Hi Linda,
We played four ball (best ball) on the weekend as a haggle
amongst ourselves, though the primary competition at the club was a stroke play
round of best net. While on the green one of our opponent's balls was 3 feet or
so past the hole. His partner was putting from around 30 feet away and I asked
him did he want the other ball marked. He declined, putted and hit his
partner's ball with his own when the putt ran past the hole.
I believe that in match play there is no penalty and that
his ball stays where it is and the ball that was moved should be put back as
close as possible to the original position. However, because the primary
competition was stroke play, I said he incurred a 2-stroke penalty, which in
effect caused them to lose the hole anyway.
I'm guessing the problem here is playing two different
formats at the same time. Clarification about the issue of hitting another ball
when both are on the putting green would be appreciated, both for match play
and stroke play.
Many thanks.
Lou from New Zealand
Dear Lou,
Please
look at the following Rule:
33-1. Conditions; Waiving Rule
The Committee must
establish the conditions under which a competition is to be played.
The Committee has
no power to waive a Rule of Golf.
Certain specific Rules governing
stroke play are so substantially different from those governing match play that
combining the
two forms of play is not practicable and is not permitted. The
result of a match played in these circumstances is null and void and, in the
stroke play competition, the competitors are
disqualified.
There
is no penalty for hitting another ball on the green in match play; there is a
two-stroke penalty for hitting another ball on the green in stroke play. This
Rule is in effect when the player is putting on the green [Rule 19-5a].
You
may never play stroke play and match play simultaneously. The Rules are not the
same, and you will get into trouble, as you did in the scenario you describe.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
