Blakey Rules

Episode 40 - Blakey Is Back

GRQotW39
A group of four players, having a good day until they get to the Par 5 seventh hole
From the tee Player A and Player B slice their balls into right rough Player C and Player D hit ok down the middle of the fairway.
Second shot Player B arrives in the right rough and plays a ball which he hits somewhat across the fairway to rough on the left hand side.
Player A arrives and plays a ball from near where B played his shot, and hits down the right side of the fairway. Player C hits his second shot into the rough on the left hand side of the fairway. Similar place to where Player B just hit his shot into.
Player D hits his shot down the middle again.
Third  shot Player B arrives in the left rough and hits a ball to the green. Player C from similar place in left rough hits ball to green. Player A arrives at his ball to play his third shot and announces "I have hit the wrong ball" At the green When they hear Player A call about hitting the wrong ball. Players B and C proceed to the green, then mark and examine the balls they played. Both Player B and Player C announce "I have hit the wrong ball also".  

The answer is:
There were no other balls on the course, not any stray balls or other players' balls.
Player A hit one wrong ball, incurs one general penalty and must go back to his tee shot to play his ball, lying three.
Player B hit two wrong balls, but only incurs one general penalty as the second wrong ball was a related act. Player B must go back to where his tee shot landed, lying 3.
Player C hit one wrong ball, incurs one general penalty and must go back to where his second shot came to rest, lying 4.
Player D incurs no penalties.  

While I was away: Victoria went into another lockdown  

Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship And we had some Rules scenarios of course  

Brandan Grace’s Ball Embedded in Sand - https://youtu.be/MxC9GTqzaEE  

Phil Worsens His Conditions - https://youtu.be/FKrxXXY41ao  

Phil Drops on the Putting Green - https://youtu.be/ABSR2U9TozE  

Spectator Touches Phil’s Ball - https://youtu.be/km9C_VEGXqQ  

Phil and Louis go in the same penalty area - https://youtu.be/1H7wexNcJhY  

During my break I was also able to get up to the alpine region of Victoria, and it was the perfect time to be there around April for the autumn colours. Myself and my videographer friend Henry Peters went for a journey of exploration and got some footage of the courses, the region and of course some Rules situations.   

Background Bingo -  
Rossco - Donegal GC, Murvagh, Ireland
Blakey - Myrtleford GC, Victoria, Australia  

GRQotW 40 Fraser walks into the bunker that his ball is at rest in, and tests the depth of the sand with his feet by digging in when taking his reasonable stance. Does Fraser incur any penalties?

Ep 39 - Tour Rulings Catch-Up

GRQotW38

Blakey Changes to Right-Handed and Gains Free Relief https://youtu.be/9B-H_gVmk7c

Cantaly Asks for Green Blow Job - https://youtu.be/t_wFu3MjZnM

Morikawa Practices in the Sand - https://youtu.be/6GhkNU_3Li4

Marc Leishman chips in after Controversial Penalty Drop https://youtu.be/sSLOBs5h_9I

Lydia Ko Holes Out Off Hannah Green’s Ball https://youtu.be/Wr3jPbprzrU

IVOR - nothing this week

Background Bingo

GRQotW39

Episode 38  

What are Rules there for?  

GRQotW37 

ANSWER: 

A ball was found where the original ball was suspected to be and this was within the 3 minute search period. It may have taken the player more than the 3 minute search time to get to their ball to identify it, but if it is the original ball, then it is still the ball in play as the important point is that it was found within the 3 minute search time. The original ball was moved by the provisional ball. The provisional ball is an outside influence and thus the original ball needs to be replaced. The provisional ball is a movable obstruction/abandoned ball once the original ball was found within the correct search time. The player needs to estimate where the original ball had come to rest. That was the place it was sitting until it was moved by the provisional ball. This is the difficult part, it may have been 3 metres up the tree, or close to the ground. It would need to be estimated when standing underneath it. Possibly the player couldn’t even get to the spot where the ball is estimated to have been at rest. They would then need to take an unplayable under Rule 19.2, using the spot on the ground directly below the spot of the reference point. If the player could get to the spot where the ball would have come to rest, but it won’t stay at rest and the spot where it will stay at rest, the player can’t reach, they would also need to take an unplayable using the spot on the ground directly below where the ball would have come to rest. However, if the player could get to the spot where the ball was estimated to have been at rest, but it won’t stay at rest, the nearest spot where the ball would stay at rest may be at the base of the tree on the ground and the player would be required to place it there. The player could then play it or take an unplayable.  

What are Rules there for? 

Let’s first establish why we have such complex Rules and what you can do to increase your knowledge . 

The golf course is huge, on average about 150 acres. 

There are many different aspects to a golf course including:

How to learn the Rules of Golf? 

The best way to learn the Rules of Golf - head to the R&A and USGA websites, not only do they have all the Rules and Interpretations and Clarifications, but they also provide test questions and mock exams.   

www.golfrulesquestions.com has many tests that you can take to upskill yourself. Fraser Nicol and his huge excel spreadsheet has nearly 3500 questions and answers. So there are definitely plenty of resources out there to learn the Rules.  

Moving a Loose Impediment 

A loose impediment may be removed anywhere on or off the course. Maybe done so in any way - we’ve talked about moving loose impediments with blowers.  You may receive assistance to move a loose impediment - Tiger’s boulder And you may break a loose impediment into parts when moving it without penalty.  

Background Bingo  

GRQotW38

Masters Report

Will Zalatoris looks like Happy Gilmore’s caddie - video views are up  

GRQotW36 Answer 

Fraz has Webbo caddying for him during the first round of the club championships. On the 9th tee, after Fraz has teed off, Webbo runs off to talk to a man about a dog. Fraz doesn’t want to carry his heavy golf bag (many golf balls weighing it down), so he gets Steve to carry his bag to where his ball is at rest. Steve tells Fraz the distance and that he should hit a 7 iron with a wee bit of a draw. After Fraz hits his second shot, Webbo reappears and takes over caddying duties. Steve continues to walk beside Fraz and Webbo and holds Fraser’s jacket and umbrella for the rest of the round. Does Fraz incur any penalties?  

Fraser does not incur any penalties: He only ever had one caddie at any one time. He did not change caddies for the sole purpose of gaining advice. The new caddie was there to sub in for what the old caddie would have provided, i.e. carrying the bag, advising what club to use for a specific shot. Carrying other equipment such as a jacket and umbrella, is not considered to be a caddie unless named as one, or also carries the player’s clubs.  

Matt Wolff DQ for score Matt Wollf had a triple bogey on the 17th hole during round 2, but only wrote down a double bogey. In this case, signing for a score lower than to which the player had actually taken was a disqualification penalty.  

Bernd Wiesberger putted into penalty area on 15th Bernd was putting for eagle during round 1 on hole 15. Unfortunately he putted his first into the Yellow Penalty Area , then used option 1 stroke and distance under Rule 17.1d to replace a ball back at the original spot on the green, and two putted from there for a bogey.  

Adam Scott caused his ball to move on 15 during round 3. He took a penalty and replaced his ball.  

Si Woo Kim damages his putter and then putted with his utility wood for the last 4 holes.  

Abraham Ancer grounds club in sand and was penalised two strokes. This was after he had signed and returned his scorecard. But because he wasn’t aware of the breach when he signed and returned the scorecard, the penalty was added, but no dq was assessed.  

Hideki hits ball into penalty area on 16 whilst playing 15th hole - Red 

Xander hits ball into penalty area on 16 whilst playing 16th hole - Yellow  

Background Bingo 

Last week Rossco - The Hills (18th hole) Blakey - Roxburgh 

 Ivors - Fraser the Jambo  

GRQotW37 

What is the ruling?

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Masters Week 2021   

GRQotW35 - Steve and Mary are partners in a foursome. Steve tees his ball up within the Red teeing area and hits his ball towards the boundary fence where it may have come to rest inside or outside the fence. Mary, who has been playing from the White tees all day, thinks they should play a provisional. Who must now hit the provisional ball and where must it be hit from?   

Mary is required to hit the provisional ball if they choose to play one, and this would be from where the previous stroke was made. In this case, Steve played from the Red teeing area. Rule 18.3 and 22.3   

Lena Selberg let me know that she has passed her Level 1 Rules of Golf through the Swedish Golf Federation, so shout out to all the swedes who listen to the podcast, and well done Lena. 

Lena also had a follow-up question to the GRQotW35: What if this occurred in a greensome? 

Next we have Charlie Tebbs - Four quick questions

1. Player accidentally causes their ball that is at rest in the general area e.g. by accidentally knocking it with their club (but not while taking practice strokes).     

1. If the player's ball is in the general area, a penalty area, or a bunker, then accidentally causing their ball to move is a penalty of one and the ball must be replaced. Exceptions:  Player allowed to lift or move ball (e.g. replacing ball) During a search When applying a Rule (e.g. lifting ball to take an unplayable)   

2. Player accidentally moves their ball by hitting it during their practice swings when in the general area.    

2. This is the same answer as 1. A practice swing doesn't count as a stroke, so the player has accidentally caused their ball to move, they incur a one stroke penalty, and the ball must be replaced.   

3. Player accidentally causes their ball to move as they start their backswing, continues the stroke and hits the moving ball.    

3. It depends where the ball was at rest as to what the answer is: If the ball was at rest in the teeing area, then there is no penalty for causing it to move, and no penalty for hitting a moving ball. At rest in the general area, then there is no penalty for hitting a moving ball, but there would be a penalty IF it was determined that the cause of the ball moving was by the player. On the green, if the movement was accidental, no penalty, and no penalty for hitting a moving ball.   

4. If a ball is at rest in the general area, but part of the ball is above the line defining the edge of a penalty area.   

4. Yes, the ball is in the penalty area. The boundary of a penalty area is the outside edge, and goes both straight up, and straight down.  When taking a drop, what is the relief area? Don’t need to stand in or outside to drop the ball Tees and clubs that are still on the ground marking the area are considered equipment. Did it come to rest within the relief area? Yes, ball is back in play. Did it roll outside, then re-drop the ball.  

Background bingo 

Rossco - Lahinch  Blakey - Paraparaumu Beach  

GRQotW36 

Fraz has Webbo caddying for him during the first round of the club championships. On the 9th tee, after Fraz has teed off, Webbo runs off to talk to a man about a dog. Fraz doesn’t want to carry his heavy golf bag (many golf balls weighing it down), so he gets Steve to carry his bag to where his ball is at rest. Steve tells Fraz the distance and that he should hit a 7 iron with a wee bit of a draw. After Fraz hits his second shot, Webbo reappears and takes over caddying duties. Steve continues to walk beside Fraz and Webbo and holds Fraser’s jacket and umbrella for the rest of the round. Does Fraz incur any penalties?

I HAVE MET MY MATCH

Golf Rules Question of The Week - Ep34

Charlotte is playing match play. She holes her putt and thinking that she has won the hole lifts her opponent’s ball that is on the green. Her opponent then tells her that putt is for a half. What is the ruling?

Loved the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play. apart from the weekend, all referees are roving on the Wed/Thurs/Fri.

We had some doozies:

Kevin Na and Dustin Johnson agree to a half, even though DJ should have incurred a one stroke penalty

https://youtu.be/Z4i06dlwdqw

Tommy Fleetwood’s caddie breaks immovable obstruction https://youtu.be/4rkAAE0t8QM

In trying to move a movable obstruction, Tommy Fleetwood’s caddie broke it. Meaning the obstruction was actually an immovable obstruction. Bryson could have claimed the hole for Tommy’s caddie improving Tommy’s conditions affecting the stroke, but didn’t.

Spieth nearly hit Cantlay.  https://youtu.be/L1TV0ierVts

Spieth’s drive on the 13th hit a cart path and nearly hit Cantlay on the 15th green, few situations:

Rory hits ball into pool https://youtu.be/6QI78HvVc10

Rory’s drive went a little off target and headed out of bounds and into a neighbors backyard pool.

Finau puts shadow over ball and it falls in https://youtu.be/YwMQk9Henfk

Finau’s putt came to rest on the edge of the hole. Within the ten seconds of arriving at the hole, Finau put his shadow over the ball and the ball fell in. This has been clarified as not a breach of a Rule - much to my surprise.

Big shout out to those that have passed the R&A Level II Rules Exam recently:

For all those who have and I haven’t mentioned you, email in and tell me. We love to hear of people trying to increase their Rules knowledge.

Background Bingo

Rossco - Tara Iti ( Photo Courtesy @airswingmedia )

Blakey - Kingsbarns

Golf Rules Question of The Week - EP35

Steve and Mary are partners in a foursome. Steve tees his ball up within the Red teeing area and hits his ball towards the boundary fence where it may have come to rest inside or outside the fence. Mary, who has been playing from the White tees all day, thinks they should play a provisional. Who must now hit the provisional ball and where must it be hit from?

Episode 34 - Let’s get OFFICIAL

GRQotW33 Answer

Fraser’s ball comes to rest on a gravel path in a yellow penalty area. There are some loose stones around his ball. Is Fraser able to get free relief from the stones?

There is no free relief. However, the loose stones are loose impediments, and the player is permitted to move them. They need to be careful not to cause their ball to move when moving the loose impediments.

Adam Scott makes a splash - https://youtu.be/YeZwKLueAJ0

What does it mean to be an official

The Committee runs the golf tournament. They may have officials/rules people/referees out there to assist the players.

There is an art to refereeing, and for the most part it is a thankless job. 

The role of the referee is to be there to assist the player, and make sure they are playing by the Rules of Golf PLUS any Local Rules, this is a big plus, because as players go from course to course there will no doubt be differences in the course setup, and the players need to be aware of these.

A Hard Card helps with this process, but even then there can be differences, including internal out of bounds, preferred lies, and the edges of bunkers.

This is why it is important as a referee to do some preparation before-hand, also understanding the tournament format and conditions.

It is very important that a referee knows the Rules, AND knows how to deal with players. If a referee has access to a radio, they can get away a little bit without knowing the Rules, but they will get found out/get a bad name if they are rude/inappropriate/aggressive.

Background Bingo

Rossco - Barnbougle Dunes

Blakey - travelling irrigator

IVORs

Blakey’s internet connecting and computer - need a tech sponsor.

GRQotW34

Charlotte is playing match play. She holes her putt and thinking that she has won the hole lifts her opponent’s ball that is on the green. Her opponent then tells her that putt is for a half. What is the ruling?

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Episode 33  - For all THE PLAYERS  

GRQotW32 

Bubba loses ball after golf cart is driven over it

Hovland has helping hand from camera-operator - https://youtu.be/-qo2ZP09tUM

Hovland replaces ball in wrong spot - 15th hole - https://youtu.be/sJi7-Uz39qg

DeChambeau and Westwood hit their ball into different areas of same penalty area -  https://youtu.be/DqW5yPIHoCc

Massive IVOR

Background Bingo

GRQotW33 Fraser’s ball comes to rest on a gravel path in a yellow penalty area. There are some loose stones around his ball. Is Fraser able to get free relief from the stones?

Bryson Brings Eye-Balls

This question was tricky, as it had a few holes in it. This was deliberate, so that you would hear it and ask questions.

Secondly, Fraz goes back to grab a club, and then when coming back to his ball that he had previously found, he accidentally steps on it. Did Fraz lose sight of it and was searching for it again? Or was he not being aware/careless and just stood on it? 

So thirdly, by Fraz stepping on the ball, did the ball move? If no, then no penalty. If yes, then Fraz incurs a one stroke penalty and must replace the ball. 

Then fourthly Fraz takes a penalty stroke for an unplayable, this does not absolve Fraz from a penalty under Rule 9.4, but it does absolve him from having to put the ball back in the original spot. Finally, Fraz finishes out the hole, and I would say that the answer is 5, but it does require assumptions to get there.  

WANT TO TEST YOUR RULES OF GOLF KNOWLEDGE? Head to: www.golfrulesquestions.com

Annika-gate

GRQotW30 - After the player hits their ball into the green, it stops and comes to rest on the green. As the player is walking up to the green, suddenly the irrigation system turns on and water runs across the grass, down the green and moves the ball. Does the ball need to be replaced, or is the player permitted to play it from where it is now at rest?

Outside Influence/1 - Status of Air and Water When Artificially Propelled

Although wind and water are natural forces and not outside influences, artificially propelled air and water are outside influences.

Annika-Gate

An interesting one occurred during the drive-on-championship on the LPGA.

Annika Sorenstam hit her ball near a boundary fence. When arriving at the area, she saw there was a gate in the boundary. Annika thought that she might be able to open the gate to play her shot, so she asked for a referee to provide assistance, but unfortunately for her, the referee denied her this option, as he believed it was integra to the course.

Annika took an unplayable for a one stroke penalty under Rule 19.2a, and played her shot.

It was then found out that Annika could have indeed opened the gate and played a shot instead of taking penalty relief.

The referee apologised for the error, the fans wanted the one stroke penalty gone, and the Rules nerds of the world were trying to work out (and still are) what is the difference between an integral object, and a gate in a boundary object.

The statement released by the LPGA didn’t provide enough information ‘Regarding the Ruling given to Annika Sorenstam on the fifth hole during the first round of the 2021 Gainbridge LPGA, the official on scene linked the word “integral” to the gate meant that it could not be moved. This was an error under the definition of an Immovable Obstruction in the Rules of Golf. The gate is considered moveable if proven to be unlocked (Rule 16), and therefore could have been moved to allow the player to hit the shot. The option to rescind the penalty is not available under the Rules of Golf. The official met the player immediately following her second round to explain the mistake and apologize.’

Angel Yin - We saw another interesting situation where Angel Yin, hit her ball into a Red Penalty Area, and as her options were going back to her last place played, back-on-the-line, and lateral relief, she chose lateral relief as per Rule 17.1d(3), which meant her relief area was in a bunker. With a penalty area, your relief area could be anywhere on the course except in the same penalty area.

Background Bingo - Ep30

GRQotW31

Fraz hits his tee shot into the some medium rough. He searches for his ball in the rough, and finds it. Fraz then goes to get a club and on the way back he accidentally steps on his ball, causing it to move. He then decides to take an unplayable, and after dropping his ball, hits it onto the green, and makes a one putt. How many strokes has Fraz had?