[Interesting Golf Rules] "2 Penalty Strokes for Leaving the Teeing Area"..."What About the Belly Button Tee Shot?"

'Teeing Area' Defined as a Rectangle Within Two Clubs Behind the Tee Mark, 'Heswing' Recognized as a Stroke When Swing Intended, Counts as 'One Stroke'

The teeing area is a rectangle extending up to two clubs behind the tee markers.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Your belly button is showing."

Amateur golfers often argue about the correct 'Teeing area.' It's an instinct to want to move even an inch forward. According to golf rules, the teeing area is a rectangle extending two club lengths behind the tee markers. If you step outside this area, you incur a two-stroke penalty. For example, if the driver is 46 inches, up to 92 inches is allowed. The body can extend outside this area. Instead of using a tee, it's also acceptable to place the ball on a mound of dirt or sand and take the tee shot.

Recently, there were interesting cases where world stars received two-stroke penalties. Jordan Spieth (USA) and Henrik Stenson (Sweden) attempted their tee shots for the 9th hole (par 5) during the final round of the Hero World Challenge (total prize money $3.5 million) held at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas (par 72, 7,309 yards) on the 6th. They took their shots from the 17th hole (par 3). The starting point was changed on the last day from the 9th hole teeing area to the 17th hole, unlike the first to third rounds.

Following the officials' instructions, both players returned to the 9th hole, added a two-stroke penalty, and took their third shots. Spieth scored a triple bogey, and Stenson a double bogey. The golf rules state, "You must play from the teeing area, and if violated, a penalty (two strokes) is applied." If the players had moved to the 10th hole (par 4), they would have been disqualified. Spieth commented, "There needed to be clearer notice about the change in the teeing area."

There is another golf rule related to tee shots: the 'whiff.' Practice swings do not incur penalties. Even if the ball falls off the tee, you can hit it again. The problem arises when a player swings immediately after addressing the ball but claims "there was no intent." Naturally, disputes occur among playing partners. Ultimately, it must be resolved by conscience. There is no penalty for a whiff itself. If the swing is recognized, the next shot counts as the second stroke.

If the ball still remains in the teeing area, it can be placed back on the tee. This is an effect of the golf rules revised in 2019. Cho Ho-sung (48), known for his 'fisherman swing,' actually hit the ball off the tee on the 18th hole (par 5) during the third round of the Korean Tour Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open last July. His driver shot struck the ground, causing sand to scatter and the ball to move 1 cm. Under the old rules, the second shot would proceed as is, and picking up the ball would add a one-stroke penalty.