Dear Linda,
A and B are playing a four ball match against C and D. A is
on the green with a putt for a bogey.
B is in a greenside hazard. B makes "air" swings
in the hazard that don't touch the ground or water, but brush the top of the
growing grasses in the hazard. B then plays her shot onto the green
close to the hole and taps in for a par. A picks up her ball. C and D both
bogey the hole. Then C and D claim that B had a 2 stroke penalty for touching
the grass in the hazard and is therefore out of the hole, and that since A
picked up she is out of the hole also, so C and D claim they won the hole. A
and B don't know their rules well enough to disagree and let C and D win the
hole on their claim.
My thoughts: The note to 13-4 says that it was not a penalty
for B to touch the growing grass in the hazard. A and B should have known
their rules better, or should have known to not agree to C and D's claim until
they found an official. But, is there anything in the rules (maybe an equity
thing?) that requires C and D to notify A and B of the claimed penalty before A
picks up her ball?
Thanks - Love your emails.
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
In match play, if there is disagreement among the players
that cannot be resolved, a player may file a claim to be reviewed later by the
Committee. This claim must be made
before any player hits from the next tee [Rule 2-5].
In the scenario you describe, there was no dispute. Team A-B
agreed with team C-D’s mistaken assertion that A-B lost the hole because B supposedly
incurred a two-stroke penalty and A, unfortunately, picked up, thereby removing
herself from contention.
If A and B had stood their ground and insisted that the
claim by C and D be resolved by an official, the claim would have been reviewed
by a Committee member later on or after the round. A and B would have been
awarded the hole. However, A and B did not know the Rule and therefore were swayed
by the argument of C and D. The result of the hole stands, with C and D winning
the hole.
There is no requirement to inform a player of a Rules
violation (real or supposed) committed by her partner before she picks up her
ball. The deadline for discussion is before anyone hits from the next tee.
This unfortunate incident is a wonderful argument for the
importance of knowing the Rules. In the absence of knowledge, players A and B
should have at least requested that the matter be resolved by an official.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
