RULES

KNOW your

RULES

In our new series, we look at a scenario that applies to everyday golfers and what the correct procedures are 

By MIKE GREEN 

tournament to watch

19-22

Kaulig Companies Championship, Firestone Country Club

THE INCIDENT

Even the very best make elementary mistakes. Shane Lowry is a Major champion and has reached a career-high No 10 in the World Ranking. However, at this year’s US Open at Oakmont, he broke a rule that shows how one lapse of concentration on the golf course can turn into a bad decision.

Lowry was assessed a one-stroke penalty for picking up his ball on the par-four 14th green before marking it. After chipping his third shot well past the hole, he had strolled to his ball and casually picked it up from the green. He realised the mistake and called over a rules official. Lowry replayed it from the same spot, now putting for bogey rather than par. He missed the putt and tapped in for double-bogey. He was in breach of Rule 14.1a.

‘Probably one of the stupidest things I've ever done,’ said Lowry. ‘I just picked the ball up, had the ball in my hand, turned around to my caddie, and he basically said to me, “What are you doing?” Yeah, I put it back down and marked it and got on with it. I knew it would be a penalty, just wasn’t sure if it would be one or two (shots).’

RULE 14

Rule 14 covers when and how the player may mark the spot of a ball at rest and lift and clean the ball, and how to put a ball back into play so that the ball is played from the right place.

This month: 14.1a If you lift your ball without marking its spot, mark its spot in the wrong way or make a stroke with a ball-marker left in place, you get one penalty stroke.

To feature in the mag, simply email us an interesting tale involving a rule at your club that is worth

discussing, and we’ll make it happen. Get in touch with us at contact@thegolfmag.co.za

WIN!

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Rules competition with cobra/puma golf

WIN

Stand a chance to win a Cobra KING wedge! Simply select the correct answer to this question and you’ll go into the draw for this fantastic giveaway.


Question: When lifting a ball to see if it is cut or cracked, a player may clean the ball to the extent that is needed to see if cut or cracked.

  • True
  • False

Closing date: 29 September 2025

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The prize/s is as indicated, no alternatives or cash will be provided, nor are they transferable.


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The prize winner will be notified via email or telephone call and their names will be published in the magazine. Only one participant or entrant per household is entitled to win one prize in any competition. If the prize is not claimed within 30 days of the winner being announced, the winner automatically forfeits the prize and we reserve the right to redistribute or dispose of the prize at its discretion.


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congratulations

To feature in the mag, simply email us an interesting tale involving a rule at your club that is worth discussing, and we’ll make it happen. Get in touch with us at contact@thegolfmag.co.za

Logan Whitton/USGA

tournament to watch

24-27

The Chevron Championship,
The Club at Carlton Woods (Jack Nicklaus Signature Course)