23 Dec '08

RULE: In the Water Again?

01 Apr '09

RULE: Washout in Bunkers

With all the heavy downpours of rain we have had lately, you are more likely to encounter a washout in a bunker. If so, how do I get out of it?

26 May '09

RULE: Taking a drop to get relief!

With all this inclement weather we are having, I have had to take a few 'drops' from some pretty nasty lies, from which the rules say I can get relief . But where do I drop? Under what conditions do I legally obtain relief? What is 'nearest point of relief'? What is 'interference'?

13 Jul '09

RULE: Practice, practice, practice!

It's a busy time of year with all types of championships being decided, both stroke and match play. This is a time when we all decide we need a bit more practice. So, when can we practice? Where is it NOT legal to practice. What are the penalties if we are in breach of this "practice" rule?

RULE: Ball assisting/interfering with play

Hey, leave you ball there beside the pin - it might stop my chip going too far.

Your ball is really close to mine on the fairway. I might hit it too - can you mark it on the fairway?

01 Oct '09

RULE: Dropping a Ball

You know when you are entitled to relief. You can determine where you are entitled to drop'. Now is there anything I should know about HOW I should be dropping the ball??

RULE: The teeing ground.

Can I:
- move the tee marker if it is in my way?
- stand outside the tee box to hit my tee shot?
- what happens if my ball falls off the tee during my backswing?
- hit my tee shot with the ball teed outside the markers?

Read on to find out the answers to these questions!

08 Feb '10

RULE: GUR on the green.

 I hit a great shot onto the green - but now I may be punished because of a bare patch on the green between my ball and the hole. Surely I don't have to putt across that??

08 Feb '10

RULE: Taking advice - what iron did you hit?

Ever been asked what club you used to hit into the three par? Or for that matter, from anywhere on the course?

Isn’t that against the Rules of Golf about giving advice??
Depends - when were you asked?

01 Mar '10

RULE: Ahh - my ball has moved by itself!

You are holding the flagstick for a fellow competitor who is about to putt when your ball lying on a sloping section of the green about 4 metres away starts to roll and comes to rest 60cm away from its original position. What do you do?

01 Apr '10

RULE: I don't think I can play my ball from here.

 Ever get into the situation where it is better to take a penalty than try to hack your ball out of an unplayable place?
What is the penalty?
What are my drop options?

08 Jun '10

RULE: Immovable obstruction

The ruling on immovable obstruction such as the protective screen fence behind the tenth green is often the topic of a vigourous discussion heard in the bar. Do I get just 'stance and swing' relief, or 'line of sight' relief as well?

If you are permitted under the Rule 24 to some relief, where can you play from?

01 Jul '10

RULE: Temporary Obstruction in a Bunker

We have a local rule which can provide relief from the temporary wall on the 8th bunker damaged by vandals.

When can I get relief?  Is there any penalty if I take relief? Where can I drop my ball within this rule?

Can I get line of sight relief if I play my ball from outside the bunker?

28 Oct '08

RULE: Relief from a pathway?

On the road again?? What constitute a path way, so I can consider relief?

05 Jan '09

RULE: Over the Fence & Out

Over the fence in backyard cricket is six and out! But what about in GOLF?? When is my ball OB? What options do I have if my ball MIGHT be OB?

10 Feb '09

RULE: Provisional ball

First tee, still a bit stiff; hooked my drive to the left over the big tree. Now I can't find it!

Did it go into the hazard? Maybe it hit a tree and stayed out. Maybe it bounced through the hazard and out into the clear! Damn, I have looked for the allowed five minutes and still I cannot find it. What do I do? Drop a ball behind the hazard? Can I return to the tee and hit a provisional ball?

04 May '09

RULE: Slow Play - who cares?

Championships are here - field is over 220. Bet we have a slow round??? Do you need to worry?

10 May '10

RULE: Match play - is that any different to Stroke play?

With the Championship season in swing, match play competitions are scheduled. Most of my golf is played under stroke play rules - but are the rules different for Match play?

What do I need to know. Read on for a few pointers about some of the more important differences.

24 Mar '08

RULE: Handicap on your card

Whose responsibility is it to ensure our card records the correct handicap?

What happens if it is the wrong handicap?