In stroke play, a player deliberately changes the loft of his or her sand wedge during a round but the club still conforms to the Equipment Rules. The club is not used during the round but is used during a play-off. There is no penalty.

In stroke play, a player deliberately changes the loft of his or her sand wedge during a round but the club still conforms to the Equipment Rules. The club is not used during the round but is used during a play-off. There is no penalty.



Answer: T
Rules 4.1a(3) and 5.1

A player presses down the grass behind his or her ball in play, improving the lie of the ball and accidentally moving the ball as well. The ball is replaced before the stroke. The player gets a total of three penalty strokes.

A player presses down the grass behind his or her ball in play, improving the lie of the ball and accidentally moving the ball as well. The ball is replaced before the stroke. The player gets a total of three penalty strokes.



Answer: F
Rules 1.3c(4), 8.1a and 9.4b

In stroke play, a player who is uncertain about the right procedure while playing a hole may complete the hole with two balls without penalty. The player should choose which ball will count by announcing that choice to his or her marker or to another player before making another stroke. If the player does not choose in time, the original ball is treated as the ball chosen by default.

In stroke play, a player who is uncertain about the right procedure while playing a hole may complete the hole with two balls without penalty. The player should choose which ball will count by announcing that choice to his or her marker or to another player before making another stroke. If the player does not choose in time, the original ball is treated as the ball chosen by default.



Answer: F
Rule 20.1c(3)

In Four-Ball stroke play with side A-B, partners A and B agree to leave A's ball in place on the putting green to help B's play. The players do not know this agreement is not allowed. With A's ball left in place, B then makes a stroke. The side gets the general penalty.

In Four-Ball stroke play with side A-B, partners A and B agree to leave A's ball in place on the putting green to help B's play. The players do not know this agreement is not allowed. With A's ball left in place, B then makes a stroke. The side gets the general penalty.



Answer: T
Rule 15.3a or Rule 23.5a

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A continues play of a hole after A's next stroke has been conceded. If this would help B, A's score for the hole stands without penalty, but B's score for the hole cannot count for the side.

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A continues play of a hole after A's next stroke has been conceded. If this would help B, A's score for the hole stands without penalty, but B's score for the hole cannot count for the side.



Answer: T
Rule 23.6

In match play, an opponent lifts his or her ball without marking it because of a reasonable misunderstanding that the player's statement was a concession of the opponent's next stroke. There is no penalty and the opponent's ball must be replaced on its original spot.

In match play, an opponent lifts his or her ball without marking it because of a reasonable misunderstanding that the player's statement was a concession of the opponent's next stroke. There is no penalty and the opponent's ball must be replaced on its original spot.



Answer: T
Rule 3.2b(2)

In match play without a referee, both balls are at rest on the putting green. A makes a stroke and his or her ball strikes B's ball. The players disagree about how to proceed under the Rules so they agree that the hole be halved. They are disqualified for deliberately agreeing to ignore the Rules.

In match play without a referee, both balls are at rest on the putting green. A makes a stroke and his or her ball strikes B's ball. The players disagree about how to proceed under the Rules so they agree that the hole be halved. They are disqualified for deliberately agreeing to ignore the Rules.



Answer: F
Rule 20.1b(1)

In a match, A requests B to lift B's ball that lies on the putting green and is on A's line of play. A's ball lies near but off the putting green. B refuses to do so and A makes a stroke with B's ball in place. B gets the general penalty.

In a match, A requests B to lift B's ball that lies on the putting green and is on A's line of play. A's ball lies near but off the putting green. B refuses to do so and A makes a stroke with B's ball in place. B gets the general penalty.



Answer: T
Rule 15.3b

In stroke play, a player's ball lies in a bunker where the player takes several practice swings each time touching the sand. Another player advises the player that this is a breach of the Rules. The player disagrees and takes several more practice swings, again touching the sand before making a stroke. The player gets two separate general penalties for a total of four penalty strokes.

In stroke play, a player's ball lies in a bunker where the player takes several practice swings each time touching the sand. Another player advises the player that this is a breach of the Rules. The player disagrees and takes several more practice swings, again touching the sand before making a stroke. The player gets two separate general penalties for a total of four penalty strokes.



Answer: T
Rules 1.3c(4) and 12.2b

The Committee has defined all bird nests on the course to be no play zones. A player's ball comes to rest near a bird nest and both the ball and the nest lie in a penalty area. The nest interferes with the player's intended swing. The player must take penalty relief under the penalty area Rule.

The Committee has defined all bird nests on the course to be no play zones. A player's ball comes to rest near a bird nest and both the ball and the nest lie in a penalty area. The nest interferes with the player's intended swing. The player must take penalty relief under the penalty area Rule.



Answer: F
Rule 17.1e(2).

A player starts a round with 14 clubs. During a suspension of play, the player's pitching wedge is struck by a tree fallen in a storm and the shaft is bent. The player may replace the damaged club with any club prior to restarting play.

A player starts a round with 14 clubs. During a suspension of play, the player's pitching wedge is struck by a tree fallen in a storm and the shaft is bent. The player may replace the damaged club with any club prior to restarting play.



Answer: T
Rule 4.1b(3)

A player's ball lies in a bunker next to a discarded cardboard water carton that is covered with a detached branch of a bush. The player removes the branch that causes the player's ball to move. The player replaces the ball. The player then removes the water carton and the ball moves while the player is removing the carton. The player replaces the ball and plays the ball from the bunker. The player gets a total of two penalty strokes.

A player's ball lies in a bunker next to a discarded cardboard water carton that is covered with a detached branch of a bush. The player removes the branch that causes the player's ball to move. The player replaces the ball. The player then removes the water carton and the ball moves while the player is removing the carton. The player replaces the ball and plays the ball from the bunker. The player gets a total of two penalty strokes.



Answer: F
Rules 15.1b and 15.2a(1)

Before playing a ball that has come to rest on a branch of a tree, a player moves his or her motorized cart to assist in making the stroke by standing on the cart. The player removes the cart before making the stroke. There is no penalty.

Before playing a ball that has come to rest on a branch of a tree, a player moves his or her motorized cart to assist in making the stroke by standing on the cart. The player removes the cart before making the stroke. There is no penalty.



Answer: T
Rule 8.1c(2)

As they are approaching the first putting green in the finals of the club's match play championship, A and B agree that all putts within the leather are good and don't have to be holed. They are aware that it is only the next stroke that may be conceded. They have not yet acted on the agreement. There is no penalty if they immediately cancel the agreement prior to play on the first putting green.

As they are approaching the first putting green in the finals of the club's match play championship, A and B agree that all putts within the leather are good and don't have to be holed. They are aware that it is only the next stroke that may be conceded. They have not yet acted on the agreement. There is no penalty if they immediately cancel the agreement prior to play on the first putting green.



Answer: F
Rule 1.3b(1)

A player sees his or her uphill chip shot returning to the spot from where he or she played it. The player replaces the large divot taken by the shot into the divot hole and presses it down for the purpose of preventing the ball coming to rest in a bad lie. The ball stops short of the replaced divot. There is no penalty.

A player sees his or her uphill chip shot returning to the spot from where he or she played it. The player replaces the large divot taken by the shot into the divot hole and presses it down for the purpose of preventing the ball coming to rest in a bad lie. The ball stops short of the replaced divot. There is no penalty.



Answer: F
Rule 11.3.

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A's ball lies 30-feet from the hole and B's ball lies 3-feet from the hole on the putting green, with both A and B having taken two strokes. The opponents have scored four for the hole. A putts and, as the ball is rolling past the hole, B strikes the ball, returning it in the direction of where A is standing. B holes his or her putt for a score of three. Side A-B wins the hole.

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A's ball lies 30-feet from the hole and B's ball lies 3-feet from the hole on the putting green, with both A and B having taken two strokes. The opponents have scored four for the hole. A putts and, as the ball is rolling past the hole, B strikes the ball, returning it in the direction of where A is standing. B holes his or her putt for a score of three. Side A-B wins the hole.



Answer: T
Rules 11.2b and 23.5b

Prior to dropping a ball in taking free relief from ground under repair, a player deliberately breaks a branch of a small bush that lies adjacent to the relief area that might affect his or her stroke to be made after the dropped ball comes to rest in the relief area. There is no penalty.

Prior to dropping a ball in taking free relief from ground under repair, a player deliberately breaks a branch of a small bush that lies adjacent to the relief area that might affect his or her stroke to be made after the dropped ball comes to rest in the relief area. There is no penalty.



Answer: F
Rule 8.2b

A player must not lay his or her golf bag parallel to the line of play on the putting green to shield the line from the wind during a stroke; however, there is no penalty if the object is removed before the stroke is made.

A player must not lay his or her golf bag parallel to the line of play on the putting green to shield the line from the wind during a stroke; however, there is no penalty if the object is removed before the stroke is made.



Answer: T
Rule 10.2b(5)

In stroke play with a group of A and B, A's ball lies under a partially detached tree branch and is in discussions with an official about whether A is allowed free relief. B lifts the branch to argue A's case for relief, accidentally worsening A's line of play. B gets the general penalty.

In stroke play with a group of A and B, A's ball lies under a partially detached tree branch and is in discussions with an official about whether A is allowed free relief. B lifts the branch to argue A's case for relief, accidentally worsening A's line of play. B gets the general penalty.



Answer: F
Rule 8.3a

In stroke play, B's ball lies on the fringe of the putting green. Prior to B's stroke at his or her ball, A deliberately steps on B's line of play on the putting green and damaged it; A gets the general penalty and B may restore the worsened conditions on the putting green as nearly as possible.

In stroke play, B's ball lies on the fringe of the putting green. Prior to B's stroke at his or her ball, A deliberately steps on B's line of play on the putting green and damaged it; A gets the general penalty and B may restore the worsened conditions on the putting green as nearly as possible.



Answer: T
Rules 8.1d(1) and 8.3b

A player makes a pitch shot up a hill toward the putting green and sees the ball returning back down the hill. He or she uses a club that stops the moving ball. The player gets the general penalty and must play the ball as it lies.

A player makes a pitch shot up a hill toward the putting green and sees the ball returning back down the hill. He or she uses a club that stops the moving ball. The player gets the general penalty and must play the ball as it lies.



Answer: F
Rules 11.2b and 11.2c

In a stroke play event, A and his or her marker B, who is also a player, are unsure if the relief area for ground under repair is one club-length or two. Unaware of the Rule, they agree that it is two club-lengths and A takes relief from interference by an obstruction with a ball dropped almost two club-lengths from the nearest point of complete relief and continues play. Both players are disqualified.

In a stroke play event, A and his or her marker B, who is also a player, are unsure if the relief area for ground under repair is one club-length or two. Unaware of the Rule, they agree that it is two club-lengths and A takes relief from interference by an obstruction with a ball dropped almost two club-lengths from the nearest point of complete relief and continues play. Both players are disqualified.



Answer: F
Rule 1.3b(1)

A player leaves a putt about an inch short of the hole. In disgust, he or she hits his or her shoe with the head of the putter. The impact bends the neck of the putter, accidentally changing its playing characteristics. The player then holes the one-inch putt with the damaged putter. The player is disqualified.

A player leaves a putt about an inch short of the hole. In disgust, he or she hits his or her shoe with the head of the putter. The impact bends the neck of the putter, accidentally changing its playing characteristics. The player then holes the one-inch putt with the damaged putter. The player is disqualified.



Answer: F
Rule 4.1a(2)

In stroke play, a player takes his or her stance in a bunker to play the ball lying in a bunker. The player changes his or her mind regarding club selection, leaves the bunker and returns with a different club. Before making the stroke, the player rakes the bunker where he or she first took his or her stance because he or she wants to make a different type of stroke with a firmer stance. What is the ruling?

In stroke play, a player takes his or her stance in a bunker to play the ball lying in a bunker. The player changes his or her mind regarding club selection, leaves the bunker and returns with a different club. Before making the stroke, the player rakes the bunker where he or she first took his or her stance because he or she wants to make a different type of stroke with a firmer stance. What is the ruling?



A. There is no penalty.
B. There is a one-stroke penalty.
C. The player gets the general penalty.


Answer: C

In stroke play, a player's ball lies in a bunker. Before playing the ball, he or she makes several practice swings, each time touching sand in the bunker. The player also breaks a branch with his or her hand, improving the area of his or her backswing. What is the ruling?

In stroke play, a player's ball lies in a bunker. Before playing the ball, he or she makes several practice swings, each time touching sand in the bunker. The player also breaks a branch with his or her hand, improving the area of his or her backswing. What is the ruling?



A. The player gets the general penalty.
B. There is a total penalty of four strokes.
C. There is a total penalty of six strokes.


Answer: B

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A holes out. Before B holes out, A practises putting on the fringe of the putting green without helping B's play or hurting the opponent's play. What is the ruling?

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A holes out. Before B holes out, A practises putting on the fringe of the putting green without helping B's play or hurting the opponent's play. What is the ruling?



A. There is no penalty.
B. A gets the general penalty.
C. A and B each get the general penalty.


Answer: B
Rules 5.5a and 23.8a

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A holes out. Before B holes out, A practises putting on the fringe of the putting green without helping B's play or hurting the opponent's play. What is the ruling?

In Four-Ball match play with side A-B, A holes out. Before B holes out, A practises putting on the fringe of the putting green without helping B's play or hurting the opponent's play. What is the ruling?



A. There is no penalty.
B. A gets the general penalty.
C. A and B each get the general penalty.


Answer: B
Rules 5.5a and 23.8a


In match play, as a result of a stroke, a player's divot comes to rest affecting the lie of his or her opponent's ball that lies in a penalty area. What is the ruling?

In match play, as a result of a stroke, a player's divot comes to rest affecting the lie of his or her opponent's ball that lies in a penalty area. What is the ruling?




A. The opponent must play his or her ball as it lies.
B. The opponent may remove the divot without penalty.
C. The player must remove the divot without penalty.

Answer: B

In match play, which is incorrect about Rules issues during the round?

In match play, which is incorrect about Rules issues during the round?



A. The players in a match may agree how to decide a Rules issue even if it turns out to have been wrong under the Rules, so long as the players did not deliberately agree to ignore the Rules.
B. Any agreement between the players on how to decide a Rules issue is not conclusive if it turns out to have been wrong under the Rules.
C. A player may get a ruling from a referee or the Committee only if the player
both tells the opponent about the ruling request and makes the request in time.



Answer: B

Which is correct with respect to a player's round in individual stroke play?

Which is correct with respect to a player's round in individual stroke play?



A. It begins when the player arrives at the teeing area of the first hole of that round.
B. It ends when the player holes out at the final hole of that round excluding correction of a mistake.
C. It ends when the player holes out at the final hole of that round including correction of
a mistake.


Answer: C

In stroke play, after the competition closed, the Committee discovered that the winner of the event added several strips of lead tape to his or her driver during the round, which he or she then used during the round. What is the ruling?

In stroke play, after the competition closed, the Committee discovered that the winner of the event added several strips of lead tape to his or her driver during the round, which he or she then used during the round. What is the ruling?



A. There is no penalty.
B. The player is disqualified.
C. The Committee must determine if the player knew before the competition had closed that he or she was in breach of Rule 4.1a in changing the weight of his or her driver during the round. If the player knew, he or she must be disqualified but otherwise there is no penalty.



Answer: C

Which is correct regarding a player's ball being embedded?

Which is correct regarding a player's ball being embedded?



A. A player's ball at rest is moved downward by someone accidentally stepping on it; he or she must replace it according to the altered lie Rule (14.2d).
B. If the player makes a stroke at his or her ball that lies on a steep bank in the general area and it is driven straight into the bank without ever being airborne, he or she is allowed relief without penalty under the embedded ball relief Rule (16.3b).
C. If the player's ball is embedded after a stroke in ground under repair in the general area, he or she must take relief under the abnormal course condition relief Rule (16.1b) not the embedded ball relief Rule (16.3b).


Answer: C

A player's ball lies on a folding chair in the general area. Which is the correct action if he or she takes relief under the movable obstruction relief Rule (15.2a)?

A player's ball lies on a folding chair in the general area. Which is the correct action if he or she takes relief under the movable obstruction relief Rule (15.2a)?



A. The player may lift the ball, remove the chair and must drop the original ball within one club-length of the point right under where the ball was at rest on the movable obstruction, not nearer the hole.
B. The player may lift the ball, remove the chair and drop a ball within one club-length of the point right under where the ball was at rest on the movable obstruction, not nearer the hole.
C. The player may lift the ball, remove the chair and place a ball on the spot right under where it lay on the obstruction, not nearer the hole



Answer: B

In stroke play, a player practises putting on the 18th putting green immediately after finishing the first round of a 54-hole event scheduled over consecutive days on a single course. What is the ruling?

In stroke play, a player practises putting on the 18th putting green immediately after finishing the first round of a 54-hole event scheduled over consecutive days on a single course. What is the ruling?



A. There is no penalty.
B. The player is disqualified.
C. The Committee should modify the disqualification penalty to two strokes.



Answer: A

Rule 5.2b

In stroke play, at the starting time for a group of three players, only two players are present at the starting point and ready to play. One minute after the scheduled time to begin play, the third player arrives in sufficient time to play in the correct order. There were no exceptional circumstances preventing the third player being present at the scheduled starting time. What penalty does the third player get?

In stroke play, at the starting time for a group of three players, only two players are present at the starting point and ready to play. One minute after the scheduled time to begin play, the third player arrives in sufficient time to play in the correct order. There were no exceptional circumstances preventing the third player being present at the scheduled starting time. What penalty does the third player get?



A. There is no penalty.
B. The player must add the general penalty to his or her score for the 1st hole.
C. The player is disqualified.



Answer: B


Rule 5.3a Exception 1


In stroke play, a player begins taking his or her stance while his or her caddie stood on the fringe of the putting green on an extension of the line of play behind the ball. What is the ruling?

In stroke play, a player begins taking his or her stance while his or her caddie stood on the fringe of the putting green on an extension of the line of play behind the ball. What is the ruling?



A. There is no penalty since the caddie was not standing on the putting green.
B. There is no penalty if the caddie accidentally stood on an extension of the player's line of play behind the ball.
C. The player gets the general penalty regardless of the circumstances.



Answer: B

In stroke play, which of the following is incorrect regarding a player's scorecard?

In stroke play, which of the following is incorrect regarding a player's scorecard?



A. After each hole, the marker should confirm the player's score for that hole with the player and enter it on the scorecard.
B. When the round has ended, the marker must certify the scorecard.
C. The player must certify the scorecard and promptly return it to the Committee, after which he or she may make changes only where there is an obvious error.



Answer: C

In match play, a player's ball lies in a fairway bunker. The player makes a stroke at the ball that comes to rest in the same bunker but much closer to the hole. Before the player's next stroke, his or her caddie rakes the area of the previous stroke and other areas nearby to care for the course. What is the ruling?

In match play, a player's ball lies in a fairway bunker. The player makes a stroke at the ball that comes to rest in the same bunker but much closer to the hole. Before the player's next stroke, his or her caddie rakes the area of the previous stroke and other areas nearby to care for the course. What is the ruling?



A. There is no penalty.
B. The player gets the general penalty.
C. The player gets a total penalty of four strokes

Answer: A


A player may not move, bend, or break anything

A player may not move, bend, or break anything



Answer: fixed or growing before playing their ball (This includes holding branches out of the way and trampling the weeds to improve the lie)