By Ken Ruggiero
July 05, 2008 09:18 pm
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Last week, we played the front side on the 18-hole golf “quiz” course. Today, we’ll play the back nine. Let’s see how much you know about our beloved game. Careful now, the course is tricky. Find the correct answers near the end of the column.
1. Who is credited with inventing the sand wedge?
A. Bobby Jones
B. Gene Sarazen
C. Sam Snead
D. Ham Onrye
2. What is the real first name of golfer “Chi-Chi” Rodriguez?
A. Juan
B. Chico
C. Jose
D. Radford
3. The first lady amateur ever to win the U.S. Women’s Open was:
A. Isabel Izod
B. Catherine Lacoste
C. Jackie Pung
D. Inbee Park
4. Who was the first player to make $1,000,000 on tour in one season?
A. Arnold Palmer
B. Jack Nicklaus
C. Curtis Strange
D. Tom Kite
5. A player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on a course. True or False?
6. It is allowable to practice putt or chip after you have holed out on a hole during a round. True or False?
7. A player may declare his ball unplayable, even in a bunker. True or False?
8. Who first said, “a bad putt is better than a good chip”?
A. Ben Hogan
B. Ben Crenshaw
C. Arnold Palmer
D. Fred McMurray
9. You are allowed to take practice strokes while playing a hole? True or False?
- This question comes from local Gazette reader George Whittier: “Hi Ken. ... Continuing to enjoy your golf column each Sunday. I have a question about the drop rule. Let’s say I have an unplayable lie, at the base of a tree for example, so I take the stroke penalty and do a ball drop. If the ball drops and rolls against another tree, can I drop again or do I take another stroke penalty?
Firstly George, thanks for the kind words and the inquiry. Rule 28 is probably the most misunderstood rule in golf, yet it is quite straightforward and simple. If you declare that your ball is unplayable, you have three options: 1. From where the ball lies, you may drop it two club lengths in any direction, but not closer to the hole, 2. You may go back as far as you like so long as you keep the point where the ball lies between you and the flagstick as you go back., or 3. You may replay the shot that put you in the unplayable lie to begin with.
In your question to me, you suggest that the player chose the first option that I listed. Simply, it may not have been the players best option because apparently, there were other trees in the area and his drop did not provide the needed relief. Careful consideration should be given when declaring a ball unplayable before deciding which option, if any, will provide the best relief.
Also, you should be aware of the proper drop procedures, as they are contained in Rule 20-2. There is a long list of reasons why a redrop might become necessary. One reason would be if the ball, having been dropped, rolls more than two club lengths from where it first struck the course. In the instance you present however, if the ball did not roll more than two club lengths, then the player would have to accept the current location against yet another tree. Hope this helps.
- Quiz Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-C, 5-False, a player cannot declare his ball unplayable when it lies in or touches a water hazard. 6-True, so long as play is not delayed. 7-True, except that unless he chooses to replay his original shot, he must remain in the bunker. 8-C, 9. False. You are allowed to take practice swings, but not strokes. The term “stroke” indicates that you have hit another golf ball intentionally, and that is illegal during the play of any hole. You may swipe a range ball that has made its way unto the course, but not with the intention of practicing.
Confused? Welcome to the world of golf. And, until next week, keep it in the fairway.
Ken Ruggiero is a local golf instructor and can be reached at 298-0967 or by e-mailing him at radiomaniac1949@yahoo.com.
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Golf columnist Ken Ruggiero