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.

QUESTION: Stroke play, I hit my shot onto what I thought was a cart path (obstruction) because carts use it as a path. However, at the spot where my ball lay, the artificial surfacing (gravel) was not present but was just worn down dirt. There was gravel about 10 feet away from my ball in one direction and about 20 feet away in another direction, but none where my ball lay or where I would be standing to play my next stroke. I suggested to my fellow competitors that I was on a path and should get free relief from the obstruction. They are "dorks" and declined my suggestion. What to do? Tom Zariski

PRUITT: Well, Tom, if the surface was not artificially surfaced they, the dorks, could be correct. You should have operated under Rule 3-3 and played two balls, announcing which ball you wish to count if the Rules allow.

QUESTION: Does the PGA TOUR allow players to use a floating golf ball in a tournament? Thanks.

PRUITT: If the ball is on the conforming ball list put out by the USGA and R&A, the player can use that ball.

QUESTION: I know most golfers use a coin or other circular item to mark their ball. My question is: Do the rules prohibit or specify what can be used to mark your ball on the green? I play the guitar and have thought about using a "guitar pick" to mark my ball but am not sure if it's allowed. Comments? Thanks! Andrew Price

PRUITT: Andrew, if you will look at the note to Rule 20-1 in the Rules of Golf on page 56, I think you are fine using your pick to mark your ball. Is the weight of the pick heavy enough so that the wind will not blow it around?

QUESTION: When the tee box markers are set at an angle (for example, the left side marker is set further back than the right side marker), where is the line you should be behind to tee up your ball? Debra O’Leary

PRUITT: Debra, I would like for you to look at the definition of Teeing Ground in the Rules of Golf book on page 15. I hope that answers your question.

QUESTION: Dillard -- Please clarify your response to the following question: (I believe you can place a rake or clubs in a bunker as long as you do not test the conditions or improve your lie. See 13-4/21.)

This was the first question: I never play with a caddie, so oftentimes I'll grab the rake and toss it near my ball (or an opponent's ball) in the bunker prior to the shot. This is done to save time. Should that be considered a stroke penalty because it is a hazard?

PRUITT: Until you have played from the bunker you are not allowed to purposely touch the ground in the hazard, and it's a two-stroke penalty if you do. (13-4/21 Rake Thrown into Bunker Before Stroke)