Ask Linda #158-How many balls in the hole?

Linda
I must admit I am too lazy to look this one up but here is a situation that arose during golf today.
Someone had putted out and left their ball in the cup. The next golfer putted and barely missed her putt but saw the ball in the cup and lifted it out before she putted out.
Another golfer said that had she putted out while the ball was in the cup it would have been a penalty.
Yes or no???
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

No, it is not a penalty. As long as a ball is at rest in the hole and all of it is below the level of the lip, it is considered “holed” [Definition of “Holed”].

Some players will not putt if there is a ball in the hole, whether for fear that it might cause their ball to bounce out (highly unlikely), or for an irrational belief (golfers are known to be prone to superstition).

While it is customary to remove a ball from the hole prior to another player putting, it is not required, and the practice can speed up play (always an honorable goal).

Linda

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