Linda, has Rule 13-4 changed since Brian Davis called a two-stroke
penalty on himself in the playoff at the 2010 Verizon Heritage? In his
case I believe he brushed a reed during his back swing for his stroke while he
was in the hazard on the first playoff hole.
The reason I am asking is that during a tournament at my
home course a player made his stoke from the hazard and hit a tree limb during his
backswing for his stroke. He did not call a two-stroke penalty on
himself. I re-read the note on Rule 13-4 and it seems a little ambiguous.
Would you please clarify?
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
There is a Note following Rule 13-4 that states that a
player may touch any grass, bush, tree, or other growing thing when she
addresses the ball or during her backswing.
If a player breaks a limb during her backswing and
discontinues her swing, she is penalized two strokes for improving the area of
her intended swing [Decision 13-2/14.5]. If she breaks the limb on her
backswing, but manages to complete her stroke despite the distraction, she is
not penalized, and she deserves a pat on the back!
Brian Davis called a penalty on himself for brushing a loose reed in a hazard during his
backswing in the playoff vs. Jim Furyk at the 2010 Verizon Heritage. A loose
reed is not a “growing thing” – it is a loose impediment. A player is not
permitted to touch or move a loose impediment in a hazard when his ball is in
the hazard.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
