Linda,
Player A and Player B played a match play round with another
twosome that was playing a casual stroke play round of golf. With all players
on the green, Player A putted his ball, which hit one of the casual player's
balls also on the green. Player A claimed no penalty as he was playing match
play. Player B argued that since he hit a stroke-player’s ball he should incur
a two-stroke penalty. Incidentally Player A's ball was deflected into the cup
after the hit and therefore won the hole from Player B. Can you give us a
ruling on this issue? Thank you.
Lulu from Massachusetts
Dear Lulu,
There is no penalty in match play when a player’s putt
strikes another ball that is at rest on the putting green [Rule 19-5a].
The player in your narrative had the good fortune of a
deflection into the hole, but he didn’t have to be so lucky. His opponent had
every right to ask that the ball of the player who was not in the match be
lifted prior to his opponent putting. A player in any format may ask that a
ball in position to assist another player be lifted [Rule 22-1]. If he chose
not to exercise that right, he must accept the consequences.
Linda
Copyright © 2018 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
