I kept thinking back to the tournament I played in a couple of weeks ago...one of my fellow competitors hit into deep fescue and called for an unplayable lie. The marshall - or whatever you call the volunteer who was following us - insisted that she had to drop behind where she was, keeping the line of where the ball was in relation to the hole. She wound up having to walk back about 50 yards to get to some lighter rough that she could hit out of. We had all said she should drop within 2 club lengths, no closer to the hole, which would have allowed her to drop closer to the fairway. Just looked up the rule to satisfy myself and confirmed that he was wrong. Just a reminder that it's good to know your rules because you can use them to help yourself get a better shot. And don't assume that a volunteer knows more than you do!

The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.
If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must,
under penalty of one stroke:
a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.

Yes, it's always good to carry a rule book. Another option is to declare that you disagree with the volunteer's ruling and will play 2 balls in, one their way, one your way and let the club house/tournament committee decide which one is valid. Usually tournament coordinators will tell you that it's legal to do this as they're giving out the rules before the event.

I think part of the problem is the woman was getting flustered by this guy and she didn't want to hold things up...plus our group didn't have anyone in serious contention so she probably decided it wasn't worth it.

If You chose this procedure (Rule 3-3) you have to announce in advance, which of the balls should count.
In Your case, both ways would have been o.k. with the rules.
Now imagine, that the score with the original ball would be another five strokes and with the second ball only another 3 strokes.
If You do not announce in advance, which ball should count, the original ball would count (Decision 3-3/0.5).
That could cost You two strokes!

Of course: If one of two procedures is against the rules, the other ball counts.

McFade

I don't remember the EXACT number of rules in golf, but I think it's around 30, give or take a few. With only that few number of rules, it always amazes me that the rule book is so hugh, filled with ruling after ruling. What started out as a rather simple game, has turned into a nightmare of legalize. How did all the layyers get involved it what was a matter of just hitting a white ball into the hole if the fewest stokes?

McFade, it seems to me if you declare which ball will count it would negate the reason to hit 2 balls played each way and let the tournament committee decide the appropriate one. In events that I've played it, it's been declare you want to play a second ball played the other way, then let the clubhouse decide which counts. But I didn't have to choose one before I shot. I had to play both, hole out and it was decided later which is correct.

So I guess a local rule could override the USGA rule?

Scott, I agree with you. Why would you even play a second shot your way, if you didn't want it to count. If you wanted the first ball to count, Why play a second ball your way? The only resson to play the second ball YOUR WAY, was because you didn't agree with the ruliing you got on site.

In the example, Aimee presented in the firt posting, there were two possibilities of playing on. Two clublenghs away or 50y away.
If only one of these possibilities is legal, it is easy for the committee: The legal way counts, whatever the player wishes.

But if players are not shure how to proceed and both ways are o.k., there might be be two different scores with two balls.
The player shouldn't in this case not have the choice, which ball he wants to count.
So the rule demands him to decide in advance in case, that both possibilities of playing are allowed.

McFade

Well, the player has no say-so in which one counts in tournaments I've been in. In tournaments I've played in, it's been said by the tournament committee, play both balls out to being holed, then come to the clubhouse and the committee will decide which method was appropriate and that will choose the score. Now what happens if EITHER option was legit, I don't know. I guess you could imply if the player sought a second option he felt that was the real one and the one that should count if both were legal. But I've never seen a situation in tournament play where the player had to deem one counting before playing multiple options.

I guess if I had remembered that I had the rules book in my bag it would have helped my fellow competitor...

Well, the rules do ;):

»After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor must announce to his marker or a fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit.«
Rule 3-3

McFade

McFade, you are the man!