Dear Linda,
I'm new to your Golf Rules and I'm enjoying reading all your answers.
This came up in our foursome with divided opinions on the answer.
On the putting surface, while trying to replace your golf ball, the ball would not stay in place. One person said to press it down and another thought that would be a penalty for undue influence on the ball or improving your lie. Is there any ruling on this and what would the penalty be? Thanks, Curious Lulu
Dear Lulu,
I’m always happy to welcome a new reader!
When you place a ball, and it will not stay put, you must try to replace the ball a second time. If the ball still moves, you must place it at the nearest spot that is no closer to the hole where it will remain at rest [Rule 20-3d].
The Rules do not permit you to press a ball into the ground to keep it from moving [Decision 20-3d/2]. If you were to do so, you would be altering your lie (two-stroke penalty in stroke play/loss of hole in match play).
Linda
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