RULES OF THE GAME
The Golf Rules Nerd
It was Christmas morning and Donner and Dancer were playing a two-ball match when they arrived at the third hole at St . Johns .
Dancer struck a solid 7 iron to the center of the green , while Donner missed a little left . Donner was used to missing left at that hole as he avoided the sand and water on the right .
Arriving at the green , Donner found his ball in a deep animal track , most likely a deer ’ s hoofprint . His ball was about ten feet off the green . Dancer ’ s ball was stuck in a similar print on the green .
Dancer marked his ball , cleaned it , and began repairing the hoof print . He looked at Donner , waiting for him to play . Donner was studying the situation as his ball was down in the deepest part of the hoofprint . “ Dancer ,” he said , “ may I take relief from the hoofprint ?” “ Sure ,” Dancer replied . “ you ’ ll have to take a penalty stroke , though , for an unplayable lie .” Donner was a bit upset to hear that news . “ You took your ball out of the same kind of lie . Why can ’ t I ?” “ Because I ’ m not Santa Claus ,” was Dancer ’ s reply .
Donner ’ s situation with the hoofprint off the green leads us to Rule 16 , relief from abnormal course conditions . If there had been a great many hoofprints in the area of his ball , as if made by a herd of deer , Dancer would be correct in granting free relief . Because it was just one of a few scattered prints , he should not give a free drop from the hoofprint .
Maybe Rudolph and his friends made some reindeer tracks as they went from house to house . Merry Christmas !
According to Rule 13.1 , most damage on the putting green may be repaired by anyone . There are some exceptions to this Rule that include damage resulting from maintenance , such as aeration holes or verticut grooves . Natural imperfections like weeds and such may not be removed or flattened . Animal hoofprints may always be repaired .
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