
Rules Guy: Can You Take Free Relief on the Fairway if Your Ball Is in a Drain?
A ball in an underground culvert is not necessarily in a penalty area just because red stakes mark the creek outside it.
Concise explanations, applied cases and up‑to‑date interpretations of the rules.

A ball in an underground culvert is not necessarily in a penalty area just because red stakes mark the creek outside it.

Broadcaster Mike Tirico shared a humorous story about his proximity to Bryson DeChambeau's controversial penalty at The Open Championship. Serving as a spotter, Tirico himself narrowly avoided becoming entangled in the incident.

A golf enthusiast modified his putter with an alignment sticker to improve his aim, but questioned if it adhered to the game's rules. The Rules Guy breaks down the specifics.

Rules Guy clarifies what's permissible when preparing for a putt. Learn how rule changes since 2019 have affected the ability to clear your putting line.

The Rules Guy tackles a question from a young golfer about whether a ball is still in play after bouncing off an out-of-bounds marker and remaining within the course boundaries. We break down the nuances.

Many golfers misunderstand what their handicap truly measures. GOLF.com's author clarifies the most common myths surrounding the Handicap Index, from its calculation to its real-world meaning.

Finding a ball in the hole after declaring it lost is a rare scenario. Rules Guy provides a definitive guide on how the Rules of Golf handle this peculiar situation.

A player can theoretically incur three penalty strokes on one shot, but using a nonconforming club or ball results in disqualification.

Golfers are not required to search for their original ball after deciding to continue with a provisional ball. But if another player finds a ball that may be theirs, they must identify it.

Shaun Norris found himself in one of golf’s strangest rules situations during the final round of the Nexo Championship after kicking away a replaced divot while preparing for his approach. The breach of Rule 8.1a(3) changed his score on the hole from 4 to 6 and ultimately dropped him from a share of the lead to a tie for seventh.

Rules Guy tackles a common question about measuring drops: can you leave your headcover on your club? Find out what the Rules of Golf say about this nuanced situation.