USGA Rules of Golf

Generalities

200

If a player's ball in motion in the general area accidentally hits a person, there is no penalty.

True

False

True

Rule 11.1a

400

In stroke play, a player changes balls on the putting green (substitutes their favorite putting ball for the original ball played from the tee), holes out with the substituted ball, and plays from the next tee. The correct ruling is that the player

gets no penalty, the procedure is not a breach of the Rules.

gets one penalty stroke.

gets the general penalty.

is disqualified.

gets one penalty stroke.

Rule 6.3b(1); Rule 14.2a

600

Which is correct regarding a player taking unplayable ball relief?

A player may never drop a ball nearer the hole than where the original ball lies.

The player may drop a ball outside the bunker, if the original ball lies within the bunker.

If the player's ball lies in the general area, he or she has a choice of three options but the ball must be dropped in the general area.

The player may drop a ball outside the bunker, if the original ball lies within the bunker.

Definition Bunker; Rule 19.2; Rule 19.3b

800

A player’s ball lies in the general area behind a tree near an area marked as ground under repair. The only reasonable play is to make a stroke to the side in a direction away from the hole but their stance for such a stroke is in ground under repair. The player asks a referee for relief for the stroke to the side. What is the ruling?

The player is allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) and after relief may play in any direction.

The player is allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) but after dropping must maintain the same line of play that existed before he or she took relief.

The player is not allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) but may take relief under any of the options of the unplayable ball Rule (19.2).

The player is allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) and after relief may play in any direction.

Rule 16.1

1000

A player is probing for their ball in water in a penalty area and accidentally kicks the ball which is, in fact, lying in long grass on the bank within the penalty area. The player:

gets no penalty because the ball was moved during search. The ball must be replaced unless the player proceeds under Rule 17.1.

gets no penalty but must proceed under Rule 17.1.

gets a penalty of one stroke for moving their ball in play and must replace the ball or, under penalty of an additional stroke, proceed under Rule 17.1.

gets a penalty of one stroke for moving their ball in play and must, under penalty of an additional stroke, proceed under Rule 17.1.

gets no penalty because the ball was moved during search. The ball must be replaced unless the player proceeds under Rule 17.1.

Rule 7.4

You Make The Call

200

A player's ball comes to rest on another part of the course and beyond a public road that is defined as out of bounds. What is the ruling?

The Committee must decide.

The ball lies out of bounds since it crossed a public road that is out of bounds.

The ball remains in play unless a Local Rule specifies otherwise.

The ball remains in play unless a Local Rule specifies otherwise.

Rule 18.2a(2)

400

In match play, after the hole has begun, the players agree to consider the hole tied. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty.

They are disqualified.

The match must be replayed.

There is no penalty.

Rule 3.2a(2)

600

A player’s ball lies in the general area behind a tree near an area marked as ground under repair. The only reasonable play is to make a stroke to the side in a direction away from the hole but their stance for such a stroke is in ground under repair. The player asks a referee for relief for the stroke to the side. What is the ruling?

The player is allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) and after relief may play in any direction.

The player is allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) but after dropping must maintain the same line of play that existed before he or she took relief.

The player is not allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) but may take relief under any of the options of the unplayable ball Rule (19.2).

The player is allowed relief for the stroke to the side under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) and after relief may play in any direction.

Rule 16.1

800

Which of the following does not result in a player getting a penalty when doing so improves the conditions affecting the stroke?

Scooping a small amount of temporary water from the hole with a paper cup without touching the hole.

Removing a small amount of dew from just in front of their ball in the general area on the line of play when using a putter for the next stroke.

Moving a natural object to see if it is loose so long as it is returned as nearly as possible to its original position if found not to be loose.

Moving a natural object to see if it is loose so long as it is returned as nearly as possible to its original position if found not to be loose.

Rule 8.1b

1000

Which is correct regarding the player cleaning their ball?

The player may not clean the ball when lifting to take relief from temporary water.

The player may not remove cut grass sticking to the ball lying in the general area.

The player may clean the ball when it has been lifted because it interferes with play.

The player may not remove cut grass sticking to the ball lying in the general area.

Definition Loose Impediment; Rule 14.1c; Rule 8.1a

Potpourri

200

If a player makes a stroke at their ball that lies out of bounds, they have made a stroke at a wrong ball and get the general penalty in both match and stroke play.

True

False

True

Definition of Wrong Ball; Rule 6.3c

400

A player finds their ball in a tractor rut, takes unplayable ball relief with that ball, plays it and then discovers that the ball is not their original ball; there is a penalty for playing a wrong ball.

True

False

False

Rule 19.1; Rule 6.3b; Rule 14.3

600

A player’s ball is believed to be covered by sand to the extent that they cannot find it. The player may, without penalty, touch or move sand to find or identify the ball in which of the following situations?

Only if the ball is believed to lie in a bunker.

Anywhere except in a penalty area.

If the ball lies anywhere on the course.

If the ball lies anywhere on the course.

Rule 7.1a

800

A player’s ball is not found after the three-minute period of search and they believe it was played by another player after coming to rest on the course. Unless this fact is known or virtually certain, the player must take relief under the ball lost Rule (18.2b).

True

False

True

Rule 18.2a(1); Rule 9.2b(2); Rule 9.6

1000

"Practicing on the course" means playing a ball or testing the surface of the putting green of any hole by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface.

True

False

True

Rule 5.2

Define The Game

200

The area on the hole that the player is playing that is specially prepared for putting is defined as the putting green.

True

False

True

Definition Putting Green

400

Which is correct regarding bunkers?

Sand spilling over the edge of a bunker is part of the bunker.

A tree growing in a bunker is part of the bunker.

Grass covered ground within a bunker is not part of the bunker.

Grass covered ground within a bunker is not part of the bunker.

Definition Bunker

600

The original ball is no longer in play if a player has played a provisional ball from a spot nearer the hole than where the original ball is estimated to be.

True

False

True

Rule 18.3c(2)

800

In stroke play, after all players have started a hole, the ball farthest from the hole must be played first.

True

False

False

Rule 6.4b

1000

When the edge of a penalty area is defined by stakes, the stakes are inside the penalty area.

True

False

True

Definition of Penalty Area

Match Maker

200

In match play, a player’s ball is in a bunker; they touch sand in the bunker with their club in making a practice swing. The opponent reminds the player of the Rule but says that the opponent is overlooking the breach. The player acknowledges that there will be no penalty. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty as the player and opponent have not agreed to not apply the Rules.

The player gets the general penalty.

Both players are disqualified.

 

There is no penalty as the player and opponent have not agreed to not apply the Rules.

Rule 1.3b(1); Rule 3.2d(4); Clarification 3.2d(4)/1

400

In match play, Four-Ball is a form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing their own ball.

True

False

True

Definition Four-Ball

600

In match play, in the general area, the opponent’s ball after a stroke strikes the player’s ball at rest and moves it. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty and the player's ball must be replaced.

There is no penalty; the player has the option to play their ball as it lies or replace it.

The opponent gets a one-stroke penalty.

There is no penalty and the player's ball must be replaced.

Definition Outside Influence; Rule 9.6

800

In match play, a player’s ball lies in a bunker. After the player’s stroke, the ball remains in the bunker, and they kick the sand twice with their foot in frustration or anger. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty.

The player gets the general penalty.

The player gets a total of four penalty strokes.

There is no penalty.

Rule 12.2b(2)

1000

In match play, a player removes an immovable obstruction affecting the line of play of their opponent who had requested that the player not do so. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty.

The opponent gets the general penalty.

The player gets the general penalty.

The player gets the general penalty.

Rule 8.3