Ask the referee

Golf Digest, Oct, 2002

Q: Is it a breach of the rules if a player knocks a few leaves off a tree with his practice swing?

A: It depends on whether the act improves the area of the intended swing. A player shall not improve the area of his intended stance or swing by moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed. If knocking the leaves off the tree makes his path to the ball easier, then he is in violation of Rule 13-2. In stroke play, that's a two-stroke penalty; in match play, the penalty is loss of hole.

Tony Wallin,
PGA Tour rules official

Q: My partner is always running out of balls and borrowing them from me. In a recent match against two club members, one of them told us this practice was against the rules. Is he correct?

A: No. Rule 4-4a prohibits a player from borrowing a club from another player, but the rules do not prevent a player from borrowing other items of equipment, including balls, towels, tees, gloves, etc. The player can even get more balls from the golf shop as long as it doesn't delay play.

Steve Biernacki,
U.S. Golf Association