April Rules of Golf Quiz

1. You are playing Minocqua CC, host of the 2018 Wisconsin State Amateur and future host of the 2024 State Open. On the 15th hole, you hit your tee shot down the middle of the fairway. When you get to your ball, you see that it is lying in a deer track. You get free relief from the deer track.

2. You are playing the 12th hole at Whistling Straits, which is a par 3 with Lake Michigan lurking on the right. You hit a gorgeous shot. It is heading toward the hole, and you have visions of a hole-in-one. Instead, your ball is deflected by a seagull and ricochets into the deep waters of Lake Michigan, where it is entombed for eternity. Because your ball hit a moving animal you get a do-over.

3. Your ball comes to rest in a red penalty area but is playable. You are about to enter the penalty area to play your ball when you see an alligator near your ball. Because your ball is in a penalty area, you do not get free relief from interference by the alligator, but you may take penalty relief under the penalty area Rule.

4. Your tee shot comes to rest in the rough near a tree. As you are about to take your stance you notice there is a bird’s nest so near your ball that your next stroke will damage the nest during your follow through. You get free relief because you have interference from the bird’s nest.

5. You are playing the fourth hole at Sand Valley. The fourth hole is an uphill par 5. Your ball comes to rest on the fringe of the putting green. Just ahead of your ball is an anthill, which is on the fringe and is directly on your line of play. As you take your stance, your left foot is standing on a second anthill, which is on the putting green. You are allowed to brush away the anthill that is on the putting green, but not the anthill that is on the fringe.

6. You are playing the sixth hole at University Ridge in a stroke-play competition. It is a long par 5. You are putting for a birdie; 30 feet from the hole your putt is a little bit offline but as your ball nears the hole it is deflected into the hole by a mouse. You pick your ball out of the hole and tee off on the seventh hole. Your score for the sixth hole is 6.

7. Your ball comes to rest in a greenside bunker. As you are taking your stance, a deer darts out of the nearby woods, runs through the bunker and leaves tracks that worsen the lie of your ball. You may restore the lie to its original condition.

8. You are playing in the Wisconsin State Amateur this summer at Merrill Hills. On the first hole your ball comes to rest in the fairway, resting against a frog. You attempt to move the frog with your club and the ball moves. You get a one-stroke penalty for causing your ball to move.