Because the Rules are complicated it is helpful to understand some of the principals that govern the Rules rather than trying to grasp each detail. Here are a few rules of thumb that might help the next time you find yourself faced with a Rules situation.
One Club Length vs. Two Club Lengths. When measuring a club length drop area the Rules sometimes allow a two club-length drop and other times only allow one. How can you remember when it is one or two? The answer is simple. If the situation you are dealing with involves a penalty stroke (Rule 28, Ball Unplayable or Rule 26, Lateral Water Hazards) you get two club lengths. If the situation you are dealing with affords “free” relief (Rule 24, Obstructions or Rule 25, Abnormal Ground Conditions) you only get one club length. When you think about it, it stands to reason that the Rules provide a more generous area to drop when the player is paying a price than when the relief is free.
“A” Ball or “The” Ball. Sometimes the Rules require the player to drop “the” ball (i.e. the ball in play) and other times they allow the player to substitute a ball and drop “a” ball. How can you remember when you are allowed to substitute a ball and when you are not? The same principal of one vs. two club lengths applies here. If the situation you are in involves a penalty stroke you are allowed to substitute a ball, if it does not you must play “the” ball.
Ball in, or Ball out. When is a ball out of bounds, inside the teeing ground or in a hazard? The best way to remember is this principal””in order for a ball to be “in” any part of the ball must be “in,” for a ball to be “out” all of it has to be “out.” In other words, for a ball to be out of bounds, all of it must be out of bounds. If any part of the ball touches the golf course the ball is “in” bounds. The same is true for a teeing ground or a hazard. If any part of a ball touches a hazard (i.e. is on the hazard line) the ball is considered to be “in” the hazard. If any part of the ball is “in” the teeing ground, it is considered to be “in.”
When must I abandon a “provisional” ball. The provision ball Rule exists for one reason””to save time. It’s purpose is to save the player a trip back to where they last played if they should lose a ball outside a hazard or hit a ball out of bounds. One definition of the word “provisional” is “accepted or adopted conditionally.” The “conditions” that apply to a provision ball is that it only becomes the ball in play when the original ball is determined to be lost outside a hazard or is out of bounds. If the original ball is found on the golf course or it is known or is virtually certain to be lost in a hazard, the provisional must be abandoned since the “conditions” for accepting the provisional ball as the ball in play do not exist.
The next time you can’t quite put your finger on the answer to a Rules question out on the course, try putting a rule of thumb on it first!
