Dear readers,
The original answer you received in your e-mail to Ask Linda #116 was incorrect. Please delete that column from your files and replace it with the answer below.
Dear Linda,
A player was angry that he missed a short putt. The player swung his club angrily at the ball and knocked it off the green. We assessed him a two-stroke penalty and allowed him to replace the ball. Was this procedure correct?
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
The answer to this question lies in understanding the definition of a stroke. The rule book defines a stroke as “the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball.” In the situation you describe, the ruling would be that the player did not intend to make a stroke. Therefore, the player would be assessed a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2a for moving his ball, and would have to retrieve his ball and replace it [Decision 18-2a/23].
Let’s take a quick peek at a related issue that would also result in a one-stroke penalty. Suppose a player is taking a few practice swings near his ball and he inadvertently hits the ball. Remember that the definition of “stroke” requires that the player intended to hit the ball. Hitting the ball accidentally during a practice swing does not meet that requirement. Therefore, if the ball is moved during a practice swing (that would also include a practice putt), the player incurs one penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a for moving the ball, and he must replace it before hitting it [Decision 18-2a/20].
I venture to say that after this experience, your temper-challenged player will find a less self-punishing way to vent his frustration.
Linda
Copyright © 2009 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
