2013 MGA Rules Exam

ANSWERS IN RED

 

1.  Ray’s ball came to rest in a water hazard in a position where he had interference from a staked tree that was also rooted in that same water hazard.  The Committee had adopted the Local Rule mandating relief from young trees identified by stakes.  How should Ray proceed?
1.  Ray must proceed under Rule 26-1 and drop a ball outside the water hazard.
2. Ray is required to play the ball as it lies, as there is no free relief from a staked tree located in a water hazard.
3. Ray may drop the ball within one club-length of his nearest point of relief.  This spot may be either in the water hazard or through the green – whichever is closer.
4. Ray may drop the ball within one club-length of his nearest point of relief in the water hazard. APPENDIX 1, PART B #3

 

1.  Which of the following is an immovable obstruction?
1.  A sign for the golf course which is located out of bounds.
2. A sprinkler control box located within a water hazard. DEFINITIONS: OBSTRUCTIONS
3. A cement cart path that has been declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course.
4. A white stake defining out of bounds.

1.  Sam’s tee shot veered right toward a lateral water hazard.  Although they never saw the ball land in the hazard, Sam and his fellow competitor Stan, were virtually certain that the ball came to rest in the hazard based on the flight of the ball and the terrain and landscape surrounding the hazard.  Sam proceeded to drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where they estimated his ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.  Prior to making a stroke at the dropped ball, a competitor playing in a different group pointed out a ball that had bounced off the cart path and gone significantly farther down the fairway – it was in fact Sam’s ball.  What is the ruling?
1.  Since the players never saw the ball land in the hazard, they could not have established virtual certainty that the ball was in the hazard.  Therefore, Sam incurs a penalty of two strokes for wrongly substituting a ball.
2. Since Sam’s original ball was ultimately found outside the hazard, the only rule he could have proceeded under was stroke and distance.  Sam must lift the incorrectly dropped ball and return to the tee where he will be playing his third stroke.
3. The dropped ball is Sam’s ball in play under penalty of one stroke.  He must abandon his original ball. DECISIONS 26-1/3.5
4. Sam must abandon the dropped ball, without penalty, and continue play of the hole with his original ball.

1.  Frank’s ball came to rest at the front of a long fairway bunker.  While walking to his ball, Frank retrieved the bunker’s only rake that was situated at the back of the bunker and used it to rake the footprints he made while retrieving the rake.  He did this for the sole purpose of tidying up the bunker, and nothing was done to breach Rule 13-2 with respect to his next stroke.  Frank then entered the bunker once again, placed the rake in the bunker off to the side and made a stroke at his ball.  What is the ruling?
1.  There is no penalty for this sequence of events. RULE 13-4 (EXCEPTION 2) DECISIONS 13-4/11
2. Frank incurs a penalty of two strokes for raking the bunker in which his ball lay prior to making a stroke.
3. There is no penalty for previously raking the bunker; however, Frank incurs a penalty of two strokes for bringing the rake back to the bunker and placing it in the sand.
4. Frank incurs a total penalty of four strokes.

 

1.  Kevin’s approach shot drifted off to the right and struck his opponent Tom, who had already gone forward to search for his own ball.  After striking Tom, the ball bounced into the adjacent thick bushes.  Shocked that he had just been hit; Tom, nor Kevin for that matter, saw where the ball came to rest.  What is the ruling?
1.  There is no penalty to either player.  However, Kevin must find the ball within five minutes or he will be required to proceed under penalty of stroke and distance.
2. Kevin incurs a penalty of one stroke for striking his opponent.  He must find the ball within five minutes or he will be required to proceed under penalty of stroke and distance.
3. There is no penalty to either player.  Kevin may drop a ball at the estimated spot where his original ball would have come to rest.
4. Kevin may cancel the stroke and play a ball, without penalty, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played. RULE 19-3

 

1.  During a four-ball match, Shaun played a greenside bunker shot that came to rest within five feet of the hole.  While he was raking the bunker, one of his opponents Andy, required that the ball be lifted.  Shaun’s partner Bill, complied with the request and lifted Shaun’s ball without first getting the authority or approval from Shaun.  What is the ruling?
1.  There is no penalty – all players have proceeded in accordance with the Rules. RULE 20-1
2. Bill incurs a penalty of one stroke for lifting Shaun’s ball without his authority.
3. Shaun incurs a penalty of one stroke for having his ball lifted in a way that doesn’t comply with the Rules.
4. The side of Shaun and Bill each incur a penalty of one stroke.

 

1.  As Mary was lining up a 60-foot birdie putt, her caddie Bonnie, tended the flagstick for her.  Standing just behind the hole, Bonnie realized that her right foot was positioned at the precise spot that she wanted Mary to aim.  Bonnie then verbally instructed Mary to aim at her foot.  Bonnie did not move and Mary made a stroke at her ball which came up well short of the hole.  What is the ruling?
1.  Mary incurs a penalty of two strokes. DECISION 8-2B/2
2. There is no penalty since Bonnie never touched Mary’s line of putt, which ends at the hole.
3. There is no penalty since Bonnie’s foot was already in position before she realized it was at a spot that indicated the line for putting.
4. There is no penalty since Mary’s putt came up well short, and Bonnie’s actions did not influence the movement of the ball.

 

1.  Orland’s ball came to rest on the edge of some tall rough and the fringe of the putting green.  In preparation for his upcoming chip shot, Orland took several practice swings just to the side of his ball.  After walking up to the hole and prior to ever addressing the ball, Orland’s ball moved a few inches into the fringe.  What is the ruling?
1.  Since Orland never addressed the ball, he is automatically absolved from penalty.
2. If Orland is virtually certain that gravity caused his ball to move, the exception to Rule 18-2b applies.
3. Orland may be subject to penalty under Rule 18-2a if it is determined that Orland caused his ball to move. DECISIONS 18-2B/4, 18-2A/30.5
4. Regardless of the circumstances, Orland incurs a penalty of one stroke and must replace his ball.

 

1.  Jeff’s second shot came to rest on the putting green four feet from the hole.  Since it was in a position to interfere with his fellow competitor’s line of putt, Jeff spanned his ball marker one clubhead-length to the side and allowed his fellow competitor to hole out.  Without moving his ball marker back to its original location, Jeff replaced his ball next to the current location of the ball marker and proceeded to miss the short putt.  Jeff suddenly became aware of what he had done, retrieved his ball and placed it at the spot where his ball marker originally lay prior to spanning it to the side.  This time, Jeff successfully holed the putt.  What is Jeff’s score for the hole?
1.  4.
2. 6.
3. 7.
4. 8. DECISIONS 20-7C/2

 

1. In order to capitalize on a downwind par-5, Peter first used one of his irons to create a raised tuft on the teeing ground.  Peter then placed a tee, which measured exactly four inches in length, on the top of the created ridge.  This whole process resulted in his ball being raised almost five inches above the area immediately behind the ridge.  Peter striped his tee shot down the center of the fairway after which his fellow competitor questioned his method of teeing the ball.  What is the ruling?
1.  There is no penalty.  Peter’s method of teeing the ball is permitted. RULE 11-1
2. Peter incurs a penalty of two strokes and his ball is in play.
3. Peter incurs a penalty of two strokes and must return to the tee and properly tee and replay the stroke.  If he fails to correct this error he will be disqualified.
4. Peter is disqualified as soon as he made a stroke at the improperly teed ball.

 

1.  George’s second shot came to rest in a greenside bunker.  In an attempt to play the ball; George caught the shot fat, hitting the sand well behind the ball.  As the ball splashed out of the sand and was still in motion, George’s clubhead struck the moving ball while it was airborne.  Technically, this was the first time the clubhead actually came into contact with the ball during the course of this stroke.  The ball ultimately came to rest on the putting green, which is when George consulted you for a ruling.
1.  There is no penalty since George’s clubhead only contacted the ball once.
2. George incurs a penalty of one stroke and must play the ball as it lies. DECISION 14-4/3
3. George incurs a penalty of two strokes for exerting influence on the movement of his ball.
4. George incurs a penalty of two strokes for making a stroke at a moving ball.

 

1.  Prior to the final round of their club’s match play championship, Jim and his opponent, Dan told each other what their course handicaps were (Jim – 9; Dan – 12) and determined where the handicap strokes would accordingly fall.  Jim subsequently defeated Dan 4 & 3.  However, following the conclusion of the match and the close of the competition, Dan questioned Jim’s handicap.  After further review, it was established that Jim should have been a 6 (as opposed to a 9), and this prompted Dan to make a claim.  Jim was unaware of this error and did not know prior to this moment that he had given wrong information.  What is the ruling?
1.  Jim is disqualified for playing to a handicap higher than that to which he was entitled.
2. The match stands as played with Jim winning 4 & 3. DECISION 6-2A/5
3. The match should be replayed with Jim only receiving 6 handicap strokes.
4. Dan’s claim should be upheld.  The Committee should change the scorecard to reflect the proper handicap and adjust the results of those holes as necessary.

 

1.  Tim’s tee shot sailed right towards an area marked out of bounds.  Without playing a provisional ball, Tim walked forward only to discover that his original ball was indeed out of bounds.  After returning to the teeing area, Tim accidentally re-teed and played another ball from within the white teeing ground instead of the blue teeing ground (the tees he originally played from).  The white tees were located five yards ahead of the blue tees on this hole.  Following the stroke made from the white tees, Tim took an additional four strokes to complete play of the hole.  What is his score?
1.  7.
2. 8.
3. 9. RULES 27-1B, 20-5; DEFINITIONS: BALL IN PLAY; RULE 20-7
4. If  Tim fails to correct this error prior to teeing off on the next hole, he will be disqualified.

 

1.  John’s ball came to rest outside the margin of an Environmentally Sensitive Area.  However, in order to play the ball, his normal stance and area of intended swing would be interfered with by the ESA.  The Committee, at the recommendation of the course and the appropriate authority, defined this particular ESA as a water hazard from which play was prohibited by Local Rule.  How must John proceed?
1.  John must stand in the ESA, without penalty, in order to play his ball which lies outside the ESA.
2. John must, under penalty of one stroke, drop a ball within two club-lengths of a point where the ESA no longer interferes with his stance or area of intended swing.
3. John must either play the stroke in a way in which neither his stance nor area of intended swing touches the ESA or declare his ball unplayable.
4. John must, without penalty, drop a ball within one club-length of the nearest point on the course that is not nearer the hole, avoids interference from the ESA, and is not in a hazard or on the putting green. APPENDIX 1, PART B, #2 III

 

1.  Jane’s ball landed on the fringe of the putting green but spun back and ultimately came to rest in the fairway just short of the putting green.  Jane’s fellow competitor Jill, then played a stroke from the fairway which also landed on the fringe but instead rolled up next to the hole.  Which of the following actions may Jane perform with respect to her line of play for her upcoming chip shot?
1.  Fix her pitch mark on the fringe of the putting green, which is also on her line of play.
2. Fix Jill’s pitch mark on the fringe of the putting green, which is also on her line of play. DECISIONS 13-2/8
3. Brush away loose sand that is situated on the fringe of the putting green on her line of play.
4. Replace a divot into its hole, which is located five yards ahead of her ball on her line of play.

 

1.  After hitting his approach shot into a water hazard, Chuck elected to use the dropping zone which the Committee had established as an additional relief option for a ball in the water hazard.  The dropping zone was located a considerable distance behind the water hazard.  After dropping a ball, under which of the following scenarios would Chuck be required to re-drop?
1. Chuck’s dropped ball landed in the dropping zone but rolled one club-length closer to the hole, still coming to rest within the dropping zone.
2. Chuck’s dropped ball rolled one club-length closer to the hole, but came to rest outside the dropping zone.
3. Chuck’s dropped ball landed in the dropping zone but rolled three club-lengths in the opposite direction of the hole, still coming to rest within the dropping zone. APPENDIX 1, PART B, #8 (NOTE E)
4. Chuck’s dropped ball landed on the painted line of the dropping zone and rolled a few inches outside of the dropping zone.

 

1.  On a day with wet course conditions, Jim’s tee shot landed in the fairway; however, none of the players in the group saw the ball bounce or roll.  Upon reaching the area where his ball was likely to be, neither Jim nor his fellow competitors were able to find the ball.  The fairway was soft and mushy; however, there was no casual water.  After five minutes had expired Jim began to walk back to the tee, at which point his fellow competitors found his ball embedded in a small encircled area of the fairway that was marked as ground under repair.  What is the ruling?
1.  As the players were virtually certain that the ball was located somewhere in the wet fairway, Jim could have dropped a ball prior to the five minutes expiring in the area where his original ball was most likely to be.
2. Jim may drop a ball within one club-length of the spot at which his ball last crossed the outermost limits of the ground under repair.
3. Jim may either drop his ball as near as possible to the pitch mark within the area of ground under repair, or he may take relief, without penalty, from the condition as a whole.
4. Jim’s original ball is lost and he must proceed under penalty of stroke and distance. RULES 27-1C; DECISION 25/1

 

1.  Sam’s tee shot came to rest near the base of a tree with some very low overhanging limbs.  After addressing the ball and beginning his backswing, the ball moved.  During the downswing, Sam’s club became tangled in one of the low tree limbs and he never made contact with the ball.  Confused, yet relieved that he now had a clearer area of intended swing, Sam walked up to the ball’s new location and took three more strokes to complete the hole.  What is Sam’s score for the hole?
1.  5.
2. 6. RULE 14-5 (EXCEPTIONS), 18-2B
3. 7.
4. 8.

 

1.  Larry’s ball came to rest just outside of a lateral water hazard.  While waiting for his turn to play, Larry stood a few paces behind his ball and leaned on a club which he grounded in the hazard.  When it was finally his turn to play, Larry’s backswing struck a loose twig that was located in the hazard.  He completed the stroke without hesitation.  What is the ruling?
1.  There is no penalty for any of these actions. RULES 13-4, 23-1; DECISION 13-4/1
2. Larry incurs a penalty of two strokes for leaning on his club in a hazard.  However, there is no penalty for touching the loose impediment since he completed the stroke.
3. Larry incurs a penalty of two strokes for touching this loose impediment prior to his stroke.  However, there is no penalty for leaning on his club in the hazard since that action was not part of the stroke.
4. Larry incurs a total of four penalty strokes.

 

1.  Which of the following is, by definition, a ball in play?
1.  A ball teed within the teeing ground when proceeding under penalty of stroke and distance.
2. The player’s original ball which has been lifted and set aside due to its interference with another player’s stroke.
3. A ball dropped under the water hazard rule without virtual certainty that the original ball is in the water hazard. DEFINITIONS BALL IN PLAY
4. The player’s original ball which was found after a six minute search.

 

1.  Unable to see his tee shot land on the par-3 16^thhole at Old Hawthorne, Ben announced and played a provisional ball which came to rest on the putting green 30 feet from the hole.  Without searching for his original ball, Ben made another stroke at his provisional ball to within two feet of the hole.  At this point, Ben marked his ball, walked over to the side of the green and spotted his original ball in the dry water hazard short of the green – approximately 40 feet from the hole.  Confused as to how he should now proceed, Ben called you over for a ruling and you say:
1.  Since Ben’s original ball came to rest in a water hazard, he was not entitled to play a provisional ball.  Accordingly, Ben incurs a penalty of two strokes for playing a wrong ball and must complete the hole with his original ball.
2. Ben must complete the play of the hole with his original ball.  He may either play it as it lies or proceed under Rule 26-1 with it.  There is no penalty for having played a provisional ball.
3. Ben must complete the play of the hole with his provisional ball, which is his ball in play.  His upcoming putt will be his fifth stroke on the hole. DEFINITIONS LOST BALL (B)
4. Ben must complete the play of the hole with his provisional ball.  His upcoming putt will be his sixth stroke on the hole.

 

1.  On the second hole at Porto Cima, Ray hooked his second shot into a sand dune that is located through the green (i.e. the sand dune is not a bunker).  Unable to find his ball, Ryan began digging through the sand with both his hand and a club.  Eventually he found his ball but also caused it to move during this process.  What is the ruling and how must Ray now proceed.
1.  There is no penalty.  Ray must replace his ball and re-create his original lie. RULE 12-1A
2. Ray incurs a penalty of one stroke for moving his ball at rest.  He must replace it and re-create his original lie.
3. Ray incurs a penalty of two strokes for moving sand and loose soil in an area through the green.  The ball must be replaced and the lie re-created.
4. Ray may declare his ball unplayable, and if he chooses to proceed under Rule 28b or 28c, the ball must be dropped in the sand dune.

 

1.  Don’s ball came to rest directly next to a young tree that had fallen over during a recent wind storm.  The fallen tree was still attached to its stump.  Prior to play starting that day, the Committee circled the tree and the immediate area around it, declaring it to be ground under repair.  Don’s ball was within this circled area.  Which of the following options are true in regards to how Don may proceed?
1.  Provided Don does not completely detach the tree from its stump, he may move it to the side so it no longer interferes with his area of intended swing.
2. Don may break off as much small interfering branches as he would like in order to provide himself with a clear area of intended swing.
3. Don may drop a ball behind the ground under repair, without penalty, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the ground under repair between the hole and the spot on which he drops.
4. None of the above. RULES 25-1(B)I, 13-2; DECISION 23/7

 

1.  Randy’s tee shot came to rest in a flowerbed from which play was prohibited by Local Rule.  Unaware of this Local Rule, Randy made a stroke at the ball and advanced it 50 yards into high rough.  His fellow competitor then advised him that he didn’t think he was allowed to play a stroke from within the flowerbed.  This confusion prompted Randy to invoke Rule 3-3.  He announced that he would drop a second ball in accordance with Rule 25-1 away from the flowerbed, and he wanted the score made with the dropped ball to count.  Randy holed out with both balls and reported the facts to the Committee following the round.  How should the Committee rule?
1.  The score with the original ball counts – no penalty.
2. The score with the original ball counts but Randy must add two penalty strokes to his score on the hole in question. DECISIONS 3-3/6; APPENDIX I, PART B, #2a
3. The score with the dropped ball counts – no penalty.
4. The score with the dropped ball counts but Randy must add two penalty strokes to his score on the hole in question.

 

1.  On the 15^thhole of the second round of the Senior Four-Ball Championship, Rules Officials became aware that Greg was carrying a “chipper” in his bag that had a non-circular grip (i.e. the side on which he would place his thumbs was flat).  Officials confirmed that Greg also carried this club in his bag during round one of the championship, but he had not made a stroke with it during the entire tournament.  Greg and his partner did not include any penalty strokes in their first round score, as they were unaware that this could result in an infraction.  What is the ruling?
1.  There is no penalty to Greg or the side since a stroke was not made with the chipper.
2. Greg incurs a penalty of two strokes on both holes one and two (four penalty strokes total) for the second round.
3. Both Greg and his partner incur a penalty of two strokes on both holes one and two (four penalty strokes each) for the second round.
4. Greg and his partner are disqualified. DECISIONS 4-1/3; APPENDIX II, #3(i) RULE 6-6D; DECISION 33-7/4.5