What is the ruling if a player sprays water repellent on his golf ball during a rain delay and uses it when play resumes?

In golf, the rules regarding ball modifications are quite strict to maintain fairness and integrity of the game. When a player applies a substance such as water repellent to the golf ball, they are altering the condition of the ball, which is not permitted according to the regulations established by the governing bodies of golf.

When play is suspended and subsequently resumed, any alteration or modification made to a player's equipment during that break is taken seriously. Applying water repellent to a golf ball not only changes its physical properties but also potentially gives the player an unfair advantage under wet conditions. Therefore, such an action results in a disqualification from the current round or event.

This is a definitive ruling under the rules of golf, emphasizing that players must use equipment that conforms to the standards set by the sport, without modification during play. Understanding this regulation helps encapsulate the principles of fairness and equality that are central to the game's integrity.