Linda–
I have been looking at the Note at the end of Rule 13-4. It
is difficult to understand how the term "at any time" is used to
describe the ability to touch any grass, bush or growing thing in a hazard.
Also, there's no such thing as addressing a ball in a bunker
now, so is the definition of "address" only needed when mentioning ball movement? Does one
always address a ball to strike it, even in a bunker? Does it mean that if the
ball moves –not caused by the player– the player is not implicated?
I would appreciate your thoughts to help us all understand
the Rules better!
Thanks,
Lulu from Northern Ireland
Dear Lulu,
A player is permitted to touch any grass, bush, tree, or
other growing thing in a hazard. What she is not permitted to touch is the
ground. So if you brush the top of the grass while taking a practice “air
swing,” or contact a bush in the process of trying to hit your ball, there is
no penalty [Decision 13-4/4]. Don’t confuse this with contacting a loose
impediment in a hazard, which is not permitted. If you move a pinecone or a
leaf on your backswing (both being loose impediments), you will incur a
two-stroke penalty.
A ball has been “addressed” when the player grounds her club
in front of or behind the ball [Definition of Addressing the Ball]. Since a
player is not permitted to ground her club in a bunker or water hazard, a
player cannot address her ball in a
hazard without incurring a two-stroke penalty [Decision 18-2b/2]. If the player
takes her stance in a hazard, and
the ball subsequently moves, it must be established what caused the ball to
move. If it was the player, there is a one-stroke penalty and ball must be
replaced. If there was another cause (e.g., wind, water), there is no penalty
[Decision 18-2b/3].
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
