Hi Linda,
Will you please clarify how Rule 18-2a applies to moving a
ball on the putting green? Part of my pre-shot routine on the putting
green includes standing in front of the ball, looking down the line of the putt
and swinging my putter a couple of times. I accidentally hit my ball the
other day, but simply replaced it and did not take a penalty stroke, because I
had not addressed the ball (my putter was not behind the ball). One of my
playing partners corrected me, and said that I should have taken a penalty
stroke. He also said that had I left my marker on the green behind my
ball, and accidentally hit the ball during my practice swings that I would not
have had to take the penalty.
Will you please help us get this straight?
Thanks very much,
Lulu from California
Dear Lulu,
A practice swing is not a stroke, since there was no
intention to hit the ball. When you accidentally move your ball in play with a
practice swing (as you did on the putting green), you incur one penalty stroke
and you must replace your ball [Decision 18-2/20]. The ruling is the same
regardless of whether your marker is still behind the ball.
Linda
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