Dear Linda
While playing in our club today a fellow competitor accidentally hit and moved her ball forward while placing her putter behind it.
I told her it was a one-stroke penalty and if she did not move it back she
would incur an extra 2-stroke penalty for hitting from the wrong place. I also
told her I believe she could declare it a stroke and just putt from the new
spot counting only her actual strokes. Her choice.
Please advise.
Lulu from Hemet, California
Dear Lulu,
The player incurs a one-stroke penalty for moving her ball
in play. She must replace it [Rule 18-2]. If she fails to replace it, the total
penalty is two strokes, not three [see the penalty statement at the end of Rule
18].
The player may not
declare the accidental movement of the ball a “stroke.” A stroke requires intention to move the ball– accidents
are not intentional [Definition of “Stroke”].
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
