Rules and Decisions Video Archives



On the final hole of the 2000 U.S. Open, Ernie Els' approach shot landed in the rough, just off the green. A member of the media following Els' group apparently stepped on the ball. Select a video format from the right to find out the applicable rules and the relief to which Els was entitled.




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At the 1999 Spanish Open, Alvaro Salto's putt came to rest overhanging the lip of the hole. Select a video format from the right to learn about the provisions of Rule 16-2, "Ball Overhanging Hole" and how it applied to Salto's situation.




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Before playing his shot at the 2003 FBR Capital Open, Duffy Waldorf absent-mindedly used his club to tap down an "irregularity in the ground." The action cost Waldorf $150,000. Select a video format from the right to find out his mistake.




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At the 2001 British Open, final round co-leader Ian Woosnam's frustration bubbled over on the second tee when he discovered he was carrying 15 clubs when only allowed 14. Select a video format from the right to learn the outcome for Ian.




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Watch what happens on this shot by Patty Sheehan at the 1989 U.S. Women's Open. Her approach shot strikes another player's ball already on the green. Select a video format from the right to learn the outcome of this.




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On this chip shot, T.C. Chen's club inadvertently, but clearly hits his ball twice during the final round of the 1985 U.S. Open. Select a video format from the right to learn the outcome.




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During the 2001 Memorial Tournament Scott Hoch found his ball in an awkward lie beneath an overhanging tree branch. Select a video format from the right Hoch's outcome.




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In the final round of the 1957 U.S. Women's Open Jackie Pung walked off the final green with an apparent victory, but before the competition closed, Pung learned that she had mistakenly signed for a 5 instead of a 6 on the fourth hole. Select a video format from the right to learn the outcome for Pung.




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In the 1986 NEC World Series of Golf Denis Watson's ball was intentionally deflected onto the green by an outside agency, which in this case was an overzealous fan. Select a video format from the right to learn the outcome.




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At the 2000 William's World Challenge, Bernhard Langer's approach shot came to rest in a tree left of the green. Langer declared his ball unplayable to protect himself from incurring a penalty for moving his ball into play during a search. Select a video format from the right to learn the outcome.




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During the 1991 Doral Open, Paul Azinger moved stones away by kicking them from within the water hazard. According to Rule 13-4, a player shall not touch or move a loose impediment laying in or touching a hazard. Select a video format from the right to see the ruling.




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At the 1998 Players Championship, Steve Lowery's ball was at rest on the green when an outside agency decided to wreak havoc with the ball. Select a video format from the right to see how things turned out for Lowery.




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On the par 3 17th hole at the 1999 Players Championship, Fred Couples' tee shot found water. He incurred a one-stroke penalty under Rule 26-1. Select a video format from the right to see how Couples made the most of his relief options.




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Rule 14-1 requires that the ball be struck at with the head of the club. Select a video format from the right to see how Andy Bean ran afoul of this rule at the 1983 Canadian Open.




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At the 1986 MONY Tournament of Champions, Calvin Peete prepared to play his shot out of a bunker. In doing so, he violated Rule 13-3. Select a video format from the right to learn the details of the violation.




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While Meg Mallon was leading during the second round of the 1996 Jamie Farr Classic, her birdie putt on the 17th hole stopped, overhanging the lip of the hole. Under Rule 16-2, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay, and an additional 10 seconds to determine whether the ball is 'at rest.' In Mallon's case, 10 seconds had clearly elapsed before the ball fell into the hole. Select a video format from the right see the outcome of the ruling.




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Obstructions come in all shapes and sizes. At the 2000 U.S. Open, Angel Cabrera's tee shot found an unlikely home: in a garbage can. Select a video format from the right to find out how Angel could proceed under the Rules of Golf, and maybe more important, whether the ball could be cleaned.




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In the final round of the 1999 Phoenix Open, Tiger Woods' tee shot sailed wide left and came to rest behind a large boulder. Upon examining the situation, Woods asked the Rules Official if the boulder was considered a loose impediment. Select a video format from the right to find out whether the boulder fit the definition of a loose impediment and if Tiger was allowed assistance in helping him move it.




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At the 1993 Buick Invitational of California, Payne Stewart took relief from a cart path, which is an immovable obstruction. While Rule 24-2 does state that a player may obtain relief from such interference without penalty, Stewart's right foot was still touching the cart path, which meant he failed to take complete relief from the obstruction. Select a video format from the right to find out whether he incurred a penalty.




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In 1987, at the PGA's annual event in San Diego, Craig Stadler placed a towel beneath his knees to protect his pants from the wet ground. However, coming into play was Rule 13-3, which says, 'A player is entitled to place his feet firmly in taking his stance, but he shall not build a stance.' Select a video format from the right to find out the final ruling on Stadler for kneeling on his towel.




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On the third playoff hole at the 2001 Buick Invitational, Phil Mickelson and Frank Lickliter both drove their tee shots into a ravine. Under Rule 27-2, both players declared and played provisional balls from the tee in case their initial balls were lost. Surprisingly though, both of the original balls were found within the proscribed five minutes, but both were deemed unplayable from the ravine, which prompted an explanation from a rules official. Select a video format from the right to find out the answer.




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