Today at our club tournament one lady’s ball hit
another’s ball. Both balls were just off the green. The ball that was hit was
pushed sideways about 10 feet. The hitter’s ball carried onto the green.
Should the ball that was hit be replaced? Does the hitter
get to leave her ball where it landed?
Thanks for your help.
Lulu from Surrey, BC, Canada
Dear Lulu,
When a ball at rest is moved by a ball in motion, the ball
that was at rest must be replaced [Rule 18-5]. The ball that was in motion must
be played as it lies [Rule 19-5a].
In your narrative, both balls were off the green. However, had
they both been on the green, in stroke play there would be a two-stroke penalty
to the player whose ball in motion hit the ball at rest. In match play, there
would be no penalty.
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
