Ask Linda #48-Lifting and Replacing

(Note: The following inquiry from Lulu was a two-part question. Operating under the theory that “divide and conquer” might be the best approach to avoid unnecessary confusion, I have separated the questions and answered them individually.)

Question #1:
Dear Linda,

I am having a problem understanding the intent in Rules 20-1 and 20-3. Can you help me?

Rule 20-1. A ball may be lifted by a player, his partner or another person authorized by the player. To me that implies a ball MAY NOT be lifted by anyone other than the player, his partner or another person authorized by the player. The PLAYER incurs the penalty for a breach of the rule. Is a breach of the rule a failure to mark the ball and have it replaced properly? Or is it also a breach of the rule to have the ball lifted by someone other than the player, his partner or another person authorized by the player?

Decision 20-1/2. Player's ball lifted by opponent without authority of player. The opponent got a penalty stroke.
Decision 20-1/4. In stroke play a fellow competitor lifts a competitor's ball without the authority of the competitor. There was no penalty. Does Rule 20-1 apply only in match play?

Thanks for your help.
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

I believe I can more easily clear up your confusion if I go straight to a specific example of a ball being lifted. Let’s consider a ball on the putting green. You (naturally) may mark and lift it; if you have a partner, she may mark and lift it (no need for her to ask your permission); another person in your group may lift and mark it (this person will need your permission to do so). If any of these AUTHORIZED people neglects to mark the ball before lifting (a highly unlikely occurrence, from my point of view), the player will incur a one-stroke penalty; if any of them accidentally moves the ball before marking it (perhaps they absentmindedly kick it while reaching into their pocket for a spare ball marker), the player will incur a one-stroke penalty. If the ball is replaced incorrectly, and the error is not corrected, the player will incur a two-stroke penalty. THE KEY POINT TO REMEMBER HERE IS THAT THE PENALTY IS ASSESSED TO THE PLAYER BECAUSE HER BALL IS INVOLVED AND THESE THREE PEOPLE ARE ALL AUTHORIZED TO LIFT THE BALL.

The situation changes if an UNAUTHORIZED person lifts the ball. In MATCH PLAY, if your opponent marks and lifts your ball without your permission, your opponent incurs a one-stroke penalty (18-3b). In STROKE PLAY (18-4), there is no penalty for doing this. That explains the difference in the two Decisions you cited.


Question #2:
Dear Linda,

Rule 20-3. A ball to be replaced must be replaced by the player, his partner or the person who lifted it.

Does that mean.....
1. If the partner lifted the ball, the PLAYER could replace it?
2. If the PLAYER lifted the ball, the partner could replace it?
3. If a person authorized to lift the ball (neither the player nor the partner) lifted the ball, either the PLAYER or the partner could replace it?
4. If a person authorized to lift the ball (neither the player nor the partner) lifted the ball must this person be the ONLY person to replace it?
5. Must whoever lifts the ball (player, partner or person authorized to lift the ball) be the only person to replace it? In other words..."whoever lifts must replace"?
I hope this makes sense. As Rules Chairperson of my club I know I am going to be questioned on this one.

Thanks again for your help.
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Let’s revisit that ball that was marked and lifted on the putting green and now needs to be replaced. There are three people who may replace the ball: you (the player), your partner (if you have one), or the person who lifted it. Any one of these people may replace the ball; there is no rule that states “whoever lifts must replace.”

The answers to your five questions, therefore, are:
1. Yes (partner lifts ball, player may replace it)
2. Yes (player lifts ball, partner may replace it)
3. Yes (authorized person lifts ball, player or partner or authorized person may replace it)
4. No (ball does NOT have to be replaced by person who lifted it)
5. No (same as #4)

I hope I have clarified both rules for you. This was an interesting challenge!

Linda

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