Dear Linda,
Just one question...
1. Player makes practice swing at a “ball in play”;
and ball moves.
2. He fails to replace it (no advantage gained) and takes a
shot from “wrong place.”
I am arguing that the penalty shots are compounded and a
penalty of 3 shots should be added to score. Others say 2 penalty shots.
Can you please advise?
Thanks,
Lou from Wrexham, North Wales, UK
Dear Lou,
The “others” are correct. When you accidentally move your
ball in play and fail to replace it before you hit it, the penalty is two
strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. If you replace the ball
before you hit it, the penalty is only one stroke. Please read the “Penalty for
Breach of Rule” in the rulebook at the end of Rule 18.
This answer is based on your statement that no advantage was
gained. If the player’s practice swing had moved the ball to a more
advantageous spot (perhaps out from behind a tree or significantly closer to
the hole), his playing from a wrong place might be a serious breach. If he
suspects a serious breach, he should play two balls and report the facts to the
Committee before returning his scorecard [Rule 20-7c].
Linda
Copyright © 2017 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
