Each spring the PGA of America and USGA conduct a series of four-day Rules of Golf workshops in various parts of the country. These are attended by rules officials from around the country, PGA members and avid golfers all looking to further their knowledge on the Rules. Most of the CGA/CWGA staff also attend one of these annually, and although everyone is attending to get a better understanding of the Rules, some of us are there for the most dreaded part of the workshop””THE TEST.
The test is an optional exam given at the end of each workshop consisting of 100 questions (50 closed-book and 50 open-book) that must be completed in 3 ½ hours. The closed-book portion typically covers the Definitions and Rules 1-34. The open-book covers these as well but also includes the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, of which there are over 1,100.
Some participants who take this exam do so to gauge their knowledge on the Rules, but most take it to meet the requirement of a certain score to qualify to officiate at high-level events. For example, in order to be invited to officiate at any of the U.S. Open Championships, you must have a minimum score of 92 in a four-year cycle. Other golf associations require their volunteer rules officials to score well on the exam to be eligible to officiate at their events. At the CGA, we require that all Chief Rules Officials (the head Rules officials at each CGA event) score a minimum of 85 in the four-year cycle. Personally, I take the test for all of the previous reasons and also to win a small non-monetary bet with bragging rights against all of the other CGA staff.
The questions on the test change each year, and a great deal of preparation goes into studying for it. A study tip: One of the most important elements of the Rules of Golf are the Definitions in the beginning of the book. Since memorizing the entire book is nearly impossible, I always try and remember definitions by associating them with certain key words. For example, the definition of a loose impediment is “”¦natural objects including: stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like; dung, and; worms, insects and the like, and the casts and heaps made by them, provided they are not: fixed or growing; solidly embedded, or; adhering to the ball.” Obviously not a very easy definition to remember word for word, but if we recall a few key words it makes it easier. I remember that a “Loose Impediment” is anything “natural” and is not “fixed or growing.”
Knowing the Rule numbers can be very beneficial as well when it is time to take the test. There are many different ways to do this, and I found that breaking them into groups works best for me. For example, the first group deals with the overall game of golf””Rule 1 is “The Game,” Rule 2 is “Match Play,” and Rule 3 is “Stroke Play” (remember “Match Play” comes before “Stroke Play” because match play is the oldest form of play). The second group deals with equipment””Rule 4 “Clubs” and Rule 5 “Balls” (you use a “Club” to hit a “Ball” to remember the order). As you continue through the Rule book you will notice that most of the Rules are ordered to make it easier to remember.
The last thing I do in preparing for the test is read the Decisions on the Rules of Golf. The book is over 650 pages long, so each day I try to read one Rule and each of the decisions covering that Rule. Again, memorizing these are nearly impossible, but becoming familiar with some of the situations covered in the book will help you greatly on the test.
My best score is 96, and I am hoping that someday I will beat THE TEST and get that elusive, perfect 100.
