1. In stroke play, Alex, Brian, and Charlie have a starting time of 8 a.m. Charlie arrives at the first tee at 8:01 a.m., but before Alex (who has the honor) has played. What is the ruling?
A. Charlie gets no penalty.
B. Charlie gets two penalty strokes on the first hole.
C. Charlie is disqualified.
Answer: B (Rule 5.3a)
2. In stroke play, Zach incorrectly tees off on the sixth hole from the white tees instead of the blue tees, which are 20 yards forward of the blue tees. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty, and he must continue with the ball played from the white tees.
B. He gets two penalty strokes and must continue with the ball played from the white tees.
C. He gets two penalty strokes, must play from the blue tees, and must disregard the stroke from the white tees.
Answer: c (Rule 6.1b)
3. In match play, David accidentally plays Joe’s ball that is lying in a bunker. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty, and Joe’s ball must be replaced.
B. David gets one penalty stroke, and Joe’s ball must be replaced.
C. David loses the hole.
Answer: c (Rule 6.3c)
InamatchbetweenEricandRobert,Eric is 2-up after 16 holes. While playing the 17th hole, Eric realizes that he had started the round with 15 clubs and declares one club out of play. He and Robert play out the 17th hole, which Eric wins. What is the ruling?
A. Eric wins the match.
B. Eric is 1-up after 17 holes.
C. Robert wins the match.
Answer: b (Rule 4.1b)
5. In stroke play, while searching for his ball in the rough, Jim accidentally kicks and moves it. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty, and the ball must be replaced.
B. He gets one penalty stroke, and the ball must be replaced.
C. He gets one penalty stroke and must play the ball from its new position.
Answer: a (Rule 9.4b)
6. In stroke play, Bob’s ball lies in a bunker. In the backswing for the stroke, Bob’s club brushes the sand in the bunker but does not improve the lie or area of intended swing. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty.
B. Bob gets one penalty stroke.
C. Bob gets two penalty strokes.
Answer: c (Rule 12.2b(1))
John Morrissett is Competitions Director at Erin Hills and former Director of Rules of Golf for the USGA.
';