Simpler Rules: Interpretations & Procedures

Prompted by the opportunities afforded by Rules 24-28 I have determined to further consolidate and simplify the Rules by creating new sections: Interpretations and Procedures, to follow the Definitions. 

At this point, the entries in each section will be:

 

Interpretations 

Gender

In this book reference to one gender implies reference to both. 

 

Defined components and conditions: water hazards, out-of-bounds, GUR, immovable obstructions (where marked by the Committee)

A course component or condition should be marked by stakes and/or lines.  

Where stakes alone are used, the stakes identify the nature of the condition and the margin of the condition is determined as follows: 

(a)    For GUR, water hazards and immovable obstructions, by the nearest outside points of the stakes at ground level. The stakes are, therefore, in the condition; 

(b)    For out-of bounds, by the nearest inside points of the stakes at ground level. The stakes are, therefore, out-of-bounds.  

When both stakes and lines are used, the stakes identify the condition and, in the absence of a line, also define the margin as specified above, and the lines, where applied, define the condition margin.  The line is, therefore, in the condition. 

A ball is in the condition or out-of-bounds when all of it lies in the condition or out-of-bounds. 

Stakes used to identify or to define the margin of a component or condition are obstructions.

 

Searching for the ball

In searching a player may touch or bend long grass, rushes, bushes, or the like, but only to the extent necessary to find or identify the ball, provided that this does not improve the lie of the ball, the area of his intended stance or swing or his line of play. He may also touch or move sand or loose impediments with a club, his hand or otherwise. 

 

PROCEDURES 

Lifting a ball to examine or identify

It is good etiquette and practice to advise an opponent or fellow-competitor prior to lifting the ball in any circumstance.  However, there are circumstances where following procedure applies: 

Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play and mark the position of the ball. He may then lift and examine it, provided that he gives his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to examine the ball and observe the lifting and replacement. 
 

Playing from the place last played

When playing from the place at which the original ball was last played, the player must (except on the tee) place a ball at the nearest point, not nearer to the hole, to the position (or estimated position where appropriate) from which the original ball was played which avoids damage to the lie created by the playing of that ball. 

If the ball was originally played from the tee, a ball may be played from anywhere on the tee and may be re-teed.

Taking relief

When relief is to be taken in accordance with a Rule, a ball must be placed at the nearest point of relief which avoids interference by the condition to the player’s stance or intended swing, or to the lie of the ball. The point of relief must be on the part of the course where it is known, or there is conclusive evidence, that the ball came to rest, or where the reference point for relief is situated. 

 

To gain optimum advantage from such an application there needs to be maximum consistency in the treatment of similar situations. 

An example of this application appears in Rule 24, posted on the next page.  

The adoption of such an approach will require further modification to some revised rules already posted.