28. If a ball be lost, the player's side loses the hole. A ball shall be held as lost if it be not found within live minutes after the search is begun.

I apprehend that for the purposes of this rule a ball is lost if it cannot be gathered, even though it can be seen, as, for instance, in the case of a hall down a rabbit - hole, visible, yet out of reach.

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

Although the St. Andrews Rules say nothing about this, it is usual for clubs to make a local rule about rabbit holes and scrapes where it is necessary. Such a rule is given at the end of this code.

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

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.

Loose impediments. Nothing fixed or growing can be removed.

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.

Stymies are not played in three-ball matches.

33. When a 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 or 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.

The line to the hole must not be touched. The second paragraph of the rule makes it advisable that the players and their caddies shall not move when a putt is being played, or until the ball has ceased to roll.

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 putt. This shall be done by brushing lightly with the hand only across the putt 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 authorised, or immediately in front of the ball in the act of addressing it, under the penalty of the loss of the hole.

Although a matter of doubt at one time, it is now settled that the last sentence of this rule does not prevent the player from placing his putter in front of his ball with the view of adjusting the face of the club before playing.

35. Either side is entitled to have the flag-stick removed when approaching the hole. If the 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.

See Etiquette of Golf, Rule 8.

30. 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 (lisplace the opponent's ball, the opponent shall have the option of replacing it.

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.

I am afraid that this rule is not so strictly observed as it should be. A friend walking round with a match too often is asked for and gives advice in defiance of the strict law.

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.

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

40. Should any 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 bo final. Should the dispute not be covered by the Rules of Golf, the arbiters must decide it by equity.

The Rules do not provide for any mode of protest in the event of dispute between players. Suppose, for example, a ball lies on a place which the player of the ball maintains is not a hazard, while his opponent as stoutly maintains it is. What is to be done? The question is one which obviously cannot wait the decision of a non-present referee or of a Green Committee. There are two courses open to the aggrieved party; one is to lift his ball and claim the hole if the player breaks the Rules by grounding his club in the disputed ground or otherwise, and the other is to play out the hole. If he does the first he runs the risk of its being held that the ground is not a hazard, and he thereby loses a hole he might otherwise have won or halved; and if he adopts the alternative course he may be met with the argument that he had played out the hole and debarred himself from referring the matter in dispute. I think it is unfortunate that the Rules arc silent on this subject, and in the event of dispute arising I would recommend the player who thinks the Hides have been broken to play out the hole under protest, intimated to his opponent. In competitions each player is supposed to know the Rules, and to play accordingly; it is not for his partner, who plays with him, - and whose duty it is to see that the Rules are observed, - to insist on the hitter's interpretation being acted on. If such partner notices what he considers a contravention of the Rules, his proper course is to report accordingly when the cards are returned, and let the Committee decide.