While you are waiting for spring to arrive, try this short rules quiz. I will post the answers and a brief explanation in a few days.
1. In match play, if you putt a ball on the putting green and your ball hits another ball on the green, then:
a. you incur a 2-stroke penalty, and play the ball as it lies
b. no penalty, and play the ball as it lies
c. cancel the stroke and replay the putt
2. Your ball is lying in casual water in the rough. The nearest point of relief no closer to the hole is on the fairway.
a. You must drop your ball on the fairway.
b. You must drop your ball in the rough.
3. Your ball has come to rest on a slope. You select your club, take your stance, and address the ball. Then you decide you want to change clubs. While you are returning to your bag to get the other club, your ball rolls down the hill.
a. No penalty, and play the ball as it lies.
b. No penalty, and you must replace the ball.
c. One stroke penalty, and you must replace the ball.
4. Your ball is so close to an out-of-bounds fence that you are unable to swing.
a. An out-of-bounds fence is an obstruction. You are entitled to free relief. Drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief. No penalty.
b. An out-of-bounds fence is not an obstruction. It is “fixed.” You may declare your ball unplayable, drop within two club-lengths, and add a one-stroke penalty to your score.
5. You suspect your tee shot may be out of bounds, so you hit a provisional from the tee. When you find your ball, it is not out of bounds, but it is wedged in the roots of a tree and is unplayable.
a. You may pick up your original ball and continue with the provisional.
b. You must pick up the provisional and continue with the original.
