Linda,
The other day I was playing and my ball was fairly close to
the base of a tree. I had a shot to punch the ball out but when I removed a
leaf that was about 4-5 inches behind my ball the ball moved about 1/4 turn. I
have moved loose impediments more times than I care to remember and in doing so
caused my ball to move and I know what the penalty is. However, this is the
first time that I can honestly say I do not think my moving that leaf caused
the ball to move. I honestly believe that my ball was sitting precariously on a
small irregularity near the tree; I think it was merely coincidence that the
ball moved as I bent over to pick up the leaf. Again, the leaf was well behind
the ball and no part of the leaf or anything else that I touched was in contact
with the ball. Also, I had not yet even picked my club much less addressed the
ball. Question…can you provide some
guidance as to what must occur to assume that a golfer’s actions resulted in
moving the ball and therefore incurring a penalty?
Thanks,
Lou from Texas
Dear Lou,
All of the evidence must be considered in determining who or
what is responsible for a ball moving. Sometimes the answer is obvious: the
player kicks the ball or drops a club on it; an animal or spectator moves it. Other
times the reason is not easily discerned.
There is a new Decision this year that gives excellent
guidance on how to decide whether the player moved his ball. I would strongly
suggest everyone read Decision 18-2/0.5.
Based on your narrative, I would be inclined to rule that
you were responsible for moving the ball. Since the ball did not move in all
the time it took you to reach it and contemplate your shot, there’s a good
chance you disturbed something that caused it to move when you picked up a leaf
four or five inches behind it.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
