Hi Linda,
In a recent tournament we had the following discussion. If a player runs out of golf balls during tournament play, may he borrow a ball from another player? We thought that a player that runs out of balls is disqualified. Is this correct?
What if players leave their bags in a forward position and walk to a back tee. One player hits a ball that may be OB or lost. Is that player permitted to borrow a ball from another player on the tee (who was carrying two balls) in order to hit a provisional?
Thank you.
Lou
Dear Lou,
Players are permitted to borrow golf balls from other players. They may also borrow other equipment, such as towels, gloves, tees, etc. If the One Ball Condition is in effect, then a player is limited to borrowing the same brand and type of ball that he is using in the tournament [Decision 5-1/5].
If a player runs out of balls and no one has an extra ball or two to lend him, or no one is carrying his brand and type when the One Ball Condition is in effect, then he has the option to buy balls at the pro shop. This will most likely lead to a two-stroke penalty for undue delay [Rule 6-7]. Disqualification would be the ruling if no golf balls were available from any source, a highly unlikely scenario.
If a player runs out of balls and no one has an extra ball or two to lend him, or no one is carrying his brand and type when the One Ball Condition is in effect, then he has the option to buy balls at the pro shop. This will most likely lead to a two-stroke penalty for undue delay [Rule 6-7]. Disqualification would be the ruling if no golf balls were available from any source, a highly unlikely scenario.
Note that players are not permitted to borrow clubs [Rule 4-4]. Partners may share clubs only if the total number of clubs carried by both partners is not more than 14 (e.g., one player is carrying 8 clubs, and his partner is carrying 6).
Linda
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