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The rules of golf are tough! Fortunately, we have a guru. Our Rules The man knows the book from front to back. Got the question? He has all the answers.
I know you can use a golf tee as a ball marker. Are you also allowed to use it as an aid in puttingt alignment – ie aligning it with a line on a golf ball? Obviously, the tee was removed before the hit. Tony Nguyen, via email
The answer is yes…with a caveat.
You will be in the clear as long as the tee does not also include features specifically designed to be used for golf ball alignment since – depending on the dimensions – it can turn a tee into an alignment device, and using it to align a golf ball in this way would be a breach of Rule 4.3a.
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However, a tee stylized as a tee used in the manner you describe does not violate any rules. You are innovative.
For more shirting tips from our expert, read on…
The other day I picked up a t-shirt someone had left on my tee box and proceeded to use it. My friend told me that this was a penalty for using someone else’s equipment. He said if I wanted to use it I needed to put it in my pocket first to claim it as mine. What’s the verdict? — Wade Lindrin, via email
This sounds like a trick of a crazy magician: “I put someone else’s tee in my pocket … Say the magic words – “It’s mine!” – Take the tee out of my pocket…and – Presto! It’s legal! “
Suffice it to say, your boyfriend is holding on tight. The only restriction on sharing equipment relates to clubs. There is absolutely no problem using someone else’s tee, towel, ranger or ball.
(If the local one-ball rule, domestic form of Rule G-4, is in effect, you can still borrow a ball, as long as it’s the same make and model as you were using.)
Accidentally using another person’s clubs is a general penalty of two strokes in stroke play or, in match play, adjusting the match by deducting one hole, with a maximum of two such strokes in either case. The club must be immediately declared out of play as soon as the player learns of his mistake – otherwise he will be disqualified again when the club is used.
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