Rules Guy: Can you take a practice swing with a tee in the fairway?
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Is there a rule against taking a practice swing at a tee placed in the fairway to check oneâs swing, alignment and so on? âOTTO VAN DIEREN, ARUBA
And thus completes our diptych, named âEquipment/Aid.â In a recent post, we informed loyal readers that a flagstick may be used on the green to practice oneâs stroke but that alignment rods, being a swing or training aid, may not.
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As it is defined as equipment, a tee is legal to use in this case since it doesnât eliminate or reduce the need for a skill essential to the challenge of the game â we hope its efficacy proves larger than its size. That said, donât forget about Rule 10.2b(3), which prohibits setting down an object to help take the stance for the stroke to be made. Working on your alignment in general? The tee is OK. Aligning for your upcoming shot? Verboten.
Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he wonât throw the book at you.
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