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2019 Rules of Golf Definitions
2019 USGA Rules of Golf Definitions
120
Sports
Not Applicable
10/03/2018
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Term
What are considered Abnormal Course Conditions?
 Definition
An animal hole, ground under repair, an immovable obstruction, or temporary water.
Term
What do the Rules of Golf consider Advice?
 Definition
Any verbal comment or action that is intended to influence you or another player in choosing a club, making a stroke, or deciding how to play during a hole or round.
Term
What is considered public information, and not deemed to be advice?
 Definition
The location of things on the course, the distance from one point to another, or the Rules.
Term
How do the Rules define an Animal?
 Definition
Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans)
Term
What does an Animal Hole include?
 Definition
- The loose material the animal dug out of the hole - Any worn-down track or trail leading into the hole - Any area on the ground pushed up or altered as a result of the animal digging the hole underground.
Term
What are the five areas of the course?
 Definition
1. General Area 2. The Teeing Area you must play from in starting the hole you are playing. 3. All Penalty Areas 4. All Bunkers 5. The Putting Green of the hole you are playing
Term
Definition of a Boundary Object:
 Definition
Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, from which relief is not allowed.
Term
What are objects connected to a boundary object that are not considered part of the boundary object?
 Definition
- Angled supports or guy wires
- Steps, bridge or similar construction used for getting over the wall or fence.
Term
Are Boundary Objects treated as immovable or movable?
 Definition
Boundary objects are treated as immovable even if there are movable or parts of them are movable.
Term
What are two things boundary objects are never considered?
 Definition
Obstructions or integral objects
Term
Is a lip, wall or face at the edge of a prepared area of sand that consists of soil, grass, stacked turf or artificial materials considered part of a bunker?
 Definition
NO
Term
Are areas of grass, bushes or trees inside the edge of a bunker considered part of the bunker?
 Definition
NO
Term
What is the definition of Club-Length?
 Definition
The length of the longest of club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs you have during the round, OTHER THAN A PUTTER.
Term
What is the definition of Committee?
 Definition
The person or group in charge of the competition or the course.
Term
Where must you let go of the ball when performing a drop?
 Definition
Knee height
Term
What must you do when executing a drop?
 Definition
- Drop from knee-high
- Drop so the ball falls straight down, without throwing, spinning or rolling, or any other motion that may affect where it comes to rest
- Drop so that it does not touch your equipment before it hits the ground
Term
The five Conditions Affecting the Stroke:
 Definition
- Lie of your ball at rest
- Area of your intended stance
- Area of your intended swing
- Line of play
- The relief area where you will drop or place your ball
Term
Definition of Course:
 Definition
The entire area of play within the boundaries set by the Committee.
Term
How does the course boundary edge extend?
 Definition
Both upwards and downwards.
Term
When is a ball embedded?
 Definition
When it is in its own pitch-mark made as a result of the previous stroke and where part of the ball is below the level of the ground.
Term
Does a ball have to touch soil to be considered embedded?
 Definition
No, grass and loose impediments may be between the ball and the soil
Term
What is the definition of Equipment?
 Definition
Anything used, worn, held, or carried by you or your caddie.
Term
When are objects used for the care of the course considered equipment?
 Definition
Only while they are being held or carried by you or your caddie.
Term
What four areas are not part of the General Area?
 Definition
- The teeing area you must play from in starting the hole you are playing.
- All penalty areas
- All bunkers
- The putting green of the hole you are playing
Term
Does the general area include teeing areas on other holes and wrong greens?
 Definition
YES
Term
What is the General Penalty?
 Definition
Loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play.
Term
What is deemed ground under repair even if the committee does not define it as such?
 Definition
- Any hole made by the committee or maintenance staff in setting up or maintaining the course.
- Grass cuttings, leaves or any other material piled for later removal.
- Any animal habitat that is so near your ball that your stroke or stance might damage it.
Term
When ground under repair is defined by stakes, what is considered the edge?
 Definition
It is defined by the line between outside points of the stakes at ground level.
Term
When Ground Under Repair is defined by a painted line, what is considered the edge?
 Definition
The Ground Repair is defined by the outside edge of the line and the line itself is considered GUR.
Term
When is a ball considered to be holed?
 Definition
When a ball is at rest in the hole after your stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.
Term
Definition of immovable obstruction:
 Definition
Any obstruction that cannot be moved without unreasonable effort or without damaging the obstruction or the course.
Term
What is the Rules of Golf definition of Improve?
 Definition
To alter one or more of the conditions affecting your stroke or other physical conditions affecting your play so that you gain a potential advantage for your stroke.
Term
What is the Rules of Golf definition of In Play?
 Definition
The status of your ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole.
Term
When is a ball deemed no longer in play?
 Definition
- When it is lifted from the course
- When it is lost
- When another ball has been substituted for it, even if not allowed by a rule.
Term
If a ball marker has been put down, but the ball has not been lifted, is it considered to be in play?
 Definition
YES
Term
What is a ball not in play considered?
 Definition
A wrong ball
Term
What is the definition of integral object?
 Definition
An artificial object defined by the committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed.
Term
What are the two standards for declaring known and virtually certainty?
 Definition
- There is conclusive evidence that the event in question happened to your ball, such as you or other witnesses saw it happen.
- All reasonably available information shows that it is at least 95% likely that the event in question happened.
Term
What must be the diameter of a hole?
 Definition
4.25 inches
Term
How deep must a hole be?
 Definition
4 inches
Term
What is the definition of Line of Play?
 Definition
The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line.
Term
Is the Line of Play a straight line?
 Definition
No, it may be a curved line based on where the player intends the ball to go.
Term
Are dead animals and animal waste considered a loose impediment?
 Definition
YES
Term
Are clumps of compacted soil considered loose impediments?
 Definition
YES
Term
Are worms or insects, and the mounds or webs they build considered loose impediments?
 Definition
YES
Term
When are natural objects that may be considered loose impediments in fact NOT considered loose impediments?
 Definition
- When they are attached or growing
- When they are solidly embedded in the ground
- When they are sticking to the ball
Term
Are sand and loose soil considered loose impediments?
 Definition
NO
Term
Are dew, frost, and water considered loose impediments?
 Definition
NO
Term
Are snow or natural ice considered a loose impediment?
 Definition
YES, or, when on the ground, can be considered temporary water.
Term
Are spider webs considered loose impediments?
 Definition
YES
Term
What are the two ways that a ball can be marked?
 Definition
- By placing a ball marker right behind or right next to the ball.
- Holding a club on the ground right behind or right next to the ball.
Term
What is the definition of a Movable Obstruction?
 Definition
An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.
Term
Can the committee define a movable obstruction as an immovable obstruction?
 Definition
YES
Term
When has a ball moved?
 Definition
When it was at rest, but has left its original sport and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen with the naked eye.
Term
What is the Rules of Golf definition of Natural Forces?
 Definition
The effects of nature such as wind, water, or something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity.
Term
A No Play Zone must be defined as one of what two things?
 Definition
- An Abnormal Course Condition
- A Penalty Area
Term
What are examples of Outside Influences?
 Definition
- Any person (including another player), except the player or his caddie or the player's partner, or any opponent or any of their caddies.
- Any animals
- Any natural or artificial object or anything else except natural forces
Term
In what direction or directions does Out of Bounds extend?
 Definition
It extends both upwards and downwards.
Term
Do boundary stakes or line have to be white?
 Definition
They SHOULD be white.
Term
Does a body of water have to be marked by the Committee to be considered a penalty area?
 Definition
NO
Term
The Nearest Point of Complete Relief is the point where, when taking free relief, that is:
 Definition
- Nearest the ball's original spot, but not nearer the hole than that spot.
- In the required area of the course
- Where the condition does not interfere with the stroke the player would have made from the original spot if the condition was not there.
Term
If the color of the penalty area has not been marked or indicated by the committee, what is it considered?
 Definition
Red Penalty Area
Term
When the edge of a body of water is not defined by the Committee, how is the edge of the penalty area defined?
 Definition
It is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water)
Term
What is the definition of Point of Maximum Available Relief?
 Definition
The reference point for taking relief from an abnormal ground condition in a bunker or on a putting green when there is no nearest point of complete relief.
Term
How is the edge of a putting green defined?
 Definition
By where it can be seen that the specially prepared area starts, unless the committee defines the edge in a different way (i.e., lines or dots).
Term
What is the definition of Referee?
 Definition
An official named by the committee to decide questions of fact and apply the rules.
Term
What is the definition of Relief Area?
 Definition
The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under each rule.
Term
What are four factors to consider when determining if a Serious Breach has occurred?
 Definition
- The difficulty of the stroke
- The distance of the ball from the hole
- The effect of the obstacles on the line of play
- The conditions affecting the stroke
Term
Does the concept of Serious Breach exist in Match Play?
 Definition
No, because the penalty for playing from a wrong place in Match Play is loss of hole.
Term
What is the definition of stance?
 Definition
The position of a player's feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.
Term
What is the definition of Stroke?
 Definition
The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.
Term
Does it count as a stroke if, mid-swing, a player decides he does not want to hit the ball and misses deliberately?
 Definition
NO
Term
When has a player substituted a ball?
 Definition
When he or she puts the ball in play instead of the original ball, whether or not the original was in play or not in play due to being lifted, lost or out of bounds.
Term
Is a substituted ball in play if it was replaced, dropped or placed in a wrong way or wrong place?
 Definition
YES
Term
Is a substituted ball in play even if the Rules required the player to put the original ball back in play rather than to substitute another ball?
 Definition
YES
Term
What part of the tee markers define the front edge of the teeing ground?
 Definition
The forward-most points of the two tee markers set by the committee.
Term
What part of the tee markers define the outside edge of the teeing ground?
 Definition
The outside-most point of the tee markers.
Term
What is Temporary Water?
 Definition
Any accumulation of water on the surface of the ground that is not in a penalty area and can be seen before or after a player takes a stance.
Term
What is manufactured ice considered?
 Definition
An obstruction
Term
A wrong ball is any ball other than the player's:
 Definition
- Ball in play - Provisional ball - Second ball is stroke played under rules 14.7b or 20.1c
Term
Three examples of a Wrong Ball:
 Definition
- Another player's ball in play.
- A stray ball
- The player's own ball that is out of bounds, has become lost or has been lifted and not yet been put back in play.
Term
What is the definition of Wrong Place?
 Definition
Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play his or her ball under the Rules.
Term
Examples 1 & 2 of playing from a Wrong Place:
 Definition
- Playing a ball after replacing it on the wrong spot or without replacing it when required by the Rules.
- Playing a dropped ball from outside the required relief area.
Term
Examples 3 & 4 of playing from a Wrong Place:
 Definition
- Taking relief under a wrong Rule, so that the ball is dropped in and played from a place not allowed under the Rules. - Playing a ball from a no play zone or when a no play zone interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or swing.
Term
Is playing a ball from outside the teeing area when starting a hole considered playing from a wrong place?
 Definition
NO
Term
Is one player telling another player, "You have no shot, I would take an unplayable lie here," considered advice?
 Definition

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, that is considered advice
Term
Does an animal hole include footprints that are not part of a track leading into an animal hole?
 Definition
No, those footprints are not considered an animal hole.
Term
Can a tee be used as a ball-marker?
 Definition
Yes, a tee can be used as a ball-marker.
Term
When an entire bunker is considered ground under repair, it is considered to be part of which area of the course?
 Definition
It is considered part of the general area.
Term
Is an attachment to the end of a grip considered part of a club-length when a club is used for measuring?
 Definition
No, it is not considered part of the club-length.
Term
When is a rake or other object used to care for the course considered equipment?
 Definition
Only when it is being held or carried by the player or caddie.
Term
When is an artificial or natural object, such as a club or stick, treated as a flagstick under the Rules?
 Definition
When it is being used to show the position of the hole.
Term
When searching for a ball, what information is considered when determining whether knowledge or virtual certainty exists?
 Definition
Only information discovered with the three-minute search time.
Term
Is a live insect on a ball considered a loose impediment?
 Definition
YES
Term
Is a ball that wobbles or oscillates considered to have moved?
 Definition
NO
Term
When can a player take relief from two separate conditions at the same time?
 Definition
When, having already taken relief separately from each condition, it becomes reasonable to conclude that continuing to do so will result in continued interference by one or the other.
Term
What is the ruling if it is not physically possible to drop the ball in any part of the identified relief area?
 Definition
The player is not allowed relief from the condition.
Term
If a No Play Zone is defined as a penalty area, what is the status of part of a growing object that extends beyond the edges of the No Play Zone?
 Definition
The part that extends beyond the edges of the No Play Zone is not considered part of the No Play Zone.
Term
If a No Play Zone is defined as ground under repair, what is the status of part of a growing object that extends beyond the edges of the No Play Zone?
 Definition
The part that extends beyond the edges of the No Play Zone is considered part of the No Play Zone.
Term
What is the status of an object that parts both within and outside of a boundary edge?
 Definition
Only the part of the object that is outside the edge is out of bounds.
Term
If an open watercourse does not contain water, may the committee define it as part of the general area?
 Definition
YES
Term
How is the point of maximum available relief found?
 Definition
By comparing the relative amount of interference with the lie of the ball and the player's area of intended stance and swing. If on the putting green, line of play is also considered.
Term
If a double green is used for two different holes, what is it considered?
 Definition
The entire prepared area for both holes is treated as the putting green when playing each hole, unless the committee deems otherwise.
Term
In match play, if a referee is assigned multiple matches or a section of the course, when do they have the authority to become involved in a match?
 Definition
- A player in the match asks for a ruling or Rules help.
- A violation of Rule 1.2 (Conduct), 1.3b(1) (Players agree to ignore rule or penalty they know applies), Rule 5.6a (Unreasonable delay), or Rule 5.6b (Prompt Pace)
- A player is late to their starting point.
- A ball search reaches 3 minutes.
Term
When taking relief under a Rule that has a reference point, when is a ball considered nearer the hole than the reference point?
 Definition
When any part of the ball nearer the hole than the reference point.
Term
If the clubhead separates from the shaft during the downswing and the player continues the downswing with the shaft alone, does it count as a stroke?
 Definition
YES
Term
If a ball is lodged in a tree branch and a player moves the ball by striking a lower part of the branch, does it count as a stroke?
 Definition
NO
Term
If a player's clubhead separates from the shaft during the backswing and the player completes the downswing with the shaft but does not strike the ball, does it count as a stroke?
 Definition
NO
Term
What is the maximum length of a tee?
 Definition
4 inches
Term
What part of the course is a wrong green considered?
 Definition
General area
Term
When a referee is assigned to multiple matches or a course section, under which Rules must they become involved?
 Definition
- 1.2 (Player Conduct)
- 1.3b(1) (Players agree to ignore rule)
- 5.6 (Unreasonable delay, pace, ball search time)
Term
Does a scorecard have any status in match play?
 Definition
NO
Term
What is the status of a ball cut in half by a mower that a player makes a stroke at?
 Definition
A wrong ball
Term
Does search time continue if a player returns to play a provisional?
 Definition
YES
Term
When dropping a ball, when does the ball become in play?
 Definition
When it is let go with the intent to be in play.
Term
What is water in the hole of a putting green considered?
 Definition
An abnormal course condition
Term
Is a dirt maintenance path considered an immovable obstruction?
 Definition
Only if the committee decides to declare it as such.
Term
Are tee markers considered obstructions?
 Definition
YES
Term
Is a player's equipment considered an obstruction?
 Definition
YES
Term
Can a provisional ball be played if a player is 95% sure the original is in a penalty area?
 Definition
YES - if a player believes there is any chance the ball is lost outside of a penalty area they may play a provisional.
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