Dear Linda,
I would appreciate your comments with regards to removal of sand from through the green.
At my golf club, golfers are expected to repair their divots by either replacing the divots and/or fill up the divots with sand from the sand bottles provided in the motorized carts. Unfortunately, not all sand fillings are smoothly done. Occasionally, the sand filling forms a miniature mound of sand.
While playing golf today, my opponent's ball was lying in such a mini mound of sand. As per Definitions in the Rules of Golf, "sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere.". So, I told my opponent that the "excess" sand in the immediately vicinity of the ball cannot be removed by hand (as it is not a loose impediment), and the ball shall be played as it lies. However, the opponent's club was resting on the "excess" sand when he addressed the ball. And during the backswing, some sand was further displaced and this resulted in an improved area of intended swing. I am not sure what would be the ruling then.
On reaching home, I did some searching in the Rules of Golf and came across Decisions 13-2/9 and 13-2/12. Based on my understanding of these two rulings, it depends on whether the club was grounded fully or lightly on the "excess" sand. If the club is grounded lightly, there is no penalty. It is not easy to distinguish whether the player's club is grounded fully or lightly on the sand. Hence, I think this can be a potential contention on whether there is an infraction.
What are your thoughts and comments on these two decisions?
Thank you and best regards
Lou
Dear Lou,
That's an interesting question, Lou. Rule 13-2 states that there is no penalty if a player improves the area of his intended swing provided that the club was grounded lightly when addressing the ball. The two Decisions you cite state quite clearly that if the sand is pressed down at address or moved out of the way during the backswing, there is no penalty, again assuming that the club was grounded lightly.
In order to call a penalty on your opponent, I would think that one of the following would have to happen:
(1) the player displaces the sand during his waggle, thereby improving the area of his intended swing prior to the stroke;
(2) the player bangs his club on the ground to flatten the sand.
Either of these actions would be obvious if you were observing your opponent, and I think your opponent would agree that he had committed an infraction or, if not, the Committee would rule in your favor.
I am very pleased at your excellent etiquette in reminding your opponent before his shot that he could not clear away the sand, as it was not a loose impediment on the fairway.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
