1. Is a scorecard required in match play?
2. If I start a round with 15 clubs declaring one of them out of play, is this legal?
3. Can a player take free relief from an out of bounds stake?
4. Can a player take free relief from a water hazard stake?
5. Is Amateur status forfeited if I gamble with a group of friends?
Dear Lou Lou,
These are all excellent questions. I am going to give you a brief answer to each one. If you (or any of my readers) need further clarification, please let me know.
1. You are not required to turn in a scorecard in match play. All that is required is that you and your opponent agree on the result of the match and communicate that result to the official in charge (e.g., “Jack won, 2 up”).
2. A player is not permitted to start a round with 15 clubs and declare the extra club out of play. He will incur a two-stroke penalty for doing so [Decision 4-4c/1].
3. There is no free relief from out-of-bounds stakes. Objects defining out of bounds (walls, fences, stakes, railings, etc.) are not obstructions; they are deemed to be fixed [Definition of Out of Bounds]. If your ball is unplayable, you must choose one of the relief options under Rule 28, all of which carry a one-stroke penalty.
4. Water hazard stakes are obstructions [Definition of Water Hazard]. If your ball does not lie in the water hazard, you are entitled to free relief (see Rule 24-1 for relief from movable obstructions or 24-2 for relief from immovable obstructions). If your ball is in the water hazard, you may not move the ball. If the stake is movable, you may remove it. If it is immovable, you may either play the ball as it lies or use any of the relief options under Rule 26-1, all of which will add a one-stroke penalty to your score.
5. Gambling will not affect your Amateur Status if all the players know each other, the gambling is optional and is limited to just the players, the amount of money is not excessive, and all money won or lost is provided by the actual players. Your primary purpose in playing must be the enjoyment of the game, not how much money you may win [Appendix–Policy on Gambling, Acceptable Forms of Gambling].
A player may endanger his Amateur Status if he competes in tournaments that (1) require wagering, (2) may involve considerable amounts of money, such as Calcuttas, or (3) permit non-players to make bets [Appendix–Policy on Gambling, Unacceptable Forms of Gambling].
Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
