QUESTION: My friend was attempting to make his second shot in the fairway and hit his ball into a evergreen tree 40 feet high and it stuck in the tree. It did not come down or go through. What is the ruling, and/or penalty? Thank you, Bud Parker.

PRUITT: Bud, if you want to use Rule 28, Ball unplayable, you need to identify your ball to use options b and c. It sounds like you cannot identify your ball so in this case you have to use option a, and go back to where you last played and add a one-stroke penalty. Bud, you can find the Unplayable Ball Rule 28 on page 76 of the Rules of Golf.

QUESTION: At our course, we are asked to leave the rake in the bunkers. If a ball comes to rest against a rake in the bunker, and moves when you attempt to move the rake, is there a penalty? Thank you, Bob Hanley

PRUITT: Bob, we do the same at the course where I play. I think it saves the maintenance crew time from having to get their equipment when they are working around the bunkers. There is no penalty and you just place your ball back to its original position before you moved the rake. Thanks for you question.

QUESTION: Standing on line behind or in front your opponent's ball while putting, is this just bad golf etiquette or is there a rule for this? Thanks! Bruce Hughes

PRUITT: Bruce, it's actually a Rule. Read over Rule 8-2, specifically 8-2b on page 34 in the Rules of Golf. You would be under penalty if you were on the player's line of putt during his stroke (two-stroke penalty).

QUESTION: Two balls are in the fairway near each other. Player A cannot hit his ball till player B marks and lifts his ball. Player B removes his ball and notices that his ball has some mud on it, so he slowly lifts, knowing that he can not clean his ball of the mud. After player A hits his ball, player B replaces his ball. During the replacement of the ball the mud falls off. What is the ruling? Is player B penalized? Edward

PRUITT: Edward, the player would be under penalty (one stroke). Look at Rule 22-2 on page 63 of the Rules of Golf. I'm sure there was no intent to clean the ball but, the fact is that the actions taken changed the ball or what was on the ball and that is a penalty. You have to be very careful in this type of a situation.

QUESTION: We have several water hazards that are surrounded by railroad ties. Because the hazards are not marked we play the hazard as the water. If a ball is not in the water (hazard) should one be given free relief from a railroad tie under rule 24, specifically rule 24/11. As we watch tournaments like THE PLAYERS Championship from Pete Dye courses were we see players hitting off of railroad ties or not getting relief from the ties. Is this because they are in the hazard or because their free relief would put them where they do not want to be? Thanks for your help. Frank Glunt

PRUITT: Frank, in reading your question I believe you are playing the water's edge to define the hazard. Since you do not have stakes or lines there is nothing wrong in doing that. On the PGA TOUR and most competitive golf tournaments the hazard will be defined with a red or yellow line on the ground. Without getting too technical the railroad ties would be included in the hazard and therefore would not be granted free relief under Rule 24 Obstructions. If the obstruction is not in the hazard you would get relief and from what you are describing to me in your question that's your case. I hope I've answered your question.