The Rules the next teeing ground , play a ball in accordance with the rules . Brad Fabel , PGA Tour Rules Official , took Holmes back to the spot where his tee shot last crossed the margin of the lateral water hazard and he was allowed to operate under any of his options under Rule 26-1 . This time , Holmes chose Rule 26-1b and dropped a ball behind the lateral water hazard , keeping the point where
The competitor should announce to his marker or a fellow-competitor : he intends to play two balls ; and … which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit the procedure used for that ball . Before returning his score card , the competitor must report the facts of the situation to the Committee ( even if
Whether you are playing for peanuts or paychecks , no player wants to incur penalty strokes .
he makes the same score with both balls ). If he fails to do so , he is disqualified .
In the case of Holmes , Rule 3-3 would have allowed him to announce that he intended to play two balls prior to making a stroke at the ball dropped in a wrong place . If he had dropped the second ball on a spot allowed under Rule 26-1 , he could have avoided the penalty for playing from a wrong place with the first ball dropped .
Smiley is the VSGA ’ s director of rules and competitions . Follow rulings and situations that happen each week on the PGA TOUR by visiting progolfrefs . com , or follow them on Facebook and Twitter .
Hitting from a wrong place cost J . B . Holmes two strokes at the WGC-Cadillac Championship .
and went back 25 or so yards to more level ground so he could play over some trees . This is not an option under Rule 26-1 .
As Holmes did not operate correctly under Rule 26-1c ( ii ), he incurred a two-stroke penalty for playing from a wrong place . Because the player dropped a ball some distance from where he was entitled to , which allowed him to gain a significant advantage for his next stroke , he was deemed to have committed a serious breach of playing from a wrong place ( see Rule 20-7c ). The rule states that a player must , before making a stroke from the ball last crossed the margin between himself and the hole . Decisions 20-6 / 2 and 26-1 / 21 are great references for the penalty and subsequent options .
Whether you are playing for peanuts or paychecks , no player wants to incur penalty strokes . Therefore , while playing in a stroke play event remember that you always have the option of operating under Rule 3-3 ( Doubt as to Procedure ). This rule can be very helpful when a referee or member of the committee is not available and you are unsure of your options . This rule is not an option in match play .
Rule 3-3 says if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole , he may , without penalty , complete the hole with two balls . To proceed under this Rule , he must decide to play two balls after the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action ( e . g ., making a stroke at the original ball ).
AT AMERICA
’ S
THE GRASS IS
TRULY GREENER
FIRST RESORT .
Experience challenging fairways nestled in the breathtaking Allegheny Mountains .
OMNIHOTELS . COM / THEHOMESTEAD 800-838-1766
vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2016 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 13