Archive for the Royal & Ancient Category


Are You Clear On Rule 20-1?

This week I received an interesting question about what happens when a ball marker sticks to your putter. Weird I know, but you’ll be happy to know The Rules of Golf have every possibility covered! : RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “I have a question for you, this actually happened to me. I think it’s an […]

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Do You Understand Golf Rule 27-2a?

This week I received this question referring to Rule 27-2a, and thought it would be useful to share my reply with everyone: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “Hi Barry, I have a rules question that arose in our group yesterday. We were playing in an eighteen hole medal play contest. A guy in our foursome pushed […]

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R&A Scraps Doping Tests at Royal Birkdale

The issue of doping in golf was raised again when the Royal & Ancient, one of the two most influential global bodies, decided to delay drug testing at this year’s British Open at Royal Birkdale. The reason is that many golfers had already qualified for the tournament from tours that do not apply anti-doping measures. […]

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In Breach Of Rule 13-4a

Recently I received this question referring to Rule 13-4a, and thought it would be useful to share my reply with everyone: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “My ball is laying in the centre and to one end of a bunker.The bunker rake is the other end of the bunker. The sand in the middle of the […]

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Golf Officials Bid For Olympic Spot

If Tiger Woods is still as competitive in eight years time as he is now, he may be looking to go where neither Jack, Arnold, Gary, Snead, Jones nor any of the other greats of the past century have been – Olympic gold. That’s right. Golf is making another push to be part of the […]

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How To Take Relief From Casual Water (Rule 25-1b)

Last week I was asked the following question on how to correctly take relief from casual water. I’m sure one minute spent reading my answer will avoid any confusion next time you encounter this particular situation on the golf course: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “This last weekend I spent a fabulous time playing golf, during […]

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Can I Use A GPS Device In Competitions?

In recent years we have seen a massive increase in the number of high-tech tools available to golfers. You can now choose from rangefinders, GPS systems such as SkyCaddie, launch monitors and swing analyzers, With this new technology comes some confusion as to when one can take advantage of these devices. A couple of days […]

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Asians Gear Up for British Open Qualifiers

The countdown to the British Open, from an Asian standpoint at least, starts next week when 67 regional pros tee off at the International Final Qualifying. The 36-hole event is being held at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club, which is on the island of the same name that houses the headquarters of the Asian Tour. There […]

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Ever Had Your Golf Ball Stolen By A Bird?

I recently received this question relating to Rule 18-2 and what to do if a bird picks up your golf ball and drops it in the rough! RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “Hi there, And a very good day to you, can you solve this one please. Recently I hit a nice drive landing in the […]

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The Two Best Tournament Courses in The World

Not sure if there is a quantifiable list out there — but I believe hands down — the best tournament golf course in the world is Augusta National. I would rank St. Andrews a distant second — but without a doubt, Augusta National is my number one. I promise it’s not just because it hosts […]

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Are You Confused By Red And Yellow Stakes?

For as long as I have been playing golf there has always been confusion over the rulings for red and yellow stakes, or to put it more accurately “Water Hazards” and “Lateral Water Hazards”. I recently ran across the same confusion again in the email below, so please read on to ensure you are absolutely […]

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The Penalty For Hitting Your Golf Bag With Your Tee Shot

Hi, it’s Barry here, this week I answered another interesting question on The Rules of Golf: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “A player leaves his bag in the middle of the next fairway as his next tee shot will come back past where he has left his bag. If the same player hits his bag with […]

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Change to the Rules of Golf book 2008 – 2011 in Appendix ll – Design of Clubs, 1b. Adjustability

Following on from my previous blog on the most significant changes to the Rules of Golf, effective since 1st January 2008, I would now like to draw readers’ attention to another change relating to the design of clubs. Whereas, previously woods (metals) and irons could not be designed to be adjustable, except for weight, the […]

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Rule 8 – Advice; Indicating Line of Play

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 […]

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Can I Declare A Ball Unplayable In A Bunker?

Hi, my name is Barry Rhodes, and here is another question I received on The Rules of Golf this past week: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “Is it true that you can declare an unplayable lie when your ball goes in a bunker? And is it true you can go back to where you hit the […]

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