Hi Linda,
I want to ask about a situation that occurred yesterday.
Player has played second shot to get on green, having a water hazard in between
player and green. In process the ball hit a water motor which was inside the
hazard. The ball bounced back into the water. The player insisted that the ball
has hit man-made structure so he has to play the second shot again. I asked to
play third shot as the ball has hit the structure which was inside hazard.
Please comment.
Lou from Pakistan
Dear Lou,
The player’s ball was accidentally deflected by an outside
agency. This is known as a “rub of the green.” The ball must be played as it
lies [Rule 19-1].
The location of the motor is irrelevant. If it were out of
bounds, and the ball hit it and caromed in bounds, the player would rejoice in
his good luck and play the ball as it lies on the course. If it were on the
course, and a hit ball caromed off the motor and settled out of bounds, the
player would be in the unenviable position of having to play another ball under
stroke and distance.
This player’s ball is in the water hazard. If he chooses to take
relief outside the hazard, his next shot will be his fourth shot on the hole
(tee shot, second shot lands in water, drop outside hazard, next shot is #4).
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
