《高尔夫球规则》是由苏格兰圣安德鲁斯皇家古老高尔夫球俱乐部及美国高尔夫球协会审定，世界通用的最权威职业和业余选手之行为规范用书。当比赛进行时，每位选手皆负有使比赛公平公正之责任。

　　熟知高尔夫球规则，你将拥有更多的高尔夫乐趣、健康、友谊及尊重。“每日规则解答”将使您更为深入的了解高尔夫球规则。

　　Q: The Note to Rule 20-1 provides that “the position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object immediately behind the ball.” Is a player penalized if he uses an object which is not similar to a ball-marker or small coin to mark the position of his ball?

　　A: No. The provision in the Note to Rule 20-1 is a recommendation of best practice, but there is no penalty for failing to act in accordance with the Note. Examples of methods of marking the position of a ball which are not recommended, but are permissible, are as follows: a. placing the toe of a club at the side of, or behind, the ball; b. using a tee; c. using a loose impediment; d. scratching a line, provided the putting green is not tested (Rule 16-1d) and a line for putting is not indicated (Rule 8-2b). As this practice may cause damage to the putting green, it is discouraged. However, under Rule 20-1 it is necessary to physically mark the position of the ball. Reference to an existing mark on the ground does not constitute marking the position of a ball. For example, it is not permissible to mark the position with reference to a blemish on the putting green.

　　问：规则20-1的注释里规定“被拿起的球的位置应该以在球的正后方放置球标、小硬币或其它类似物来标定。”，如果一名球员用来标记球的物体即不象球标，也不象硬币，那他应该接受处罚吗？

　　答：不是的。规则20-1注释里的规定是推荐的最佳方法，但不按注释说的做也不会有处罚。比如以下几种不用推荐的方法标记球的位置也是允许的： a 在球的一边或后边放置球杆头的前端；b 用球座；c 用一个散置障碍物；d 如果不是测试果岭（规则16-1d），可以用一条线来标记，但这条线对推杆不能有暗示作用（规则8-2b）。因为这种做法有可能会破坏果岭，所以不鼓励使用。不过，在规则20-1的规定标记球的位置是必须的。地面上的现有的记号不能用来标记球的位置。比如，不能用果岭上的污点来标记球的位置。

　　（为避免产生歧义，请以英文原文为准。）
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　      （golftime·陈艳编译）