Hi Linda,
Question on Match Play Golf Rules please:
My friend Lou and I were in a Match Play type of contest
recently. After 10 holes we were joined by a two-some that were playing Stroke-play
between themselves. On the 18th green, my opponent hit a wild putt that veered
strongly wide and struck one of the stroke-play balls.
My ball, his only opponent’s Match Play ball, was already in
the cup. He did not hit his Match Player's ball. But he benefited much by
hitting the Stroke-Player's ball. The wild putt was heading well off the green.
Instead it came to an abrupt stop.
The spirit of the Match Play rule (there is no penalty for
hitting your opponent's Match-Play ball when hitting a putt from on the green)
contends that the Match Play opponent could have marked his own ball, so why
penalize the putter? But in this case, I did not have the option of marking one of the Stroke-Play balls. Is there a penalty for the
putter (my opponent) or not, is my question.
My opponent was probably right, no penalty, but I see
reasons why this unique case deserves independent analysis.
Thanks,
Lou from Palmdale, California
Dear Lou,
Rule 19-5 states that a ball in motion that is deflected by
a ball that is in play and at rest must be played as it lies. There is no
penalty incurred in match play for striking another ball with a putt when both
balls were on the putting green. So the answer to your question is that the
ball your opponent putted must be played as it lies with no penalty incurred
for striking another ball.
While you did not have the option of marking and lifting a
ball that is not yours, you were well within your rights to ask that player to
mark and lift his ball. Rule 22-1 gives you the right to have any ball lifted
that might assist another player. Since you did not exercise this right, you
are stuck with the consequences.
Linda
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