Insert

Association

Logo Here

Areas of the Course2019 USGA Rules

Insert

Association

Logo HerePublications2

Insert

Association

Logo Here

The course is divided into five defined areas. Play of the game from each area has its own unique privileges and restrictions.

• The teeing area

• The general area

• Bunkers

• Penalty areas

• The putting green

The Five Areas of the Course

Insert

Association

Logo Here

General Area

Insert

Association

Logo Here

The general area is one of the five defined areas on the course and includes the majority of places on it:

• all fairways,

• the rough,

• wooded areas (except when marked as a penalty area),

• areas of tall unmaintained grass (except when marked as a penalty area) and,

• naturally sandy areas, including deserts (except when marked as a penalty area).

When an Area is Part of the General Area

Insert

Association

Logo Here

The only places on the course that are NOT part of the general area are those defined as one of the other four areas.

• The teeing area of the hole you are playing,

• the putting green of the hole you are playing,

• all bunkers, and

• all penalty areas.

The ball is considered to be touching only one part of the course at a time. (Hierarchy is listed in the rule book under Rule 2.)

When an Area is Part of the General Area

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

Which of the following is correct about a ball touching two areas of the course?

a. If a ball touches both the putting green and a bunker, the ball is on the putting green.

b. If a ball touches both the general area and a penalty area, the ball is in the penalty area.

c. If a ball touches both a penalty area and a bunker, the ball is in the bunker.

d. If a ball touches both the general area and another area of the course, the ball is always in the general area.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

B

Rule 2.2c

“A ball is always treated as lying in one area of the course:

• If part of the ball is in both the general area and one of the four specific areas of the course, it is treated as lying in

that specific area of the course.

• If part of the ball is in two specific areas of the course, it is treated as lying in the specific area that comes first in this

order: penalty area, bunker, putting green.”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Bunkers

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Loose impediments anywhere on (or off) the course, may be touched or removed without penalty.

Including when your ball and the loose impediment are in the same bunker.

If you move a loose impediment in a bunker and cause your ball to move:

- you get a penalty ofone stroke and

- must replace the ball.

Loose Impediments in Bunkers

Insert

Association

Logo Here

When your ball is in a bunker, you get a penalty if you:

• Test the condition of the sand to learn information for your next stroke with:

- your hand

- a club

- a rake or

- any other object

• Touch the sand with a club:

- right behind (or in front of) your ball

- as you make a practice swing or

- as you make your backswing for a stroke

Restrictions on Touching Sand In Bunkers

Insert

Association

Logo Here

It is not a penalty to touch the sand in a bunker when you:

• dig in with your feet to take a stance for a practice swing or your next stroke

• lean on a club to rest, stay balanced or prevent a fall

• place (or toss) your club(s), equipment (including your golf bag), a rake, or other objects in the bunker

• take actions permitted by Rules such as measuring, marking, lifting, replacing, etc.

• smooth the bunker to care for the course

• strike the sand in frustration or anger (even though this is considered poor etiquette)

Restrictions on Touching Sand In Bunkers

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

In match play, a player’s ball lies in a bunker. After the player’s stroke at the ball which remains in the bunker, she kicks the sand with her foot in frustration or anger. What is

the ruling?

a. There is no penalty.

b. The player gets the general penalty.

c. The player gets a total of four penalty strokes.

d. The player is disqualified.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

A

Rule 12.2b(2)

“When touching the sand does not result in a penalty. Except as covered by (1), this Rule does not prohibit the player from touching the sand in the bunker

in any other way, including:

• Digging in with the feet to take a stance for a practice swing or a stroke,

• Smoothing the bunker to care for the course,

• Placing clubs, equipment, or other objects in the bunker (whether by throwing or setting them down),

• Measuring, marking, lifting, replacing, or taking other actions under a Rule,

• Leaning on a club to rest, stay balanced, or prevent a fall,

• Striking the sand in frustration or anger.

BUT, the player gets the general penalty if his or her actions in touching the sand improve the conditions affecting the stroke in breach of Rule 8.1”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

A player walks into a bunker where her ball as come to rest. She sees leaves all around her ball and works to remove

them. Her hand touches the sand and as she removes one of the leaves, her ball moves. What is the ruling?

a. The player was not allowed to remove the loose impediments because she was in the bunker. General

penalty and the ball must be replaced.

b. The player incurs two penalties, one for touching the sand and one for the ball moving. She must play the ball as it lies and incurs the general penalty for touching the sand and a 1 shot penalty for causing the ball to move.

c. The ball must be replaced (lie recreated). The player incurs a 1 stroke penalty for causing the ball to move.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

C

Rule 15.1b

“If a player’s removal of a loose impediment causes his or her ball to move:

• The ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated)

• If the moved ball had been at rest anywhere except on the putting green or in the teeing area, the player gets one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b, except when Rule 7.4 applies (no penalty for ball moved

during search) or when another exception to Rule 9.4b applies.”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

A player decides to take unplayable relief outside a bunker for a penalty of two strokes under the new Rule 19.3b. After dropping the ball using the back on the line relief

procedure, but before making her next stroke, the player smooths her footprints in the bunker. What is the penalty?

a. No penalty.

b. General penalty assessed as the player has improved the conditions affecting the stroke in breach of rule 8.1a.

c. No penalty as long as the player restores the conditions prior to making her stroke.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

A

Rule 12.2b(3)

“After a ball in a bunker is played and is outside the bunker, the player may:

• Touch the sand in the bunker without penalty under Rule 12.2b(1), and

• Smooth sand in the bunker to care for the course without penalty under Rule 8.1a.

This is true even if the ball comes to rest outside the bunker and:

• The player is required or allowed by the Rules to take stroke and distance relief by dropping a ball in the bunker, or

• The sand in the bunker is on the player’s line of play for the next stroke made from outside the bunker.”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Penalty Areas

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Places on the course where your ball often is not found or when found, is typically very difficult or impossible to play.

• Any body of water on the course, including:

(even if not containing water at the time).

- a sea- a lake- a pond- a river

- a ditch- a surface drainage ditch- any other open

watercourse

Penalty Areas

Insert

Association

Logo Here

• Any other area on the course marked or defined by the Committee as a penalty area, including:

- deserts

- densely wooded or over-grown areas

- jungles

- lava rock fields

- areas of tall unmaintained grasses

Penalty Areas

Insert

Association

Logo Here

• Penalty areas should be identified by one of three means:- Stakes

- Painted Lines

- Physical Features

• They help you see where a penalty area is from a distance.

• They let you know the number of penalty relief options you have.

• They allow you to figure out where the outer edge of the penalty area is.

Ways Penalty Areas Can Be Marked

Insert

Association

Logo Here

• Stakes:

- straight lines from stake to stake using the outside edge at ground level to determine the outer edge of the penalty area

- the stakes are in the penalty area

• Painted Lines:

- the outside edge of the line is the outer edge of the penalty area

- the entire line is inside the penalty area

• Physical Features:

- examples: a beach, desert area, retaining wall, fence, mow line between different height grasses

- the Committee specifies how the outer edge of the penalty area is defined (look for this information in course local rules, on your score card, some other notice)

Ways Penalty Areas Can Be Marked

Insert

Association

Logo Here

• TWO types of penalty areas:

- yellow – 2 relief options

- red – 3 relief options

• If the color has not been marked or indicated, it is treated as red.

Types of Penalty Areas

Insert

Association

Logo Here

You may take penalty area relief when:

1.Your ball lies in a penalty area, or

2.You have knowledge or virtual certainty that your ball is in a penalty area (even if you can’t find it).

When Are You Allowed to Take Penalty Area Relief

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Having knowledge or virtual certainty means:

• There is conclusive evidence that your ball is in the penalty area, or

• It is 95% or more likelythat your ball is in the penalty area (even if there is a small degree of doubt).

When Are You Allowed to Take Penalty Area Relief

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Stroke and Distance Relief

Dropping within one club-length of where the previous stroke was made.

Dropping on the line between where the ball last entered the penalty area and the flagstick behind the penalty area.

Dropping within two club-lengths of where the ball last entered the penalty area.

Red Penalty Area Relief Options

Stroke and Distance Relief

Back-on-the-Line Relief

Lateral Relief

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Stroke and Distance Relief Back-on-the-Line Relief

Yellow Penalty Area Relief Options

Dropping within one club-length of where the previous stroke was made.

Dropping on the line between where the ball last entered the penalty area and the flagstick behind the penalty area.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

For one penalty stroke, you may take lateral relief from a red penalty area.

1. Identify the point where the ball last entered into the penalty area.

This is your reference point.

2. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the reference point and not nearer the hole.

This is your relief area.

Reference

point

X

Lateral Relief for Red Penalty Areas

The highlighted area is the relief area. This is where a ball must be dropped.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

For one penalty stroke, you may take back-on-the-line relief from a penalty area.

1. Determine the straight line formed by the hole and the point where your ball last entered the penalty area.

2. Choose a reference point behind the penalty anywhere on that line (with no limit to how far behind).

3. Drop within one club-length of the reference point you chose, not nearer the hole.

Where the ball

last entered

the penalty

area

Reference

point

Back-on-the-Line Relief for Penalty Areas

The highlighted area is the relief area. This is where a ball must be dropped.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Loose Impediments are natural objects, that are:

• not attached to anything,

• no longer part of something growing,

• not solidly embedded in the ground, and(that cannot be easily picked out of the ground)

• not sticking to your ball.

Without penalty, you are allowed to move them out of your way no matter where they are, on or off the course.

Loose Impediments Defined

Insert

Association

Logo HereLoose Impediments Defined

Common examples of loose impediments:

• stones,

• loose grass,

• leaves,

• branches and sticks, and

• pine needles and pine cones.

Other items that are also loose impediments include:

• worms, insects and spiders (living or dead) and the mounds and webs made by them,

• clumps of soil and sand (but not loose soil or sand), and

• animal waste and dead animals.

Insert

Association

Logo HereTouching or Moving Loose Impediments in a Penalty Area

Loose impediments in a penalty area may be touched or removed without penalty.

• Including when your ball and the loose impediment are in the same penalty area.

• If you move a loose impediment in a penalty area and cause your ball to move:

✓ you get a penalty of one stroke and

✓ must replace the ball.

Insert

Association

Logo HereTouching the Ground in a Penalty Area

He may touch the ground in the penalty area at any time.

You can touch the ground in a penalty area at any time.

Including when:

• Making practice swings

• Grounding club in front of or behind ball

But, you cannot improve:

• The lie of the ball,

• The area of your stance, or

• The area of your swing.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

In stroke play, a player takes lateral relief from a red penalty area. The player properly drops a ball, but it rolls and

comes to rest more than two club-lengths from the reference point. The player plays the ball. What is the

ruling?

a. No penalty as long as the ball didn’t roll two club-lengths outside the relief area.

b. There is a one stroke penalty.

c. The player gets the general penalty.

d. There is a total penalty of three strokes.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

D – 1 shot for penalty area relief, 2 shots for playing the ball from a wrong place

Rule 17.1d(3) limits the size of the lateral relief area as the following:

• “Reference Point: The estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.

• Size of the Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:

1. Must not be closer to the hole than the reference point.

2. May be in any area of the course except the same penalty area.

Rule 14.3c(2) – If the ball comes to rest outside the relief area, the player must drop a ball in the right way a second time.

Rule 14.7a – “After starting a hole:

• A player must make each stroke from where his or her ball comes to rest, except when the Rules require or allow the player to play a ball from another place.

• A player must not play his or her ball from a wrong place.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

True or False?

A player’s ball is in a penalty area. She is entitled to free relief from man-made structures that may cross over a

penalty area.

a. True

b. False

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

B

Rule 17.3

“When a player’s ball is in a penalty area, there is no relief for:

• Interference by abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1),

• An embedded ball (Rule 16.3), or

• An unplayable ball (Rule 19).

The player’s only relief option is to take penalty relief under Rule 17.”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

A player’s ball lies in a yellow penalty area. She elects to play it. After removing some loose impediments from around her ball, she grounds her club

before taking the shot. After grounding her club, her ball starts to move and rolls down the bank into the water far enough so that she cannot reach it. What

is the ruling?

a. No penalty. She was allowed to ground her club in the hazard. She can get another ball and replace it in its original lie.

b. 1 shot penalty for causing the ball to move in a penalty area (Rule 9.4b). She also now will have to take a 1 shot penalty to get relief from where the ball ended up and use either back on the line relief or go back to the spot

where she last hit the ball. Two shots in penalty total.

c. 1 shot penalty under Rule 9.4b. She must replace the ball (or a replacement) on its original spot in the yellow penalty area and play the shot

(or start taking relief from the penalty area for an additional penalty shot).

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

C

Rule 9.4a

“If the player lifts his or her ball at rest or causes it to move, the ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not

known must be estimated)” – 2 exceptions that don’t apply here…

Rule 9.4b

“If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move, the player gets one penalty

stroke.”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Putting Green

Insert

Association

Logo HereWhen Your Ball is Considered Holed

The entire ball is at rest below the surface of the putting green and is in the hole, so it considered holed.

Your ball is holed when it is at rest

• In the hole, and

• The entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.

Insert

Association

Logo HereWhen Your Ball is Considered Holed

Part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green, so the ball is treated as holed.

For the special case of your ball resting against the flagstick in the hole, your ball is treated as holed if

• Any part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green.

Insert

Association

Logo HereRepair Damage to the Putting Green

• Without penalty, you may repair damage to the putting green caused by:

opeople

oanimals

oartificial objects

onatural objects.

• Natural imperfectionson the putting green must NOT be repaired

• Repair must be done promptly.

Insert

Association

Logo HereRepair Damage to the Putting Green

Examples of damage to the putting green you may repair are: o Ball marks o Shoe damage (such as scrapes, indentations and spike marks)o Scrapes and indentations caused by the flagstick or players’

equipment oOld hole plugs, turf plugs and sod seams o Maintenance vehicle and maintenance tool damage o Animal tracks and hoof indentations o Indentations caused by embedded objects (such as acorns,

stones, tees)

Insert

Association

Logo HereRepair Damage to the Putting Green

Examples of natural imperfections on the putting green you are NOT allowed to repair are: o Grass growth issues, such as

bare, uneven or diseased areas

o Occasional maintenance imperfections like aeration holes and grooves made from vertical mowing

o Natural wear to the hole o Imperfections caused by

rainfall or irrigation o Surface imperfections caused

by weeds, other plants and natural objects

Insert

Association

Logo Here

1. 2.

3. 4.

Accidental Movement on the Putting Green

No penalty for accidentally moving your ball or ball-marker on the putting green.

Examples include accidentally:

• Bumping the ball with your club (1)

• Dropping the ball on the ball-marker (2)

• Moving the ball while picking up your ball-marker (3)

• Kicking the ball while repairing damage on the putting green (4)

Insert

Association

Logo HereAccidental Movement on the Putting Green

The player accidentally bumped the ball.

The player replaced the ball on the estimated original spot.

If you accidentally cause your ball to move on the putting green, replace the ball on its original spot (estimate the spot if unknown).

Insert

Association

Logo HereBall on Putting Green Moved by Wind or No Apparent Cause

The player must replace her ball without penalty because it was moved by wind after she marked, lifted and replaced it.

If your ball on the putting green is moved by

• wind, or

• no apparent cause (gravity)

And, you’ve marked, lifted and replaced the ball,

• replace the ball on its original spot,

• with no penalty

If you have NOT marked, lifted and replaced the ball,

• play from the new position,

• with no penalty

Insert

Association

Logo HereBall Hits the Flagstick in the Hole

You can decide whether to leave the flagstick in the holewhen making a stroke.

• Such a stroke may be made from:

the putting green or another part of the course

Insert

Association

Logo HereBall Hits the Flagstick in the Hole

• There is no penalty if your ball hits the flagstick in the hole.

• If your ball is deflected by the flagstick and not holed, play your the ball as it lies.

Insert

Association

Logo HerePointing Out a Line on the Putting Green

Before you putt, you or your caddie may:

• Touch the putting green to point out:

oWhere you should aim, or

oHow your putt will break

• Do so using:

oA hand,

oA foot, or

oAnything you are holding

• However, you or your caddie may NOT set down any object on or off the putting green to show your aim or break, even if it is removed before you putt.

Insert

Association

Logo HerePointing Out a Line on the Putting Green

When you putt:

• Your caddie must notdeliberately stand in a location on or close to your line of play:

oTo help you, or

oTo do anything else to point out

▪ Where you should aim, or

▪ How your putt will break

• However, your caddie may attend the flagstick for you.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

Another player deliberately lifts or moves a player’s ball overhanging the hole before the waiting time of 10 seconds

has ended. What is the ruling?

a. There is no penalty and the ball must be replaced on its original spot.

b. In match play, there is no penalty to anyone; the player’s ball is treated as holed with the last stroke.

c. In stroke play, there is no penalty to anyone; the player’s ball is replaced on the original spot.

d. In stroke play, the other player gets a two-stroke penalty; the player’s ball is treated as holed with the last stroke.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

B

Rule 13.3b

“If a ball overhanging the hole is lifted or moved before the waiting time under Rule 13.3a has ended, the ball is treated as having come to rest:

• The ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole, and

• The waiting time under Rule 13.3a no longer applies to the ball.

If the opponent in match play, or another player is stroke play deliberately lifts or moves the player’s ball overhanging the hole before the waiting time has ended:

• In match play, the player’s ball is treated as holed with the previous stroke, and there is no penalty to the opponent under Rule 11.2b.

• In stroke play, the player who lifted or moved the ball gets the general penalty. The ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole.”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

A player’s ball rests on the green. Before putting, the player moves the flagstick (left in the hole), leaning it away from

the side she is putting from. What is the ruling?

a. No penalty. The flagstick can be left in a moved no matter what.

b. The general penalty is assessed to the player no matter what happens with her putt.

c. The general penalty is assessed only if the player’s putt hits the flagstick.

d. 1 shot penalty is assessed to the player for her actions, regardless of what happens with the putt.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

C

Rule 13.2a(1)

“The player may make a stroke with the flagstick left in the hole, so that it is possible for a ball in motion to hit the flagstick.

….

In either case:

• The player must not try to gain an advantage by deliberately moving the flagstick to a position other than centered in the hole.

• If the player does so and the ball in motion then hits the flagstick, he or she gets the general penalty.”

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

Which of the following is not allowed by a player’s caddie in pointing out the line of play when the ball will be played

from the putting green?

a. Put a water bottle off the putting green to show the line of player and removing it before the stroke.

b. Telling the player to aim at the edge of a sprinkler off the putting green.

c. Telling the player to aim at an unrepaired ball-mark on the putting green.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

A

Rule 10.2b(2)

“Before the stroke is made, only the player and his or her caddie may point out the player’s line of play, but with these limitations:

• The player or caddie may touch the putting green with a hand, foot, or anything he or she is holding, but must not improve the conditions affecting

the stroke in breach of Rule 8.1a, and

• The player or caddie must not set an object down anywhere on or off the putting green to show the line of play. This is not allowed even if that object is

removed before the stroke is made.

Penalty for breach of Rule 10.2: General Penalty.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Rules Question:

A player’s caddie removes the flagstick before she putts (at the player’s request). The caddie puts the flagstick at the edge of a hill on the green that he is worried about her ball

rolling down. The player putts and her ball strikes the flagstick lying on the green. What is the ruling?

a. No penalty. The ball is played as it lies.

b. 1 stroke penalty for the player, since it was her caddie who put the flagstick down. The ball is played as it lies.

c. General penalty for the player, since it was her caddie who put the flagstick down. The ball is played as it lies.

d. General penalty for the player. The ball must be replaced on its original spot. The first stroke is cancelled.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

Correct Answer:

D

Rule 13.2b(2)

“If the player’s ball in motion hits a flagstick that the player had decided to have removed under (1), or hits the person who is attending the flagstick (or anything the person is holding), what happens depends on whether this is accidental or

deliberate.

If the person who is attending the flagstick deliberately deflects or stops the player’s ball in motion, Rule 11.2c applies.”

Rule 11.2c(2)

“The stroke does not count, and the original ball or another ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated).

Breach of Rule 11.2: General Penalty.

Insert

Association

Logo Here

The United States Golf Association promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. We act in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it.

Thank You!