A frequently misunderstood aspect of the Rules of Golf concerns the asking for and giving of advice.
The definition states:
“Advice is any counsel or suggestion which could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules or on matters of public information, such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green is not advice.”
Rule 8-1 states;
“During a stipulated round, a player shall not give advice to anyone in the competition except his partner and may ask for advice only from his partner or either of their caddies”.
Note that a partner is a player on the same side (as in a four-ball or foursomes competition) and does not include a fellow competitor.
Except on the putting green, a player may have the line of play indicated to him by anyone. However, any mark placed during the play of a hole by the player, or with his knowledge, to indicate the line shall be removed before the stroke is played. An example of this would be, if a player dropped his glove at a position on a hill marking his line over which he intended to play, he would be penalised. Similarly, if a caddie, or anyone else, stands at the point which he recommends to the player is the line of play to a green that the player cannot see he must move away before the stroke is made.
The following are some examples of what is allowed within the Rules;
“What distance is it from that tree to the front of the green?”
“Do you think that the 150-metre marker is accurate?”
“Now that we have both played our tee shots tell me which club did you use?”
“What are my options if I declare my ball unplayable?”
“What is the line of play for this blind tee shot?”
“Is there a ditch between my ball and the hole?”
“Is that a sand bunker or a grassy hollow at the side of the green?”
“Could you please position yourself on top of that mound to show me my line of play to the green” (but he must move before the player makes his stroke).
“If you are going to lift your ball to identify that it’s yours you must not clean it”.
None of the above incur any penalty.
However, the following questions, or statements, incur a penalty of two strokes (or loss of hole in match play) for the player asking for or giving the advice:
“Do you think that an 8-iron will get me to the green?”
“Do you think that I am swinging too fast?”
“I think that this putt is dead straight, what do you think?”
“Should I try and play this ball out of the water hazard or take a penalty drop?”
“Keep your head still as you putt.”
“You have no shot at all. If I were you I would declare the ball unplayable.”
“The wind is against us, you need at least one extra club.”
“Don’t use your driver here or you may end up in the water hazard.”
Finally, there is one statement that many of us regularly use but probably shouldn’t if the Rule on Advice is very strictly interpreted. When a fellow competitor’s putt just lips out and he goes charging up to the hole to tap it in we should try and refrain from saying ……….… “Take your time”!
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Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A and the USGA, The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
Barbara,
I am replying on behalf of Andy Brown and GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com.
You have been looking in the wrong place! A fallen tree branch is not an obstruction (artificial object) but a loose impediment (natural object). Rule 23-1 deals with relief from Loose impediments. Decision 23/7 is relevant:
“Q. Is a fallen tree a loose impediment?
A. If it is still attached to the stump, no; if it is not attached to the stump, yes.”
Providing your ball does not lie in a hazard you are permitted to remove the fallen branch (loose impediment, but if the ball moves while you are moving it a penalty of one stroke is incurred under Rule 18-2a.
Regards,
BarryR
For GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com
Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any loss or damage of any sort caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A (www.randa.org) and the USGA (www.usga.org), The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
Can you clarify Rule 24 Obstrustions 24-1? I have searched the book trying to get this one correct in my mind. If a ball is on or near a fallen tree branch, through the green, can you remove the branch & replace the ball if it moves without penalty?