RULES
KNOW your
RULES
The latest in our series of situations encountered by everyday golfers, and what the correct procedures are
THE SITUATION
You pull your drive and the ball bounces before coming to rest in a golf cart. Yes, this happens! As a real example, leading professional Gaganjeet Bhullar of India needed help with such a scenario at the $2m International Series at Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand.
So, what happens next?
If, like Bhullar, your ball settles in the golf cart of a playing partner or a spectator who has been driving past, but the cart was at rest when your ball popped in, there is no penalty, and you are entitled to take free relief. You are in luck because the golf cart is treated as a movable obstruction.
WHAT TO DO
Mark the reference point: Estimate and mark the spot on the ground directly underneath where your ball is resting inside or on the cart.
Lift the ball: Pick up your ball from the cart. You may clean the ball if you wish.
Move the cart: Move the stationary golf cart out of the way.
Drop the ball: Drop your original ball or another ball in a relief area that is one club-length from the reference point, not nearer to the hole, and in the same area of the course where the ball originally lay (as in a general area, bunker, or putting green – although, we assume in our example your ball is unlikely to end up in a golf cart in a bunker or on the green!).
You don’t have to play a shot if your stance or swing is interfered with by an artificial cartpath. The rules permit you to drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief that allows you to stand and swing freely without interference from the path (Rule 24-2, immovable obstruction). The nearest point and drop zone can’t be closer to the hole, and it’s recommended that the spot be determined by using the club, stance, direction and swing you would have used if the obstruction had not been there. A player is entitled to relief without penalty from any path to which a foreign material (tar, gravel, dirt) has been applied. A player would not get relief from a dirt path created by vehicle traffic unless it had been defined as ground under repair.
THE RULE
RULE 15
Relief from Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions
15.2a Relief from Movable Obstruction
(1) Removal of Movable Obstruction: Without penalty, a player may remove a movable obstruction anywhere on or off the course and may do so in any way.
(2) Relief When Ball Is in or on Movable Obstruction Anywhere on Course Except on Putting Green: The player may take free relief by lifting the ball, removing the movable obstruction and dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area
- Reference Point: The estimated point right under where the ball was at rest in or on the movable obstruction.
- Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length, but with these limits:
- Must be in the same area of the course as the reference point, and
- Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point.
NOTE: This is an abridged guide to the rules. Players are advised to read the full rules at HERE.
WIN!
Stand a chance to win Cobra Puma footwear. Simply select the correct answer to this question and you’ll go into the draw for this fantastic giveaway.
Question: In Betterball (Fourball) Matchplay, Player A declares that their handicap is 11, when it is really 10. Player B declares that their handicap is 8. Both player’s play the 1st hole, which has a stroke index of 15. On the 2nd tee Player A realises his mistake and informs his opponent.
What is the ruling?
- No penalty as they haven’t played the
hole which would be affected - Player A is disqualified
- Both Player A and his partner
are disqualified
Closing date:
26 February 2026
enter now
Rules competition with cobra/puma golf
Up for grabs in February: A PUMA footwear.
COMPETITION RULES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The prize/s is as indicated, no alternatives or cash will be provided, nor are they transferable.
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PRIZE DRAW RULES
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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.
Any violation or attempt to violate any of these terms and conditions will result in the immediate disqualification of the participant or entrant.
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congratulations
Alice Phatudi from Ifafi on winning a Cobra Puma apparel in January's competition.
Question:A player may repair damage on the putting green, but which damage may a player not repair?
- An indentation caused by an embedded stone
- Spike marks
- Areas caused by disease
- Old hole plugs
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
VACHIRA KALONG | ASIAN TOUR | ROGER SEDRES | GOLFRSA
