Dear Linda,
Yesterday, while we were playing our home course, we were playing greens that were very slick and therefore would cause our putts to roll for a considerable time. While on the green, player #1 hit a putt that was at a considerable length of distance away from the hole. While the ball was in motion, player #2 took a towel that he was using to clean his ball, and tried to throw it off of the green. The towel did not make it off the green and instead blocked the motion of the ball that was in motion.
In this case, please assume that there was no ill attempt in any fashion by player #2, just a bad throw.
The question is if the towel should be considered simply an outside agency, or if player #2’s action is covered under some other part of the rulings because it was thrown while the ball was in motion. It would seem to me that players should be forced to take extra caution while others are playing, but I cannot find any infraction as far as I can see.
Thanks,
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
If the towel had been thrown deliberately, Player #2 would incur a two-stroke penalty under Rule 1-2. If it was further determined that he gained a significant advantage, or that the other player was significantly disadvantaged, he would be disqualified.
However, you have indicated that there was no malice aforethought. In your scenario, the towel was an outside agency. Since the ball was deflected by an outside agency after a putt from on the green, the stroke is canceled. The ball must be replaced and replayed [Rule 19-1b].
The only action required of Player #2 is a sheepish and sincere apology.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
