What are the rules about playing against the wrong players in a draw?
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The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thank you, we have a guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Have a question? You have all the answers.
A four ball game. Our opponents arrive before us and strike. Unconsciously, I hit from the next box to the front, which they duly saw. I hit the right tees again and played on, making 5. Our competitors said my score was 7 for hitting the wrong balls. Is that so? —Dennis Derby, via email
Your opponents didn’t have to tell you that you were about to play against the wrong players, aside from the sport. Maybe they didn’t realize until it was too late… or not.
However, they confused the proper rule of play, Rule 6.1b(1), with the stroke play, Rule 6.1b(2). In this game play, your opponents get to choose whether they want to cancel your stroke and require you to play from the correct tees; if they don’t cancel, you just play the hole, don’t penalize, even for bad players. In stroke play, you actually incur a two-stroke penalty and are required to correct your mistake.
For a gameplay guide from our guru, read on…
Rules Guy: In a four ball game, do you have to share the foul ball penalty with your partner?
Rules Guy
During the semifinals of a club golf tournament, I was injured when my opponent drove his golf cart into my left leg, knocking me over — yes, accidentally, but still. This happened during the fourth hole. Not knowing how badly I was hurt, we decided together to stop the game. Thankfully, it turned out nothing was broken. However, we did not neglect to mark our balls. If we finally restart the match, can we mutually agree to restart from the first hole, even though the pin positions and conditions will have changed? Is this the decision of the tournament committee? — Kathleen Williams, Union Vale, NY
The Rules Guy is very impressed with the possible parallels between your various lawyers, but we’re glad you handled the situation calmly.
That said, under Rule 5.7c, you must resume play where play was stopped, even on a different day.
Don’t know the exact position of your golf balls? That’s right – just measure and replace (and make sure your opponent keeps his foot on the brake).
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Have a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your questions, confusion and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw a letter at you.
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