Linda:
Today, before hitting his ball in tournament play, I told a
fellow competitor that he was about to hit in front of the tee box marker.
Another fellow competitor assessed me a 2-stroke penalty.
Is this correct? Is this advice or merely information about
the Rules of Golf?
Best,
Lou from Rancho Santa Fe, California
Dear Lou,
Information on the Rules is not advice [Definition of “Advice”]. There is no penalty for
warning a fellow competitor (stroke play) that he is about to tee off ahead of
the markers. If you fail to notify him before he hits the ball, the fellow
competitor will incur a two-stroke penalty and he must hit another tee shot
from within the teeing ground [Rule 11-4b]. Under no circumstances do you incur
a penalty for issuing the warning.
In my book, you earn kudos for helping another player avoid
incurring a penalty. This is good sportsmanship, and should be practiced by
everyone.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
