Golf Rules Scenarios 📋
Common tournament situations, rule interpretations, and decision-making scenarios
⚡ Frequently Encountered Scenarios
Ball Position & Movement
Ball Moves After Address
Scenario: Ball moves after taking stance but before swing
Rule 9.4: One stroke penalty, replace ball
Ball Embedded in Own Pitch Mark
Scenario: Ball plugs in general area from previous shot
Rule 16.3: Free relief, lift, clean, drop
Ball Against Loose Impediment
Scenario: Ball resting against leaf or twig
Rule 15.1: May remove, if ball moves, replace without penalty
Water Hazards & Penalty Areas
Ball Last Crosses Red Line
Scenario: Ball enters lateral penalty area
Rule 17.1d: Lateral relief options, one stroke penalty
Ball May Be in Water
Scenario: Cannot find ball near water hazard
Rule 17.1c: Must be known/virtually certain ball is in penalty area
Relief From Yellow Penalty Area
Scenario: Ball in pond marked with yellow stakes
Rule 17.1d: Back-on-line relief or stroke and distance
🏌️♂️ Equipment & Interference
Broken Club During Round
Club shaft breaks during normal swing
Rule 4.1: May continue using or repair, but not replace
Ball Hits Equipment
Ball accidentally strikes player's bag or cart
Rule 11.1a: General penalty (two strokes), play ball as it lies
Wrong Ball Played
Player hits another player's ball by mistake
Rule 6.3c: General penalty, must correct mistake
Movable Obstruction
Ball near or against rake, sign, or bottle
Rule 15.2: Free relief, remove obstruction
🌿 Course Conditions & Relief
Ground Under Repair
Ball in area marked with white lines
Rule 16.1: Free relief within one club-length
Animal Damage
Ball in hole made by burrowing animal
Rule 16.1: Free relief as abnormal course condition
Immovable Obstruction
Stance interfered by cart path or building
Rule 16.1: Free relief from nearest point of relief
Temporary Water
Ball in puddle after rain (not permanent water)
Rule 16.1: Free relief, casual water definition
🏆 Putting Green Situations
Ball Movement on Green
Ball Moves After Mark
Wind moves ball after marking
No penalty, replace ball
Accidentally Move Ball
Player bumps ball while marking
No penalty on green, replace
Ball Overhanging Hole
Ball teetering on lip of cup
10 seconds wait time, then deemed at rest
Line of Play Issues
Ball Hits Flagstick
Putt hits unattended flagstick
No penalty, play ball as it lies
Ball Hits Another Ball
Putt strikes competitor's ball
No penalty, replace other ball
Improving Line of Play
Removing sand on line of putt
Allowed on green only
Marking & Lifting
Wrong Marker Used
Uses tee instead of coin
No penalty, any small object allowed
Cleaning Ball on Green
Wiping mud off ball after lifting
Allowed when lifted under rule
Forgetting to Replace
Plays from wrong place after marking
General penalty, must correct
⚖️ Penalty Assessment Guide
No Penalty Situations
- • Ball moves due to natural forces (wind, gravity)
- • Removing loose impediments (except in bunker)
- • Lifting ball on putting green
- • Ball hits flagstick when putting
- • Repairing pitch marks and ball marks
One Stroke Penalties
- • Penalty area relief (water hazards)
- • Unplayable ball relief
- • Ball moves after address
- • Out of bounds or lost ball
- • Provisional ball becomes ball in play
General Penalty (2 strokes)
- • Playing wrong ball
- • Ball deflected by player or equipment
- • Improving lie or line of play
- • Breach of rule procedures
- • Playing from wrong place
📐 Relief Procedures
Dropping Procedures (Rule 14.3)
- • Drop from knee height (not shoulder)
- • Ball must be dropped by player
- • Drop in relief area, not outside
- • If ball rolls out, drop again
- • After second roll-out, place ball
Nearest Point of Relief
- • Point where interference ceases
- • Use same club as for original shot
- • Same stance and swing as intended
- • Not nearer to hole
- • In same area of course
Relief Area Establishment
- • One club-length from reference point
- • Use longest club except putter
- • Must be in same area of course
- • Cannot be nearer to hole
- • Ball must stay in relief area
🤔 Rules Decision Process
Step 1: Assessment
- • Identify the situation clearly
- • Determine what rule applies
- • Gather all relevant facts
- • Check for local rules
- • Consider player intentions
- • Document the scenario
Step 2: Consultation
- • Discuss with playing partners
- • Consult rules official if available
- • Use rules app or book
- • Consider committee interpretation
- • Document disagreements
- • Seek clarification if unsure
Step 3: Application
- • Apply rule as written
- • Follow proper procedures
- • Assess any penalties
- • Complete relief process
- • Verify ball position
- • Continue play appropriately
Step 4: Documentation
- • Record on scorecard
- • Note any rulings
- • Inform marker of penalty
- • Report to committee if required
- • Verify scorecard accuracy
- • Submit within time limit