RULES IN GOLF FROM PAGE 5

spot. If a ball at rest is lifted or moved by anyone or any outside influence before the stroke is made, the ball must be replaced on its original spot.

Players should take care when near any ball at rest, and a player who causes his or her own ball or an opponent’s ball to move will normally get a penalty (except on the putting green).

6. Unplayable lies

If your ball has come to rest in a position that you believe to be unplayable, you have three options.

A player may take unplayable ball relief using one of the three options in Rule 19.2a, b or c, in each case adding one penalty stroke.

The player may take stroke-anddistance relief under Rule 19.2a even if the original ball has not been found and identified. But to take back-onthe-line relief under Rule 19.2b or lateral relief under Rule 19.2c, the player must know the spot of the original ball.

7. No way back from Out of Bounds (OB)

Knowing what to do when your ball sails out of bounds is crucial to a beginner. A ball hit beyond the confines of the course (usually marked by white stakes) must be re-played from the original position adding a penalty of one stroke.

The scorecard of any course should have its boundaries clearly marked or described.

If you believe a shot has gone OB or into a water hazard always play a provisional and declare it.

You now have three minutes (it used to be five minutes) to search for it and if indeed it is lost you saved valuable time continuing with the provisional ball despite a one stroke penalty.

If your original is subsequently found in bounds or dry within three minutes of the point of search you must continue with the original ball.

8. Seeking advice

While it is one of the most sociable of sports, golf is a solitary game and this is reflected within the Rules.

You cannot ask advice on club selection for example from anyone other than your team mate (if you are playing fourball or foursomes for example) or a caddie.

Neither should you offer advice to opponents in competition. However, you may ask for information on the Rules, distances or positions of hazards or the flagstick.

9. Definition of ball striking

Striking the ball would seem like a matter of technique but it is also governed in part by the Rules.

For instance, if you find yourself in a difficult lie with an awkward stance, you must strike the ball with the head of the club.

You cannot spoon, scrape or flick it in a style that cannot be described as a ‘stroke’. A two-shot penalty in strokeplay and loss of hole in singles matchplay will be the outcome.

10. Score correctly

At the end of a strokeplay round, you must make sure your card has been completed correctly - achieved by comparing scores you have marked on a playing partner’s card (you will have exchanged cards at the start of the round) with those he or she has recorded.

Once you agree, the card must be signed by both parties as a correct record of each hole. Incorrect scorecards and unsigned ones will lead to disqualification.

At the 2000 Benson and Hedges International Open Padraig Harrington was disqualified from the competition just five minutes before teeing off on the final round with a five-shot lead for signing his scorecard incorrectly. Even the professionals can do it!