July 29, 2014
Jim Lee (British Columbia Golf)

Annika Sorenstam was faced with an unplayable situation during the 2003 US Women's Open. Her shot to the 18th green came to rest under a spectator fence, and behind the scoreboard. Both were ruled to be temporary immovable objects, but which one of these would apply to the ruling? In this video from the USGA you'll hear the rules official explain the ruling to Annika and see how her recovery shot turns out. See how Rule 24 is applied in this situation. 

Watch the video

July 18, 2014

Jim Lee (British Columbia Golf)

RICHMOND - During the 1992 US Open at Pebble Beach, Nick Faldo's errant drive apparently gets stuck in a tree.  Much to the amusement of spectators and the television announcer, Nick decides to climb the tree, but what are the rules implications if he finds it, or worse, dislodges it?

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During the final round of the 2003 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Davis Love III missed his shot but ended up getting a lucky break when his shot hit a photographer behind the green.  This rules video from the USGA shows how the rule was applied and how Love ended up winning the event with this lucky break with an outside agency.  Rule 19 - 1 applied to this situation.

Watch the video here.

Image courtesy of stjudeclassic.com

June 30, 2014

Jim Lee (British Columbia Golf)

RICHMOND, BC - During the 1994 US Open played at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont Pennsylvania, Ernie Els' tee shot finds a water hazard - but there's no water in it.  The hazard has been marked as a lateral water hazard.  The vegetation is thick and its probably muddy.  But Els has a choice - play it as it lies or take a stroke penalty and a drop. 

Els decides to play the ball as it lies.  Its a shot normal golfers probably wouldn't try, but it works out fine for him.  He goes on to win the event in a 3 way playoff against Colin Montgomerie and Loren Roberts.

Watch the video.

Photo courtesy of by Stuart Franklin (Sportingheroes.net)

June 20, 2014

Jim Lee (British Columbia Golf)

RICHMOND - In this rules video from the USGA, in 2002 Tiger Woods accomplishes something he probably hasn't done very often - land a ball on an adjacent green.  But the ball is not quite on the green, its resting up against the fringe around the green.  In playing the shot though, his feet have to be on the green.  Watch the video to see the ruling.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, taken October, 2002