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Question 1. Dillard, Why is it ok to put a line on the ball to help with aim? I do this myself and find that it helps. It just seems that it is in conflict with the rules. Thank you, George

Dillard Pruitt searches for a ball at TPC River Highlands. (WireImage)

ABOUT DILLARD PRUITT

PGA TOUR Tournament Official Dillard Pruitt has seen the game from both sides. He played the PGA TOUR from 1988-96 and won the 1991 Chattanooga Classic. He now works as a PGA TOUR rules official and will share his knowledge with PGATOUR.com viewers.  To ask Pruitt a question, click here.

Pruitt: George, I'm not able to give you the reason why it is allowed but you are allowed to draw a line on your ball. The USGA and R&A make the rules that the PGA TOUR uses when running its competitions. You will need to contact the USGA at 908-234-2300 to find out the reason it's allowed. Thanks, Dillard

Question 2. Where can I find a complete listing of the PGA TOUR rules? They seem somewhat different from USGA rules. I was told that a friend saw a player at Hartford ask for a ruling about removing a rock (loose impediment) from a bunker and was allowed to remove the rock. When I stated that was against USGA rules, others insisted they had seen this as well. I am interested in seeing the complete listing of rules that TOUR members play under to see where other differences are as well. Thanks for your time in response. Regards, Joe

Pruitt: Joe, the PGA TOUR plays by the rules that the USGA and R&A decide. If you will look in the back of the Rule Book at Appendix I, specifically in Part B 4. Stones in Bunkers, there are times throughout the year that our committee feels for the players safety and the safety of the spectators we adopt this local rule on our Notice to Competitors that allows players to remove stones in bunkers. The key to this is for the player to make sure that what they are picking up in the bunker is in fact a stone. Thanks for the question.

Question 3. Mr. Pruitt:

Thanks for taking the time to help us understand the complex, and occasionally "strange" rulings that occur on the course. I have a question that relates to a previous question that you answered:

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A player hitting from the 14th tee box has his ball fall from the tee on his downswing. The player makes an attempt to stop, as in the player no longer has the intent to strike the ball. The player is not totally successful in stopping the swing and taps the ball with the clubhead and moves the ball 10 yards down the tee box. What is the ruling? Is the ball in play and how does the player proceed? Thank you.

John T Connor

John, if you will look at Rule 19b, the player will be penalized two strokes and will play the ball from where it lies. Thanks for the great question.

Dillard

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My Question No. 1:This scenario indicated that the ball "has fallen" from the tee before impact. Is your decision based the condition that the ball was "still falling" when it was struck?

My Question No. 2: It seems that Rule 11-3 is in opposition to 19b if the incident happens on the tee box:

11-3 Ball Falling Off Tee: If a ball, when not in play, falls off a tee or is knocked off a tee by the player in addressing it, it may be re-teed without penalty. However, if a stroke is made at the ball in these circumstances, whether the ball is moving or not, the stroke counts but there is no penalty.

Thanks again for your help, Rick Fox

Pruitt: Rick, first I want to thank you for writing to us regarding this question, and secondly I want to apologize for sending the wrong answer. If you will look in the Decisions on The Rules of Golf on page 177, 14/1.5. I think this answers the question. Even if the player had no intent to strike the ball, the fact is that he did strike the ball. There is no penalty but the player must count that stroke and he will be hitting his second shot from where the ball came to rest. Again thanks for finding my mistake and thanks for the question.

Question 4. What is the ruling on whether you may or may not apply any substance to the face of your clubs? Anthony T. Williams

Pruitt: Anthony, if you will look at Rule 4-2 b. it states foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the purpose of influencing the movement of the ball. The penalty for breach of the Rule is disqualification. Thanks for the question.

Question 5. During stroke play, after players tee off but before they reach their balls, a large tree falls over, covering one player's ball. The ball is in the rough but in play and on an otherwise unobstructed line from the hole. The tree is without question too large and heavy to be cut up or removed during play. The player's ball is visible through the branches, but is no longer playable. What should the player and/or tournament officials do?

(This question is motivated by an incident that actually happened during a major several years ago just after, I believe, Tiger Woods' threesome teed off on a par 3. In that incident, the fallen tree did not interfere, but spectators wondered "what if..." Overnight, heavy equipment was brought in and the fallen tree was removed. But that probably took several hours -- enough time that, had officials stopped play to remove the tree, that round and those of players with later tee times could not have been completed that day.)

Thanks, Glenn

Pruitt: Glenn, the committee would have the ability to mark that area and give players free relief. This would have to be an extreme circumstance. The committee should try to remove the tree with the help of the superintendent and his staff. Thanks.