Linda:
I would appreciate your advice on the following two related
situations:
1. Can I ask my Partner to stand behind me on the tee to
watch the line of my drive for purposes of finding the ball if it goes
off-line, or, as my opponent claimed, is this in breach of Rule 14-2?
2. This relates to the word "behind" in the same
rule:
I understand that a partnership cannot stand on the green in
the sequence partner === player & ball === hole, but what
about the sequence player & ball === hole === partner? The word
"behind" does not seem to preclude this, but would this scenario
breach any other rule?
I have looked through your earlier blogs but can't find this
referenced.
Much appreciate your excellent input and the service you
provide.
Lou
Dear Lou,
No one on a player’s “team” (partner, caddie, or partner’s
caddie) is permitted to stand behind the player on an extension of the line of
play (or putt) behind the ball while the player is making a stroke [Rule
14-2b]. The reason is that positioning someone behind you might assist you in
lining up your shot. If you watch golf tournaments, you will notice the caddie
line up the player and then move aside before the player hits the ball. If you
need help watching your shot, your partner should be able follow the flight of
your ball from the side. If you allow him to stand behind you (to the right of
a right-handed golfer), it will cost you two strokes (loss of hole in match
play).
If your partner is inadvertently standing on the other side
of the hole while you putt, there is no penalty [Rule 14-2, Exception]. However,
if he stands there and says: “Aim at my left toe,” you’re looking at a two
stroke/loss of hole penalty for a breach of Rule 8-2b, which prohibits touching
the green to point out a line for putting. Your partner may point out a line
(without touching the green), but he may not be a target.
Your partner may, of course, attend the flagstick for you.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
