Linda,
Player 1 and 2 are both on the green. Player 1 is away and
putts first. In the process of putting, his ball hits player 2’s ball, who
chose not to mark it. What is the ruling?
Lou from Green Valley, Arizona
Dear Lou,
In match play, there is no penalty. In stroke play, the
player who putts the ball that strikes the other ball on the green incurs a
two-stroke penalty [Rule 19-5a]. In either format, the player will play the
ball as it lies.
There is nothing to stop the player from requesting that a
ball on the putting green be marked and lifted. Any such request must be honored. If the player fails to
ask, and his putt strikes the other ball, he has no one to blame but himself for the penalty he incurs in stroke play.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
