Good morning:
I am looking for an answer to a question concerning golf
rule under 8.2a.
Indicating Line of Play
• a. Other Than on Putting Green
Except on the putting green,
a player may have the line of play
indicated to him by anyone, but no one may be positioned by the player on or
close to the line or an extension of the line beyond the hole while the
stroke is
being made. Any mark placed by the player or with his knowledge to indicate
the line must be removed before the stroke is made.
The specific questions concerns the following situation:
• Golfer 1 is about to tee off. Golfer goes through pre-shot
routine as follows:
– look at fairway and visualize shape of shot
– stand behind ball and determine line of flight
– approach ball from behind and scrape grass slightly to establish
swing path on take away
• Golfer 2 complains that this is a “mark,” thus violating
the last sentence of 8.2.a.
Please comment.
Thanks.
Lou from Illinois
Dear Lou,
A player is not permitted to place anything behind the ball
to help indicate his line of play [Decision 8-2a/2]. A mark on the grass behind
the ball to guide the player’s swing would be a violation of Rule 8-2a. The
penalty is two strokes (loss of hole in match play).
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
