Linda, I played a match today with a woman who always brings a
spare ball to the tee box (in case she has to hit a provisional) and leaves it
sitting behind her in the tee box rather than keep it in her pocket. Our
opponent said that this is not allowed claiming that it constitutes "2
balls in play." Is she correct? And if so, can the ball be
legally left in the rough just off the tee box?
Lulu from Long Island, New York
Dear Lulu,
A ball is not “in play” until a player has hit it from the teeing
ground. Therefore, a spare ball on the ground behind the player is not “in
play.”
I like the time-saving idea of having an extra ball handy in
case a provisional becomes necessary, but I’m puzzled as to why the player can’t
store it in her pocket.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
