Hi Linda,
If a player marks and lifts his ball on the green, is his
caddie allowed to then replace that ball and align markings on that ball with
the intended line of putt? Rule 20-3a seems to say “no.”
Thanks
Lou from Bahrain
Dear Lou,
That is correct, Lou. The caddie is not permitted to replace
the player’s ball on the green (or anywhere else, for that matter) unless he is
the one who lifted it. The only people entitled to replace a player’s ball are
the player, the person who lifted the ball, and the player’s partner [Rule
20-3a]. If anyone else replaces the ball, and the error is not corrected, the
player incurs a one-stroke penalty.
While we’re on this topic, there are still some people who
insist that the person who lifted the ball must replace it. This is not true.
While this person may replace the
ball, there is no requirement that he do so – the player or his partner are
always entitled to replace the ball.
With regard to lifting the ball, the player and his partner
are always entitled to lift the player’s ball. Any other person lifting the
ball must have the player’s permission [Rule 20-1].
For a list of acts the caddie may perform, please read
Decision 6-4/10.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
