Hi Linda,
Rotating ball on Putting Green, ball marked:
I find some ambiguity in placing and replacing the ball on the putting green.
1st situation: Player marks and lifts ball, replaces ball (ball is in play), leaves mark in place, walks away, a gust of wind gets to the ball and the ball falls in the hole. Ball is holed with the last stroke.
2nd situation: Player marks and lifts ball, replaces ball (again the ball is in play), leaves his marker behind the ball, aligns the ball with whatever mark, is not happy, rotates or realigns again, etc., and holes (or not) the putt.
3rd situation: Player marks and lifts ball, replaces ball (ball is in play), leaves his marker behind the ball, walks to the other side of the hole, returns to his ball and rotates (without lifting) the ball.
My question is (and I have had some varied responses back!!): Are you allowed to re-touch your ball on the putting green when you have stepped away, since the ball is in play
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
As long as the position of the ball on the green is marked, you may lift it, clean it, or rotate it as often as you wish. However, if you rotate your ball after you have lifted your marker, there is a one-stroke penalty for touching your ball [Rule 18-2a].
If you replace your ball in front of your marker, and a gust of wind blows it into the hole while your marker is still in place, your ball is holed. The wind is not charged with a stroke for moving your ball, and neither are you!
Linda
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