Staked tree does not necessarily give relief
Q. Do I always get relief from a staked tree? I know you've answered this question before but the girls I play with won't believe me unless they see it in writing. -- Carolyn Reiner
A. No you do not always get relief from a staked tree. You will get relief from the stakes if they interfere with the lie of the ball, your stance or area of intended swing. Stakes are an immovable obstruction whereas a tree is a tree. In order to get full relief from a staked tree there must be a local rule in effect. Some golf courses will put this rule in effect because they want to prevent damage to young trees.
Q. I keep having players tell me that if I putt and my ball goes into the hole while there is already a ball holed out and left in the hole, it's a penalty. Is this true? -- Karen Anderson
A. No, there is not a penalty if you putt while another ball is still in the hole and your ball falls into the hole with it. Since the ball in the hole is no longer in play, it is a movable obstruction and there is no penalty for your ball hitting a movable obstruction. There is a two-stroke penalty in stroke play if a ball in motion on the putting green hits a ball at rest and in play on the putting green.
Q. May I reach across the hole and tap my ball into the hole?
A. Yes as long as you fairly strike the ball. The ball must not be spooned, scraped or pushed.
Q. Is it OK to hold the flagstick with one hand and hole a short putt, gripping the putter with the other hand? -- Matt Vanderpool
A. Yes it is, provided the flagstick has been removed from the hole and the ball does not strike it.
Sue May is a U.S. Open rules official, a member of the USGA Senior Women's committee and head rules director for the Butch Harmon Vegas Tour. Address your rules questions to suemay@cox.net.
