stroke-and-distance penalty.

When a player has lost a ball or hit the ball out of bounds, utilize the stroke-and-distance penalty relief option or an unplayable ball option in which the player must return to the place from which the previous stroke was made and play the shot again. This is a one-stroke penalty (for the lost ball, out of bounds ball, ball in the penalty area or unplayable ball), plus the distance back (another stroke). For example, if stroke-and-distance are used from an errant drive, following the next tee shot, the ball would be lying three, hitting the fourth.

The procedure is to return to the area where the golfer previously played. On a tee, the golfer could tee it up anywhere within the proper teeing area. If the player were in the fairway or anywhere within the general area or bunker, the ball must be dropped within one club length from the original stroke, no closer to the hole.

The Relief from Dangerous Animal Condition can be used if the ball comes to rest on a fire ant hill or the player would have to stand on one. This rule also applies if the golf ball comes to rest next to an alligator or close to a resting poisonous snake. Find the nearest safe point, no closer to the hole, and drop the ball, which could be replaced if the player chooses to leave it to the gator or snake for safekeeping. There is no penalty in taking relief in this situation.

The only location where free relief from a dangerous animal condition is not given is when the ball is within a penalty area.

The most recent rules changes included a slight alteration for faster play, referred to as Ready Golf. In stroke play, golfers do not have to wait for the person farthest from the hole in the general area to play before playing.

If a golfer is ready to play and the person farthest from the hole is not, the ready player may hit the ball. If the player made four on the previous hole, and the golfer who did not want to wait made a five, the golfer who made five does not have to wait. The golfer who made the five can go ahead and tee off if ready, and there is no penalty; however, if the group is playing Match Play, the player whose ball is farthest from the hole must play the ball first. Should someone play out of turn and make a holein-one, the opponent may demand a replay because the ball was hit out of turn.

Those with true passion for the game of golf should know the rules as well as possible. The best way to read the rules of golf book is in small bites.

Once a week, read and study one of the rules. The USGA welcomes questions and responds quickly via email. If someone needs a rules book, ask a pro for one. If there are none available at the golf course, order one directly from USGA at USGA.org. These books are inexpensive, and every golfer should have one or download the Rules of Golf app; it’s free.

~ Dave Jennings is men’s golf coach at Central Alabama Community College.

Teeing Area

General Area Bunker Area

Green Area