The Top 10 Most Misunderstood Rules in Golf with Christie Austin

Let's face it – there are dozens of rules to follow when it comes to playing the game of competitive golf.

Of course, there will always be rules when participating in any sport competitively, but some are more straightforward than others.

To help you improve your golfing experience, we deep dive into the Top 10 Most Misunderstood Rules in Golf as outlined in Golf Digest with none other than Christie Austin, avid golfer and rules expert. Known for encouraging golfers to carry the Player's Edition of the Rules of Golf in their golf bag or download the USGA rules directly from the app, Christie started playing golf at 26 and served as volunteer chair for the US Amateur. It didn't take long for her to gain recognition from the USGA, leading to her position as a Rules Official.

Here's a list of the most commonly misunderstood rules in golf to help you improve your game and avoid penalties!

1. Your Ball Doesn’t Have to Touch an Immovable Obstruction to Get Relief

You've read that right. Your ball doesn't have to touch an immovable obstruction, such as a sprinkler head, for you to get relief. In addition, if your club touches the immovable obstruction during the swing, you can take relief. It's a two-step process, where you'll need to find the nearest point of relief based on the ball's position, and then you'll have an entire club length of space to drop the ball. First, you'll need to drop the ball in the relief area and play from the relief area. You'll get two club lengths for the drop if there's a penalty relief. Keep in mind that some objects are movable and don't qualify as immovable obstructions, such as trash bins. If you can move something out of the way, move it, so the player doesn't need to move the ball.

2. You Can Touch the Sand in a Bunker (Sometimes)

There are instances when you can and can't touch the sand in a bunker. You can touch the sand when placing a club or other equipment in the sand, including a rake. You can even slam the club down after hitting a ball. Sure, it's not good behavior, but it doesn't lead to a penalty.

On the other hand, you can't hit the sand when making a practice swing in the bunker. However, there's a nuance to that. You can practice out of the bunker in which your ball is lying, but you can go over to a different bunker and take a practice swing there. It's the kind of move that might get on someone's nerves, but it doesn't lead to a penalty.

3. You Can Ground Your Club in a Penalty Area

Grounding a club in a penalty area was always a big no-no for people who've played the game for decades and were used to being unable to take a practice swing in the penalty area. However, this is a good change that enables players to remove loose impediments and take practice swings in the penalty area. The only place you can't do this is in a bunker. You can move any object except the ball if you're in a penalty area. You also can't take relief in a penalty area.

4. You Can Accidentally Hit Your Ball on the Green with No Penalty

Another change to the rules surrounding putting green is that anything accidental on putting green won't cause a penalty, so you can put the ball back without worrying about being penalized for it. If you accidentally touch your ball and it starts to move, you move it back to where it was while using your best judgment. There's no need to mark it or anything.

It’s another ideal change for those windy days when players are worried about what would happen if the ball starts rolling in the wrong direction. You can avoid that problem by lifting the ball and marking it. Then, if the wind makes it roll, you can put it right back.

Windy conditions can make for unfair gaming, which is one of the reasons for the rule change. When dealing with wind and elevation, you must move your ball back after marking it, lift it and replace it. If you haven't marked it, you'll have to play the ball from wherever your ball ends up, which can make it harder for you.

5. You Can Accidentally Hit Your Ball on the Tee Box With No Penalty

This rule is because the ball isn't even in play yet. Instead, it's on the tee. For example, you may have taken a practice swing and nicked it off the club. Of course, you didn't mean to hit the ball because you were practicing. So, you can put it right back on the tee. While you can pick it up, make sure to put it right back. If it happens during the fairway when the ball is in play, you can't move it by accident, or it will be a penalty.

6. Your Ball Is Not Considered Embedded If Somebody Steps On It or Drives Over It

Did anyone ever drive over your ball? This rule is good because if somebody rolls over your ball and smashes it down, you can take it out of that hole and play it from a similar position. After all, it wasn't your fault that something happened. Even though this isn't under the embedded rule, you'll get relief.

7. You Don’t Get Relief If Your Fairway Shot Lands in a Divot in the Fairway

Many people want to know why this rule even exists. But, the real question is, "Is it a divot?" In some situations, it's a divot, and sometimes it's not. It's important to define the divot. You can also expect to find this commonly misunderstood rule listed as one of the first sentences in the rules book as the underlying principle of the game.

8. You’re Only Out of Bounds If Your Entire Ball is Out of Bounds

Sometimes, it's difficult to see where the out-of-bounds territory lies, and you might have to eyeball where your ball lands. If the entire ball is out-of-bounds, you can go back, but if any part is on the line or inside the course, you're considered in-bounds. Of course, this isn't the same as red and yellow penalty lines. The entire ball would have to be out of those lines to still be in play.

9. You Must Correct Hitting a Wrong Ball, Even Though It Will Cost You

One way to avoid hitting the wrong ball is to use balls with unique colors and prints. When you hit the wrong ball, you must correct it. For example, if you thought it was yours, hit it, get to the putting green, and suddenly realize it’s not yours, you have to go back, find your ball, and then have less than three minutes to finish the hole with your ball, adding two strokes. You don’t count the strokes from when you hit the wrong ball. However, you just play that ball and add a two-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball. If you don’t correct the wrong ball and tee off with the next ball, you will be disqualified. It’s a huge penalty, so be sure to mark the balls.

10. Red Penalty Areas Give You Three Relief Options, Yellow Gives You Two

Another commonly misunderstood rule is this one! Yellow only offers two options. These options include playing the stroke again or taking back-in-line relief between yourself and the hole where it crossed the yellow line.

The red penalty area adds the option of two club length measuring as the third option. Many penalty areas are now marked red, so it’s possible to use two club lengths closer to the hole relief area.

Follow the Rules, Avoid the Penalties

With explanations for these commonly misunderstood rules, staying on track and avoiding penalties may be easier than ever. Always keep your copy of the rulebook handy to prevent issues that could lead to penalties and cost you your game. 

To read the entire Golf Digest article, click HERE.

Tori:
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