Dear readers,
I have added this link (https://www.randa.org/News/2012/06/Teeing-the-Ball) to #1682. Please click on it to learn everything you need to know about tees.
Linda,
I have added this link (https://www.randa.org/News/2012/06/Teeing-the-Ball) to #1682. Please click on it to learn everything you need to know about tees.
Linda,
I seemed to have stirred up a debate at our local club
regarding Rule 20-2c, the rule when to re-drop. Player A hit a ball into a
lateral water hazard (red stakes). By all accounts he correctly determined the
correct place to drop and did so in a legal manner. However, the ball struck
the ground and hopped/rolled 2 ball widths (4 to 5 inches) towards the hole. Player B in
our group immediately stated: "that was an illegal drop – you must re-drop."
As player A reached to pick his ball up I quickly countered - "there
was nothing at all illegal about that drop, don't touch your ball." We
attempted a discussion and I finally got out my rulebook and said: "Under
the above stated rule please show me which of the 7 items made that an illegal
drop.” Player B read through the options and stated sub-rule vii (a): “if a
ball rolls closer to the hole than its original position or estimated position
unless otherwise permitted by the Rules.” I informed Player B the
ball has not come closer to the hole than its original position in the
hazard [I also showed him vii(c) which is more applicable to this issue]. Player
B then informed me I was completely wrong, saying that the ball hit the ground
(calling this the point of original position) and then rolled towards
the hole, which makes it an illegal drop. Just to note for no confusion -
the ball did not stop then go forward, it was all one motion as the ball was
dropped. We have asked some pros in the area. Unfortunately Player
B has found one that supports his thoughts. Please let me know if I
am wrong, or if possible is there a prominent decision that I could show them? Thank
you for this blog - truly love it!!
Lou from Driggs, Idaho
Dear Lou,
When the Rules indicate a specific area in which to drop a ball,
a player whose ball rolls forward but remains within the front confines of that
area is a good drop. A ball that rolls forward must not be re-dropped unless it
rolls forward of the prescribed area. In the case of a lateral water hazard, the ball would have to be re-dropped if it rolled closer to the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.
Let’s look at the two-club-length relief option for a ball
in a lateral hazard. The player in your narrative has correctly identified the
area in which he must drop the ball. In the case of a lateral hazard, this
two-club-length area will look more or less like a quarter circle. If the
player drops his ball near the straight edge of this quarter circle that is
closest to the hole, and the ball rolls forward, towards the hole, beyond this
edge, he must re-drop. If he drops the ball towards the rear of this quarter
circle, and the ball rolls forward but not beyond the front edge, it is a good
drop and the ball is in play. This is what is meant by Rule 20-2c (vii), and
applies to any drop that is limited to a prescribed area.
Linda
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