Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2021 - 10

RULES PRIMER
Knowledge is Power
The first step in understanding the Rules of Golf
is learning the definitions.
* BY BILL HOMEYER *
I
n 2019, the USGA and R&A rewrote the Rules of Golf for
clarity and simplification. Golfers should familiarize themselves
with the rules, as this knowledge can often be a benefit.
Case in point: if you've ever accidently hit your golf ball with
a practice swing, there's no need to worsen the embarrassment
with a misapplication of the rules. The first step in understanding
the rules is to know the definitions. Let's take a swing at it.
Below are three instances in which a golfer inadvertently hits
his or her ball with a practice swing. The outcomes depend on
where the ball was located and understanding the applicable
defined terms (in bold).
1 Before making a stroke at his ball in the teeing area,
Player A accidentally hits his ball several yards to the
left with a practice swing.
2 With her ball in the fairway, Player B hits it four yards
to the right with a practice swing.
3 On the putting green, Player C hits his ball two feet
forward with a practice swing.
The outcomes:
1. No Penalty. Play a ball from anywhere in the teeing area (reteeing
the ball is also allowed). A partial definition of stroke is
" the forward movement of the club made to strike the ball ...
but a stroke has not been made if the player ... accidentally
strikes the ball when making a practice swing. " In addition, a
partial definition of ball in play is " a ball first becomes in play
when a player makes a stroke at it in the teeing area. " In this
situation, there has been no " stroke " and therefore no ball is
" in play. "
2. One Penalty Stroke and the ball must be replaced. (See Rule
9.4, Ball Lifted or Moved by Player and Rule 14.2 for Replacing
Ball on Spot) Player B did not make a stroke. However, since
her ball in the fairway was in play before the practice swing, it
results in a different outcome than in situation No. 1.
3. No Penalty and replace the ball. Even though Player C's ball
is in play, there is no penalty for accidentally causing a ball to
move on the putting green. (See Rule 13.1d.)
Note: In situations
2 and 3, if the player
doesn't replace the ball
(for example, plays it
from its new spot,
which many people
think they must
do),
the General
Penalty applies-
which is loss of hole
in Match Play and two
penalty strokes in Stroke
Play.)
We have similar occurrences
taking place in three
separate areas of the golf course-with three slightly different
outcomes. There are 10 different definitions in these three
instances, which illustrates the importance of the definitions.
As a longtime rules official, my initial advice to anyone who wants
to learn the Rules of Golf is to start with the definitions. Knowing
them will give you a solid foundation for learning the rules, and a
good understanding of the rules can help golfers of any level.
Bill Homeyer has been the MWGA/MGA Women's Rules
& Competitions Consultant since 2002.
A Couple Definitions to Consider
Moved
When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to
rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked
eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).
Replace
To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with
the intent for it to be in play.
If the player sets a ball down without intending it to
be in play, the ball has not been replaced and is not in
play (see Rule 14.4).
10
MINNESOTAGOLFER Spring 2021
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Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2021

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