The answers for last week questions:
4.1 The player starts his round with a non-conforming club (a club with hinges on the shaft). What is the decision?
There is no penalty for having a non-conforming club in a bag. But such a club still counts towards the 14-club limit.
4.2 On the 5th hole, of the second round a player finds out he as 15 clubs but the extra club does not belong to him. He found that club yesterday on the course during his first round. What is the ruling?
Because the player started his round with more than 14 clubs, he is penalized 2 strokes for the first 2 holes of his round for a total of 4 strokes. In Match Play, the match is adjusted by 2 holes. Even if the club does not belong to the player. If the club was found DURING the round, there would not have been a penalty.
4.3 In a Four Ball competition, the two partners have all their clubs (28) in the same bag. What is the penalty?
As long as it is possible to identify each of the players clubs, this is permitted. If the partners had only a total 14 clubs for both, they could share any clubs during the round.
4.4 A player wants to check the wind direction. He pulls out a handkerchief to see the strength and direction of the wind? Is that a breach of the Rule?
The general penalty applies (2 strokes or loss of hole). It would be the same penalty if the player used powder to check the wind direction. But a smoker would not be penalized each time he would breath out!
4.5 Between the play of two holes, before making his tee shot, a player puts a donut on his driver to make stretching exercises. What is the decision?
The penalty is 2 strokes or loss of hole. If a player makes a second breach in the same round, he would be disqualified.
QUESTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK
RULE 5 – PLAYING THE ROUND
5.1 After finishing his first round, a player goes on the golf course to plays a few holes. The second round is scheduled for tomorrow. What is the decision?
5.2 The player is on the tee on time but with only a putter and a ball. The first hole is a Par 5 with water in front of the tee. What is the decision?
5.3 In a match Play, Player A arrives at the tee 2 minutes late and Player B arrives 4 minutes late. What is the status of the Match?
5.4 Play is suspended for darkness. Play will resume at 08H00 tomorrow. 3 groups are on a tee. A player from the last group to start (approximately 08H18, hits a few drives between 08H00 and 08H05 because the range is very close to the tee?