Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Penalty incurred:

In Match Play, loss of the hole.

Where both balls are lost at the same time, neither side wins the hole, which should be called halved, irrespective of the number of strokes that either side may-have played. A player who has lost his ball may, before giving up the hole, ask the opponent to show his (the opponent's) ball.

In Medal Play, loss of one stroke and distance.

The player must return as nearly as possible to the spot where the ball was struck, tee another ball and lose one stroke. But if the ball be found before he has struck the other ball, the first ball shall continue in play.

Rule 29

A ball must be played wherever it lies, or the hole given up, except as otherwise provided for in the Rules.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Penalty:

In Match Play, loss of the hole.

In Medal Play, loss of two strokes, and ball may be teed.

The exceptions are provided for in Rules 17 and 21.

Rule 30

The term "putting" green" shall mean the ground within twenty yards of the hole, excepting hazards.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

If a hazard be within the twenty-yard limit of the hole, the ground outside of such hazard may not be considered as putting green, even though it be within the twenty-yard radius from the hole.

Rule 31

All loose impediments may be removed from the putting green, except the opponent's ball, when at a greater distance from the player's than six inches.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

In Medal Play, on the putting green, the ball nearer the hole may be holed out or lifted at its owner's option if "it be in such a position that it might, if left, give an advantage to the other competitor." (Rule 9, Medal Play.)

Rule 32

In a match of three or more sides a ball in any degree lying between the player and the hole must be lifted, or, if on the putting green, holed out.

Rule 33

When the ball is on the putting green, no mark shall be placed nor line drawn as a guide; the line to the hole may be pointed out, but the person doing so may not touch the ground with the hand or club.

The player may have his own or his partner's caddie to stand at the hole, but none of the players, nor their caddies, may move so as to shield the ball from, or expose it to, the wind.

The penalty for any breach of this rule is the loss of the hole.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Penalty for breach of this rule: In Match Play, loss of the hole. In Medal Play, disqualification. The putting line shall not be considered to extend beyond the hole.

Rule 34

The player or his caddie may remove (but not press down) sand, earth, worm casts or snow lying around the hole or on the line of his put. This shall be done by brushing lightly with the hand only across the put, and not along it. Dung may be removed to a side by an iron club, but the club must not be laid with more than its own weight upon the ground. The putting line must not be touched by club, hand or foot, except as above authorized, or immediately in front of the ball in the act of addressing it, under the penalty of the loss of the hole.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Penalty for breach of this rule:

In Match Play, loss of the hole.

In Medal Play, disqualification.

The putting line shall not be considered to extend beyond the hole.

The "player or his caddie" shall include his partner and his partner's caddie.

Rule 35

Either side is entitled to have the flag stick removed when approaching the hole. If a ball rest against the flag stick when in the hole, the player shall be entitled to remove the stick, and, if the ball fall in, it shall be considered as holed out in the previous stroke.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Penalty for putting at the hole with the flag stick in it and striking the fag stick: In Match Play, no penalty. In Medal Play, disqualification.

Rule 36

A player shall not play until the opponent's ball shall have ceased to roll, under the penalty of one stroke. Should the player's ball knock in the opponent's ball, the latter shall be counted as holed out in the previous stroke. If, in playing, the player's ball displace the opponent's ball, the opponent shall have the option of replacing it.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Penalty under this rule;

In Match Play, loss of one stroke.

In Medal Play, loss of one stroke.

Should the player's ball knock in the opponent's ball:

In Match Play, the latter shall be counted as holed out in the previous stroke.

In Medal Play, the latter must be replaced.

Should the player's ball displace the opponent's ball:

In Match Play, the latter shall have the option of replacing his ball, and must exercise such option at once and before any further play.

In Medal Play, the latter must replace his ball.

A player having holed out his ball in the like or the odd may knock away the opponent's ball from the lip of the hole and claim the hole if he had holed in the like, or a half if he had holed in the odd.

Rule 37

A player shall not ask for advice, nor be knowingly advised, about the game by word, look or gesture from any one except his own caddie or his partner or partner's caddie, under the penalty of the loss of the hole.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Penalty for breach of this rule; In Match Play, loss of the hole. In Medal Play, disqualification. Rule 38.

If a ball split into separate pieces, another ball may be put down where the largest portion lies; or if two pieces are apparently of equal size, it may be put where either piece lies, at the option of the player. If a ball crack, or become unplayable, the player may change it on intimating to his opponent his intention to do so.

Rule 39

A penalty stroke shall not be counted the stroke of a player, and shall not affect the rotation of the play.

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A "stroke" is any movement of the club which is intended to strike the ball. A player who while addressing his ball intentionally or accidentally causes it to move, shall be considered to have played one stroke (except at the tee).

A "penalty stroke" is a stroke added to the score of a side for infringing certain rules.

Rule 40

Should a dispute arise on any point, the players have the right of determining the party or parties to whom the dispute shall be referred; but should they not agree, either party may refer it to the Green Committee of the green where the dispute occurs, and their decision shall be final. Should the dispute not be covered by the Rules of Golf, the arbiters must decide it by equity.

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Such decisions may be finally referred to the Executive Committee of the United States Golf Association.