Linda, I was playing in a tournament and my opponent hit his
tee shot. The player hit completely under the ball, hitting the
tee. The ball remained. The player lifted the ball out of the divot
and re-teed the shot. I believe that he should have hit his second shot
from where the ball lay.
What is the ruling on this situation?
Thank you!
Lulu from New Jersey
Dear Lulu,
Your understanding is correct. A ball is “in play” as soon
as the player makes a stroke from the teeing ground [Definition of “Ball in
Play”]. A “stroke” is defined as the forward movement of the club with the
intention to hit the ball. There is no requirement that the ball be hit in the
definition of “stroke.” Indeed, a complete whiff is still a stroke.
If the player had played the ball from the divot, that would have been his second shot on the hole. When he re-teed the ball, he was playing under stroke and distance. His second stroke with the re-teed ball became his third stroke on the hole.
If the player had played the ball from the divot, that would have been his second shot on the hole. When he re-teed the ball, he was playing under stroke and distance. His second stroke with the re-teed ball became his third stroke on the hole.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
