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Beginning players have interesting rules interpretations. Hit the ball into a hazard? Free drop. A lake? Free drop. Drive your ball out of bounds or have it land in a divot? You guessed it. Free drop. While it’s great for beginning players to get extra confidence by improving bad lies and to keep the action moving, at some point every player has to learn to play by the rules. This can be a little intimidating. The USGA Rule Book is filled with a lot of words and descriptions that may as well be written in Latin as far as the beginning player is concerned. A good place to start for the basics would be to read: Rule 13 — Playing the ball as it lies. Rule 26 — Relief from a hazard. Rule 27 — What to do if your ball is lost or goes out of bounds, and how to play a provisional ball. I watch players tee their ball in front of the tee markers not knowing that they have up to two club lengths behind the markers to tee their ball, and many don’t know their options for an unplayable lie (Rule 28). You should also know when you can take a drop or move your ball to a better situation without a penalty stroke, such as when loose impediments or obstructions impede your shot. Knowing Rule 20 (lifting, dropping and placing) will ensure that you don’t incur a penalty in the process of taking a drop. Golf is a game where you are the competitor and oftentimes the rules official. The scores you shoot while obeying the rules will give you great satisfaction. Heidi Richardson is a PGA teaching professional at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. She can be reached at (760) 944-1936. |
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