Scigolf Presents Excerpts from the Golf Rules Dictionary

The Golf Rules Dictionary by Hadyn Rutter

S19 STANCE

What is it?

taking his tance consists of a player placing his feet in position for and preparatory to making a storke.

for rules and procedure relating to intereference with stance by Casual water, Ground under repair and holes/casts or runways made by Burrowing animals.

Basic Rules

1. a player may place his feet firmly when taking his stance - but he is not permitted to 'build' a stance (R13.3)

2. he may not improve his area of stance

*building a stance

kneeling on towel to prevent trousers getting wet when playing a stroke is deemed building a stance. (D13.3/2)

knocking down sand from the side of a bunker to make a level stance. (D13/3/3) - loss of hole/2 stroke penalty

using a mat to stand on on the teeing ground (D.13.3.3/1) - loss of hole/2 stroke penalty

in a bunker 'digging in' to create a firm stance is acceptable BUT see also bunker in the Golf Rules Dictionary - for possible problems - deemed to be testing the condition of the sand.

Penalty

loss of hole/2 strokes

Exceptions

if the player can correct his error in building a stance before he plays and he does so - no penalty - e.g. if he was standing on his golf cart and he gets off before playing the stroke.

NB - if he has moved sand or earth etc. it is impossible for him to restore it to its exact original position so he will be penalised in any event (D.13.3/5)

Standing on a cart or kneeling on a towel are not permitted.

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