Hi Linda,
If a player strikes a ball that hits a riding golf cart in
the foursome ahead of her, is there a penalty for hitting the cart?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
No, Lulu. There is no penalty when your ball hits a cart
that belongs to a player in another group. That cart would be considered an “outside
agency.” You will play the ball as it lies. If the ball lands in the cart, you
must drop the ball on the spot directly below where it came to rest in the cart
Rule 19-1].
The story changes if the cart belongs to you or your
partner. In that case, you will incur a one-stroke penalty for hitting your own
equipment and you must play the ball as it lies [Rule 19-2].
In match play, if the cart belongs to your opponent, you may
either play the ball as it lies or cancel the stroke and replay it. Either way,
there is no penalty to anyone [Rule 19-3].
In stroke play, another player’s cart would be an outside
agency. There is no penalty – play the ball as it lies [Rule 19-4].
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
