The  Rules of Golf  are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our  Rules Guy  knows the book front to back . Got a question? He’s got all the answers.

My ball has rolled up against a rake near the trap. Moving the rake can cause my ball to move, and I can’t play it as it lies. What do I do? —Peter Merlin, via email

What kind of Merlin can’t cast a spell to move a rake such that a baseball won’t move?!? Apologies, Peter, couldn’t resist. This is among Rules Guy’s most-received queries.

Under Rule 15. 2, you simply move the rake and if the ball moves you put it back where it was — no penalty. (It’s not really a bad idea to mark the ball first, but this isn’t required. )

To anticipate the common follow-up, what if it’s on a slope and the ball won’t stay where you replace it? Under Rule 14. 2e, you must try a second time.

If it still won’t sit still, you’re going to find the nearest spot no nearer the hole in the same part of the course where the ball will indeed stay at rest. (N. B.: Had the ball started on the putting green, the nearest spot could also be in the typical area. ) Abracadabra!

For more movement guidance from our guru, read on …

My partner’s ball lands outside the bunker on the edge of the lip of a trap. He walks into the trap without a club to assess his lie. While in the trap, the ball moves and rolls into the bunker. Does he play the ball without penalty as it now lies in the bunker; play it as it lies with a one-stroke penalty for causing the ball to move; or replace the ball in its original position without penalty?  
—Andy Loesberg, via email 

The answer is: It depends.

The standard for thinking about the player to be the cause of a ball’s movement is “known or virtually certain. ” That’s, like, 95 % or more for any math types out there.

This case doesn’t sound like it reaches that threshold, whereby natural forces become the reason for the ball having moved. So , under Rule 9. 3, your partner plays from the new spot in the bunker.

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Got a question about the Rules? Ask the guidelines Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf. com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.