Friday, February 8, 2013

Ask Linda #605-Player whiffs tee shot


Hi Linda,
A player whiffs his tee shot, takes his penalty, then re-addresses the ball, then accidentally bumps his ball from the tee. Is the player penalized because the ball was in play after the whiff? Would he take a penalty and put it back on the tee?
Thanks,
Lou from Ontario

Dear Lou,

The whiff counts as the player’s first stroke, since he intended to hit the ball. As soon as a player hits from the teeing ground (even if the “hit” is a “miss”), his ball is in play [Definition of “Ball in Play”]. When he accidentally bumps his ball off the tee, he has moved his ball in play and has consequently incurred a one-stroke penalty [Rule 18-2a]. He must replace his ball on the tee before hitting what will be his third stroke on the hole. If he does not replace it, and hits it as it lies on the ground, the penalty is two strokes.

Linda
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