Well actually there were only 100 questions on the USGA/PGA Rules of Golf exam and it was hardly a 100 level course!
Rule 13-1 says, “The ball must be played as it lies…” – if only it were that easy all the time. Some of the other rules are set in place to tell us how to proceed when (as often is the case) the ball cannot be played as it lies.
This past week, I had the opportunity to attend a four-day USGA/PGA Rules of Golf workshop in Houston and it was a great experience. As a player it is a tremendous advantage to know, understand, and implement the rules while you play. Not only can you not plead ignorance of the rules (just like the law), you must know how to correct your mistakes if you make any. I hope that I can now avoid making any serious mistakes that may result in going “trunk slamming,” or “heading to the dairy queen.”
One of the most notable changes the USGA and the R&A made to the Rules for 2012-2013, was the changing of the definition of “addressing the ball.” Another very important change was removing the penalty for your ball moving due to wind after you have addressed it on the putting green. I always thought that was a very stupid penalty that was not directly attributable to the player’s actions.