Linda -
1. In league play last night 3 out of the 4 players were on the green. The fourth player was just on the fringe, but closer than two of the other players. What is the ruling on who putts first? I always thought it was the player farthest away, even if other players were on the fringe and able to take advantage of the flag.
2. What happens if you are swinging at the ball, the clubhead comes off, and your ball travels 3 feet? Two questions here: Do you have to play the ball where it lies and are now hitting 3? And, can you replace that club with another one during your round? You didn't break it on purpose, it was faulty.
Thanks,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
The answer to your first question depends on whether the competition was match play or stroke play. In match play, the ball farther from the hole is always played first. There is no penalty for playing out of turn. However, if you do hit first when your ball is closer to the hole, your opponent has the right to make you replay the shot [Rule 10-1b, c].
In stroke play, as in match play, the ball farthest from the hole is played first. The difference from match play is that in stroke play there is no penalty if a player hits out of turn. Players often encourage their fellow competitors to hit their ball onto the green, regardless of which ball is farther from the hole. This helps with pace of play, since you will not have to remove the flagstick for the player putting and then replace it for the player off the green.
In stroke play it is usually best to get everyone on the green and then remove the flagstick. In match play there is strategy involved with playing in the correct order, so you would rarely want to deviate from the rule.
In your second question, your clubhead separates from the shaft during your swing and the ball moves three feet. That swing counts as one stroke, since you were trying to hit the ball. You will play the ball as it lies [Decisions 14/3 and 14/5]. Since the club is now unfit for play, you may replace it with any club. However, you may not delay play to replace it, and you may not borrow a club from another player [Rule 4-3a, iii].
Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
