The player incurs a two stroke penalty and the ball must be played as it lies. It is the player’s responsibility. (In match play, the player would incur a loss of hole penalty.) (Rule 17-3)

The ball is in play until it is lifted. It is immaterial that the position of the ball had been marked. It must be played from its new position. The same is true if the ball has been lifted and replaced, whether or not the object used to mark the position has been lifted. The ball would be played from its new position as it was in play as soon as it was replaced. (Definition of Ball in Play, Decision 20-4/1)

The player is entitled to correct the errors before making her next stroke with no penalty. If the player failed to correct the errors, (a) in match play, the player loses the hole for playing from a wrong place. (Rule 20-7-b). In stroke play, she incurs a penalty of two strokes. Although she breached two Rules, she incurs only the penalty for playing from a wrong place. (Note 3, Rule 20-7c). Decision 20-2a/3 4—What is the penalty if a player has a non-conforming club? Provided the player has not made a stroke with the non-conforming club, in match play, at the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred, maximum penalty per round is two holes. In stroke play, the player is accessed a two stroke penalty for each hole at which the breach occurred, four stroke maximum penalty per round. In either format, if the breach is discovered between play of two holes, it is deemed to have been discovered during play of the next hole. Any club or clubs carried in breach of Rule 4-1 must be immediately declared out of play. In four ball play, the penalty also applies to the partner. (Rule 30-3d) If a player makes a stroke with a non-conforming club she loses the match or is disqualified from the competition. In four ball play, the penalty also applies to the partner. (Rule 30-3e)

Play must be resumed from where it was discontinued, even if on a subsequent day. A ball or ball marker must be placed on the spot from which the original ball was moved. If the spot cannot be determined, it must be estimated. (Rule 6-8d iii).

If a player does not finish a hole or is conceded a stroke, she must record the most likely score for handicap purposes. A most likely score is the number of strokes already taken, plus in the player’s best judgment, the number of strokes needed to complete the hole from that point more than half the time. The most likely score should have an "X" preceding the number. For example, player A is just off the green in two strokes, and player A’s partner just holed out for a two; therefore, player A decides to pick up. Player A determines the most likely score would have been to chip on and two putt; therefore, player A will record an X-5 on the scorecard (two strokes already taken plus three more strokes to complete the hole). The player does not automatically put down the Equitable Stroke Control maximum. Section 4-1 of the USGA Handicap System manual provides further reference.

No. The match is null and void and the players are disqualified in the stroke-play competition. Certain specific Rules are so substantially different in match play and stroke play that combining the two forms is not permitted. If time permits, the players can re-play the match. (Rule 33-1)

Rule 22-2, Ball Interfering with Play, allows a player to request another player to lift her ball because of both physical and mental interference. However, the player is not entitled to relief under Rule 24-2a (Interference by an Immovable Obstruction) for mental interference. For example, if a player’s ball lies near a sprinkler head which does not physically interfere with her stance or area of intended swing, she is not entitled to relief because of mental interference. (Dec. 24-2a/1)

No, provided the player removes the club before playing her stroke. Failure to remove the club would result in a loss of hole penalty in match play or a two stroke penalty in stroke play under Rule 8-2a, Indicating Line of Play. (Dec. 8-2a/1)

Yes. When the player drops the ball it must land in a spot that is not nearer the hole than the spot where it crossed the margin of the hazard. It is immaterial that it rolled to a spot not nearer the hole. If the player does not re-drop the ball she incurs a penalty in addition to the 1 stroke penalty under 26-1 of loss of hole in match play or 2 strokes in stroke play for playing from a wrong place.

If the lie was altered by natural causes the player should place a ball on the spot (or estimated spot) from which it was lifted. If the lie was altered by the groundskeeper, the original lie must be recreated and the ball placed in that lie. (Dec. 6-8d/2)