The 2006-2007 Decisions book includes 37 new Decisions and 66 revised Decisions, while eight Decisions have been withdrawn.

New Decisions

1-2/1.5 Competitor Alters Line of Play of Fellow-Competitor

1-2/3.8 Player Jumps Close to Hole to Cause Ball to Drop; Ball Does Not Move

1-2/7 Player Purposely Deflects Partner's Ball in Motion on Putting Green

4-4a/14 Player Carries Pieces of Broken Club

6-4/5.3 Additional Persons Carry Items for Player

6-8b/9 Resumption of Play; When Players Must Be Present

6-8d/3 Player Who Drops Ball Immediately After Committee Has Ordered Resumption of Play Subsequently Lifts Ball Under Rule 6-8d(ii)

8-2b/2 Caddie Attending Flagstick Advises Player to Aim at His Foot

9-2/3.5 Player Refuses to Tell Opponent How Many Strokes He Has Taken

10/4 Order of Play for Provisional Ball Other Than from Teeing Ground

13-2/8.7 Player's Area of Intended Stance Affected by Another Player's Stroke

13-2/12 Player Presses Down Sand Behind Ball in Grounding Club

13-4/35.8   Player Deems Ball Unplayable in Bunker, Announces His Intention

to Proceed Under Rule 28a Outside Bunker and Then Rakes Bunker on New Line of Play

14-3/0.5 Local Rule Permitting Use of Distance Measuring Device

14-3/10.5 Use of Stretching Devices

16-1e/2 Player Plays from Stance Astride Extension of Line of Putt Behind Ball

16-2/4 Ball Overhanging Lip of Hole Moves When Flagstick Removed

16-2/5 Ball Overhanging Lip of Hole Moves and Strikes Flagstick During Removal of Flagstick
17/3.5 Reflector on Flagstick

18-2a/30.5 Ball Moves After Removal of Loose Impediment Near Ball

20-5/2 Player Proceeding Under Rule 20-5 Drops Ball on Different Part of Course

20-6/4 Substituting Ball When Re-Dropping

20-6/5 Player Drops Ball Under Rules and Then Wishes to Replace Ball in Original Position

20-7/2.5 Ball Deemed Unplayable in Water Hazard; Another Ball Is Dropped in Hazard But Player Realizes Error Before Playing

23/5.5 Status of Insect-Like Creatures

25-1c/2.5 Ball Dropped Under Rule 25-1c with Reasonable Evidence; Original Ball Then Found 

25-2/8 Ball Embedded in Teeing Ground

26-1/3.5 Ball Dropped Under Water Hazard Rule with Reasonable Evidence;

Original Ball Then Found

27-2a/4 Three Balls Played from Same Spot; Only Second Ball Was Provisional Ball

30-3/1 Examples of Rulings in Four-Ball Match with Concurrent Singles Matches

30-3/2 Effect of State of Match Penalties in Four-Ball Play

33/8 Application of Disqualification Penalty in Competition in Which Not All Scores Used to Determine Winner

33-8/40 Local Rule Clarifying Status of Material Similar to Sand

34-3/1.5 Committee Error and Scoring in Stroke Play

34-3/3.3 Player Placed at Serious Disadvantage Due to Incorrect Ruling

34-3/7 Player Proceeds on Basis of Ruling; Subsequent Facts Prove Ruling to Be Incorrect

34-3/8 Player Proceeds on Basis of Ruling; Player's Version of Facts Subsequently Found to Be Incorrect

Revised Decisions

1-1/1 Two Balls in Play Simultaneously at Different Holes

Reference to Rule 2-3 changed to Rule 2-1.

1-2/5.5  Player Purposely Stops or Deflects Ball; Where Next Stroke Must Be Played From

Amended to address the situation where the player has deflected rather than stopped his ball in motion after a stroke.

1-2/6 Player Removes Loose Impediment Affecting Lie of Opponent or Fellow-Competitor in Hazard

Answer expanded to explain that the opponent or fellow-competitor is not required to replace the loose impediment.

1-4/5 Removal of Obstruction in Hazard Would Move Loose Impediment    

Answer expanded to clarify the penalty if the player fails to replace the loose impediment

1-4/12 Player Breaches Rules More Than Once Prior to Stroke; Whether Multiple Penalties Applied

Expansion of example under Principle 4 and edits to chart of principles.

2-1/1.5 Players Agree to Consider Hole Halved During Play of Hole

Reference to Rule 2-3 changed to Rule 2-1.

2-1/4 Two Holes Purposely Omitted in Match

Reference to Rule 2-3 changed to Rule 2-1 (Formerly 2-3/3).

3-3/0.5  Guidelines for Determining Which Ball Counts When Player Proceeds Under Rule 3-3

Reference to Withdrawn Decision 3-3/5.5 removed.

4-3/1 Meaning of Damage Sustained in "Normal Course of Play"    

Meaning of "normal course of play" expanded to include a number of reasonable acts in addition to making a stroke, practice swing or practice stroke.

4-3/7 Club Broken While Used as Cane

Answer altered to allow replacement of the club due to change in meaning of damage in the 'normal course of play.'

4-3/9 Club Broken Due to Habit of Hitting Head of Club on Ground 

Answer altered for consistency  with interpretation of meaning of damage in the 'normal course of play.'

4-4a/13 Player Practices with Another Player's Club        

Answer revised to reflect that a breach did not occur because the stroke did not count in the player's score rather than that it could not count.

6-6a/7 Different Score Card Returned      

Clarified to include examples of why the original score card was not returned and to explain that the returned score card met the requirements of Rule 6-6.

6-6d/4 Competitor's Scores Recorded on Score Card with Fellow-Competitor's Name and Vice Versa           

Amended to recommend that the Committee rectify this administrative error by changing the names on the score cards.

6-8d/2 Lie in Bunker Altered Prior to Resumption of Play

Reference to Decision 20-3b/5 removed due to revision to that Decision

6-8d/4 Ball Visible from Tee Disappears While Play Suspended    

Answer clarified to explain that the player must proceed in accordance with Rule 6-8d(iii) -- Formerly 18-1/2.

7-1b/5 Competitor's Caddie Practices on or Tests Putting Green Surfaces of the Course Before Stroke Play Round

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

8-1/2 Exchanging Distance Information   

Revised to specify that the distance between any objects is a matter of public information and therefore not advice.

9-2/2 Incorrect Information Given by Caddie or Partner      

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

9-2/3 Wrong Information on Strokes Taken Given Voluntarily         

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

9-2/5 Incorrect Information Causes Opponent to Lift His Ball-Marker          

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

9-2/7 Incorrect Information Given by Player Corrected Before Opponent Makes Next Stroke But After Opponent Has Conceded Player's Putt    

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

9-2/14 Incorrect Information Causes Opponent Mistakenly to Think He Has Putt for Half; Opponent Holes Putt and Then Error Discovered       

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

9-2/15 Wrong Information After Play of Hole; When Penalty Applicable      

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

12-1/5 Player Kicks Ball While Probing for It in Water in Water Hazard      

Answer expanded to clarify that the movement of the ball was not directly attributable to the act of probing for the ball; therefore, a penalty was incurred under Rule 18-2a.

13-2/26 Natural Object Interfering with Swing Moved to Determine Whether It Is Loose        

Answer revised to clarify that the player is in breach of Rule 13-2 if he moved a growing natural object other than for the purpose of determining whether it was loose or if he failed to replace such an object if it was not loose.

13-2/29 Worsening and Then Restoring Line of Play         

Answer expanded to clarify that the player may not restore any areas covered by Rule 13-2 that he may have worsened prior to his stroke.

13-4/25 Taking Firm Stance in Bunker Some Distance from Where Ball Lies in Bunker to Simulate Next Stroke       

Question modified to reflect that it is not relevant whether the player is holding a club.

13-4/35.7 Player Deems Ball Unplayable in Bunker, Lifts Ball and Then Removes Loose Impediment from Bunker     

Answer revised to permit the player to remove the loose impediment without penalty if he has stated that he will proceed under Rule 28a and he does so.

13-4/36 Smoothing Irregularities in Bunker After Stroke But Before Ball Extricated  

Reference to "test consistency of the sand during the first stroke" in the Answer deleted as the smoothing is specifically permitted by Exception 2 to Rule 13-4

14-2/4 Caddie Inadvertently Stands on Extension of Line of Play Behind Ball          

Revised to clarify that Rule 14-2b is applicable regardless of the part of the course on which the ball lies prior to the stroke.

14-3/1 Distance Meter Attached to Golf Cart

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

14-3/2 Pencil or Score Card Used to Assist in Gauging Distance

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

14-3/3 Standard Spectacles and Field Glasses

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

14-3/5.5 Electronic Device Providing Distances Between Various Points

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

14-3/10 Use of Training or Swing Aid During Round          

Reference to Decision 4-4a/7 expanded for clarity.

14-3/13.5 Golf Ball Artificially Warmed    

Amended to clarify that the use of a ball which was warmed prior to the stipulated round is not a breach of Rule 14-3.

14-3/14 Electronic Instrument Used to Find Ball    

Answer expanded to clarify that the ball itself may be used only if it conforms with the Rules including any applicable conditions of competition.

14-3/16 Use of Electronic Devices          

Reformatted and expanded to provide examples of uses of various electronic devices that would or would not be a breach of Rule 14-3.

15/5 Original Ball Found and Played After Another Ball Put into Play

Amended in light of the revision to Decision 27-1/2.

15/9 Ball Thrown into Bounds by Outside Agency and Played; Caddie Aware of Action of Outside Agency

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

15/13  Stray Ball Dropped Under Unplayable Ball Rule But Not Played      

Revised to clarify that the stray ball which is dropped is an improperly substituted ball; not a wrong ball.

16-1a/11 Raised Tuft of Grass on Line of Putt Brushed to Determine Whether It Is Loose

Answer revised to clarify that the player is in breach of Rule 16-1 if he moved a growing natural object other than for the purpose of determining whether it was loose or if he failed to replace such an object if it was not loose.

16-1b/3 Ball Lifted from Putting Green; Ball Replaced While Another Ball in Motion Subsequently Deflects Ball          

Revised to clarify that A's ball was not on the putting green when B made his stroke from the putting green.

16-1d/6 Caddie Roughens Surface of Putting Green But Player Does Not Benefit

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

18-2a/12.5 Player Entitled to Relief Without Penalty from Condition Lifts Ball; Chooses Not to Take Relief and Wishes to Proceed Under the Unplayable Ball Rule  

Answer expanded to explain that the player may proceed directly under Rule 28a without incurring a penalty under Rule 18-2a.

18-2a/24 Ball Moved by Flagstick When Measuring          

Revised to clarify that a ball moved by a dropped flagstick has not been moved in a manner directly attributable to the act of measuring.

18-2b/10 Ball Falls into Hole After Being Addressed         

Answer expanded to clarify that the player's ball has not been holed.

19-2/1.5 Ball Moves Prior to Address and Is Accidentally Stopped by Player's Club; Player Removes Club and Ball Rolls Away           

Amended to clarify the penalty incurred if the player fails to replace his ball on the spot at which it was stopped.

20-3b/5 Lie of Ball to Be Replaced Altered and Spot Where Ball Originally Lay Not Determinable     

Answer expanded to clarify the circumstances under which the player must proceed under Rule 20-3b and those under which he must proceed under Rule 20-3c.

20-7c/4 Competitor's Ball Played by Fellow-Competitor; Competitor Substitutes Another Ball at Wrong Place, Plays It and Then Abandons It and Plays Out Original Ball from Right Place 

Question modified to reflect that Rule 15-3 provides the proper procedure for Player A to follow when his ball is played by another player and is the applicable Rule under which he is penalized when he proceeds improperly.

21/3 Whether Ball Cleaned Through Act of Caddie Throwing It to Player     

Question revised to clarify that the player's ball did not lie on the putting green when it was lifted.

23-1/7   Loose Impediment Affecting Lie Moved When Ball Lifted   

Amended to clarify the penalty incurred if the player fails to replace the loose impediment.

24-2b/20 Interference by Line or Mark on Ground Consisting of Lime or Paint         

Answer expanded to clarify that a Local Rule may be adopted declaring such areas to be ground under repair.

25-1b/26 Player Unaware Ball in Water Hazard Takes Relief from Interference by Burrowing Animal Hole      

Answer expanded to clarify that the player has proceeded under an inapplicable Rule thus he is permitted to correct his error under Rule 20-6.

25-1c/3 Ball Played in Ground Under Repair Area Lost in Same Area        

Expanded to clarify that the ball did not cross the outermost limits of the area of ground under repair when it was played from within that area and that the player is entitled to relief without penalty under Rule 25-1b if, after having dropped a ball under Rule 27-1, he has interference from this condition.

26-1/16 Point Where Ball Last Crossed Margin of Lateral Water Hazard Determined and Ball Dropped; Point Then Proves to Be Wrong Point     

Amended to clarify that the player may drop a ball in accordance with any of his options under Rule 26-1 when correcting his error.

27-1/2   Original Ball Found Within Five-Minute Search Period After Another Ball Dropped

Revised to specify that Rule 20-6 does not apply as the player has substituted a ball under an applicable Rule (Rule 27-1).

27-1/2.3 Original Ball Found Within Five-Minute Search Period After Another Ball Dropped; Original Ball Played        

Revised to specify that the original ball, if played, is a wrong ball because the original ball is no longer the player's ball in play in view of the Revision to Decision 27-1/2.

32-1/3 Determination of Honor in Handicap Stableford Competition

Question clarified through the removal of unnecessary information.

33-1/9.5 Breach of Transportation Condition by Caddie

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

33-8/13 Local Rule for Ball Deflected by Power Line         

Answer expanded to clarify that the Local Rule may include supporting poles which are located such that they interfere with play of the hole.

33-8/34 Local Rule Establishes Ball Drop or Dropping Zone; Procedure for Dropping

Part (e) of Answer amended to include Rule 20-2c(vi).

34-2/5 Referee Reverses Ruling Made at last Hole of Match After Players Leave Putting Green

Clarification of circumstances under which ruling may be corrected.

34-2/6 Referee Reverses Ruling After Player Subsequently Plays a Ball     

Clarification of circumstances under which ruling may be corrected.

34-3/3 Player Plays Based on Incorrect Ruling; Procedure for Player When Error is Discovered       

Clarification of circumstances under which ruling may be corrected.

Withdrawn Decisions                          

3-3/5.5 Procedure If Both Original and Second Balls Dropped in Wrong Place and Played

6-4/2 Who May Serve as Caddie

8-1/2.5 Players Exchange Distance Information to Determine Order of Play

11-3/2 Lifting Ball in Play But Still Within Teeing Ground

16/6 Cutting Hole on Slope

26/7 Ball Apparently in Water Hazard Found Outside Hazard After Another Ball Played Under Stroke-and-Distance Procedure

33/4 Direction Posts

33-1/9 Breach of Condition Prohibiting Golf Carts

Re-Numbered Decisions

2-1/3 Hole Inadvertently Omitted in Match; Error Discovered After Match Concluded (Formerly 2-3/2)

2-1/4 Two Holes Purposely Omitted in Match (Formerly 2-3/3)

2-1/5 Three Holes Played Out of Sequence in Match (Formerly 2-3/4)

2-1/6 Replaying Match When Play Discontinued Instead of Resuming from Where Play Stopped (Formerly 2-3/5)

2-3/2 Result of Match When Player Dormie and Opponent Concedes (Formerly 2-3/6)

6-8d/4 Ball Visible from Tee Disappears While Play Suspended