Linda…in a recent round I hit a ball into a lateral hazard. The
ball was playable but was leaning up against a rather large stick. I am well
aware that you cannot move a loose impediment in a hazard, but all I can say is
that I had a brain cramp. I reached down to touch the stick to see if there was
any way I could move the stick without moving the ball and immediately realized
if I moved the stick the ball would also move. Since the stick was going to be a problem, I decided
that my best option was to take two club-lengths from the point of entry. After
taking my drop my playing partner reminded me that I could not move the stick
anyway, even if the ball did not move, since I was in the Hazard (note: I felt
rather stupid at this point). Here is my question… was it a penalty for simply
touching the loose impediment (i.e., the stick)? Neither the stick nor the
ball changed position in the slightest, but I did touch the stick with my
finger. Thanks.
Lou from Texas
Dear Lou,
Brace yourself, Lou. You are not permitted to touch or move a loose impediment in a
hazard when your ball lies in that hazard [Rule 13-4c and 23-1, Note]. The fact
that the stick did not move is irrelevant. As soon as you touched it, you
incurred the two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play).
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
