Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2022 - 7

RULES PRIMER
One Stroke, Many Rules
The Masters champ waded through a number
of rulings on the final hole leading to the title.
* BY BILL HOMEYER *
O
n the 18th hole during the 3rd round of the
2022 Masters Tournament, eventual champion
Scottie Scheffler had a number of Rules issues. Prior
to hitting his tee shot, Scheffler's caddie, Ted Scott,
had the patrons move their shadows that were cast
over Scheffler's ball on the tee. Interpretation of Rule
10.2b(5)/1 says: " Although a player may not place
an object or position a person for the purpose of
blocking sunlight from the ball, the player may ask a
person not to move when the spectator is already in
position, so that the shadow remains over the ball, or
may ask the spectator to move, so that their shadow
is no longer over the ball. "
Scheffler eventually pulled the trigger on his drive,
but unfortunately pulled his tee shot into the trees.
The marshals and patrons started searching for the
ball immediately, but the three-minute search time
doesn't start until either the player or their caddie
begins to search for the ball. (Rule 18.2a: " A ball is
lost if not found in three minutes after the player or
caddie begins searching for it. " )
The broadcast announcers also mentioned that
Scheffler could not delay in getting to the area to try
to delay the start of the search time (Interpretation of
Lost/2 says: " Player may not delay the start of the search to gain
an advantage. " )
The ball was found within three minutes. But to confirm
that the ball was his, Scheffler marked and lifted the ball. (Rule
7.3- " Lifting Ball to Identify It. " )
Scheffler then decided to declare his ball unplayable and take
By virtue of Rule 15.1a Removal of Loose Impediments, Scottie Scheffler was
allowed to remove loose impediments from his relief area-on his way to a
Masters victory.
place a ball, the player is allowed to remove loose impediments
from the relief area into which a ball will be dropped or from on
or around the spot on which the player must place a ball. " ]
Scheffler dropped a ball that landed in the Relief Area and
lateral relief under Rule 19.2c. He measured two club-lengths
(longest club in the player's bag other than a putter) no nearer
the hole to establish a Relief Area.
Before he dropped a ball, Scheffler asked a referee if he was
allowed to remove pine straw from the Relief Area. The answer
was " Yes. " [Rule 15.1a " Removal of Loose Impediments " -
Interpretation 15.1a/3 says in part " if a player is applying Rule
14.3b when dropping a ball in a relief area or Rule 14.3c(2) when a
dropped ball will not stay in a relief area and the player now must
rolled outside the Relief Area. He dropped again with the same
result. He was required to place a ball on the spot where it struck
the ground on the second drop (Rule 14.3c(2)). When Scheffler
tried to place the ball at that spot, the ball would not come to
rest. And after trying a second time with the same result, he
was required to place a ball no nearer the hole at the nearest
spot where the ball would come to rest in the same area of the
course (Rule 14.2e).
As you can see, there was only one stroke made, but many Rules
were involved. It is good to know all the Rules just in case more
than one can inform any procedure required on your next stroke.
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Fall 2022 MINNESOTAGOLFER
7
PHOTO: W.P. RYAN
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2022

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