Playing the Course as you find it

Question 1

Playing the course as you find it

Answer 1

You are expected to play the course as it is found and can not alter conditions to gain an advantage

Question 2

What conditions affecting your next stroke can not be improved

Answer 2

the lie of your ball at rest
the area of your intended swing 
the area of your intended stance 
your line of play
the relief area where you drop/place your ball

Question 3

Lie

Answer 3

where your ball is at rest
includes any of these things touching or right next to your ball
-growing/attached natural objects 
-immovable obstructions 
-integral objects 
-boundary objects

Question 4

Area of Intended Stance

Answer 4

the position of your feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke

Question 5

Area of intended swing

Answer 5

the entire area that might reasonably affect
-your backswing
-your downswing
-the completion of your swing 
for your intended stroke

Question 6

Line of play

Answer 6

the line where you

• intend to go after a stroke
• including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of the line
• not necessarily a straight line between 2 points

Question 7

Relief area where you drop/place

Answer 7

Rule requires you drop from knee height when taking relief

Cant improve conditions affecting your stroke to gain advantage (clearing bushes, branches etc)

Question 8

Actions that are NOT allowed (2 stroke general penalty)

Answer 8

Move, bend, break:

• growing/attached natural objects
• immovable obstructions/integral/boundary objects
• tee marker when playing from that teeing area
• move loose impediment into position such as building a stance
• alter the surface of the ground
• remove/press down sand or soil
• remove dew/frost/water

Question 9

Actions that are allowed even if conditions are improved

Answer 9

-fairly searching for your ball
-taking reasonable actions to remove loose impediments
-take reasonable action to mark ball
ground club lightly behind/in front of ball (not in a bunker)
-firmly making a stance
-removing sand/soil/divots on green

Question 10

Penalty for improving conditions

Answer 10

General penalty for improving conditions regardless of intent if it is one of actions outlined before

Question 11

Can you undo a penalty

Answer 11

Yes if the improvement is related

• moving sand (no)
• replacing boundary stake before swing (yes)