Print this page  |  Close Window

Editor's note: 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 weekly with PGATOUR.com viewers.

Dillard Pruitt (WireImage)

While playing Match Play today, one of my opponents hit a tee shot on a par 3. After looking for a while, we found the ball next to a large tree buried in discarded grass clippings. He took one club length relief and proceeded to play. He went from no shot (up against a tree) to a clear shot at the pin. It doesn't seem right that he should get a club length. What do you think?
Nick Facciolo

Nick, grass clippings are generally not piled for removal and therefore your opponent was not correct in taking free relief. Grass clippings are loose impediments and can be removed without penalty as long as the ball does not move. An example of material piled for removal: after a bad storm the superintendent piled up sticks, etc., in small piles just to get play started.

After play was completed the superintendent would then pick up the sticks and properly dispose of it. Your opponent should have been penalized one shot for touching his ball in play and would have lost the hole when he played from a wrong place. You should have won that hole.
Dillard

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

I was playing in a tournament and my playing partner was away. He putted several feet past the hole. He said he was going to finish. I said you will be standing directly in my line. I had a five footer, he had a three footer. He insisted on finishing. Is there anything in the rules that would have not let him finish or is there any penalty if he does? Of course he made his and I missed mine. Thanks for your help.
Braxton McLennan

Braxton, there is nothing in the Rules unless you were playing Match Play. The guy you were playing with showed very poor etiquette.
Dillard

What can you do when your approach shot plugs on the green? Can you pick up the ball, repair the mark and replace the ball in the same spot without penalty?
Steve Choinski

Steve, you described the proper procedure to a tee. Mark your ball, repair the pitch mark and replace your ball back on the area you repaired.
Dillard