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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | April 2015 | 28 From the Rules Chair – Melody Lewis: This month I will be going over the #9, #10, #11 and #12 "most misunderstood rules of golf." These are the rules set in place by the USGA. Please remember that "local rules" will override the rules mentioned here. The #9 most misunderstood rule is the number of clubs allowed." You are only allowed to carry 14 clubs in your bag including your putter. The penalty in stroke play for carrying more than 14 clubs is 2 strokes per hole up to a maximum of 2 holes or 4 strokes. If you are playing in Match Play the penalty is loss of hole for a maximum of 2 holes. The #10 most misunderstood rule is "casual water." Find your nearest point of relief no closer to the hole where neither you or your ball lie in water that can be seen without pressing your feet up and down. You may then drop the ball within one club length from this point no nearer to the hole with no penalty. A local rule is in effect here. Any area that had been covered in water and the turf has been matted down and/or the area is muddy allows for complete relief no closer to the hole. Ball must be dropped in rough if "area" of lie is in the rough. The #11 most misunderstood rule is "grounding your club in a hazard." Practice swings may be taken in a hazard as long as you don't touch the ground, sand or water with your club. The top of the grass may be touched during a practice swing. The penalty for grounding your club is a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. The #12 most misunderstood rule is "accidentally moving your ball." There is a 1-stroke penalty for accidentally moving your ball and it must be replaced to its original position before hitting. If you do not replace it you would incur another 1 stroke penalty for hitting from the wrong place. There is no penalty for accidentally moving the ball when on the tee. Golf is a game of accountability. Remember though, golf is a game and to have fun. continued from previous page