The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? He’s got all the answers.

During the Masters, Sam Burns took a penalty drop from Rae’s Creek. He measured two club-lengths from the agreed point of entry with his driver…but left the headcover on! He did the same playing with Matthew Fitzpatrick when Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Open. Is this legitimate? – Alan Absolon, via email

That depends — was the headcover a cute one? Like, in the shape of an animal, or with a pom-pom? We kid.

As long as the ball ends up in the right spot, the Rules don’t really care how you measure. Unless a player is trying to use the extra length of the headcover and drops at the very end of the two club-lengths-plus-headcover, it doesn’t matter in the least whether the headcover stays on or not.

So long as you drop within the two club-length distance sans headcover, it’s fine. See, yes, “Definition of Club-Length.”

For more club-length guidance from our guru, read on …

Rules

Rules Guy: With preferred lies, can you leave your club-length marker on the ground while you hit?

By: Rules Guy

Due to rain, our club decided to use preferred lies during the club championship. On the 4th hole, a competitor took the one club-length relief allowed under the Local Rule for preferred lies, then claimed relief from a cart path that now interfered with his stance. His original lie was behind a tree, and the relief provided him a clearer path to the green. Was he clever or all wet?  – Paul Hinz, Sartell, Minn.

Paul, this is precisely why the Rules recommend that preferred lies not be used in the entire general area and instead be limited just to parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less — otherwise, there is definite potential for a player to sashay out of golf jail.

If the Committee indeed enacted the Local Rule in the entire general area, once the player uses his free club-length and then has interference from an abnormal course condition such as a cart path, he would be allowed to take relief under Rule 16.1b.

Once finished doing so, he could then prefer his lie under the Local Rule again if so desired. We thus prefer that the Local Rule be done in the recommended fashion.

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Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.

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