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Frequently asked USGA Rules
 

Relief from Sprinkler Heads around the Green
F-5 Immovable Obstructions - Rule 16.1
 

If the Ball lies Through the Green (i.e. not in a Hazard) and a sprinkler head within two club lengths of the Putting Green and within two club lengths of the Ball intervenes on the Line of Play, the player may take relief as follows: Mark the ball, lift and drop the ball at the nearest point to where the ball lay, which (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids such intervention, and (c) is not in a Hazard or on the Putting Green.  NO PENALTY.

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Raking a Bunker  Rule12.2B

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2019 Ruling: When your ball is in a bunker, you may rake the bunker at any time to care for the course as long as you do not improve the conditions affecting your upcoming stroke (this means to improve your lie, area of intended stance, area of intended swing or line of play) (see Rule 12.2b(2)). But, once you have played your ball out of the bunker, there are no restrictions on raking the bunker (see Rule 12.2b(3)).   The USGA recommends placing rakes outside of bunkers and away from where they are likely to interfere with play.

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Lifting Your ball to Identify It - Rule 7.3 
 

Rule 7.3 If a ball might be yours but you cannot identify it as it lies, you may lift the ball to identify it.  The spot of the ball must first be marked, you should announce you are picking it up, and the ball must not be cleaned more than needed to identify it (except on the putting green).

  • If the lifted ball is your ball or another player’s ball, it must be replaced on its original spot.

  • If you lift your ball when not reasonably necessary to identify it, fail to mark the spot of the ball before lifting it or clean it when not allowed, you get one penalty stroke.

  • 7.4 There is no penalty if your ball is accidentally moved by you, your opponent or anyone else while trying to find or identify it.

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Loose Impediments - Rule 15.1

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15.1a Without penalty, a player may remove a loose impediment anywhere on or off the course and may do so in any way. (such as by using a hand or foot, using a club or other equipment, getting help from others or breaking off part of a loose impediment)

15.1b If a player’s removal of a loose impediment causes their ball to move, the ball must be replaced on its original spot the player gets one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b.

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Hitting a ball in the Fairway on a Practice Swing - Rule 13.1d(1)

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If you hit your ball in the fairway on a practice swing, it is a one stroke penalty.  You must pick your ball up and replace it in its original spot before hitting again.  If you do not replace the ball to its original spot and hit it from where it landed, it is a two-stroke penalty.  

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Penalty for Playing Wrong Ball - Breach of Rule 6.3c(1)

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If you hit another person's ball thinking it is yours, it is a two-stroke penalty.   

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Penalty for hitting outside the Tee Box Area - Rule 6.1b


You must tee off between the tee markers and be within 2 club length behind the markers.  It is a two-stroke penalty if you do not hit from this teeing area.  

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When is a Ball Holed on the Green? - Rule 13.2c

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If your ball comes to rest against the flagpole, and any part of the ball is below the surface of the green, your ball is treated as holed.   However, do not take the flagstick out to retrieve your ball, as that will result in placing the ball next to the cup for an additional stroke.

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Tree Roots - Rule 9

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If your ball rests on tree roots, it falls under 'Play it as it lies'.  It's the same as if it were next to a tree.  You have three options if you wish to not play it as it lies.  The link below is a video explaining your options.

1. You can take Lateral Relief and play an unplayable lie, move it two club lengths no closer to the pin for a one stroke penalty.

2. You can Stroke and Distance Relief and return to the original place the ball was hit from and take a one stroke penalty.

3. You can take Back on the Line Relief where go back as far as you want in the line of the flight of the ball towards the green with a one stroke penalty.

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Tree Roots and Loose Impediments (usga.org)

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Ball Resting Against an Out of Bounds Object - Rule 8.1a
 

Boundary Object:  Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not available. 

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Your ball is against a boundary object. You can play it as it lies, or you have 3 penalty options: 

1) You can go back and hit the ball from the original spot for a 1-stroke penalty. Rule 18.1

2) You can take an unplayable lie two club lengths and no closer to the pin for a 1-stroke penalty.  Rule 19.1

3) If neither of the above works then you must take stroke and distance for a 2-stroke penalty.
 

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Possible Lost Ball and Hitting a Provisional - Rule 18.3
 

If you believe your ball is lost or out of bounds, you may hit a provisional ball.  You CANNOT go look for the ball and then go back to hit the provisional ball.  You must state you are hitting a 'Provisional Ball' to your group.  You should continue to play the provisional ball.  If you do find the original ball and it is further back than the where  provisional lies, you cannot play the original ball.  Playing the provisional ball is a one stroke penalty.

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Ball on the Cart Path 16.1a

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First do not pick up the ball until you determine where your relief point will be marked. It can be no closer to the

pin.  You are allowed one club length.  If your ball is in the middle of the cart path, you will probably be able to mark it on either side as one club length will allow relief.   If your ball is on the edge of one of the sides of the cart part and one club length still leaves your ball on the cart path, then you must hit it off the cart path.  On hole #2, IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR BALL is on the right side of the cart path and you DO NO WANT TO HIT THE BALL OFF THE CART PATH,  you should hit a provisional ball. 

 

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