2009 Rules Of Golf Test

1. A wrong ball includes another player's ball, an abandoned ball, and the player's original ball when it is no longer in play.

True

False

Definition of “Wrong Ball”.

Explanation

Definition of “Wrong Ball”.

2. A ball incorrectly dropped in a wrong place, but not played, may be lifted without penalty and dropped in accordance with the Rules.

True

False

Rule 20-6.

Explanation

Rule 20-6.

3. In Match Play, a player may concede a hole to his opponent at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that hole.

True

False

Rule 2-4.

Explanation

Rule 2-4.

4. Dustin incurs a two-stroke penalty if he asks Pete, his fellow competitor, the location of the hole on the putting green.

True

False

Decision 8-1/2.

Explanation

Decision 8-1/2.

5. Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green only.

True

False

Definition of “Loose Impediments”.

Explanation

Definition of “Loose Impediments”.

6. A player’s ball has come to rest behind a divot that is not completely detached; he may remove the divot or press it down before playing his stroke.

True

False

Decision 13-2/5.

Explanation

Decision 13-2/5.

7. In stroke play, Thomas plays his third stroke from a bunker onto the putting green. After marking and lifting his ball from the putting green, Thomas realizes he played a wrong ball from the bunker. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty.

Thomas incurs a two stroke penalty and does not have to correct his error.

Thomas incurs a two stroke penalty and must correct his error before playing from the next teeing ground.

Thomas is disqualified.

Rule 15-3.

Explanation

Rule 15-3.

8. Unless the use of golf carts is specifically prohibited in the conditions of competition, a player may use a golf cart in the competition.

True

False

Decision 33-1/8.

Explanation

Decision 33-1/8.

9. A fellow-competitor may not assist a competitor in removing a large loose impediment.

True

False

Decision 23-1/3

Explanation

Decision 23-1/3

10. Erin addresses her ball on the putting green. Because of the wind, she steps away from the ball, marks its position, lifts it, and then replaces it. Before she addresses the ball again, a gust of wind moves the ball four feet closer to the hole. What penalty, if any, does Erin incur, and how should she play the ball?

None and she must play the ball as it lies.

One stroke, and she must replace the ball.

One stroke, and she must play the ball as it lies.

Two strokes, and she must replace the ball.

Decision 18-2b/8.

Explanation

Decision 18-2b/8.

11. Kim plays a stroke from the putting green. While Kim’s ball is in motion, Ginger moved the flagstick that had been removed from the hole and placed on the ground, believing that Kim’s ball may strike the flagstick. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty to either player.

Ginger incurs a two-stroke penalty is stroke play. Kim incurs no penalty.

Kim incurs a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. Ginger incurs no penalty.

Both Ginger and Kim incur a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.

Rule 24-1.

Explanation

Rule 24-1.

12. The margin of a water hazard extends vertically downward, but not upwards.

True

False

Definition of “Water Hazard”.

Explanation

Definition of “Water Hazard”.

13. A boundary fence gate, when open, is part of the boundary fence and may not be closed to play a stroke.

True

False

Decision 27/18.

Explanation

Decision 27/18.

14. A ball is deemed lost as soon as a player drops a ball under stroke and distance, even if he searched only briefly, and the original ball was found within the five-minute search period before he made a stroke at the dropped ball.

True

False

Definition of “Lost Ball” and Decision 27-1/2.

Explanation

Definition of “Lost Ball” and Decision 27-1/2.

15. The footprint of a burrowing animal, reptile or bird is considered an irregularity of the surface from which there is relief without penalty.

True

False

Definition of “Burrowing Animal”.

Explanation

Definition of “Burrowing Animal”.

16. A competitor took relief from a lateral water hazard, dropped a ball in a wrong place (three club-lengths from where the original ball last crossed the hazard margin) and played it; his total penalty is three strokes.

True

False

Rule 20-7c and 26-1.

Explanation

Rule 20-7c and 26-1.

17. Through the green is all ground of the competition course including hazards on the hole being played.

True

False

Definition of “Through the Green”

Explanation

Definition of “Through the Green”

18. A player is permitted to bend a branch of a tree with his hands in order to get under a tree to play a ball; this constitutes fairly taking a stance.

True

False

Decision 13-2/1.

Explanation

Decision 13-2/1.

19. Questions 21 through 35 are multiple-choice; choose the best answer. You may use outside materials. Gerry strikes his ball from a bunker onto the next teeing ground. Eric, who is making a practice swing, accidentally strikes the moving ball. The ball comes to rest in a water hazard. What is the ruling?

Gerry must cancel and replay his stroke.

Gerry has the option to cancel and replay his stroke or play the ball as it lies.

Gerry should estimate where the ball would have come to rest had it not been deflected by Eric.

Gerry must play the ball as it lies or take relief under the water hazard rule, Rule 26.

Decision 19-1/2.

Explanation

Decision 19-1/2.

20. The committee has the local rule in effect allowing Distance Measuring Devices during the stipulated round. On the third hole, Eric uses his rangefinder that also has the ability to calculate the change in slope for each shot, but has turned this feature off. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty because he has turned off the slope feature.

There is a two stroke penalty.

He is disqualified if he does not turn off the slope feature

He is disqualified regardless whether or not the slope feature is on or off.

Rule 14-3 and Decision 14-3/0.5.

Explanation

Rule 14-3 and Decision 14-3/0.5.

21. In stroke play, Briena lifts her ball to take relief from casual water. She tosses the ball to her caddie, Erin, for cleaning. Erin is distracted and the ball comes to rest in a deep water hazard, where it cannot be retrieved. Briena substitutes a ball and plays out the hole. What is the ruling?

Briena incurs no penalty as the ball was not immediately recoverable.

Briena incurs a one-stroke penalty for not proceeding correctly under the casual water rule.

Briena incurs a two-stroke penalty for substituting a ball.

Briena should be disqualified for putting a new ball into play when she is required to play the original ball.

Decision 15-2/1.

Explanation

Decision 15-2/1.

22. A player removes a broken tee touching his ball on the putting green causing the ball to move; there is a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced.

True

False

Rule 24-1.

Explanation

Rule 24-1.

23. In stroke play, Eric plays a stroke from a bunker. The ball strikes the lip of the bunker, bounces back and is deflected off Eric’s chest. Which of the following is CORRECT?

There is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies.

There is a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be played as it lies.

There is a penalty of two strokes and the ball must be played as it lies.

There is a penalty of two strokes and he must cancel and reply his previous stroke.

Rule 19-2.

Explanation

Rule 19-2.

24. If a competitor is disqualified from a primarily handicap competition for playing off a higher handicap than he was entitled to, he may still claim the gross prize.

True

False

Rule 6-2b.

Explanation

Rule 6-2b.

25. Robin’s tee shot on a par-3 hole landed on the putting green, then rolled back into a water hazard (yellow stakes) that was between the tee and the putting green. Robin may:

Declare the ball unplayable and under penalty of one stroke drop the ball on the putting green.

Without penalty, play the ball as it lies.

Rule 26-1 and Decision 26-1/15.

Explanation

Rule 26-1 and Decision 26-1/15.

26. In stroke play, before playing a stroke, Briena lifts a stone lying next to her ball in a water hazard. The stone has broken away from a stone wall that is outside the hazard. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty.

There is no penalty if Briena replaces the stone before playing her next stroke.

There is a penalty of one stroke.

There is a penalty of two strokes.

Decision 24/6.

Explanation

Decision 24/6.

27. In stroke play, at the time the Committee scheduled play to begin, only two players are present on the teeing ground and ready to play. The Committee has the Note in effect under Rule 6-3. Immediately after the first player plays, the third player arrives within two minutes of his tee time, and in sufficient time to play in the correct order, following the second player without delaying play. What penalty, if any, has the third player incurred?

There is no penalty.

He must add two penalty strokes to his score for the first hole.

He is disqualified.

There is a loss of hole penalty

Note under Rule 6-3

Explanation

Note under Rule 6-3

28. In an 18 hole match, Ed and Bob by mistake play three holes out of sequence. The error is discovered before the match concludes. What is the ruling?

The players should be disqualified.

The match should be cancelled and replayed beginning on the 1st hole.

The match should continue and the result of the match stands with the holes played out of order.

Decision 2-1/5

Explanation

Decision 2-1/5

29. In taking relief from a lateral water hazard, a player may drop within two club lengths of where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, return to the previous spot, or drop on the line of flight, all with a one stroke penalty.

True

False

Rule 26-1. A player can’t drop along the line of flight

Explanation

Rule 26-1. A player can’t drop along the line of flight

30. In stroke play, Aaron hits his tee shot out of bounds. Aaron then kicks one of the tee markers in disgust and moves it 5 feet. He picks up the tee marker and replaces it. How many penalty strokes does Aaron incur?

0

1

2

3

Rule 27-1 and Decision 11-2/2.

Explanation

Rule 27-1 and Decision 11-2/2.

31. On the sixth hole, Emily realizes that her 9 iron has been bent and is non-conforming. Knowing that she has not used this club today and has done nothing to damage the club during her round, she would like to replace it. What is the ruling?

There is no penalty and she may replace her club.

She is disqualified for starting her round with a non-conforming club.

Rule 4-2.

Explanation

Rule 4-2.

32. The Committee may not allow players to practice on the competition course between rounds when play is scheduled over consecutive days in stroke play.

True

False

Rule 7-1.

Explanation

Rule 7-1.

33. In stroke play, Jenny, believing her tee shot might be lost, plays a provisional ball. She finds a ball she believes is her original ball, plays a stroke at it, picks up her provisional ball and then discovers that the ball she played was not her original ball, but rather a wrong ball. She resumes search for her original ball but cannot find it. How many penalty strokes has Jenny incurred?

1

2

3

4

Decision 27-2b/9.

Explanation

Decision 27-2b/9.