Tommy Snell: Golfers need to know the rules

True or false: The USGA has decided not to outlaw anchoring of the putter on Jan. 1.

If you answered true, you need to sign up for the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshop in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage. If you answered false, you still need to register for a weekend full of fun facts about golf rules.

Save the date: March 4-7. Brad Gregory from the PGA and David Staebler of the USGA will dissect all 34 rules. We can thank local rules guru Mickey Bradley for bringing the workshop to Mississippi.

Want to volunteer for your local junior golf tour, state golf association tournaments and/or PGA/USGA competitions? This is your chance to drop from the hazards of rules illiteracy. You'll find out why "Can't improve your position" and "line of flight" should never be mentioned on the golf course, all while improving your lie with the local, state and national golf organizations.

You'll find out why "I think I'll reload' is not part of 27-2 Provisional Ball, why the Nearest Point of Relief is so important, and why red hazards have more options than yellow. You'll sound like a genius next time your buddy asks, "What are my options?"

If you're just not that into the rules, don't show up. Three days of picking the rules apart and a 3 ½-hour exam will separate the golf enthusiasts from the once-a-month hacks. Don't worry, you can opt-out of the exam if you like.

Save the "What if?" questions for Saturday Night Live. Gregory and Staebler will answer the "What is?" Someone asked me the other day if I knew where the pin was. First, it's not a pin. It's a flagstick. I told him all the flagsticks are in the middle of the holes. Only the hole locations change from day to day.

After three days of classroom instruction, you'll never call a prepared area a "sand trap" again. You'll know that "through the green" does not include the putting green of the hole being played. You'll probably not do very well on the test. Not important!

Your golf cart will still be charged with more rules knowledge.

To register simply go to www.usga.org and look for the "Education" link.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Tommy Snell: Golfers need to know the rules ."